Originally Posted By TomSawyer It's been surprising to me that more companies aren't 100% behind single payer health care, where the consumers are directly responsible for their own healthcare costs instead of their employers. It would free up tons of cash and increase the profit margin of every company that offers healthcare to their employees. Frankly, stories like this encourage me a little because the more people there are getting insurance individually the closer we get to a single payer system.
Originally Posted By Donny "It's been surprising to me that more companies aren't 100% behind single payer health care." I agree
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Cue the Fox News conservative conspiracy theorists! It's being reported today that a whopping 2 million Americans have signed up for Obamacare through both the federal and state exchanges since October with the vast majority (1 million people) signing up just this month. Some pundits are now saying that if the momentum continues the 7 million goal for March 1 might be within reach. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/31/22124305-over-2-million-people-signed-up-for-obamacare-says-white-house?lite">http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_new...use?lite</a>
Originally Posted By andyll >>It's been surprising to me that more companies aren't 100% behind single payer health care, I've always wondered if it was because it does give them a little control over their employees. Several times over the last few years I've had to opportunity to go independent but I've never been able to because my wife is uninsurable.
Originally Posted By schnebs <<It's been surprising to me that more companies aren't 100% behind single payer health care, I've always wondered if it was because it does give them a little control over their employees.>> Exactly. If I had a dollar for every person that's ever said "I'd leave this job if it weren't for the health insurance", I could probably pay for my own gold-plated insurance for the rest of my life.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Several times over the last few years I've had to opportunity to go independent but I've never been able to because my wife is uninsurable. >>> Not as of this morning. And it happened without single payer.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Ridiculous, right? In no other country do people pay bills like this. I am dealing with one from my own household - over $60,000 for a 3-day hospital stay and the insurance company is using every trick in the book not to pay. I have spent more than 100 hours dealing with this issue, have involved regulators and lawyers, etc. There has to be a better way...<< There is a better way, but the GOP will never allow it to happen. Here is an example: My sister in law lives in the UK. She recently had her gall bladder removed. She of course pays a National Health tax, which is far less than what private insurance costs in the USA. Her out of pocket cost for the surgery? Zero I also had my gall bladder removed, in 2009. Our procedures and medical experiences were very similar: outpatient, laparascopic surgery. I have what would be considered a "platinum" insurance plan with a low deductible. My out of pocket? About $700
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Well, there is the theory that prices would drop like a rock if insurance wasn't there to prop them up.<< Yeah, there is that theory. The problem with it is that in countries with universal coverage (where everyone is covered by some form of insurance) costs are lower than ours. A lot lower. When Taiwan overhauled their healthcare system, one of the guidelines they had was to NOT do what we do.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ***<<< Several times over the last few years I've had to opportunity to go independent but I've never been able to because my wife is uninsurable. >>> Not as of this morning. And it happened without single payer.*** How many times has the House voted to repeal this? I ask, because I've lost track.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Every time the House votes on repealing Obamacare I think of this scene: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://youtu.be/zMRrNY0pxfM">http://youtu.be/zMRrNY0pxfM</a>
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Yeah, there is that theory. The problem with it is that in countries with universal coverage (where everyone is covered by some form of insurance) costs are lower than ours. A lot lower. When Taiwan overhauled their healthcare system, one of the guidelines they had was to NOT do what we do.>>> I agree and that was really my point, it was that when there are 4 gazillion choices the price will go up. When there is one funding source, they can dictate the amount that any procedure is worth, dollar-wise thus lowering the cost for everyone. That is why it works in those places. Control the greed, force better procedures that reduce costs. That is the hope I have that the system will eventually do this. Sorry, I didn't communicate my intent very well.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Roger that. I replied that way because there are people who believe that if there was no insurance and if everyone paid 100% out of pocket, that hospital stays, procedures and meds would be super cheap. What is interesting is that in the system we have, those who pay cash, pay the most. I have heard stories about people being able to negotiate a discount when paying cash, but what I see in the real world is that they ream you and then setup a convenient "payment plan". They know that if you aren't a deadbeat and value your credit rating, that you will pay the rack rate. Otherwise they send your bill to a collection agency, which can damage your credit rating big time.
