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Health Care Cost

A

Anonymous

Guest
I'm going to throw out something here and I hope it doesn turn into namecalling mess....I am a conservative/libertarian thinking person on most issues- but one issue right now that I think the Dems have the step up on- is that they both have pretty thorough Health Care and Health Care Insurance plans.. I think both plans could go further toward things like limiting medical tort, and nationwide contracting with pharmaceutical costs like Canada does-- but at least they have something...I've heard little from the Repubs- and the pharmaceutical plan they passed for Medicare was an albatross of a disaster.....

And to me this is one of the top issues of the voters in this election- it was even one of GW's top campaign issues (another that he never carried thru on)...And I think if a candidate wants to win-- he has to have a sound plan...

I always hear folks screaming about how important it is to do away with the Death Tax- as so many people lose their farms/ranches/business's because of it....I have been involved with foreclosesures, attachments, and executions against individuals and business's for almost 40 years now...I can only think of one or two situations where a place/business was lost- or had to sell some of the property in order to cover the Death Tax--BUT I can think of hundreds that have sold/had taken by courts some or all to cover unforseen, or uncovered health care costs....Most knowledgeable business/farms/ranchs have theirselves covered against the inheritance tax thru family corporations, undivided partnerships, etc. etc.

Probably the number 1 issue I've seen over the years that breaks up farms and ranchs is D-I-V-O-R-C-E...And I ain't even going to touch that one on how to solve it :roll: But the number 2 reason is health care costs, inability to get, or plain absence of health care insurance, or running out of insurance- or refusal of insurance companies to pay....
And it gets worse by the day- as health care insurance cost rose by an average of 10.6% last year alone......The number of court cases involving health care bills have risen probably 10 fold in the last few years....Here in this county alone it went from 70-80 filings a month to over 200 last year...

I used to think this was a state by state issue since all the insurance coverers were mostly state affiliated- but in the last few years the Administration has allowed these insurance companies to merge and comingle to the extent the states have little control on them anymore...And to have a good health care plan its going to involve putting pressure on the strongest corporates and lobbies in the nation- pharmaceutical, insurance, medical equipment, doctors, trial lawyers, etc. etc....It will take a united nationwide policy to solve it......

And over the years- more and more of these insurance companies are getting snidlier...If you have a health care and/or accident policy thru outside farm employment- look it over carefully....Many are carrying a rider that says they will not cover you if performing "other employment"- and they consider any farm or ranch work as "other employment"- so if a cow kicks you and you lay in the hospital in a coma for a month- that bill will be coming out of your pocket.....

Maybe that will be the good thing if the Dems control all of D.C.- if nothing else is....
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Are you speaking from personal experience or trying to surmise what you neighbor feels? I just don't know many people that either can't afford the level of health insurance that they feel comfortable with, or don't want any health insurance anyway.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin said:
Are you speaking from personal experience or trying to surmise what you neighbor feels? I just don't know many people that either can't afford the level of health insurance that they feel comfortable with, or don't want any health insurance anyway.

RR- Personal experience from what I've seen...You must live in a higher income area than around here-- because I know many that can't afford it- and I know several that can't get it because of pre-existing conditions or that have already maxed out their payment amount (some are a million $ in a lifetime) because of catastrophic illness's such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, etc.....
Do we tell those folks then they have to sell out the farm/ranch/house- in order for Dad or Mom to live...Hell of a choice!!!!
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Red Robin said:
Are you speaking from personal experience or trying to surmise what you neighbor feels? I just don't know many people that either can't afford the level of health insurance that they feel comfortable with, or don't want any health insurance anyway.

RR- Personal experience from what I've seen...You must live in a higher income area than around here-- because I know many that can't afford it- and I know several that can't get it because of pre-existing conditions or that have already maxed out their payment amount (some are a million $ in a lifetime) because of catastrophic illness's such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, etc.....
Do we tell those folks then they have to sell out the farm/ranch/house- in order for Dad or Mom to live...Hell of a choice!!!!
I don't know Oldtimer. You're older than I am so I havn't had many friends reach the cancer/stroke deal where they limit out. A friend of mine had cancer, works for UPS which has nice insurance but they only paid 80% of the surgery and treatment. The friends of his in town (through accounts at the bank for him mostly) paid the rest. I prefer charity over govt.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin said:
Oldtimer said:
Red Robin said:
Are you speaking from personal experience or trying to surmise what you neighbor feels? I just don't know many people that either can't afford the level of health insurance that they feel comfortable with, or don't want any health insurance anyway.

RR- Personal experience from what I've seen...You must live in a higher income area than around here-- because I know many that can't afford it- and I know several that can't get it because of pre-existing conditions or that have already maxed out their payment amount (some are a million $ in a lifetime) because of catastrophic illness's such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, etc.....
Do we tell those folks then they have to sell out the farm/ranch/house- in order for Dad or Mom to live...Hell of a choice!!!!
I don't know Oldtimer. You're older than I am so I havn't had many friends reach the cancer/stroke deal where they limit out. A friend of mine had cancer, works for UPS which has nice insurance but they only paid 80% of the surgery and treatment. The friends of his in town (through accounts at the bank for him mostly) paid the rest. I prefer charity over govt.

Two of the stroke victims I'm thinking of that lost all- and are now paying a lifetime of bills are under 30 years old....Both had been on their parents health insurance as long as in college- had finished college- and went to work....One could not get insurance with his work (went back to farm/ranching)- so as a 24 year old kid will do- just forgot about it (never even thought about the fact he would be dropped from the family coverage the minute he quit/finished school)...
The other got out of college- went to work as a nurse in a hospital- but under their policy could not get insurance until employed one year- inbetween that time she had the stroke.....
We have had several charity events- but it will never come close to covering the costs of several months hospitalization (some in a coma) and the years of rehab, medications she needs....And even tho she has recovered good enough to go back to work (and get married this spring) she now cannot get insurance thru anyplace.....

I know of another lady that had a stroke at about 35- (can't get any kind of insurance) so she has paid huge medical and drug costs for years (which has put them into debt some bad crop years) - and as her husband told me the other day he has worried daily of losing the wheat farm because of a relapse for almost 30 years- and only has a couple years left before she will be eligible for medicare- and he can actually breath freely.....

I think if you were out there working with it daily RR-- there would be many more than you think there are.....
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Red Robin said:
Oldtimer said:
RR- Personal experience from what I've seen...You must live in a higher income area than around here-- because I know many that can't afford it- and I know several that can't get it because of pre-existing conditions or that have already maxed out their payment amount (some are a million $ in a lifetime) because of catastrophic illness's such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, etc.....
Do we tell those folks then they have to sell out the farm/ranch/house- in order for Dad or Mom to live...Hell of a choice!!!!
I don't know Oldtimer. You're older than I am so I havn't had many friends reach the cancer/stroke deal where they limit out. A friend of mine had cancer, works for UPS which has nice insurance but they only paid 80% of the surgery and treatment. The friends of his in town (through accounts at the bank for him mostly) paid the rest. I prefer charity over govt.

Two of the stroke victims I'm thinking of that lost all- and are now paying a lifetime of bills are under 30 years old....Both had been on their parents health insurance as long as in college- had finished college- and went to work....One could not get insurance with his work (went back to farm/ranching)- so as a 24 year old kid will do- just forgot about it (never even thought about the fact he would be dropped from the family coverage the minute he quit/finished school)...
The other got out of college- went to work as a nurse in a hospital- but under their policy could not get insurance until employed one year- inbetween that time she had the stroke.....
We have had several charity events- but it will never come close to covering the costs of several months hospitalization (some in a coma) and the years of rehab, medications she needs....And even tho she has recovered good enough to go back to work (and get married this spring) she now cannot get insurance thru anyplace.....

I know of another lady that had a stroke at about 35- (can't get any kind of insurance) so she has paid huge medical and drug costs for years (which has put them into debt some bad crop years) - and as her husband told me the other day he has worried daily of losing the wheat farm because of a relapse for almost 30 years- and only has a couple years left before she will be eligible for medicare- and he can actually breath freely.....

I think if you were out there working with it daily RR-- there would be many more than you think there are.....
Oldtimer do you believe that if we increase taxes, some will also lose the farm? Healthcare at the level we provide in the U.S. is expensive. Government can't help that.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin said:
Oldtimer said:
Red Robin said:
I don't know Oldtimer. You're older than I am so I havn't had many friends reach the cancer/stroke deal where they limit out. A friend of mine had cancer, works for UPS which has nice insurance but they only paid 80% of the surgery and treatment. The friends of his in town (through accounts at the bank for him mostly) paid the rest. I prefer charity over govt.

Two of the stroke victims I'm thinking of that lost all- and are now paying a lifetime of bills are under 30 years old....Both had been on their parents health insurance as long as in college- had finished college- and went to work....One could not get insurance with his work (went back to farm/ranching)- so as a 24 year old kid will do- just forgot about it (never even thought about the fact he would be dropped from the family coverage the minute he quit/finished school)...
The other got out of college- went to work as a nurse in a hospital- but under their policy could not get insurance until employed one year- inbetween that time she had the stroke.....
We have had several charity events- but it will never come close to covering the costs of several months hospitalization (some in a coma) and the years of rehab, medications she needs....And even tho she has recovered good enough to go back to work (and get married this spring) she now cannot get insurance thru anyplace.....

I know of another lady that had a stroke at about 35- (can't get any kind of insurance) so she has paid huge medical and drug costs for years (which has put them into debt some bad crop years) - and as her husband told me the other day he has worried daily of losing the wheat farm because of a relapse for almost 30 years- and only has a couple years left before she will be eligible for medicare- and he can actually breath freely.....

I think if you were out there working with it daily RR-- there would be many more than you think there are.....
Oldtimer do you believe that if we increase taxes, some will also lose the farm? Healthcare at the level we provide in the U.S. is expensive. Government can't help that.

People will always be "losing the farm"- one way or another- just human nature....But I don't think they should have to be put in the position of making that decision of whether their husband- or wife- or child lives or dies- or gets adequate health care depends on losing the farm/business/house/savings/pension fund/etc.....

We need a system where "affordable" health care insurance and catastrophic care insurance is available to every person (no matter prior conditions) in this nation based on their income and ability to pay.....And that they can't drop you from in the middle of an illness just because you've reached a magic "max-out" dollar figure......
Then if they don't have it and lose the farm--its their fault...
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Red Robin said:
Oldtimer said:
Two of the stroke victims I'm thinking of that lost all- and are now paying a lifetime of bills are under 30 years old....Both had been on their parents health insurance as long as in college- had finished college- and went to work....One could not get insurance with his work (went back to farm/ranching)- so as a 24 year old kid will do- just forgot about it (never even thought about the fact he would be dropped from the family coverage the minute he quit/finished school)...
The other got out of college- went to work as a nurse in a hospital- but under their policy could not get insurance until employed one year- inbetween that time she had the stroke.....
We have had several charity events- but it will never come close to covering the costs of several months hospitalization (some in a coma) and the years of rehab, medications she needs....And even tho she has recovered good enough to go back to work (and get married this spring) she now cannot get insurance thru anyplace.....

I know of another lady that had a stroke at about 35- (can't get any kind of insurance) so she has paid huge medical and drug costs for years (which has put them into debt some bad crop years) - and as her husband told me the other day he has worried daily of losing the wheat farm because of a relapse for almost 30 years- and only has a couple years left before she will be eligible for medicare- and he can actually breath freely.....

I think if you were out there working with it daily RR-- there would be many more than you think there are.....
Oldtimer do you believe that if we increase taxes, some will also lose the farm? Healthcare at the level we provide in the U.S. is expensive. Government can't help that.

People will always be "losing the farm"- one way or another- just human nature....But I don't think they should have to be put in the position of making that decision of whether their husband- or wife- or child lives or dies- or gets adequate health care depends on losing the farm/business/house/savings/pension fund/etc.....

We need a system where "affordable" health care insurance and catastrophic care insurance is available to every person (no matter prior conditions) in this nation based on their income and ability to pay.....And that they can't drop you from in the middle of an illness just because you've reached a magic "max-out" dollar figure......
Then if they don't have it and lose the farm--its their fault...
Our healthcare is affordable now as it will be when we pay it as a tax payer, probably more affordable. I've never seen the government more efficient at running anything. I'm getting some age on my now and I've never seen anyone denied treatment because of their inability to pay. I would imagine it happens some but it's certainly not common here. Everyone gets treated here.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
You will admit, I hope, that affordable health care has been Hillary Clinton's baby ever since Bill was elected President? And the Republicans demonized her for it. Still are, for that matter. I think we're going to get something under the new administration no matter who's elected. But I don't think we just need insurance for medical treatment. I think we need more emphasis on prevention and pro-active treatment. Many woman can't afford mamograms. But they're much cheaper than treating advanced breast cancer. The same with prostate exams for men. Maybe a full physical for every adult every two years? With follow up treatment and counseling for people at risk for certain health problems?

Insurance companies have changed, too. Today many people have to fight the insurance companies to get them to pay their bills, even though they've paid premiums on time for years. Medical offices/hospitals have to rebill and rebill and have an entire insurance staff to collect from insurance companies. They almost automatically deny claims the first time they're received. Insurance companies used to work under the idea that when they insured the entire business, they'd come out ahead because most people were healthy. Today they just won't insure anyone with pre-existing conditions, no matter how long since they were sick.

Yes, the government can do something about insurance companies. For one, they can set up guidelines for payment so the companies can't delay and delay payment until patients pay out of their own pocket to protect their credit rating. Or until the hospital is willing to negotiate a settlement rather than continue to submit bills only to get partial payments or denials for legitimate claims.

The government can affect drug prices by allowing people to order medicine over the internet or go to Canada for their medicine. And certainly they should allow Medicare Part D to negotiate drug prices.

Heck, a windfall profits tax on oil companies would pay for that easy. Or a few weeks of the Iraq War money.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin said:
. I've never seen the government more efficient at running anything.

How much do you think it will cost you to have a letter delivered to your house if the US Postal Service shut down? How about maintaince on the road that runs in front of your house? Want to call a private contractor to keep it up for you?

I'm getting some age on my now and I've never seen anyone denied treatment because of their inability to pay. I would imagine it happens some but it's certainly not common here. Everyone gets treated here.

They get treated in most places and taxpayers pay for it. But if someone doesn't have insurance, they tend to put off going to the doctor. That means by the time they see one, any health problem they have is likely worse and cost more to treat. More and more people are using emergency rooms as their primary care providers and that's costing hospitals billions of dollars a year and putting a strain on ERs across the country.
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
ff said:
How much do you think it will cost you to have a letter delivered to your house if the US Postal Service shut down? How about maintaince on the road that runs in front of your house? Want to call a private contractor to keep it up for you?
the county keeps the roads up in front of my house. If I have a problem, I call and talk to a neighbor. It's handled on a local level. Schools should be the same way. Look how sorry our school system is where it's federalized. Local works better than federal. If the Boone County hospital wants to treat someone that can't pay and my taxes go toward that, that's fine, they're my neighbors. It's handled with my property taxes. What hillary is proposing is a federal tax in addition to my local tax. I'm thinking were getting taxed twice for the same service and I'd say the added red tape with the additional bureaucracy imposed by the federal govt. won't result in cheaper or better or additional service. Just more tax.
More and more people are using emergency rooms as their primary care providers and that's costing hospitals billions of dollars a year and putting a strain on ERs across the country.
No one uses their emergency room as a primary healthcare provider intentionally. It's way more expensive and has poorer service than the local doctor. Mamograms and digital rectal exams :lol: are free here. The doctors donate their time. Or at least I think that's so. I bet if their income goes down though those hard working, well educated doctors will be a little more reluctant about donating time when the federal govt. (which by now is a thorn in their side with added red tape and less pay) is willing to pay for it. My doctor (who is a real good friend) is available to me 24hours a day. I have his cell phone number programmed in my phone. As a matter of fact, he called my night before last when he had a question about a heifer that had calved on the snow. I donated my time to him as well. :lol:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin said:
ff said:
How much do you think it will cost you to have a letter delivered to your house if the US Postal Service shut down? How about maintaince on the road that runs in front of your house? Want to call a private contractor to keep it up for you?

the county keeps the roads up in front of my house. If I have a problem, I call and talk to a neighbor. It's handled on a local level. Schools should be the same way. Look how sorry our school system is where it's federalized. Local works better than federal. If the Boone County hospital wants to treat someone that can't pay and my taxes go toward that, that's fine, they're my neighbors. It's handled with my property taxes. What hillary is proposing is a federal tax in addition to my local tax. I'm thinking were getting taxed twice for the same service and I'd say the added red tape with the additional bureaucracy imposed by the federal govt. won't result in cheaper or better or additional service. Just more tax.
More and more people are using emergency rooms as their primary care providers and that's costing hospitals billions of dollars a year and putting a strain on ERs across the country.
No one uses their emergency room as a primary healthcare provider intentionally. It's way more expensive and has poorer service than the local doctor. Mamograms and digital rectal exams :lol: are free here. The doctors donate their time. Or at least I think that's so. I bet if their income goes down though those hard working, well educated doctors will be a little more reluctant about donating time when the federal govt. (which by now is a thorn in their side with added red tape and less pay) is willing to pay for it. My doctor (who is a real good friend) is available to me 24hours a day. I have his cell phone number programmed in my phone. As a matter of fact, he called my night before last when he had a question about a heifer that had calved on the snow. I donated my time to him as well. :lol:

It may come as a big shock to you, RR, but the country is the government. And there's probably Federal money spent there, too.

I sincerely doubt that mamograms are free to everyone all the time in your area. Some hospitals, not our local one, offer free mamograms occasionally. But for a limited time, so they only serve a few women.

Of course emergency room visits are expensive. But people who are sick and don't have insurance have no option. So they go to the ER, cost the hospital and you, the taxpayer, a lot of money and don't pay that high bill. The hospital writes off the cost of treatment, adding to the charges for people with insurance or who actually pay their bill. If your hospital treats Medicare patients, they get Federal money. Don't believe me? Ask them.

Your personal relationship with your doctor is not typical and you know it. Ask him how he feels about some sort of national health care program. I'd be interested in hearing. Several national health care organizations have donated a lot of money to the Clinton campaign. I see letters and articles from doctors from around the country saying something has to be done. They're being squeezed by the insurance companies, medical suppliers and drug companies. Some of them, at least, are very willing to look at alternatives to the way they provide medical care today.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Red Robin
Our healthcare is affordable now as it will be when we pay it as a tax payer, probably more affordable. I've never seen the government more efficient at running anything. I'm getting some age on my now and I've never seen anyone denied treatment because of their inability to pay. I would imagine it happens some but it's certainly not common here. Everyone gets treated here.

Well as far as charity go's it seems like everytime I walk into the coffee shop or the water hole there are 2-3-4 coffee cans sitting there for some child that has cancer, or needs surgery, or has some disease- or someone that has a major disease/accident with no- or inadequate insurance coverage...And as usual I throw in a $20 bill in the new can - and with the amount of $20's I've thrown in the pot in the last year- along with the number of books of raffle tickets I've bought it would have been cheaper to pay into a National affordable health and major catastrophic medical expense insurance funded by taxes... :roll:

I don't go to many of the charity auctions (usually are after my bedtime) altho I do with those close to me- but my wife does to a lot- and my son attends all... In fact he showed up last week with a nice bulldogger sculpture that he gave me- that his " citybred" woman didn't want in her house that he had won in a raffle- and a snowblower he'd bought in another charity auction because he had no place to store it at his place....

And in talking with many businessmen- they are getting tired of donating products to these community charity events- that seem to get more and more of as health care costs and insurance gets higher....

But why should the life or death or welfare of a family member rely on if your known well enough to get enough charity :???: To me in a Christian civilized world everyone should be allowed the same access to health care irregarding their financial ability, race, creed or political preference...

RR- If you haven't- I'm sure in the months to come you will hear much more about the child back east a few months ago that needed a transplant- which the hospital/doctors said they could do, but wouldn't do without guarantee of funding- which the parents didn't have the financial ability to fund- which their insurance company said he didn't meet their criteria of funding under the insurance policy- that while waiting for the battle with the insurance company worsened- and just days after the insurance company agreed to the transplant---- DIED before he could get it....

Even many Republican/Conservative Congressmen hit the fan- agreeing that the decision on what medical care a person should receive should be made by the Medical field-- not what the insurance companies think or will pay..... :( :(

And how many people can continue to pay 10.6 +% more a year for health care insurance while wages/income are stagnated or going backward :???:
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
Red Robin said:
the county keeps the roads up in front of my house. DUH!!! That's goverment!!!!!
No one uses their emergency room as a primary healthcare provider intentionally. Go sit @ the local hospital one day and just watch!

digital rectal exams :lol: are free here. :shock: I DON'T want to know how you speak with such authority about this topic!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:
:shock: :shock: :shock:



The doctors donate their time. WHAT????
:[/quote]
 

Steve

Well-known member
OldTimer
I'm going to throw out something here and I hope it doesn turn into namecalling mess....I am a conservative/libertarian thinking person on most issues-


I am torn on the issue of heath care... as a Christian I would want every one to have good affordable health care...

as a realist.. I see many who use the emergancy room as primary care..

for every case of needed health care.. there is a derilict who takes advatage of the system... and it will be those who cost US dearly...

take a drug user.. they wipe out their life.. liver and destroy their health... is it Christian to let them die.. nope..

but is it right the get thier costs paid and a liver, while another productive person who by no fault of their own is denied the same liver and is wiped out finacially to pay for the transplant.???

I feel the same about schools... now that it is a "right".. many good students suffer because the system has to spend more money on the disruptive.. ...

our system isn't the best... but it is far from the worst...
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Steve said:
OldTimer
I'm going to throw out something here and I hope it doesn turn into namecalling mess....I am a conservative/libertarian thinking person on most issues-


I am torn on the issue of heath care... as a Christian I would want every one to have good affordable health care...

as a realist.. I see many who use the emergancy room as primary care..

for every case of needed health care.. there is a derilict who takes advatage of the system... and it will be those who cost US dearly...

take a drug user.. they wipe out their life.. liver and destroy their health... is it Christian to let them die.. nope..

but is it right the get thier costs paid and a liver, while another productive person who by no fault of their own is denied the same liver and is wiped out finacially to pay for the transplant.???

I feel the same about schools... now that it is a "right".. many good students suffer because the system has to spend more money on the disruptive.. ...

our system isn't the best... but it is far from the worst...

Steve- and there is part of the problem I've seen over 40 years law enforcement/judiciary-- especially with alcoholics and addictive to drug persons.....You get one Adminstration in that promotes treatment and long term care- then you get the next one in that promotes lock them all up- do away with the treatment programs- unless they are rich enough to go thru the Betty Ford type $10,000 day treatment programs (and then get deferred sentences like Rush and McCains wife :roll: :( )....And we end up with nothing taking care of the problem...... :(

I watched over years of so many people that changed their lives when treatment was available- and sometimes strict enforcement caused it- forcing them into available treatment...And many times it worked so well--It takes an evening out combination of both....But each party seems to have their "only way" of handling it and none alone work.......And anymore they don't work together for a true way of fixing anything.....
Years ago- we had a local Chemical Dependency Center- and Life Skills Training Center that Mike Mansfield had got into the area(as a pork project to replace the USAF Base that was closing).. I doubted it- and thought of it as another pork project- until years later- and I saw the hundreds of lives from several states it changed- and especially the number of local folks that took care of their alcohol and drug problems- and ended up productive members of the community instead of the broken home/family/lifestyle they were headed or already in....

The major healthcare problem your talking of is that the care is there for the emergency shortterm situations (hospitals can't turn them down in the ER)- to keep someone alive- but many don't have the access (Can't afford) for the shortterm or daily/yearly treatment/physicals to keep them from getting worse or help them to rid the disease(s) they have before they get so expensive or bad they have to go to the ER and cost us even more......Or be there to try and intervene in potentially hazordous lifestyle....

Even the AMA (American Medical Association) recognizes that we need to have some type of health insurance for all- to care for and treat folks long before it becomes serious enough that they need to go to the Emergency Room...It would save Billions of $ we are already paying for- because of neglected health issues that we now pay in increased emergency room costs, increased medical costs and increased insurance cost the we (YOU and I) have to pick up to cover the uninsured that let the diseases get so bad that it takes ER/Hospitalization to care for them.....
 

woranch

Well-known member
Looks like everyone is going to get health care......




Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to have workers' wages garnisheed if they refuse to buy health insurance to achieve coverage for all Americans. [/quote]
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I see now that McCain has come out with a Health Care Reform Plan--which appears to be looking at some good ideas- altho much is still pretty vague...
The only problem is that I remember a Republican candidate that ran for President in 2000- who's #1 issue and promise to the middle class was to reform health care and lower health care and insurance costs- but then after being elected did nothing- in fact allowed the opposite to occur- while his elitist buddies in the medical, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries profiteered.....
:( :( :mad:
Makes you wonder if this new neocon Republican Party can be trusted to keep their word now...... :???:

Straight Talk on Health System Reform


John McCain is willing to address the fundamental problem: the rapidly rising cost of U.S. health care.


Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively compete around the world.

Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over their care. We can improve health and spend less, while promoting competition on the cost and quality of care, taking better care of our citizens with chronic illness, and promoting prevention that will keep millions of others from ever developing deadly and debilitating disease.

While we reform the system and maintain quality, we can and must provide access to health care for all our citizens - whether temporarily or chronically uninsured, whether living in rural areas with limited services, or whether residing in inner cities where access to physicians is often limited.

America's veterans have fought for our freedom. We should give them freedom to choose to carry their VA dollars to a provider that gives them the timely care at high quality and in the best location.

Controlling health care costs will take fundamental change - nothing short of a complete reform of the culture of our health system and the way we pay for it will suffice. Reforms to federal policy and programs should focus on enhancing quality while controlling costs:

Promote competition throughout the health care system - between providers and among alternative treatments.

Make patients the center of care and give them a larger role in both prevention and care, putting more decisions and responsibility in their hands.

Make public more information on treatment options and require transparency by providers regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs, and prices.

Facilitate the development of national standards for measuring and recording treatments and outcomes.

Reform the payment systems in Medicare to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention, and care coordination. Medicare should not pay for preventable medical errors or mismanagement.

Dedicate federal research on the basis of sound science resulting in greater focus on care and cure of chronic disease

Give states the flexibility to, and encourage them to experiment with: alternative forms of access; risk-adjusted payments per episode covered under Medicaid; use of private insurance in Medicaid; alternative insurance policies and insurance providers; and, different licensing schemes for medical providers.

Build genuine national markets by permitting providers to practice nationwide.

Promote rapid deployment of 21st century information systems.

Support innovative delivery systems, such as clinics in retail outlets and other ways that provide greater market flexibility in permitting appropriate roles for nurse practitioners, nurses, and doctors.

Where cost-effective, employ telemedicine, and community and mental health clinics in areas where services and providers are limited.

Foster the development of routes for safe, cheaper generic versions of drugs and biologic pharmaceuticals. Develop safety protocols that permit re-importation to keep competition vigorous.

Pass tort reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage awards. Provide a safe harbor for doctors that follow clinical guidelines and adhere to patient safety protocols.

Protect the health care consumer through vigorous enforcement of federal protections against collusion, unfair business actions, and deceptive consumer practices.

John McCain believes that insurance reforms should increase the variety and affordability of insurance coverage available to American families by fostering competition and innovation.

Reform the tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health insurance, and provide all individuals with a $2,500 tax credit ($5,000 for families) to increase incentives for insurance coverage.

Individuals owning innovative multi-year policies that cost less than the full credit can deposit remainder in expanded health savings accounts.

Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, to maximize their choices, and heighten competition for their business that will eliminate excess overhead, administrative, and excessive compensation costs from the system.

Insurance should be innovative, moving from job to home, job to job, and providing multi-year coverage.

Require any state receiving Medicaid to develop a financial "risk adjustment" bonus to high-cost and low-income families to supplement tax credits and Medicaid funds.

Allow individuals to get insurance through any organization or association that they choose: employers, individual purchases, churches, professional association, and so forth. These policies will be available to small businesses and the self-employed, will be portable across all jobs, and will automatically bridge the time between retirement and Medicare eligibility. These plans would have to meet rigorous standards and certification.


John McCain Believes in Personal Responsibility

We must do more to take care of ourselves to prevent chronic diseases when possible, and do more to adhere to treatment after we are diagnosed with an illness.

Childhood obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are all on the rise. We must again teach our children about health, nutrition and exercise - vital life information.

Public health initiatives must be undertaken with all our citizens to stem the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and to deter smoking.


http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
I see now that McCain has come out with a Health Care Reform Plan--which appears to be looking at some good ideas- altho much is still pretty vague...
The only problem is that I remember a Republican candidate that ran for President in 2000- who's #1 issue and promise to the middle class was to reform health care and lower health care and insurance costs- but then after being elected did nothing- in fact allowed the opposite to occur- while his elitist buddies in the medical, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries profiteered.... :( :( :mad:

Makes you wonder if this new neocon Republican Party can be trusted to keep their word now...... :???:

Do you really, deep down in your Oldtimey heart, think for one moment that your revered Democrats are any less likely to be untruthful than the Republicans? :???: Dream on. :roll:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Soapweed said:
Oldtimer said:
I see now that McCain has come out with a Health Care Reform Plan--which appears to be looking at some good ideas- altho much is still pretty vague...
The only problem is that I remember a Republican candidate that ran for President in 2000- who's #1 issue and promise to the middle class was to reform health care and lower health care and insurance costs- but then after being elected did nothing- in fact allowed the opposite to occur- while his elitist buddies in the medical, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries profiteered.... :( :( :mad:

Makes you wonder if this new neocon Republican Party can be trusted to keep their word now...... :???:




Do you really, deep down in your Oldtimey heart, think for one moment that your revered Democrats are any less likely to be untruthful than the Republicans? :???: Dream on. :roll:


Its just GW's lies are fresher in the mind...And potentially more devastating....
 

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