One More Reason to Pass Health Care Reform

[Matt J]

Lets just scare the hell out of people by mentioning caps. It's either a limit or a painful dental procedure and people associate it with something they dislike.

The assumption that the health care bill will cap the cost on services and thus lower that quality is a pretty stupid assumption. Currently Medicare does have a cap on services and insurance companies mirror those caps. In many instances a doctor cannot charge a patient above that cap depending on their contract with the insurance company. In other cases they can attempt to collect the difference, but it's almost unmeasurable how a medical bill will not affect your credit.

 

[Miss Critter]

I still would like to see demographics and statistics on those with chronic illness who further abuse their bodies.

Go to any Wal-Mart on any day and look inside the grocery carts of obviously unwell people. Anecdotal, yes, but eye-opening nonetheless. ;-)

Oh, and this on yahoo this morning:

Why Rush Limbaugh would go to Costa Rica if Obama's healthcare plan passes

San Jos?, Costa Rica – Conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh said this week he’d go to Costa Rica for medical treatment if Congress passes proposed reforms to the US healthcare system.
That might sound like an unusual choice, since this is a country with one of the longest standing socialized healthcare systems on the planet. Everyone here (including resident foreigner), are required to pay into the government-run health system, whether they use it or not.
But Limbaugh’s choice may also serve to advertise what many Americans traveling here for medical treatment already know: Costa Rica is a fabulous place for medical tourism.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100311/wl_csm/286856

 

[Lynnie]

I would love to see those numbers/demographics too - mainly to refute the "picture" many people have in their heads of what people who do not have or cannot get health insurance look like.

There seems to be a perception that the majority of Americans with health insurance issues are: illegal aliens, minorities, deadbeats, freeloaders, unhealthy, fat slobs, spending the money on other things, don't care about their health, want totally free medical care etc.

Someone posted a great analysis of the divide - those w/ jobs that provide insurance, are vets, or are on Medicare think there is nothing wrong with the current system - while those who are self employed, employed by small businesses, or unable to afford or get insurance have a VERY different view.

My concern is that between the aging population (driving up both health care costs AND the amount our government spends) , the rising cost of health insurance, and the economy, more and more people are going to find themselves in the second group, not the first....................as the problem gets worse and worse instead of better.

I don't think it's ill-perceived of many. I know people who have made these choices and I know people who make about $250K/yr. who is a juvenile diabetic, drinks one and one-half bottles of wine a night and 'doesn't understand her disease?'

This might not be the majority of those presently uninsured, but we need to address these issues when we pass reform.

 

[Lynnie]

Lets just scare the hell out of people by mentioning caps. It's either a limit or a painful dental procedure and people associate it with something they dislike.

The assumption that the health care bill will cap the cost on services and thus lower that quality is a pretty stupid assumption. Currently Medicare does have a cap on services and insurance companies mirror those caps. In many instances a doctor cannot charge a patient above that cap depending on their contract with the insurance company. In other cases they can attempt to collect the difference, but it's almost unmeasurable how a medical bill will not affect your credit.

If this occurs, the physicians lose their contracts with the carrier, thus losing a large patient base (in many cases). A dr. tried collecting the difference on one of my bills. The argument came to a screeching halt when I informed the billing clerk that I underwrite the plans and work closely with the managed care physician recruiters who approve their practice participation.

 

[Matt J]

If this occurs, the physicians lose their contracts with the carrier, thus losing a large patient base (in many cases). A dr. tried collecting the difference on one of my bills. The argument came to a screeching halt when I informed the billing clerk that I underwrite the plans and work closely with the managed care physician recruiters who approve their practice participation.

That's great, as I explained not every physician is under those regulations. For instance out of network providers.