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FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat

So you want the advantages of insurance without ......
Wait a minute if you are willing to pay the doctor what insurance costs why don't you just PAY FOR INSURANCE?


I wonder if the 250 million insured people in the United States would agree that profit is superficial. While liberal rhetoric would have you believe Conservatives believe in corporations over people, the truth is conservative believe less government control is the best way for the people.


There are countries full of people that feel exactly as you. This just happens not to be one of them. They aren't just cliches, they are the way we want to live. The way of life ourselves and our family members have fought to preserve. If freedom means I don't get health care at some point in my life, so be it. at least I will not have callouses where the chains resided.


It's been widely proven that the infant mortality numbers aren't accurate because of reporting differences. We can't even decide within our own country when life begins...........
Did you know that the United States has the longest life expectancy if you remove lifestyle factors like automobile deaths and firearm deaths?

Foreigners aren't flocking here to use our insurance? Hell a person from ALABAMA can't get insurance from IOWA. You think a foreigner can?

1. I will pay for health insurance but not to a private company. Those companies have broad and sweeping power to deny coverage after I jave been paying premiums for years. My only recourse would be to bring a "bad faith" coverage litigation in state court, which could be expensive. Some policies require binding arbitration, which limit your discovery rights. So private health insurance may be a bad investment. That's why a majority of Americans prefer a Public Option.

2. Profit seeking is "superficial" concern when it comes to matters of human health and human life. Wall St. owns our health care industry. If my child needs an expensive operation in order to live a normal life like other kids; and I've been paying premiums for years expecting to be covered in these situations; I don't want Wall St. bankers deciding whether the procedure is profitable for their firm. Those clowns nearly destroyed the entire economy with bad mortgages and derivatives; you think its safe to leaave health care decisions to them??? I'd rather insure my family with a legitimate health care institution not an investment bank.

3. Americans don't want socialism; nor do we want cowboy capitalism which has brought us to the precipice of economic collapse. We want the best of both worlds. Americans are liberals with a libertarian streak. We want freedom for INDIVIDUALS but regulation for CORPORATIONS!!! Do you understand this concept???

4. France which is accused of having "socialist" medicine have better results than we do in deaths from heart disease and other major categories of illnesses. American medicine is good but its not so good that we can't learn from others.
 
If your "job" consist of thinking up new ways to deny health coverage to the sick; then you need to find a new line of work.


You're prepared to fire the government when they start rationing health care? Or, when they tell someone who has a job, but can't afford the health care the government tells them they must purchase, that they don't qualify for government health care, because they make too much money, or have too many assets?

When insurance companies deny coverage to one of their policyholders; the rest of us must pay for the person when they visit the emergency room. That means we are allowing the private insurers to collect premiums and then bill the American taxpayer when their policyholder gets sick. Americans are sick and tired of bailing out corrupt corporations; so despite your honorable plea for their feeble jobs; the health insurance industry is going to undergo major surgery.

What do you think Obamacare is going to do?? You are aware that we're going to be paying taxes on it, three years before it even takes effect. Right? Sounds like we're going to get smacked twice.
 
And, that's not illegal. What is illegal, is for the government to go on a witch hunt because of it. I know it may come as a shock to most on the Left, but this is America and there's nothing wrong with making money.


You are absolutely right. There is nothing wrong with making money. There is nothing wrong with turning people away as your client because you know they will cost you more money than you can earn from them.

There is, however, something wrong with a country which will allow it's people to die because they can't see a doctor because they are too sick to get insurance.

The problem isn't the fact that insurance companies can't earn enough profit, the problem is that people are dying because these companies are trying to earn a profit rather than helping sick people see doctors. The whole idea of healthcare and profit being talked about in one sentence is the problem.
 
You are absolutely right. There is nothing wrong with making money. There is nothing wrong with turning people away as your client because you know they will cost you more money than you can earn from them.

There is, however, something wrong with a country which will allow it's people to die because they can't see a doctor because they are too sick to get insurance.

The problem isn't the fact that insurance companies can't earn enough profit, the problem is that people are dying because these companies are trying to earn a profit rather than helping sick people see doctors. The whole idea of healthcare and profit being talked about in one sentence is the problem.

You ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait until the government gets it's grubby bureaucratic hands on the entire health care system.

Maybe some of the Obamacare proponents would like to explain to me why I--a veteran--am denied care at the VA Hospital, because I make too much money? Yeah, welcome to Obamacare.
 
You ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait until the government gets it's grubby bureaucratic hands on the entire health care system.

Maybe some of the Obamacare proponents would like to explain to me why I--a veteran--am denied care at the VA Hospital, because I make too much money? Yeah, welcome to Obamacare.

Is this is new rule? Were you able to be treated at the VA when Bush was President?
 
You are absolutely right. There is nothing wrong with making money. There is nothing wrong with turning people away as your client because you know they will cost you more money than you can earn from them.

There is, however, something wrong with a country which will allow it's people to die because they can't see a doctor because they are too sick to get insurance.

The problem isn't the fact that insurance companies can't earn enough profit, the problem is that people are dying because these companies are trying to earn a profit rather than helping sick people see doctors. The whole idea of healthcare and profit being talked about in one sentence is the problem.
We already have a public health insurance option for those who cannot afford healthcare out of pocket. It's called Medicaid.
 
We already have a public health insurance option for those who cannot afford healthcare out of pocket. It's called Medicaid.

So if you are unlucky enough to get sick and your employer kicks you out because you need time off, then you go spend every penny you have on doctors, lose your house and file bankruptcy then you'll be lucky enough to be able to file for Medicaid. Yippee, what a country. Talk about find a cripple and kick him in the b*lls.
 
So if you are unlucky enough to get sick and your employer kicks you out because you need time off, then you go spend every penny you have on doctors, lose your house and file bankruptcy then you'll be lucky enough to be able to file for Medicaid. Yippee, what a country. Talk about find a cripple and kick him in the b*lls.

Oh, so the public option isn't working? Weird!

(And by the way, you don't need to do all that to get Medicaid. Not even close.)
 
Is this is new rule? Were you able to be treated at the VA when Bush was President?

No, I wasn't, but it's irrelvant. The point is, that's what happens under government run anything. I don't give a **** who the prez is.
 
You ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait until the government gets it's grubby bureaucratic hands on the entire health care system.

Maybe some of the Obamacare proponents would like to explain to me why I--a veteran--am denied care at the VA Hospital, because I make too much money? Yeah, welcome to Obamacare.

You might want check the VA again, pay particular attention to priority eight as things have changed since last year. :2wave:


Relaxation of Priority Group 8 Enrollment Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment)
 
Do you know what a profit margin means?

Are you capable of comprehending that when the figure on the table is BILLIONS ... 6% IS VERY PROFITABLE?

HELLO?

MCFLY?

ANYBODY HOME?
 
Are you capable of comprehending that when the figure on the table is BILLIONS ... 6% IS VERY PROFITABLE?

HELLO?

MCFLY?

ANYBODY HOME?

What's wrong with profit:confused: Without profit.. there is no business.
 
Are you capable of comprehending that when the figure on the table is BILLIONS ... 6% IS VERY PROFITABLE?

HELLO?

MCFLY?

ANYBODY HOME?
Profit is good. If I didn't profit, I wouldn't bother going to work.
 
Are you capable of comprehending that when the figure on the table is BILLIONS ... 6% IS VERY PROFITABLE?

HELLO?

MCFLY?

ANYBODY HOME?

But it's not one person raking in all of the profits! It's why you have to look at profit margin.
 
Are you capable of comprehending that when the figure on the table is BILLIONS ... 6% IS VERY PROFITABLE?

HELLO?

MCFLY?

ANYBODY HOME?
Profit margin is expressed as a percentage for a reason. There are liablilities, assets, losses, payroll considerations, advertising, etc. etc.

If for instance, you are taking in .06 in profits, but your costs are .94, you are at a break even more or less, regardless of whether the figure used is ten dollars or ten billion dollars, what's left after expenses has to be used to pay dividends to investors, re-invested, etc. So it's a completely irrelevant point to use dollar figures where percentages are most appropriate.
 
But it's not one person raking in all of the profits! It's why you have to look at profit margin.

It's a corrupt industry whining about not getting more than 6% profit out of the billions they rape out of the American public.

As such, they can shut up.
 
It's a corrupt industry whining about not getting more than 6% profit out of the billions they rape out of the American public.

As such, they can shut up.

Anti-corporate rhetoric coming from someone using the libertarian symbols. If you're a libertarian, then you know that companies can't force you to do anything. As such, if we're getting raped because they deny service, then take it up with the government for not prosecuting fraud as they should.
 
What's wrong with profit:confused: Without profit.. there is no business.

The people in insurance industry profit exessively... in a manner which causes my premiums to go up so a bunch of executive ********ers get their annual 2 million dollar bonuses.

Profit is ok.

Excessive profit and the expense of the working class ... NOT OK.

:)
 
Anti-corporate rhetoric coming from someone using the libertarian symbols. If you're a libertarian, then you know that companies can't force you to do anything. As such, if we're getting raped because they deny service, then take it up with the government for not prosecuting fraud as they should.

Coporations would and do sell their souls in the name of exessive profits. They then use those profits to buy off politicans so that laws that favor them are created.

This is true political and corporate corruption at its finest.

Stop defending their illegal actions.
 
Coporations would and do sell their souls in the name of exessive profits. They then use those profits to buy off politicans so that laws that favor them are created.

This is true political and corporate corruption at its finest.

Stop defending their illegal actions.
Hey, you're going overboard, chill a little. With all the millions of laws on the books, I have a hard time not blaming the govt for all excesses, including profits.
 
Coporations would and do sell their souls in the name of exessive profits. They then use those profits to buy off politicans so that laws that favor them are created.

This is true political and corporate corruption at its finest.

Stop defending their illegal actions.

Start putting some blame on the government then for not prosecuting the fraud as they should.
 
I have to say, I read all 18 pages of this thread and it has been the best thread I have seen on a political board. Outside of the ignorant leftists comments about profit margins and such, it has been fantastic and has exposed those who have a clue and those who dont.

Thanks ap, for such a great thread. Its a lesson in economics that you just wouldnt find in any classroom. For any kid still in school reading this, you just got a crash course in a subject that is light years ahead of anything you are doing in your school.
 
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