Does no one accept responsibility any more?

[Tiberius Pantera]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

When it comes to social issues the question always has to go back to this:

Do we band-aid the problem?

OR

Do we fix the problem?

Any sort of "health-plan" the government provides is merely going to be a band-aid. The problem is the exorbitant health care costs -- some of which is un-necessary. I know of local doctors who have delivered babies for nothing, just to help the families. Though the family still had to pay for hospitalization and such.

I work in health care and know that one company that provides medical equipment charges outrageous prices for them -- the problem is that there is no real competition for these prices. A server to run the machines run 30,000 to more than 10 times that amount -- and it is proprietary. You can't run the same software on any other server -- even if the same operating system is on it. Actually you can but if you want support (which is also around 1000 an hour, conservatively) you have to leave it on a Dell server that this company provides -- a server that would cost, at the most, 3000 to purchase. It is an essential monopoly.

So the answer isn't better health care plans provided by a government that has a hard time doing anything correctly -- especially this administration -- rather, the answer is to find out why health care is so costly and work to alleviate those things. Broaden the choices one has available by giving the people more choices. Force these companies to work in competition -- no price fixing. And enforce these things. Take away their shield of protection found behind the walls of corporatism and force them to appease the public or meet their demise.

this is a brilliant post.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

A standardized system would save over 30% of our current health care costs. But as long as there isn't a national system with a national standard...good luck.

A national standard for forms can be created without having to create a whole nation system, GH. The insurance industry itself can standardize its forms.

[Tiberius Pantera]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

This is true.. BUT I hate insurance companies and think that they are a racket -- therefore, I think we should take away their corporate shield and price fixing and allowing the public decide which backing to go with using the free market to do so.

those words make me feel all warm and toasty inside.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Tiberius Pantera

this is a brilliant post.

[Tiberius Pantera]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

A standardized system would save over 30% of our current health care costs. But as long as there isn't a national system with a national standard...good luck.

and as all single payer systems do, would drive up costs by a thousand %

Originally Posted by Baron1710

For a person who throws around the word ignorant as much as you do...have you compared the tax rate on the money Canadians get to keep. Don't they have a coin up there that is a Looney? hmmmm.

lol

Bro...even if you added the taxes they pay into the governmental system it will not total the rates we're paying here in the US. The single payer system advocated by Physicians for National Health Insurance would have lower premiums and individual tax increases...none of which would equal the current market rate in regards to premiums.

Originally Posted by Tiberius Pantera

and as all single payer systems do, would drive up costs by a thousand %

Riiiigggghhhht. I've got family in Canada that were outraged that my wife's uncle pays over $700 a month for his health insurance. Even with their taxes for the system plus premiums they pay less than that in their single payer system.

[Cindy]

Okay, I think I got it now. Americans are too stupid to make good choices, so it's the governments job to do it for us. Because we all know the government is debt free.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

This is true.. BUT I hate insurance companies and think that they are a racket -- therefore, I think we should take away their corporate shield and price fixing and allowing the public decide which backing to go with using the free market to do so.

*GASP* I am offended!!! You know I am an insurance agent!!! How could you?
























Just kiddin! I agree there's a lot that needs to change. However, people have a tendency to forget that insurance companies are in business to make money, not take care of people. I am more of a consumer minded insurance agent than a company minded insurance agent. I believe very strongly in educating people on what they are and aren't paying for. I also believe in placing people with the company that will best serve their needs, even if that means I will make less money from the commission. It's a shame I don't have the money to open my own agency because I know it would be successful.

[Tiberius Pantera]

I know a guy that ate 27 ribs at tony romas.

that doesnt make me want to get the government to do something about it.