The lines are being drawn for the Senate battle on Mr. Obama’s health plan. I know that the government systems that I have seen overseas provided inferior quality, inferior to what most of us have come to expect from our system. On the other hand, I have seen my health insurance increase to the point where it makes my mortgage payment look reasonable.
So part of the question is, do you want to continue down the path that you are on, with private health insurance companies taking huge profits and increasing premiums to the point of absurdity, or should things change?
The war of words going on in the press today has pitted the greedy insurance companies against inept politicians. The insurance company representatives, usually highly paid Doctors, keep telling us that the government will turn out to be worse than they are. I think that is rich, don’t fall for government control of the health care system because they will screw you worse than we have . . great defense guys.
While there are some individuals who are lucky enough to have lifetime coverage, most of us will hit a point where we can no longer afford it. I have read that you need $ 200,000 to $ 300,000 in savings just to pay health insurance premiums if you want to retire. That means if you are not one of the lucky few who have paid lifetime coverage or who can pay the discussed premiums from savings you will also suffer the same fate, health insurance cancellation.
Personally I don’t think the argument that doctors will leave the industry in droves because they won’t be able to get rich is a farce. If you provided even a portion of the excess that is going to insurance company profits you could increase what doctors received, and then maybe they could make more decisions based on what is best for patients and not on what is best for the Big Bucks Insurance Company profits.
I hate to see more government intrusion into the health care market, but if you talk to people who think the government is there as a last resort to help them, for example veterans or helpless elderly individuals, you will find that they are shunned if they can’t pay monster premiums. Many people are fooled into thinking that existing programs help people when the help is minimal or non-existent.
The question, do you need health insurance, can more easily be answered with a resounding no than an impossible to achieve coverage yes. If you can see in the relatively short term future that health insurance premiums, that now cost a typical family at or above $ 8,000 per year, may become unaffordable. Then there really isn’t much decision making with regard to the changes being presented.
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I’d say I have a decent prescription coverage with a union membership plan, but even the dispensing fees have run me about $130 just for about 3 months worth of pills.
And I think the prices of these will only go up.
I am planning to get a health insurance. But if there will be an increase for the mortgage i think i cant make it. The government must give more attention about that matters.
Drugs will be part of the “socialized medicine” package, so no need to worry about price increases.
It’s going to be a trade-off for many people, are they willing to wait 15 months to get served or are they going to let the insurance company deny them service. What a deal, one way or the other most of us lose. I still think there will be services offered quicker if you have cash. Cash talks even if you have to leave the country to get the service (like some people do now).
I’ve definitely heard of Canadians taking their checkbooks to the US to get some procedures done more quickly. I also knew someone from Canada who paid to go to Boston to have eye surgery for cancer. The Ontario health insurance at the time wouldn’t cover similar surgery; their solution was to remove the eye. The surgery in Boston was successful, but sadly the man passed away a few years later after a relapse, leaving a small child and wife.
And desiree reminded me of another issue… I wonder how many people have a life insurance clause on their mortgages?
There’s nothing wrong with the health insurance so far, besides that most of them are being withdrawn without giving the money back at all. Just that. In the end this companies have money and they don’t give money back.
There’s nothing wrong with a health insurance if you’ll find a good company to invest your money. I want to have it for the future use. But my aunt had her insurance before, and eventually the company had closed or had been bankrupt. How are you going to look a right company for your health insurance? This will help me also to avoid on what my aunt had encountered.
I think the article above involves the extent of public health insurance offered by governments, especially the US. I get the impression that the previous two posts are just referring to user-paid insurance from private companies.
Even a one-time prescription in Canada can cost as much as $150 for a one week supply of medication for a ringworm condition. If something like that isn’t covered, that could seriously upset a household’s monthly budget.
Private health coverage is great if you have a plan through a company. But when the job is gone or you have retired, it would certainly be great to have a fall back health coverage.
I am in favor of public health insurance and this could be set up with premiums relative to the household income.
The health care in Ontario is more or less based on this premise and although there are some issues that need to be addressed, everyone is covered regardless of a person income.
I hope the debate for public health insurance wins as this will take the stress off the shoulders of those who are looking forward to retirement.
Yes I still think in most ways Ontario is better off than some other areas of the continent. For example I spoke to a woman from Ontario who’s working in Nevada, and a single trip to the hospital for simple tests pretty much took the earnings from her entire week of work.
I assume that the residents there pay the same rate, or maybe not?
I think we really need that insurance thing..its a great help for us..i had use mine when i was hospitalized..
Generally speaking, it really is better to have you insurance but there are now some issues with it.
Like what this article pointed out. Not to mention the prices and the loop holes in the medical community.
You know, in some other countries people barely get health insurance. Why? Its a luxury to them. Whether or not they can’t afford it, they can still live without it and so they do not actually give importance to it too much. Maybe that’s also how everybody should think. Just a thought.
Well, I guess, getting an insurance also depends on the culture of the country. However, this insurances would be helpful to us in our future use. But, we have to look for a right company to invest our money. Do you agree?
Health Insurance should be a right of every citizen like it is in most countries.
That is right dparker, health insurance must be a right of every citizen. But I observed that not all are given the privilege to avail one, particularly the less fortunate. I guess, government must have done something about this, what do you think?
Of course, everybody needs health insurance. Money plays an important role and we cannot blame the insurance company if they would cancel your health insurance whenever you’re not be able to pay, right? There must be a give and take relationship. As regards to the government, they should be responsible enough. I hope they would prioritize these veterans and give them the benefits they deserve.
Health insurance is very important. Nowadays, it is getting costly so people would choose to invest their money to other things. Other would rely on the free health services the government would offer to the public. That way, they’ll be able to save money. Do you agree?
Health insurance is a must for every body. When not needed it appears to be a drain but is really useful when required as otherwise health care cost are ballooning day by day.
I agree with you on that kriss..money is very important here..i just hope that the government will look closely on this big problem and give free medicine and consultation to the deserving recipients..