I couldn't but I like to hear what the Good Doctor had to say...
Let's put Healthcare here, so that the web crawling keyword bots came send in their "task force"
I guess the Key to all this is that we, as a people, already spend a TON of money on a broken system that will just get more dough if Obama's push for "reform" at any cost turns out even less well than the "rescue" of the banking system. Have you seen the projected figure for mortgage defaults yet to come? Where did all THAT money go?
But I digress. We need to stop another disaster forming up to pour more money after bad, here. We need to come together as a people and demand reforms that really mean something.
the system could get better--just by forcing insurance companies to insure every one.
ReplyDeleteNow they fight tooth and nail (against pay outs)
but if they had to insure everyone, it would be in THEIR interest to keep us healthy.
to fight agro business (and get high fructose corn syrup out of food)
to fight for PE programs in schools)
to fight for bike paths
To work towards preventive medicine.
(all this would help Their BOTTOM LINE--but it would be good for us.
now, they cut off 'bad risks' (and only want to insure the healthy.
but if they had to insure everyone, they, like car insurance companies, that have fought to beef up safety standard for cars, would work to make the US a healthier place.
prenatal care would be cheap (compared to a life time of care to a disable person)--and they's want it!
health screenings, and diet and nutricial support would be cheap (compared to heart attacks and diabedies, and stroke) and there would be more coverage and support for these conditions.
Now, we (the consumers) and the insurance companies are on opposite sides..
but with universal coverage, they would make more money keeping us healthy.. instead of denying coverage.
we'd be partners in good health.
auto companies help and support crack downs on DWI/DUI's--and they promote laws for seat belt use, and the auto safety institute is paid for by insurance companies who want safe cars (its cheaper to pay for a totalled car than 1 day in intensive care.. they want cars that collapes (and are totally destroyed--but that have drivers walk away from..
auto insurance companies are partners with drivers to make cars safer..
lets get health insurance companies to be partners in our good health.. (it would be good for their bottom line too!)
Absolutely great points, Helen, and thanks for spelling them out. I agree but with a proviso:
ReplyDeleteThese Insurance companies will not be allowed to insinuate themselves between a doctor and what he or she wants for a patient. They cannot deny tests, medicines, or procedures that a doctor or specialist teams orders for his patient.
That has happened repeatedly, and it should not ever happen.
These health panelists the insurance companies hire are not the BEST of the doctors anywhere, indeed some are not even MDs, and they don't know the most about you or me, as individuals. They are just there to deny care.
Premiums and profits are up. Number of insured persons is down. If serious reform is not taken on now, the entire system will implode and the government will be forced to step in.
ReplyDeleteThose lucky people who are happy with their insurance coverage now and opposed to change will be singing a different tune when they are laid off from their jobs, or their employer provides less coverage or drops coverage entirely. This is already happening in small companies across the country.
Large companies frequently choose policies (and companies) with lower coverage, higher deductibles, and increased contributions toward the premiums from employees.
Just because someone is happy now does not mean that they will be happy in a year or two or five, as their coverage changes.
The time to act was years ago, and any further delay will only make it worse.
Thank you for your comments, Pogo. The time to have done this was a LONG time ago, just as you say. We cannot let this mire down again, no matter how many operatives the industry as the $$$ to hire to scream at town hall meetings and work the web. This issue will not go away; if other industrialized countries less wealthy than ours can afford this for it's citizens then so the hell can we!
ReplyDeleteIt's very telling that Max Baucus distributed HIS health care "plan" to the Insurance Industry, who OWNs the man, before it was even presented to the committee he chairs. Also, that so many advisers to that committee are former employees of the Health Care Industry, and it is and INDUSTRY, to make money by limiting care.