we just bought an insurance company. Lets sell cheap health insurance right from AIG. Make it a non for profit company.
That's ridiculous. Many people work, have insurance, get sick, can't work anymore, lose their jobs (at will employment), lose their insurance because without a paycheck they can't pay the cost of cobra. And there you have one more uninsured person, but this one is in desperate need of care. No, they can't just go and get Medicaid, where I live, the Medicaid program is currently closed. The number of uninsured people isn't a static group, people get insurance, and lose it every day, and most lose it unwillingly.
Nice attitude! I didn't say I wanted to personally pay for them. I couldn't, I'm not rich. I'm stating the facts. This is reality, not your assertion that uninsured people choose to be uninsured. OK then. I'll respond in your fashion. What the hell do you think these people should do? Beg on the streets for the money to pay for surgery? Commit suicide? Or you just don't care what they do, so long as your life is undisturbed by their misfortune? Wait till it's a friend or relative of yours who needs serious medical attention, like surgery or whatever. Then come back here and tell me it's ok with you to let them rot and die. Or are you going to pay out of your pocket whatever that bill will be? But, no, you won't, because the surgery won't even get scheduled without some kind of insurance plan that's been verified ahead of time. Maybe you're going to say none of your friends or relatives could ever be in that position. Maybe you think everyone you know has secure job and insurance protection. Maybe you would be wrong.
Again, who's gonna pay for it? You and me. Why should those of us that already choose to pay for our own insurance, now be forced to pay for someone that chooses not to pay? Been there, done that. You don't have to beg for money for surgery. You just get it done and then pay for it later. No one is refused service so long as they present some form of payment, generally $50 at admittance. From there, you make payments. Of course you can CHOOSE not to. Lets not get dramatic here. I've been on both sides. I'm speaking from experience on both ends of the spectrum. The solution to the problem is to fix prices and regulate the insurance industry, not throw more money at the problem, or force those of us that choose to pay for things also then pay for those people that choose not to. That's just ridiculous. Been there, done that. How much of this thread have you read. I never said that. Had you read anything I said, you would have realized that. Yep. If I do not, then someone else does in the way of higher medical and insurance bills. Why should someone else foot my bill? NOT TRUE!!!! Been there, done that. All you have to do is present a CC and authorize $50. That's it, that's all. From there, payment plan. When you have been there, done that... Please, by all means, come back and present reality to us. You should really read the entire thread. I choose to work, I choose to pay my bills and I choose to buy insurance. In the past, I've chosen not to do some of these things. We all make choices. What you are suggesting is that I should also pay for those that made a choice not to? Eek... bleh.
But we are already paying for other peoples health care by taxpayer funded Medicaid. So I don't understand what you're saying here. Yes, people ARE denied medical care, all the time, every day. They want more than 50 bucks and a promise to schedule major surgery. And you can't really choose not to make payments if you've lost your job and you don't have any money. Happens all the time. They know if you don't have any way to make payments, and they won't schedule your new expensive medical test or procedure or surgery, if you can't pay. Surely you know the difference between choosing not to pay and inability to pay. Do you think that no one in our country is ever reduced to begging for help with health care? I suspect you have never been truly indigent. I never suggested we throw more money at the problem. Fixing prices sounds like government intervention, you'll get lots of opposition to that idea. Regulation is one way to help solve the problem. But still, for people who truly have no way to pay, regulation does not address the problem entirely. Again, we already are paying for other peoples health care through taxpayer funded Medicaid, and still, many people do not get the care they need. Testy aren't we? I think you missed a few of my points too. And misread me. Relax. And, if they don't have a credit card? What then? What stratosphere do you live in that absolutely everyone has a credit card? Talk about reality..... Yeah, you score points big time by talking down to me, right? Feel big now? I work too ya know, you're not the only one. Yes, we all make choices, but sometimes it isn't all the sick persons fault, and sometimes they need help. I never suggested you should pay for people who made bad choices, but really, as I've said already, you and I do pay for others now. It wouldn't be a new thing. I'm objecting to the uneven and arbitrary way that some people get care and some do not. I am hoping for a better system that could cover people who need help in a more equitable way. Price fixing sounds good, but I doubt it will happen, you know, the free market philosophy and all. Regulations sound good, but that means government interference, and I doubt that's gonna happen either. I think we need national health care. Other countries manage to figure it out and do it for less than what we spend now. We're supposed to be #1, so why can't we come up with our own version that works? And blech to you too.