Fix Healthcare Now
Do you believe that:
-- Our health care system must be inclusive; no American can be left out?
-- The government must be an advocate for its citizens by setting and enforcing the rules so insurance companies put our health care before their profits?
-- A standard for health benefits should be established that ensures people are kept healthy and treated when they are ill?
-- We should have the ability to keep the health care that we have with the choice of a public plan so we’re not left at the mercy of private insurance companies?
-- Health care should be affordable for people and businesses?
Then write to Senator Mel Martinez and tell him so before the Republican hightails it out of Washington with the rest of the 'em crying, "Party's over."
h/t Robin
posted by kate @ 6:48 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I think Washington, generally (I'm inclined to blame Republicans, but there's plenty of blame to go around), by peeling back the post-Depression regulations that had more or less protected us until now, have kind of rendered the Universal Health Care discussion moot. Doesn't look like there's going to be much wealth to redistribute.
Fifty plus percent of health insurance is already in the hands of the government. That's working out so well.
John, I look at as 50% is in the hands of corporations. That is working out so well. That is where they put profit over a person’s health. That is why our premiums are out of control. That is why we rank 39th in the industrial world. I repeat, 39th. In addition, we have the highest premiums. No wonder we cannot compete in the global market. We pay so much for second-rate healthcare that looks for any excuse to deny coverage. Thank corporations like Wal-Mart who do not provide coverage so their employees, with their low salaries are forced to government programs, where I get to pick up the tab. corporate greed at its best. Make the American taxpayer foot the bill for their employees.
That is where they put profit over a person’s health. That is why our premiums are out of control.
Other types of private insurance (home, car, life) works. Companies provide it and make a profit. If corporate greed is the reason for "out of control" health insurance premiums, can you explain why other insurance premiums also aren't out of control?
That is why we rank 39th in the industrial world. I repeat, 39th.
39th in what?
In addition, we have the highest premiums.
And the lowest taxes. You can pay it in premiums or you can pay it in taxes. With premiums, I get to choose to whom I pay my money and what insurance policy I get. With taxation, I pay the money and get what I get, whether I like it or not. I'm pro-choice.
I get to pick up the tab. corporate greed at its best. Make the American taxpayer foot the bill for their employees
That's the definition of taxpayer funded government insurance. I thought you were for that?
"If corporate greed is the reason for "out of control" health insurance premiums, can you explain why other insurance premiums also aren't out of control?"
Because many can and do go their entire lives without ever using their home, car or life insurance or only using it far more sparingly than the average person uses their health insurance. Comparing the different types is not going to give an adequate picture.
I'm not sure where 39th comes from, but WHO in 2000 ranked the US as 37th out of 191 in the world for overall performance and 72 in overall level of health. We were also the highest in cost. The legend of "the best care in the world" is for the majority of Americans simply that, some sort of tale that they can neither afford nor ever hope or expect to get.
"the lowest taxes. You can pay it in premiums or you can pay it in taxes."
That is, unfortunately, false. While our tax rates may be low, the difference is not comparable to a nationalized health care system. Indeed, the war in Iraq costs more than would instituting a plan that would provide every man, woman and child with a basic level of health care that many now lack. What's more, it would be an invisible charge. As I'm sure you know, JiL, it is rumored that the top 5% earners in the USA pay well over half the taxes. They also account for nearly 50% of health care expenditure, with the top 1% accounting for around 27%. Therefore, saying that it would cause an increased tax burden is offset by the fact that they would no longer be paying out of pocket except for vanity treatments which, frankly, they jolly well can pay for themselves.
Further, the idea that you're not paying for it is absurd anyway. For those who don't have insurance, the emergency room where treatment is guaranteed, regardless of one's ability to pay, is the only source of care. Those taking this route tend to obviously avoid preventative care steps so, when they arrive at an ER, the conditions are serious and proportionately more expensive...
Pardon me a moment, I must refill my martini...
I'm back.
So you have hospitals forced to give care, a certain basic level of care, with the foreknowledge that they are unlikely to see payment for any portion of it. Hospitals already run on razor thin margins, so the more of this activity, the higher costs for everyone go. Consequently, insurance companies raise their rates, more companies start offering reduced benefits or eliminating them altogether and those who seek their insurance privately or pay out of pocket are left utterly in the lurch as cost spiral out of control. The damage from this vicious cycle would be mitigated with some basic level of national coverage where hospitals knew they were going to receive at least a certain level of recompense, people knew they had at least some options other than the emergency room and insurance companies had a far, far cheaper competitor.
While nationalized health care may not be the best way, it is certainly hard to argue against the example of France, which WHO ranked number one in overall health care quality at a fraction of what we spend. I'm certainly not opposed to continuing on with the employee-backed model. In fact, my employer is starting to dabble in the health care/insurance market and is able to provide amazing care for very reasonable terms. However, we are by far the minority and until more companies start to actually take control of the benefit situation instead of just forking over cash to an intermediary or cutting out benefits entirely, there must be some sort of plan to ensure that the right to life doesn't end at birth.
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