Universal Health Care II?

Question

Here's the problem with providing Universal Health Care without health care industry reform FIRST:
Having back surgery in 1 week.
Total projected bill is $66,000.00
I have insurance,negotiated price for surgery is $2900.00.
YES I SAID $2900.00!!!!!!.
Had I not had insurance the bill to me would be $66,000.00!!!!!.
Universal Health Care will be nothing but a huge tax dollar drain.
The problem of 2 tiered billing must be addressed first,THEN we can consider some plan for health insurance.
Question is simple:
Do you agree or disagree?

ANTI PNAC,
Amen brother,Amen.

datr,
I'm a veteran who makes too much to be able to use the program benefits I earned with my combat service.In answer to your question,NO i am not against providing benefits earned by serving your country.

Answer 1

I agree. You are correct that they overcharge the HELL out of non-insurance negotiated people. and usually it's at least 4 times as expensive. That needs to be addressed. If it can be addressed as part of universal then great, if not then it has to be taken care of first.

Answer 2

The medical industry is unlike any other industry in regards to pricing the service. If you are a service or product provider, you know the cost of getting you product or service to market beforehand.
In the case of medicine, no one knows the real cost of curing ills beforehand, R&D, new technologies, or possible professional liabilities.
Tort reform would surely be helpful in reducing medical cost. Today because of liability issues, doctor tend to treat for the most extreme possibility first rather than the simples ailment first as they did in the past.
As example, my wife when to the doctor a few months ago with a back pain. The doctor had her go thru thousands of dollars in tests to eliminate this, that, and the other thing. In the end, he prescribed an anti-inflamatory. A prescription that cost only a few bucks made the problem go away. Years ago, the prescription would have come first.

Answer 3

I agree that there needs to be some changes made to the system.

I recently underwent a minor procedure that if conducted in a surgery center under anesthesia would have cost me about $1,800 out of pocket. About 80% of people who have the surgery choose this route.

I elected to have the procedure conducted in the doctors office, it only costed $25 dollars (co-pay), but because of the pain, kept me off of the job for 2 days.

There is a definite disconnect between what is reasonable and necessary with the health insurance industry.

Answer 4

I disagree, you need both.
I live in the UK and am proud to live in a country that cares for the health of its population.
Healthcare in the USA actually costs more than that in the UK, and while it is great (as it is anywhere) for those who can pay to go private, overall, it is not as good as healthcare in most developed countries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care#Economics Statistically, you are going to live longer, and have a baby that is less likely to die soon after birth in almost every other western country than in the US. How is that right for the richest and most powerful country in the world?

Answer 5

You bet it can't work without reform and you've hit on one of the big problems: insurance companies get big breaks. I can assure you, they are paying nowhere near $63K for your procedure. This helps drive up costs as the real costs are shoved onto the uninsured and taxpayers.

New wrinkle--draconian collection methods:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2007/db20071120_397008.htm

Better plan:
http://www.booklocker.com/books/3068.html

Hope all goes well with your surgery and recovery.

Answer 6

Funny the US government doesn't have a problem with providing "universal healthcare" to illegal aliens here and the citizens of foreign countries around the globe via "humanitarian financial assistance".

Answer 7

Yes, good point.

I have taken care of my, and my family's Health Insurance and Health Care for years.

All I want is for the Socialists, Communists, and Democrats to LEAVE ME ALONE.

The reason that Health Insurance and Health Care is so expensive, is because of Shyster Lawyers like John Edwards who made Millions with his Frivolous Lawsuits.

Answer 8

Hope you feels better.

But just a thought, paying your health premiums each month is the same as just paying taxes?

Yes, We pay too much for 2nd rate healthcare.

Answer 9

You did know that Veterans health care is 100% government funded health care are you against that?

Answer 10

I don't see the connection you are trying to make - it seems like you are making an argument in favor of Universal Health Care, to me...