Is health care too costly?

Question

An insurance agent explained the high cost of health care by saying (more or less) ...
" As medicine has advanced, we're spending more - lots more. Most of it is on babies born seriously premature, and people in the last five years of their life. People that would have died within months, are now living for five, ten, fifteen years - with massive medical interventions, at massive costs. Health costs in the US last year, according to Consumer Reports, were $7,000 per capita."

I don't feel sorry for the insurance companies. They are making tidy profits. As a pre-Medicare retiree, I pay $5,000 per year in health insurance premiums plus co-pays on everything from lab work to doctor's office visits. I'm spending about $7,000 a year out of my own pocket. I guess I could save the insurance company lots of money if I die before they have to fork out payments for cancer treatment or a heart surgery. Grrrrrrrr!

What is your opinion of health insurance in the USA?

Oops! Math error by me. I pay $6,000 a year on health insurance premiums.

Answer 1

It is way too costly and the reason why is that the insurance companies and the medical profession are in bed with each other. Example when my daughter was born I went to the hospital and said I would like to pay cash they replied it will be 3000$ half down half when baby comes. try to have a baby on insurance for that much, also a rep from the hospital came to our room with a "gift basket" with little baby soaps etc when I told her I was self pay without a word she turned around and left I can only imagine the cost of that basket,
insurance companies are not making tidy sums they are raking in billions , you agent is a propagandist trained by a huge cooperate giant so basically he is a liar and a thief


did you know that there are doctors who do not participate in the insurance scam and provide services at substancial discounts think about it less employees to file claims etc call the AMA to find one near you

Answer 2

I would have to exhaust all my assets to be able to get Medicaid. Then where would I live?
I am not old enough for SS, yet and will then have to wait a few more years for Medical.
I do not have the extra money to be able to pay for Health Insurance, so I don't have any.
If I do become really ill and have a large medical bill I will be destitute. I will have the bill collectors coming after me, or have to file bankruptcy.
What other choices do I have. I have worked all my life and it has come to this. However Illegal aliens, and those that are truly poor can get all the medical they want.
The Health Insurance company and Pharmaceutical company's act like they are God, they decide who can and can't have certain medical care. They are told they have to deny a certain amount of claims. and they continue to reap in the profits. They have no concern for the people or the lives they have ruined. How many innocent people have to die for no reason, just because they have no medical coverage. People are now going overseas for medical treatments/surgery, as it cheaper.
Health Insurance and the Medical Industry in the USA, SUCKS!!!! There is just no other word for it.

Answer 3

so 45 million people didn't have insurance last year and that means we should buy it. well me and a couple dozen of my friends didn't have it last year and we can afford it. just being athletes we feel we dont need it right now. is that an anomaly or do you know that and are just intellectually dishonest to admit it. How many people decided to by a house too expensive for them and are now defaulting yet didnt have health insurance either. maybe if they would have set priorities and bought a lesser house, bought the family health insurance they would have kept their house and been covered if they got sick. Maybe the frosts could have sold their business and got real paying jobs (the unemployment rate in baltimore is under 4%) and then they could have bought insurance (currently there is a program that costs 45 to 300 a month for a family of 6) before the accident and then they would have been covered. It really is blatantly obvious the obvious attempt to deny people have the abilities yet dont to use a bigger number. I would be ashamed to be so totally flawed and continue the lie. Edit (because I know you will use the tired argument that well there are some that really did have situations not under their control. ) and yes I know their are some that come into situations and need help that is why we have programs like medicaid and medicare (which is about to be bancrupt by the way)

Answer 4

My husband and I own our own business so we have to buy our insurance privately. It cost close to 10 grand a year and it's mediocre insurance. Big co-pay, not much coverage as far as medicines go, etc.
I will say that I wouldn't be without it though. My husband had knee surgery 2 years ago and the cost was $140,000. It was outpatient for crying out loud! If we didn't have coverage, we would have probably lost our business.
The health care situation in the US is terrible. I know people (hard working, lower middle class) who can't afford insurance and they can't afford Dr. visits. They generally wait till they need an ER.
I don't feel sorry for insurance companies either. At least hey can bargain with the doctors and hospitals. Those who are uninsured, can't.

Answer 5

Yes, health care in the US is to costly for us, so we have no insurance now. When we had insurance, it only covered so much and then by the time they got done arguing what was covered and what wasn't, it was time for my next dr visit and more bills. I have untreated thyroid disease and allergy/sensitivities & migraines which alter my life. I use some homeopathic meds, it's the only choice I have at this point in time. I live in daily fear of something major happening (healthwise) and what we'll do.

My mom's on Medicare and she will never get all her dr bills paid off. She barely gets by and dr bills/medicine costs takes away from other things that she really needs.

Answer 6

I don't feel sorry for the insurance companies either. The premiums that some people have to pay..... I don't know how most people do it. My parents are on medicare and when I see what their premiums are and how much they pay out of pocket for doctors and prescriptions, it makes me so angry! I will admit that I am very, very lucky. My husband's company pays 100% of the premiums and we have a $300.00 yearly deductiable. We have very good health insurance. Most are not so lucky though.

Answer 7

Well, like you I paid co premiums [payroll deductible] for eons...now I have Medicare and pay for Part B, Part D etc....Far as I'm concerned I have paid into the sys tem far beyond my 'share' and should be getting health care free and I am not ABOUT to die younger just to save them an almighty buck! GEEZ GIMME A BREAK!

Just like my car insurance....have made only one claim in 30+ years with the same company...yet when I made that claim didn't they go up on my premium?

Answer 8

Terrible!!! From things I see on the telly and Q&As on here, I am shocked by the lack of health care in the US. America has to be one of the richest countries on earth yet they dont care for their own citizens!!! Maybe if the stopped spending a trillion dollars a year on the military they could use the money for their health care system.

Over here in OZ I can see my GP for free, the govt pays, my cardiologist charges $15.00 the government picks up the rest, my rhumatologist no charge, my diabetes nurse, no charge. Xrays,cat scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, bone density scans etc all free. I have had 4 babies in hospital and numerous other hospital stays and operations, and so has my hubby including a knee replacement all free. I only pay $3.70 for my medication and because we have gone over the 'safety net' of 52 scripts they are now free.

My son in law just came off his jet ski today and broke the bones in his face, emergency room treatment all free, and on monday he will see a surgeon and have it repaired in hospital==all free. Now WHY cant the American Govt do the same???

I know some will say its not free we pay for it in tax. Well that is how it should be. Wouldnt you rather just go to a dr and know you can have whatever treatment you need and no charge because its already taken care of. Our tax isnt high either but Im sure all Aussies would rather have it that way than go through what you guys do over there.

Answer 9

I live in Canada, so I have never had that, never will.... I do have some group insurance through work, but it's for prescriptions (which are much cheaper here to start with anyways) and dental.

I just goto the doctor, get seen, and go home... no bill to pay, no insurance info to clarify, no lab fees.

Glad to have it, and no matter what picture your government tries to paint of it, it works, and works well... they only grasp for excuses when you hear reports of anything bad.

Watch Michael Moore's movie Sicko, it'll show you allot.

Answer 10

It's sure to expensive for me! My income is about $800 a month. That barely covers rent, food, and cable, if I am very careful at the grocery store. I have no utility bills. I just reduced my cable bill yesterday by changing to a cheaper plan. Gosh, I sure hope I don't get sick!