Health insurance

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by spence

I'm curious what people think the government should enforce in regards to health insurance regulation.

One thing that I think is really bad, is how insurance companies are dropping coverage because some people just aren't that profitable.

Pre-existing condition? Well, your new insurance won't cover that...

Loose your job? Get COBRA for 7-800 a month for a while...then you're screwed.

Those who actually read my posts know I'm not for a single payer system and don't necessarily advocate the public option.

That being said, reform is certainly necessary even if it cuts into corporate profits.

What say you?

-spence

spence, I've held off on this story awhile, but here it is 100% true.
Both my parents worked their entire lives, 10 years ago they semi-retired to Florida. My Mom took another career position, my Dad, worked part time. Due to corporate restructuring, my Mom was laid off. She was the insurance provider and went on Cobra. Well, then 6 months or so pass and we find out my Dad has cancer. My parents panic, I do a ton of research (which conflicts with your assertions above) and we find that as long as you do not let your insurance lapse, pre-existing conditions cannot be held against a person when applying for insurance. Its the LAW. My parents get private insurance and yup, its expensive, but way less than paying the medical costs of cancer treatment. So my sister and I offer to pay the insurance so my parents dont have the burder, they refuse. My Mom, a person who worked her entire life in an office, goes out and gets a job at a supermarket making donuts at 4am, just to get insurance. She fought to get the 30 hrs a week to be eligible for insurance, once again, prexisting conditions where not a factor since their insurance never lapsed and so they discontinued the private insurance and my mom got insurance from the supermarket. She got up 6 days a week at 4am, worked 5 hrs and then took care of my Dad. So........heres my eternal struggle as a conservative, maybe you all can help. How come my parents (mom) could do it? Is it becasue, they're lucky? blessed? white? educated (both only HS degrees)?, or just because they believed that their circumstances were their circumstances and they had to take care of themselves, please help me see the light?

[spence]

So how many people pay into their insurance plans but can't afford COBRA or find a new job with coverage?

I applaud your parents for making things work, but that's not a one size fits all solution.

-spence

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by spence

So how many people pay into their insurance plans but can't afford COBRA or find a new job with coverage?

I applaud your parents for making things work, but that's not a one size fits all solution.

-spence

Spence, while there's not an easy solution that works for everyone, there are options out there. Dunkin Donuts offers BCBS health insurance for hourly employees that work 35 hours per week. And they're hiring f/t employees right now. And they're not the only company doing that. I guess some people might think they're above doing jobs that they think aren't good enough for them. Myself, I'd do what Jim's mom did and do what I have to to have insurance for my family.

The government has already made COBRA easier for people to afford with the American Recovery and Investment Act. The government now pays 65% of the person's premium and they also extended COBRA benefits. This is supposed to be temporary until 12/09, but there is already talk of extending it. And keep in mind that the cost of COBRA for a person is the total cost of the insurance company premium. It's what the employee was paying along with the portion that the employer was contributing. So if employees want to complain about the cost they pay, they should consider that the employer is picking up at least 60% and usually more of the total cost of the monthly premium.

The simple solution to making health insurance more affordable (not considering tort reform) is to have standardized costs for services. Certain procedures, surgeries, imaging, etc... will have a fixed price set by the governnment in conjunction with medical professionals and insurance companies. Hospitals will have fixed prices for rooms and medical devices also. I know it's probably a longer shot than tort reform, but to me it seems to be the most logical solution that wouldn't require 900 billion dollars right off the bat.

[justplugit]

God bless your Mom and Dad, Jimmy.

Sounds like your parents grew up and worked in the American tradition
where you find ways to take care of yourself.

Your Mom found there have always been ways in this country to take care of yourself if you are
willing to work and sacrifice without Nanny assistance.