Would you switch to Private Health Insurance?

[Kryst51]

This statement is patently false. The conversation cannot proceed from a false starting point.

then redirect the discussion, why lambast it without contribution, there are obviously several Americans out there who think this, including me and the OP. If we're wrong, then please don't yell at us. contribute something to help us learn if you feel that strongly about.

 

[Alisa]

yeah, except nobody is proposing public health CARE. The only thing on the table right now is insurance reform, and possibly a public insurance options. Thats it. No public care, no public doctors, no nationalized hospitals. No big scary death panels. To tell you the truth, even if this reform passes, I doubt that it will make much of a difference, but I support it anyway because you have to start somewhere.

 

[Alisa]

then redirect the discussion, why lambast it without contribution, there are obviously several Americans out there who think this, including me and the OP.

Ok, lets talk about what kind of country explicitly allows poor people and minorities to die at higher rates and receive less and lower quality medical care than rich people and whites. Lets talk about what kind of country allows powerful private corporations to take billions in profits literally at the expense of its people's lives. Lets talk about people's willingness to buy into republican fear mongering about the proposed reform. Lets talk about the media's complicity in confusing people about what is truly on the table right now.

 

[Kryst51]

Because they have a national health care system. We don't, and won't.

It's still something to think about..... There always seems to be tricks up peoples sleeves. I don't have the energy to argue. Next time maybe you can state your opinion without yelling at us all for being wrong (maybe state your opinion not quite so vehemently) So we're not going to have a national health care system. It's going to be reformed. OK. I am still glad I had the opportunity to hear about Canada and the UK. And now Even through argument, I've learned something. Thanks

 

[Alisa]

It's still something to think about..... There always seems to be tricks up peoples sleeves. I don't have the energy to argue. Next time maybe you can state your opinion without yelling at us all for being wrong (maybe state your opinion not quite so vehemently) So we're not going to have a national health care system. It's going to be reformed. OK. I am still glad I had the opportunity to hear about Canada and the UK. And now Even through argument, I've learned something. Thanks

I apologize if I came across too strongly. If you really are interested in other systems, this is most informative source I have found:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

I reacted strongly because most of the people who make those comparisons know exactly what they are doing - trying to scare people into not changing anything.

 

[Kryst51]

Ok, lets talk about what kind of country explicitly allows poor people and minorities to die at higher rates and receive less and lower quality medical care than rich people and whites. Lets talk about what kind of country allows powerful private corporations to take billions in profits literally at the expense of its people's lives. Lets talk about people's willingness to buy into republican fear mongering about the proposed reform. Lets talk about the media's complicity in confusing people about what is truly on the table right now.

I agree, our system is messed up, I don't really know the answer. I would like to find a way to give people health care and care in general in such a way that doesn't discourage working. So many of our systems do that, encourage people to not work (And this I know, I went to school for it.) I don't know about the Republican bit, I am Republican but have heard similar fears and misconceptions from Democratics and Independents too. Our media is alway shaky on the truth, and it is hard to find unbiased reports. I would love to read something that was unbiased to either side but just gave facts.

 

[Kryst51]

I apologize if I came across too strongly. If you really are interested in other systems, this is most informative source I have found:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

I reacted strongly because most of the people who make those comparisons know exactly what they are doing - trying to scare people into not changing anything.

I'll have to look at this when I get home from work tonight. Ireally shouldn't (although I have been) spending so much time looking at this site....

 

[Alisa]

I agree, our system is messed up, I don't really know the answer. I would like to find a way to give people health care and care in general in such a way that doesn't discourage working. So many of our systems do that, encourage people to not work (And this I know, I went to school for it.) I don't know about the Republican bit, I am Republican but have heard similar fears and misconceptions from Democratics and Independents too. Our media is alway shaky on the truth, and it is hard to find unbiased reports. I would love to read something that was unbiased to either side but just gave facts.

Yep, the truth seems to be in short supply lately.

 

[oumahexi]

I don't understand what
a) immigration issues
b)Canada's system
or
c)UK's system

have to do with the current debate. It makes me see red when people act as if these red herrings have ANYTHING whatsoever to do with fixing health insurance in this country. If you oppose the current plan, fine, but please please PLEASE have a REAL reason for doing so, not some irrelevant bull***.

Here is a question for those of you "Across the Pond" from the Yankee side. The question is for Canada too, for that matter. You may be aware that here in the US there is a VERY big deal in the news now about whether the Federal Government should nationalize health care. Currently, most people insure themselves & their families through their employer.

Note the original question, I think that makes the uk system relevant to this debate, and the immigration situation, well that does have a knock on effect on any nationalised health system.

 

[ColinEssex]

One good thing about the NHS is that they treat the condition ASAP. They do not have to decide what level of care you are entitled to according to your insurance cover.

In the USA I understand it to be true that the first question is "are you insured?" - in the UK it focuses on the problem, not the money.

I worked 37 years in the NHS and when it needs to be, it is bloody good.

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

Private insurance in the UK does not cover emergency situations, you need to still go to the NHS A/E for that. Also, post operatively (after a private op) you still need to go back to the NHS if you develop a problem, private companies will not touch you. So effectively, the NHS picks up the pieces whilst the private companies cherry-pick the lucrative scheduled operations.

Col

 

[Alisa]

Note the original question, I think that makes the uk system relevant to this debate, and the immigration situation, well that does have a knock on effect on any nationalised health system.

Ouma, I forgive you because you don't live here and can't be expected to know what is going on, but it is actually completely irrelevant. The OP made the statement that there is an uproar here over nationalizing the health care system. There is no such plan. There never has been. Republicans here just like to go around scaring people that the big bad government is going to take over their healthcare, even though there is absolutely zero basis for such a claim.

 

[Alisa]

One good thing about the NHS is that they treat the condition ASAP. They do not have to decide what level of care you are entitled to according to your insurance cover.

In the USA I understand it to be true that the first question is "are you insured?" - in the UK it focuses on the problem, not the money.

I worked 37 years in the NHS and when it needs to be, it is bloody good.

Col

Actually, if you go to the emergency room here, they have to treat you no matter what, whether you can pay, whether you have insurance, or whether you don't. After they treat you, if you survive, then they ask for payment. If you can't pay, then it goes to collections - if the bill is big enough and you can't pay it, you end up going into bankruptcy (over half of all bankruptcies in this country are due to medical bills). In the mean time, the hospital and/or the government has to cover the cost of your emergency room visit (indigent care funds, etc.). However, if you want to go to a doctors office to get preventative treatment or checkups, you have to pay first, and if you can't pay, you don't get treatment. What this means is that people who don't have insurance get no preventative care, they wait until it is really really bad and then go to the emergency room. This is the worst of all possible worlds because the treatment in the emergency room will cost easily 10 or 20 times as much as if they had gone to a regular doctor visit, and the taxpayer ends up picking up the tab anyway. The whole point of the current reform is to make regular, preventative treatment accessible and affordable to reduce overall spending on health care. But see, this is long and drawn out and complicated. Rather than taking the time to comprehend these issues, the republicans would rather go around telling everyone that Obama is a "socialist" and a "communist". ooooooh scary.

 

[Kryst51]

Ouma, I forgive you because you don't live here and can't be expected to know what is going on, but it is actually completely irrelevant. The OP made the statement that there is an uproar here over nationalizing the health care system. There is no such plan. There never has been. Republicans here just like to go around scaring people that the big bad government is going to take over their healthcare, even though there is absolutely zero basis for such a claim.

Although, alot of the news headlines on the internet seem to suggest that there is an uproar, justified or not.

 

[oumahexi]

Rather than taking the time to comprehend these issues, the republicans would rather go around telling everyone that Obama is a "socialist" and a "communist". ooooooh scary.

And why are they so scary? Would that be because they work so well?

While I'm a great fan of taking care of the poor and tending the sick, I am aware of the pitfalls of extreme socialism and communism, that is why Republicans are afraid of it, because, lets face it, once you start down that road it's all too easy to get carried away.

That said, I do believe that your new President has his head well and truly screwed on and that he will deliver for his people while keeping a close eye that things do not get out of hand. I don't think there's too much for the Americans to worry about.

 

[Alisa]

And why are they so scary? Would that be because they work so well?

While I'm a great fan of taking care of the poor and tending the sick, I am aware of the pitfalls of extreme socialism and communism, that is why Republicans are afraid of it, because, lets face it, once you start down that road it's all too easy to get carried away.

That said, I do believe that your new President has his head well and truly screwed on and that he will deliver for his people while keeping a close eye that things do not get out of hand. I don't think there's too much for the Americans to worry about.

Because according to the protesters, socialism = hitler.
Unfortunately, Americans have never been known for their attention to detail or regard for truth.

 

[Pauldohert]

Actually, if you go to the emergency room here, they have to treat you no matter what, whether you can pay, whether you have insurance, or whether you don't. After they treat you, if you survive, then they ask for payment. If you can't pay, then it goes to collections - if the bill is big enough and you can't pay it, you end up going into bankruptcy (over half of all bankruptcies in this country are due to medical bills). In the mean time, the hospital and/or the government has to cover the cost of your emergency room visit (indigent care funds, etc.). However, if you want to go to a doctors office to get preventative treatment or checkups, you have to pay first, and if you can't pay, you don't get treatment. What this means is that people who don't have insurance get no preventative care, they wait until it is really really bad and then go to the emergency room. This is the worst of all possible worlds because the treatment in the emergency room will cost easily 10 or 20 times as much as if they had gone to a regular doctor visit, and the taxpayer ends up picking up the tab anyway. The whole point of the current reform is to make regular, preventative treatment accessible and affordable to reduce overall spending on health care. But see, this is long and drawn out and complicated. Rather than taking the time to comprehend these issues, the republicans would rather go around telling everyone that Obama is a "socialist" and a "communist". ooooooh scary.

Are the kids going to lose the inheritance - if I have a heart attack in the street. Can I opt out of this? - ie under no circumsatnces treat me and send a bill?

Should I hope to have one at home and die to save the cost?

 

[Alisa]

Are the kids going to lose the inheritance - if I have a heart attack in the street. Can I opt out of this? - ie under no circumsatnces treat me and send a bill?

Should I hope to have one at home and die to save the cost?

You have brought up one of the problems - if you are unconscious, any good samaritan will call you an ambulance which will take you to the emergency room. You could wake up thousands of dollars in debt, and there is nothing you can do about it. Yes, the kids are going to lose the inheritance. No you can't opt out of it. Even if you are conscious when you go in for treatment, there is no way to find out in advance how much it is going to cost. If you ask, they will probably tell you they don't know, or they might say a number. In any case, they could tell you $5000 and then you get a bill for $25000.

 

[Alisa]

In case anyone is interested . . .
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

 

[Pauldohert]

You have brought up one of the problems - if you are unconscious, any good samaritan will call you an ambulance which will take you to the emergency room. You could wake up thousands of dollars in debt, and there is nothing you can do about it. Yes, the kids are going to lose the inheritance. No you can't opt out of it. Even if you are conscious when you go in for treatment, there is no way to find out in advance how much it is going to cost. If you ask, they will probably tell you they don't know, or they might say a number. In any case, they could tell you $5000 and then you get a bill for $25000.

We dont want that here! Sounds horrible.