Senate Health Committee Clears Insurance Overhaul

[oldguystudent]

Don't forget.... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Well, actually, I propose a program that will both remedy that situation as well as reduce our energy dependence. TURN OFF THE DAMN LIGHT SWITCH!

[yyz28]

Rick I think you've made it abundantly clear that you are against health care reform. My question to you is do you think healthcare needs to be fixed and if so what solutions would you support to fix it? We now know that 1 in 4 Texans do not have health insurance and health care costs nationally have more than doubled in just 10 years. Is your proposal to leave things as they are? Just interested in your thoughts on possible solutions.

Harry, this is a thoughtful question. First, I don't want to speak for anyone, but I don't think many of us who are against THIS proposal are opposed to reform of some sort, but the reform needs to address the "why do we have the problems you listed in the first place, and how do we control them" question.

One of the prime reasons healhcare costs are skyrocketing is because there is more demand due to an aging population bubble and uncontrolled immigration. In addition government is not paying for the obligations it has already made to the healthcare industry via the medicare and medicaid programs. Additionally, health care providers are over-burdened with paperwork requirements to satisfiy the government, regulatory boards, HIPAA compliance and have sky-high malpractice insurance rates, which has continued to climb while congress after congress (which is full of lawers) refuse to address the issue of tort reform. Most doctors I know spend more time, either through their own hard work, or through salaries they pay multiple assistants, to keep up with the alredy out of control paperwork, regulation and red tape the government has already created.

Many folks choose to be uninsured, as a result of their priorities. As Rick has demonstrated here, insurance premiums monthly are expensive, but not cost prohibititve if prioritized for. Individuals, not government, should set these priorities.

How would I fix it?

1. This is one of the few places where I would be against states rights - there needs to be a uniform code by which insurance can be written so insurance companies may control their costs and the same plan in New Jersey may be sold in Texas, by the same company, as opposed to the way it is now. Allow smaller companies who are only in one state or another compete with other companies and the big boys in all 50 states.

2. Tort Reform. If we're going to get anything done that will begin to IMMEDIATLEY lessen the burden on the healthcare system and allow rates to come down, THIS is what should be done by August.

3. Pour through the massive piles of law and regulation that currently control the medical profession and clean it up so that medical professionals spend more time with patients and less time with paperwork.

4. Secure the borders.

5. Deny all but life saving care to illegal immigrants and their families.

6. Allow small and medium sized businesses to band together to pursue more cost effective insurance for their employees with a system that doesn't have the problems the current one does (groups don't all have to buy the same insurance for everyone, one company is not penalized if other members fail, downsize or go out of business, etc.

Harry, I guess the point that Rick is trying to make, and I happen to agree with it, is that NO reform is better than what is being proposed. Even if you are for reform, you can't seriously be for the plan that is before congress unless you want government run, mandated and controlled coverage, because that is the net of what this bill is going to give us, despite the promises from the President. Either he's lying or he doesn't know what is in the bill. There is a provision that was uncovered yesterday that I think has been posted in this discussion that literally kills private coverage in one shot. The provision calls for no more private policies to be written once the new government policy is in place. This will cause insurance companies to go out of business very quickly as businesses dump their coverage since the national plan will be available. This plan penalizes any individual who doesn't have, want or need health insurance by forcing them to have insurance, and pay into the system via a compusary tax. Just like Social Security (which is broke) just like medicare (which is broke) and just like California does (...and that state... is B R O K E!!!) That's not freedom. That's not choice.

We the people can't pay for the obligations this government has made as it is. EVERY social program in this country is either broke or headed in that direction. This program can not be sustained without ever higher taxes, and should be defeated at all costs. We should not destroy the healthcare of the 85% of the population who has it to give lesser coverage to the 15% who don't have it, many of whom don't have it by choice.

[UNTFan23]

Odd, I think my post disappeared somehow ... in reference to how house health care bill (page 16 specifically) may make selling individual insurance illegal.

[UNTflyer]

So the gov. is having to step in to do the most good for the most people.

Uh-huh.

[UNTflyer]

BUT there are a lot of people who work at minimum wages who have no spare money especially if they have several kids. Many people are self employed or work in a small business and have big problems getting health coverage especially if they already have health problems. Surely in your job you see these people... if not... look around more.

--Now having said all of that... I still am not sure the insurance or health care plan is what we need. I know one thing health care is extremely expensive compared to what it once was..... and I mean compared to what the average person earnings is/was.

First off, if your career is minimum wage, don't have kids.

Second, if you have kids and still work a minimum wage job, WTF is wrong with you???

Third, if you are working minimum wage and have kids, you qualify for CHIP and Medicaid already - so the argument that we need to provide affordable to those who can't afford it is B.S.

[FirefightnRick]

I'm an UNT alumnus.

Oh, ok. I would be willing to bet we agree more often than not on this issue.

Rick

[SilverEagle]

Priorities. Does he own a vehicle? Does he have cable television? Does he have any type of luxury whatsoever? If so then he can "afford" it, he just chooses other things as a priority.

I've posted it many times, you can get HMO health insurance for a family of four for less than $150 a month with Blue Cross.

I work for a state agency and they list the cost of my Blue Cross insurance (Health Select) coverage for me and my wife as over 500.00. The state covers me (300.00) and I pay $200.00 for my wife. If your numbers are correct, I'd like to find a way to fire the person responsible for acquiring health coverage for the state agencies, and put you into the job.

[UNTflyer]

I work for a state agency and they list the cost of my Blue Cross insurance (Health Select) coverage for me and my wife as over 500.00. The state covers me (300.00) and I pay $200.00 for my wife. If your numbers are correct, I'd like to find a way to fire the person responsible for acquiring health coverage for the state agencies, and put you into the job.

Now, granted that plan has high deductibles ($5000), but it provides decent office visit coverage ($40) and would protect you from bankruptcy in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury. It's not great coverage, but it is affordable for almost all families.

Your agency probably got a plan with $20 office visits and $500 max out of pocket, or something along those lines.