mostly_gas
Veteran Member
Yes I am happy with my health care. I would love to see a real debate over health care costs not what is going on in Washington now:confused2:
Health Care, Are you happy with yours?
- Thread starter FallbrookFarmer
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gsganzer
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It's a shame that the solution is a "total overhaul", rather than fix the few things that are actually driving up costs.
1. Stop providing healthcare to people that are here illegally.
2. Put some tort reform in place, so the doctors don't feel like they have to run every test imaginable to help avoid a lawsuit by a disgruntled patient. At the same time, make it less attractive for lawyers to take cases on a contingency. The loser of a lawsuit pays all costs.
3. Help control costs of bringing new medical products and drugs to market by revamping the FDA. If a device or procedure has already gone through medical studies/trials in a recognized country (one that shares similar medical standards to the USA), don't require that they perform the same trial all over again to get USA FDA approval.
4. Get the consumerism back in health care. Most of us aren't aware of what we're being charged for medical procedures or if the billl that was submitted to our insurance company is even accurate. Why are we paying $8 for a plastic dish to puke in, when you can buy something equivalent at Walmart for $.49?
5. Do we want to pay for health insurance or a health plan? If I need a repair or maintenance to my car, I pay it out of pocket. If I have a major accident, my insurance covers it. The same should be true for healthcare. We can choose to buy insurance for major issues and pay for all the smaller things ourselves, or you pay more for a complete health care plan that covers all Dr. visits and expenses. (see 4 above)
Just my $.02
1. Stop providing healthcare to people that are here illegally.
2. Put some tort reform in place, so the doctors don't feel like they have to run every test imaginable to help avoid a lawsuit by a disgruntled patient. At the same time, make it less attractive for lawyers to take cases on a contingency. The loser of a lawsuit pays all costs.
3. Help control costs of bringing new medical products and drugs to market by revamping the FDA. If a device or procedure has already gone through medical studies/trials in a recognized country (one that shares similar medical standards to the USA), don't require that they perform the same trial all over again to get USA FDA approval.
4. Get the consumerism back in health care. Most of us aren't aware of what we're being charged for medical procedures or if the billl that was submitted to our insurance company is even accurate. Why are we paying $8 for a plastic dish to puke in, when you can buy something equivalent at Walmart for $.49?
5. Do we want to pay for health insurance or a health plan? If I need a repair or maintenance to my car, I pay it out of pocket. If I have a major accident, my insurance covers it. The same should be true for healthcare. We can choose to buy insurance for major issues and pay for all the smaller things ourselves, or you pay more for a complete health care plan that covers all Dr. visits and expenses. (see 4 above)
Just my $.02
OP
FallbrookFarmer
Platinum Member
Yes I am happy with my health care. I would love to see a real debate over health care costs not what is going on in Washington now:confused2:
Perhaps we "Have to pass the bill, so we can find out what's in it" Nancy Pelosi quote.
Yea open debate would be good, seen any lately?
OP
FallbrookFarmer
Platinum Member
In England,lawyers are barred from receiving a percentage of a settlement, can only bill on the number of hours they actually work on a case.
I always wondered why a lawyer would be entitled to 30-50% of an injury? Did HE get hurt?
The Haymaker
Veteran Member
Those fixes would mean this was actually about healthcare and not about control of the sheeple....
keegs
Veteran Member
Most Americans are probably satisfied with their health care because most aren't sick and don't pay the full cost of their premiums.
The issue with regard to health care reform then isn't whether someone is satisfied with their health care, it's weather the present system allocates scarce health care resources effeciently.
On a per capita basis, the US spends about twice what other delveloped economies spend on health care with almost 50 million uninsured and with a larger number of underinsured.
OP
FallbrookFarmer
Platinum Member
So you are suggesting that the government would be more EFFICIENT at allocating health care?
brin
Super Member
The problem seems to be that folks don't know or care what anything having to do with their health care costs anymore except what their monthly insurance premium is. Remember back up untiil the late 1970's there was no co pay...you went to the doc and paid the bill, same with the lab or any minor procdure and when you went to the drug store you paid for your prescription and it was never a big deal..Now the consumer / patient has been taken out of the equation and it is all co-pay this and co- pay that ..the docs or anyone else never give you a price and you have no reason to ask..the insurance company or the government pays so no one cares anymore. The system is broken.
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FallbrookFarmer
Platinum Member
Excellent point! So if I my paraphrase, before the government got involved, in "co-pays" etc. the cost of health care was actually less expensive?
Trucker1
Member
Yes for my healthcare. It may cost more from year to year, and premiums keep rising but I haven't yet been told by my doctor, chiropractor or the emergency room to "go away." Seems like there is great confusion and misleading on what is actually going on here.
In Maine, we have Dirigo health--a State run health system--which is voluntary for low incomes and such. They have poured millions of $$ into it and it is still going broke. They even advertise for new clients, but no one wants it.
In Mass., they have mandatory state health insurance--everyone must have it and even sign an affidavite confirming why you may or may not have insurance from an employer(if you have more than one job.) Again, only viable because of the billions the Feds pour into it.
I don't see any way that this "plan" has anything to do with health care. It is all about control and will definitely cost us in the long run, sooner rather than later, I fear.
In Maine, we have Dirigo health--a State run health system--which is voluntary for low incomes and such. They have poured millions of $$ into it and it is still going broke. They even advertise for new clients, but no one wants it.
In Mass., they have mandatory state health insurance--everyone must have it and even sign an affidavite confirming why you may or may not have insurance from an employer(if you have more than one job.) Again, only viable because of the billions the Feds pour into it.
I don't see any way that this "plan" has anything to do with health care. It is all about control and will definitely cost us in the long run, sooner rather than later, I fear.
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