I have yet to read about a single insurance company that works that way. It goes against the very idea of what insurance is. You can't get into a car crash and then try to get insurance without the insurance company raising some questions (and even if someone did sneak through their system, they would likely be sued for fraud if they were ever caught). Likewise, there's usually some paperwork that's required to get insurance and the processing takes time. If someone's hit with a critical illness or injury, I doubt they're going to wait around for the paperwork to clear before heading to the hospital.You and I are fortunate to have jobs that allow us to have insurance, because right now health care is a priveledge. It shouldn't be that way.
Yes in theory that's great but the thing is we really don't have that money... That's why medicare is broke. It is still working for the time being, but it can't continue forever on imaginary money. Just like a single payer system. So unless doctors choose to work for free, we will need to continue printing money or crediting money and eventually it will need to end. The debt will catch up to us, it's already happening. Unfortunately everyones answer is to make more debt.
@domenics: Preventative care makes little sense to private health insurers. It costs time and money now for benefits 20 years down the road. This does not appeal to either health insurers or employers buying insurance: they have little guarantee of reaping those benefits themselves.A universal healthcare system, in contrast, can fully expect to still be covering a patient in 10, 20, 50 years, and therefore has every incentive to invest in preventative care.
23 YO and in good health, $160/mo Med, + $16/mo Dental, + $40/mo Vision... all to still have UHC deny a trip to the ER which included only services under the "100% covered" plan and an ER Department calling weekly to collect $800 in bills. Add in a $15/$20/$75 copay for Doc/Specialist/ER for each visit.Private Insurance can go suck a cow... If all these rat bastards go belly up 2 days after a Public Option goes live I wouldn't shed a tear.
lol lots of angry people in here with probably high blood pressure (does that count as a pre-existing condition :P)Anyway on an Irish forum emigration came up about the current economic crisis and one of the arguments against leaving to America is your healthcare system. And before anyone says it, ours ain't much better but I do believe it is better. People don't just die in the Irish system. The state will cover people without insurance and try to work out a payment structure afterwards.The thing is most poor people will get back into work or will come into more disposable income via inheritance etc... It makes sense for the government to front the cost and let people pay the cost over time like a loan as the government works on a longer scale and can wait longer for the money to be repaid than a hospital.Also American taxes are ridiculously low IMO. I think it'd be worth paying a few percent more tax to look after the health of the nation but obviously many disagree.
I don't expect the government to take care of me. I expect it to provide a safety net for the sick and the poor. That's what civilized countries do.And how the hell do you think that someone with no job and substantial existing debt is going to "take out a loan" to buy health insurance? Be specific. Name a lending institution that makes such loans."Nice made up internet persona though."My name is Frederick Maxwell. I am an engineer for a firm which builds satellites, space probes, and rockets -- and my pay is commensurate with someone in that position. You can see my name and photo on this NASA web page about the Dawn space probe: <a class="user" href="http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/people/index.asp" rel="nofollow">http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/people/index.asp</a>And, unlike you, I'm not hiding behind some pseudonym. Looks like I got the last laugh.
I see you managed to digg my comment down within moments. I chuckle to myself when I think of you feverishly putting together your weak-minded response. Well, keep typing. All of that effort without providing any facts, references, or supporting evidence makes it funnier for me.
Hope you can swallow that advice when the tables are turned against you by your insurance company - and believe me, the day is coming. Wish I could watch.
Why do we pay life insurance actually? My friend had polips in her ovary and the doctors decided to cut the entire thing off, but what the insurance company said to her? As long as it's not CANSER, the policy doesn't cover the cost of the operations.. AND it stated in the policy documents! What a pity...<a class="user" href="http://building-your-health.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://building-your-health.blogspot.com</a>
tdogg241Sep 3, 2009
I have yet to read about a single insurance company that works that way. It goes against the very idea of what insurance is. You can't get into a car crash and then try to get insurance without the insurance company raising some questions (and even if someone did sneak through their system, they would likely be sued for fraud if they were ever caught). Likewise, there's usually some paperwork that's required to get insurance and the processing takes time. If someone's hit with a critical illness or injury, I doubt they're going to wait around for the paperwork to clear before heading to the hospital.You and I are fortunate to have jobs that allow us to have insurance, because right now health care is a priveledge. It shouldn't be that way.
alwaysturningSep 3, 2009
Yes in theory that's great but the thing is we really don't have that money... That's why medicare is broke. It is still working for the time being, but it can't continue forever on imaginary money. Just like a single payer system. So unless doctors choose to work for free, we will need to continue printing money or crediting money and eventually it will need to end. The debt will catch up to us, it's already happening. Unfortunately everyones answer is to make more debt.
wbgoSep 4, 2009
@domenics: Preventative care makes little sense to private health insurers. It costs time and money now for benefits 20 years down the road. This does not appeal to either health insurers or employers buying insurance: they have little guarantee of reaping those benefits themselves.A universal healthcare system, in contrast, can fully expect to still be covering a patient in 10, 20, 50 years, and therefore has every incentive to invest in preventative care.
Closed AccountSep 4, 2009
cfuse...cough george lazenby cough
Closed AccountSep 5, 2009
The view out the window and the only one who farts in the room is you.
gusterbearSep 7, 2009
23 YO and in good health, $160/mo Med, + $16/mo Dental, + $40/mo Vision... all to still have UHC deny a trip to the ER which included only services under the "100% covered" plan and an ER Department calling weekly to collect $800 in bills. Add in a $15/$20/$75 copay for Doc/Specialist/ER for each visit.Private Insurance can go suck a cow... If all these rat bastards go belly up 2 days after a Public Option goes live I wouldn't shed a tear.
brim4brimSep 9, 2009
lol lots of angry people in here with probably high blood pressure (does that count as a pre-existing condition :P)Anyway on an Irish forum emigration came up about the current economic crisis and one of the arguments against leaving to America is your healthcare system. And before anyone says it, ours ain't much better but I do believe it is better. People don't just die in the Irish system. The state will cover people without insurance and try to work out a payment structure afterwards.The thing is most poor people will get back into work or will come into more disposable income via inheritance etc... It makes sense for the government to front the cost and let people pay the cost over time like a loan as the government works on a longer scale and can wait longer for the money to be repaid than a hospital.Also American taxes are ridiculously low IMO. I think it'd be worth paying a few percent more tax to look after the health of the nation but obviously many disagree.
Closed AccountSep 16, 2009
I don't expect the government to take care of me. I expect it to provide a safety net for the sick and the poor. That's what civilized countries do.And how the hell do you think that someone with no job and substantial existing debt is going to "take out a loan" to buy health insurance? Be specific. Name a lending institution that makes such loans."Nice made up internet persona though."My name is Frederick Maxwell. I am an engineer for a firm which builds satellites, space probes, and rockets -- and my pay is commensurate with someone in that position. You can see my name and photo on this NASA web page about the Dawn space probe: <a class="user" href="http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/people/index.asp" rel="nofollow">http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/people/index.asp</a>And, unlike you, I'm not hiding behind some pseudonym. Looks like I got the last laugh.
Closed AccountSep 17, 2009
I see you managed to digg my comment down within moments. I chuckle to myself when I think of you feverishly putting together your weak-minded response. Well, keep typing. All of that effort without providing any facts, references, or supporting evidence makes it funnier for me.
hurriedSep 17, 2009
Hope you can swallow that advice when the tables are turned against you by your insurance company - and believe me, the day is coming. Wish I could watch.
maysonicboomSep 22, 2009
Who is Adam ?And why is every single comment on here below viewing threshold ??
earnajade20Dec 25, 2009
You don't even need to go the Cobra route. As long as you can show previous coverage from another insurance for a pre-existing condition they will cover you. And you have 60 days to choose a policy. And even when they don't cover a pre-existing condition it is only for a period of time like 6 months after which they will cover it.I want a For Profit Company which makes more money by giving me less treatment between me and my Doctor as GOD intended!<a class="user" href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Passion-rx-yohimbe-review" rel="nofollow">http://hubpages.com/hub/Passion-rx-yohimbe-review</a><a class="user" href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Passion-Rx-Yohimbe" rel="nofollow">http://hubpages.com/hub/Passion-Rx-Yohimbe</a><a class="user" href="http://www.mens-onlinegenerics.com/buy-cheap-cealis-online.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.mens-onlinegenerics.com/buy-cheap-ceali ...</a><a class="user" href="http://www.mens-onlinegenerics.com/buy-cheap-cialas-online.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.mens-onlinegenerics.com/buy-cheap-ciala ...</a>
bernicepetaMar 10, 2010
i think doesnt' make sense to me<a class="user" href="http://ibong-adarna-characters.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://ibong-adarna-characters.blogspot.com</a>
cikgunorzaMar 30, 2010
Why do we pay life insurance actually? My friend had polips in her ovary and the doctors decided to cut the entire thing off, but what the insurance company said to her? As long as it's not CANSER, the policy doesn't cover the cost of the operations.. AND it stated in the policy documents! What a pity...<a class="user" href="http://building-your-health.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://building-your-health.blogspot.com</a>
shorrobiJun 12, 2010
<a class="user" href="http://all-inclusive-family-vacations.blogspot.com/2009/02/motor-home-summer-vacations.html" rel="nofollow">http://all-inclusive-family-vacations.blogspot.com ...</a>Everyone deserves to live.