Indy

Since this seems to be one of the major topics in this election lets see if we can't come up with a solution that will we acceptable to everyone. Remember, you have to compromise; stonewalling and partisan hysteria is not welcome in this thread.

My thoughts:
As a first world nation I feel that there is no reason that healthcare should not be affordable and readily available for every citizen. From what I've seen on this forum it seems that nobody disagrees with this general premise. The arguments and name calling (i.e. liberal nutjob, right-wing sheep) usually starts when people present their plan to make this idea a reality. The current system does not work, this is also not disputed from what I can gather. So what do we do about it?

First, all children under the age of 18 should be covered regardless of what decisions their parents make. The child isn't informed or responsible enough to make the decision of whether or not to buy health insurance and some parents choose or are unable to supply that insurance to them so the government should in good conscience set up a system that provides the coverage. Should every taxpayer be required to pay into a system that covers free healthcare to children under 18? I believe so. The obvious argument against this would be "why should I have to be burdened because some poor mother can't keep her legs closed?" or "If someone has more kids than they can afford that's their problem". I can see the rational to making these arguments, and quite honestly, that's how I feel as well. But, the fact of the matter is that these children have no say over what family they are born into or how much money their parents make or even if their parents are responsible and not lazy leeches on society. How can we ignore them and still consider ourselves to be moral? I propose that we all just suck it up and do the right thing by paying a little more in taxes. Does anyone have any explanations why we shouldn't, or perhaps a way to guarantee healthcare to every child without imposing taxes on the populous as a whole?

With children out of the way, I also think that every adult should have access to affordable and available healthcare. This one is more difficult by far. I don't want to pay taxes so that some leech who doesn't work can have brain surgery, but I wouldn't mind paying more in taxes so that an adult who makes minimum wage and can't afford insurance is covered. My first thought would be to require all employers to provide health insurance for their employees and unemployed people who can prove they have made a reasonable effort to secure a job they are qualified for to be covered by taxes that go into an unemployment health insurance type of program. The problem with that is that not all employers can afford a system like this. So I started thinking, how can we provide health insurance for people who are employed but can't possibly afford their own policies while still keeping it fair to those of us who have insurance already? Allow employers to utalize the unemployment health insurance program for their employees if they can show that the company profits wouldn't cover the added cost? Maybe, but I'm sure a program like that would be abused. Maybe the answer can be found by reducing the cost of insurance premiums? How would be do that? Doctors are forced to overcharge everyone because insurance companies only pay a percentage of the bill and stick the doctor or patient with the balance. In order to recoup what the tests actually cost to perform they are forced to raise their prices, and can't charge patients who have insurance a different rate than those without because that is illegal. I think the gov't should pass into law that an insurance company is required to pay in full the balance of the bill submitted to them which would allow doctors to reduce how much they charge for services. I also think that any insurance company who no longer lists doctors as approved care providers as retaliation for being reported for lack of payment should be severely punished, and vice versa any doctor who is price gouging should be severely punished, similar to how we deal with gas stations. This would lower health care costs and possibly bring health insurance into a range that someone working minimum wage can afford. Your thoughts?

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Jerry

Here's my plan:

I think people who need health insurance.....they should buy health insurance.

I think that people who can't afford health insurance....they should get a better or an additional job and buy health insurance.

Just my opinion.

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"Nature has it's bad designs eaten by it's good ones."
Eyes of Nye, episode 114

Indy

Wow, you're cold. Who's going to make the hamburgers then?

Jerry

When I was in fast food everyone was offered health insurance after 90 days.

Indy

When was that?

Jerry

From 1996-2002.

I also know first hand that Walmart, K-mart, and Lowes offer health insurance after 90 days.

Indy

So Jerry are you basically saying that there is no problem with the current system of health insurance and health care? Do you believe that is is already affordable to all? I find that hard to believe.

Jerry

Your basic, average able-bodied person can today afford their own health insurance, yes.

Rather they choose to do so, however, is another matter.

donc

$6.55 (July 24, 2008) x 40=$ 262.00 per week.

After taxes about =$190.00 per week.



The annual premium for single coverage averaged over $4,400.2


Divide by 52 weeks =$84.61


Leaves $105.39 for one person to live on.

Care to explain how you can live on that?

Jerry

Well, you don't source any of your numbers nor do you choose to source the policy you are using, but if you wish to discuss this in a vague, unqualified way, simply to discuss the theory, that's fine.

When I worked in fast food no policy ever charged me over $400 per month.

So, in theory, we would need to make sure some basic elements were set properly.

1. Get a second job and/or get a better job, volunteer for overtime if it's offered. I said this already. Your average single person can do this without difficulty.

2. You don't buy full coverage. You buy catastrophic coverage only. The kind of policy with a low monthly premium and a high out-of pocket. Your regular check ups and basic prescriptions? You're paying for those yourself. Why? It's cheaper when you look at the length of the policy vs how long you go without needing such prescriptions. Unless you are chronicly ill or are in anyway *not* the average person, you don't need more.