What Do You Think Would WORK in Healthcare?

[shepnerd]

I started to post this on another thread and got long winded, so figured I'd throw it over here for discussion.

...I had one yesterday call because she went into the hospital over the weekend and wanted some insurance to pay the bills when they came in. Then got pissed when I told her it didnt work that way. She was 26.

Another one today was more normal and I actually have some sympathy for- had a surgery on his wrist and has a follow up surgery scheduled and wanted a policy that would cover it. More or less same conversation, since he lost his insurance when he lost his job so this guy more or less got screwed by the system. (I know, COBRA, but there is plenty of this going on right now)

It just doesnt make much sense to me for our heatlh insurance through employment in this day and age. The current process of taking market forces out of health care and then blaming free market for its failures is pretty ridiculous. Ron Paul hit if pretty good last night in the debate, actually.

The big problem is that too many people want to take the risk of being uninsured and then dont want to pay the consequences if they get caught with their pants down. Worse yet, and this is mostly health, the responsible people are shouldering the burden for the irresponsible people since the insured are getting gouged so the hospitals can serve the people who dont pay. This is driving up premium costs to the point where people who want to be insured take the risk because they just cant afford it. It's going to collapse under the current system sooner than later.

Being a die hard libertarian I hate to say this, but I'm not all THAT opposed to some sort of basic government healthcare system. I think mandating 'insurance' is stupid, especially with the new definition of insurance people have accepted in the health market. People not paying attention to what things cost because they arent paying it is the biggest driver to increased costs to begin with. I'd like to see the drug companies actually get PEOPLE to pay for some of these meds at $2k/mo.

This is just me being slow on a Friday and pondering what a real solution would look like, and thought I'd start a dialogue. I think Australia has something to better model than MA. A BASIC free healthcare of some sort (which will, of course be mismanaged to hell) with a private system available for people to opt in to if they want better care. Kinda like our school system I guess.

ANYWAY, I'm curious what do the you guys think a SOLUTION would be? My opinion has changed a great deal from dealing with the problems so much first hand. No doubt the current system is flawed, but there is also no doubt Obamacare is worse...

 

[Guest]

Your second example shows someone caught up in the way the system works in Georgia, which is why you are absolutely correct about the group insurance/work connection. Used to work in the day when people went from school to job to retirement without changing jobs, or getting laid off. Doesn't work that way anymore for most people. Also, how many times have you heard the line: "I would quit my job but I need the benefits". Of course if he were in a GI state, he would pay a ton of money, as well as everyone else.

I think I don't know what would work. That is the only thing I feel I have in common with our government. No wait a minute, I don't have that in common with them, I have actually ADMITTED I don't have the answer. Your Australian idea actually has merrit until someone cries foul about it being elitist, etc.

 

[LGilmore]

In some ways aren't you simply asking that because some people are stupid, the government should take care of their lack of responsibility?

I am in a GI state and while there isn't a lot of choice or commission, everybody who wants insurance can get insurance at a variety of prices. We allow people to choose not to purchase, but had a pre-ex clause to limit the after the problem want insurance types.
While not perfect, it's better than this turd coming down the road.

What actually should be done is more education in schools about insurance, checking accounts, credit cards and major purchases. Has nothing to do with no child left behind, but more to do with no child not being able to function as an adult. While I feel for both people in this situation, they also need a flick in the head and a conversation about priorities.

 

[Norwayguy]

In some ways aren't you simply asking that because some people are stupid, the government should take care of their lack of responsibility?

I am in a GI state and while there isn't a lot of choice or commission, everybody who wants insurance can get insurance at a variety of prices. We allow people to choose not to purchase, but had a pre-ex clause to limit the after the problem want insurance types.
While not perfect, it's better than this turd coming down the road.

What actually should be done is more education in schools about insurance, checking accounts, credit cards and major purchases. Has nothing to do with no child left behind, but more to do with no child not being able to function as an adult. While I feel for both people in this situation, they also need a flick in the head and a conversation about priorities.

I agree until the part about teaching checking and savings accounts in school. Isn't there still some parental obligations. When I was in high school one of my teachers thought it was a good idea to teach us how to fill out a 1040ez, balance a checkbook etc....I couldn't believe people had any trouble with those issues I had been taught about checkbooks ever since I had gotten my own and I'm sorry if someone can not figure out a 1040EZ then they shouldn't be graduating from high school they can't do simple math and follow directions.

But my poin was that parents should be teaching their kids this stuff.

 

[briko3]

I agree until the part about teaching checking and savings accounts in school. Isn't there still some parental obligations. When I was in high school one of my teachers thought it was a good idea to teach us how to fill out a 1040ez, balance a checkbook etc....I couldn't believe people had any trouble with those issues I had been taught about checkbooks ever since I had gotten my own and I'm sorry if someone can not figure out a 1040EZ then they shouldn't be graduating from high school they can't do simple math and follow directions.

But my poin was that parents should be teaching their kids this stuff.

What about the poor kids whose parents don't know it either. I think we're better off as a country to teach them.

 

[Norwayguy]

What about the poor kids whose parents don't know it either. I think we're better off as a country to teach them.

OKay I will concede the point...its just a sad day when an adult does not know this stuff already.

 

[briko3]

OKay I will concede the point...its just a sad day when an adult does not know this stuff already.

I agree. I have, however, seen many old widows who don't know how to write a check. Their husbands always did that and they never learned how. I guess it was a different time back then.

 

[pahealthquotes]

What Do You Think Would WORK in Healthcare?

great question.

Simple answer.. How about we start taking better care of ourselves. Diet ,exercise and stop thinking that a pill will cure all of our ailments. We're a spoiled society.. and we're OBESE because of it.

 

[briko3]

What Do You Think Would WORK in Healthcare?

great question.

Simple answer.. How about we start taking better care of ourselves. Diet ,exercise and stop thinking that a pill will cure all of our ailments. We're a spoiled society.. and we're OBESE because of it.

Everyone knows to do that stuff. The harder question is how do you get them to do it.

 

[pahealthquotes]

Everyone knows to do that stuff. The harder question is how do you get them to do it.

how do you get people to exercise and diet? We'll we have a fast food joint on every corner and childhood obesity is through the roof.. not sure how you go about motivitang our society to exercise and diet properly. Education? Television Commercials? Doctors advice? BTW its ok to be really fat nowadays. What if your PCP tells you.. if you dont exercise and loose weight, you will die. A coworker of mine was told this and lost 200 lbs after gastric bypass. I guess he got motivated real quick.How about Nancy Regan with the dont do it drug campaign. I recall that growing up... this is your brain and this is your brain on drugs. Doesnt look like that worked out so well. It did influence me.. but I never wanted to take drugs of any kind. I wont even take prescriptions unless I'm really sick.