Tuesday: Health Plans

[plumapen]

In keeping with yesterday's 'issues' (though rather ranty) post on the economy, today let's talk about the health plans proposed by the campaigns. Health Affairs, a policy journal on the health care industry, has published two independent studies on the proposed solutions to health care and insurance, to determine what the real impact will be on

Comments

[canutius]

Ayep. I pretty much agree with all of that really. As you know, that's actually quite a big factor in my decision not to return home. This was not made better by my aunt's story about falling on concrete this week. And I quote, "I was lucky to get away with scrapes, bruises and soreness. If it had been my knee or a broken bone, I would have been screwed". How screwed is that? What's the point of having the best bloody doctors in the world if no one can afford it?

OK, we know all of this already, so my opinion? I'm sorry, but both plans sound unsound to me. McCain's is just stupid and Obama's, although it tries a little harder, sounds financially unsound to me. I'm not sure it would stand the test of time, although it would make things better in the short term. I'm afraid America and Americans are just going to have to change if they ever want to solve this problem. They have a lot of good principles, but some are outdated and just need to be done away with. There are instances where the Fed Gov just should have more power and this is one of them. If they don't force a plan through (think Swiss people), nothing is ever going to change. Seriously, you have to have auto insurance, why not health? bring the costs down by making it mandatory and force the insurance companies to make concessions. I know that goes against the American way and capitalism and all, but bloody hell, at least we're all covered here and the doctors aren't fleeing the country. Of course, by the time you factor corrupt politicians and lobbyists into the equation, I'm not sure you'll ever get anywhere anyway.

My chiropractor's appointment (covered by my insurance) is going to save you from further ranting. Gotta go. Thanks for letting me rant.

[plumapen]

Word.

If I remember correctly, Hillary kept attacking him on mandating it even if you already had it. Or was that the other way around (he attacking her plan on those grounds)? I can't remember.

[canutius]

Back (but calmer). God bless Chiropractors.

Ah. I'm afraid I wasn't paying too much attention to the primarys (again, I can't vote so motivation is low). It should be mandatory though and the Fed Gov. should force the insurance carriers to be sensible. They could even set up their own insurance group if they wanted. Those insurance companies who wanted to join and get the benefits of a whole lot of members could join and those who didn't could remain outside the loop. Wanna bet they'd be scrambling to join and not miss out on their piece of the pie? Oh, and I'm not saying HMO. I'm saying just normal, basic insurance so people aren't ruined because they break their arm. They can do it for companies, why not for private parties as well?