Health Care Reform: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
The Good:
- Private health insurance can't deny you for a pre-existing condition under this bill.
- You can't be dropped from a policy because you get sick.
- If you have insurance, they can't "cap" your coverage and say "you've been sick enough now, so we're not paying any more."
The Bad:
- It's not REAL universal health care. YES, I am "one of those" who fully wants this backwards country to switch to a single-payer system like Canada's system. I think anything less is a travesty - humiliating and ludicrous. Time to join the modern world, people.
- Because it's not real UHC, this will do nothing to help the over-complicated network of insurers and the grossly high overhead costs of the health care system.
- Private insurance still rules our health care system. I'm sorry, but for-profit health "insurance" is a crime against humanity, as far as I'm concerned.
- Nothing to attenuate costs of malpractice insurance, which is putting even GOOD doctors out of business, even if they've never been sued for malpractice.
The Ugly:
- Fining people for not having health insurance. WTF?!? I'm sorry, but for the self-employed to have to afford policies on their own when they're BARELY making ends meet... this is going to bankrupt many individuals. That's STUPID.
Want to chime in with your thoughts? Go for it, but no flaming. Civil discourse, please. Actual facts, please. Insight from those who live in countries with UHC are welcomed and encouraged to share their experiences.
- Private health insurance can't deny you for a pre-existing condition under this bill.
- You can't be dropped from a policy because you get sick.
- If you have insurance, they can't "cap" your coverage and say "you've been sick enough now, so we're not paying any more."
The Bad:
- It's not REAL universal health care. YES, I am "one of those" who fully wants this backwards country to switch to a single-payer system like Canada's system. I think anything less is a travesty - humiliating and ludicrous. Time to join the modern world, people.
- Because it's not real UHC, this will do nothing to help the over-complicated network of insurers and the grossly high overhead costs of the health care system.
- Private insurance still rules our health care system. I'm sorry, but for-profit health "insurance" is a crime against humanity, as far as I'm concerned.
- Nothing to attenuate costs of malpractice insurance, which is putting even GOOD doctors out of business, even if they've never been sued for malpractice.
The Ugly:
- Fining people for not having health insurance. WTF?!? I'm sorry, but for the self-employed to have to afford policies on their own when they're BARELY making ends meet... this is going to bankrupt many individuals. That's STUPID.
Want to chime in with your thoughts? Go for it, but no flaming. Civil discourse, please. Actual facts, please. Insight from those who live in countries with UHC are welcomed and encouraged to share their experiences.
no subject
There's logic in only the most illogical way. It's taking the most complex, cumbersome approach to something that could and should be much more simple.
But still, it would be much MORE logical if everyone were to pay into a not-for-profit, PUBLIC, single-payer fund, which would then be used directly to pay for health care, which would continue to be run privately as it is now (and as it is in Canada).
no subject
Sadly then, the only way to get universal coverage is to have mandated coverage.
Starting in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
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The penalty will be phased in, starting at 1 percent of income in 2014, and rising to the maximum of $2,085 for a family in 2016.
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American Indians donâ™t have to buy insurance. Those with religious objections or a financial hardship can also avoid the requirement. And if you would pay more than 8 percent of your income for the cheapest available plan, you will not be penalized for failing to buy coverage.
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Those who are exempt, or under 30, can buy a policy that only pays for catastrophic medical costs. It must allow for three primary care visits a year as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html