Health Care insurance- is it really that important

[Dis]

People survived in the 19th century without it . Okay many did not, health care was non existant back then anyways. Unless you count leeches.

Well the numbers without health care insurance is up very dramtically recently. Health care costs are out of control. It won't be long before only the very rich can afford medical care.

But I don't agree with having the goverment take things over. The goverment is just horrible at everything it does- including national defense (luckily everyone else uses militaries provided for by goverments- so we are under no threat). Don't give me crap about Canada. Canada sucks . All I hear is how you guys ***** about having to wait so long to get appointments. You do have cheaper drugs though, that is one good thing.

[Verto]

Re: Health Care insurance- is it really that important

Originally posted by Dissident
People survived in the 19th century without it .

Same goes for Social Security.

[Q Classic]

no nationalized health care.

strong reforms to limit damages from malpractice suits. if you're in for an appendectomy, and they amputate your leg, sue 'em. but you don't "deserve" a multi-million dollar settlement, not unless you were somebody who needed that leg to make your multimillions over the course of your life, like some overpaid athlete.

perhaps a federalized insurance program for doctors, so they won't have to pay 100k+ to practice in some states?

and now onto the private sector: it would help if the hmos weren't such dicks and jacknuts when it comes to providing coverage.

[SlowwHand]

HMO's suck, and medical care will ultimately be socialized in the good old USA.

To answer your question, if you want treatment to keep from dying, then yes it's important.

[Jamski]

Its illegal not to have full heathcare insurance here in Germany. You can be heavily fined.

-Jam

[loinburger]

The stuff I've got really only kicks in for an emergency, and my premiums are dirt cheap. If the government wants to raise taxes to give me equivalent insurance then I might be a net winner in the transaction (until I move up a couple of brackets), but it seems kind of unnecessary -- minimal health insurance (in this case, a PPO with a hefty co-pay) just isn't that expensive.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Jamski
Its illegal not to have full heathcare insurance here in Germany. You can be heavily fined.

-Jam

That's just bizarre...

[Jamski]

Its just common sense. If you get hurt, you've got to be able to pay for very expensive medicat treatment. Or hope the church gives you some cash (yeah right ) Of course, if you are poor enough the government pays for the insurance money out of your social help money they give you. Nice.

-Jam

[Jamski]

Oh, and in Germany, the healthcare insurance also pays for any days you take off sick - i.e. the heathcare company pays your wages instead of your company while you are ill.

-Jam

[Kuciwalker]

I still think it is bizarre. I am REQUIRED to have insurance? Shouldn't I kind of get to choose whether or not to purchase insurance?

[Jon Miller]

yes

governmentally ocntrolled

but I went with the best I could afford, which is about twice that of an HMO


JOn Miller

[Jamski]

I still think it is bizarre. I am REQUIRED to have insurance? Shouldn't I kind of get to choose whether or not to purchase insurance?

Its the same kind of law as it being illegal to commit suicide.

(BTW Jon... the avatar... please )

-Jam

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Jamski
Its the same kind of law as it being illegal to commit suicide.

Exactly

(BTW Jon... the avatar... please )

I second this.

[Snotty]

Government controlled. People think our NHS is rubbish, but Its a wonderful thing that anyone here can get hurt and get help for it free.

Only the poorest people are going to choose to live without insurance, and its our social responsibility to ensure everyone has the health care they need.

[Imran Siddiqui]

if you're in for an appendectomy, and they amputate your leg, sue 'em. but you don't "deserve" a multi-million dollar settlement, not unless you were somebody who needed that leg to make your multimillions over the course of your life, like some overpaid athlete.

So you'd trade the use of your leg for a million dollars? No? Then why say that the price of a negligently amputated leg should be capped at, say $500,000? How much is a leg worth? If someone loses their leg because of doctor malpractice, they deserve all the money they can get.

--

I'd do a combination government/insurance health plan. The government works through insurance companies and get group rates for the poor and certain vocations. Then jobs of over 20, say, should be required to provide some medical insurance (under 20 employees the government can handle.. group them together and get a low group health plan rate).