about health insurance in this country. Bin Laden doesn't have to attack again because he has the whole health industry ruining this country for him. I pay good money for insurance but every year it seems more and more things are not covered. Prescription drugs is out of sight :cursin: . This is a disgrace. :cursin: :cursin: :cursin:
Why doesn't someone do something...
- Thread starter StevieD
- Start date
now, not only is the government and all our insurance costs paying for viagra, but we are now all paying for people suing viagra for unfounded claims
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/prn/texas/3218261
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/prn/texas/3218261
Viagra comes from a drug company. And they are deep into this administration pockets. I do believe Americans are catching on. We will know with congress after next years election. If the Dems make up some ground the Senate will get excited fast.
we could go to a national healthcare system....
then everyone would get poor treatment...not just the poor and those that choose not to buy insurance....
but then,where would canadians that want to get prompt healthcare go?
i would love to see everyone get equally good healthcare....
i`d also like to see everyone live in a large house...have a nice car....have life insurance to protect their familes....have a 35 hour work week.....la de da la de da...
it`s not a realistic expectation...
we can`t even control our borders...or don`t have the will to...
which is also a drain on healthcare systems in the west and southwest...
then everyone would get poor treatment...not just the poor and those that choose not to buy insurance....
but then,where would canadians that want to get prompt healthcare go?
i would love to see everyone get equally good healthcare....
i`d also like to see everyone live in a large house...have a nice car....have life insurance to protect their familes....have a 35 hour work week.....la de da la de da...
it`s not a realistic expectation...
we can`t even control our borders...or don`t have the will to...
which is also a drain on healthcare systems in the west and southwest...
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People are not adapting to the Health Savings Accounts that were put forth in order to keep down the cost of health insurance, as we Americans expect the company we work for to provide us with health care coverage at a low cost to us through PPO, POS or Traditional Plans that typically have rich benefits with low deductibles. What people have to realize is that companies can no longer afford to do this and remain competitive, as the golden days of the company taking care of you until death are over( I believe GM pays 25 cents for every dollar they make to provide benefits to employees and retirees). What really makes me sick is when unions go on strike over paying part of their premium for health care coverage, as these people have no concept of just what the cost would be to them if they were to go out on the street and purchase their own coverage. A good example is a local union in my neck of the woods went on strike because the county was wanting them to pay $22 per pay for family health care coverage and this translates to roughly $88 a month for coverage for a family for a month, and if this family was to go out on their own and buy coverage (assuming there are no pre-existing conditions) they would be looking at around $500 a month for a policy that has drastic reductions in benefits. The health care problem is a epidemic and I really cannot see the Bush Administration really coming up with a solution, since judging by their Medicare initiative they really do not have a clue, as this Medicare plan is full of pork to the drug industry. I believe that the solution is going to begin with preventative medicine and educating, by utilizing this two prong attack we will be able to prevent many diseases that are rooted in lifestyle and we will also be able to attack sickness in the early stages that will allow us to save funds.
#1...politicians make a living off special interest
groups
#2...politicians make a living off illegal's
#3...politicians make a living off insurance and
medical special interest groups
#4...American's are bankrupt because of special
interest groups
groups
#2...politicians make a living off illegal's
#3...politicians make a living off insurance and
medical special interest groups
#4...American's are bankrupt because of special
interest groups
I agree but why are the costs so high. I do not want to say all of a sudden because this has been building for some time. But now it is out of control. Cost controls have to be put on the doctors and the hospitals. If I hurt my foot I have to go to my Primary Doctror. The Primary agree my foot hurts and thinks I should see a foot Doctor, so he sends me to a foot doctor. They both get paid for this. My Primary is probably charging a hundred bucks to tell me to go see another doctor, who I knew I had to see in the first place but I had to see my primary first.
This thing is way out of control. I don't blame Bush I blame all of them.
This thing is way out of control. I don't blame Bush I blame all of them.
Stevie....we are all pissed off...the people we
elect are living on easy street because their
pockets are filled with FREE MONEY....can you
imagine that....FREE MONEY....I don't know
about you, but I have never ran across FREE
MONEY....but THEY do on a DAILY BASIS....
SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO.....isn't it about time
all of us.......left and right got together and
VOTE THESE BASTURDS OUT ..... :scared
elect are living on easy street because their
pockets are filled with FREE MONEY....can you
imagine that....FREE MONEY....I don't know
about you, but I have never ran across FREE
MONEY....but THEY do on a DAILY BASIS....
SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO.....isn't it about time
all of us.......left and right got together and
VOTE THESE BASTURDS OUT ..... :scared
I could not agree more Salty. There is very little difference between the left and the right in this country, especially when it relates on how to seperate us from our money. Isn't it funny, it is something that everybody is upset about but yet no one does anything about it because we are too busy reading about the Michale Jackson Jury is wearing today or the Runaway Bride or some other pablum the Corporate Media feeds us on a daily basis to keep us from acting on the big issues that actually affect us.
gardenweasel said:
Look, first to admit I know nothing about the health insurance issues in the US, but I have to say that the basis of your post is wrong, gw.
Here in Australia we do have a national healthcare system. It's been tweaked and tweaked and tweaked, and still costing the Gov. a reasonable amount a year, but it works perfectly well along side private health insurance.
The differences are: In public health you have to wait your turn...could be in a waiting list for a year or more, and you have to 'settle' for a hospital with 8/10 beds in a room and no special facilaties etc., but you get what you need for free, and by specialised doctors.
In private health (which varies in price, but ~$500 a year), you get your procedure straight away and a 'nicer' hospital, with tv's, 4 beds a room, etc. etc.
"Medicare" covers all Australians every time they visit the doctor for a consultation, and it's a fund paid for by a tax levy.
You go to the doctors, you show you Medicare card and you either a) Pay on the spot and get a cheque in the mail, or b) the cheque goers straight to the GP and you walk straight out the door.
Now, obviously if something like this happens in the US, then I'm on the wrong track, and I apologise, but on the surface (to me anyway!), saying that a National health care system would drag everyone's standard of treatment down seems a bit extreme to me.
All good points--all are quilty to some extent and no way I know to solve it.
One point that was not hit on that contributes immensely is lawsuits.You used to go to Dr and they check you out--make diagnosis and treat you. Now they have to give you every test under the sun to avoid mis-diagnosis and lawsuits.
There got to be better way but don't know what it is.
Last time in China girlfriend (nowwife) had alergic reaction to sea snake we ate--call pharmacist from hotel--told him what was wrong--he sent drugs to hotel--total cost delivered--equivilent of about 80 cents.
I can get anti biotics in China that are made in U.S. for penny's on the $. I understand that pharmacy's have huge expenditure on drug research and that is primary reason we have the drugs we do--what I don't understand is why U.S. citizens have foot the bulk of the bill when others countries don't--however would imagine its because we can afford it and they can't.
One point that was not hit on that contributes immensely is lawsuits.You used to go to Dr and they check you out--make diagnosis and treat you. Now they have to give you every test under the sun to avoid mis-diagnosis and lawsuits.
There got to be better way but don't know what it is.
Last time in China girlfriend (nowwife) had alergic reaction to sea snake we ate--call pharmacist from hotel--told him what was wrong--he sent drugs to hotel--total cost delivered--equivilent of about 80 cents.
I can get anti biotics in China that are made in U.S. for penny's on the $. I understand that pharmacy's have huge expenditure on drug research and that is primary reason we have the drugs we do--what I don't understand is why U.S. citizens have foot the bulk of the bill when others countries don't--however would imagine its because we can afford it and they can't.
Stevie,
There are many reasons that the cost of health insurance has increased each year despite the implementation of cost saving vehicles such as capitation. Some of the reasons include the cost of drugs which in the United States is out of control and could be tweaked to save money by decreasing the time that the patent owner has to market their drug before competitors can come out with a generic. Secondly, we as consumers can save ourselves $$ by requesting generic drugs, as there is usually no chemical difference between the generic and name brand. Also, if you take a maintenance medication each day then ask your Doc to prescribe you a 6 month supply of double the strength tablets and purchase a pill splitter. By cutting the tab in half you will save yourself some funds, for example lets say you take Lipitor, if you buy a 40 day script of the 20mg tablets it will cost you $96.99, whereas if you buy a 30 day supply of the 40mg tabs it will cost you the same price, but you will be getting in reality a 60 day script by cutting the tabs in half. Another reason for the increase is that many hospitals cannot refuse to treat someone that has no coverage and many of these people rack up large medical bills that they never will pay, so in turn the hospital must increase their charges or else go under. Another cost that has a roundabout effect on our cost for health insurance is the cost doctors must pay for medical malpractice insurance, here in Ohio the cost of this coverage for Doc's has increased nearly 200% in the past ten years, so in turn doc's pass some of this cost onto consumers as well as health care carriers or they relocate to states that have caps on malpractice insurance costs. The cost of health insurance will continue to soar if we stay on the track that we are currently on, as the baby boomer's age and begin to require utilization of medical treatment the stress on our current health care system is going to create a medical crisis. Recall that many of these baby boomer's have smoked a vast majority of their life and the cost to treat a smoker when hospitalized is usually around 50% higher compared to treating a non-smoker, as the smokers tend to require more intense care such as RT Therapy and the same can be said for obesity. Hospital Cost is the number one driver of the cost of health insurance in the USA, while it is true that the average cost for a aspirin in a hospital is $5.00 that just shows a small example of the billing abuses committed by hospitals, some New Jersey hospitals are now charging nearly 5k a day for a hospital room, and in California the average cost of an appendectomy is 18k whereas 10 years ago it was 6k.
There are many reasons that the cost of health insurance has increased each year despite the implementation of cost saving vehicles such as capitation. Some of the reasons include the cost of drugs which in the United States is out of control and could be tweaked to save money by decreasing the time that the patent owner has to market their drug before competitors can come out with a generic. Secondly, we as consumers can save ourselves $$ by requesting generic drugs, as there is usually no chemical difference between the generic and name brand. Also, if you take a maintenance medication each day then ask your Doc to prescribe you a 6 month supply of double the strength tablets and purchase a pill splitter. By cutting the tab in half you will save yourself some funds, for example lets say you take Lipitor, if you buy a 40 day script of the 20mg tablets it will cost you $96.99, whereas if you buy a 30 day supply of the 40mg tabs it will cost you the same price, but you will be getting in reality a 60 day script by cutting the tabs in half. Another reason for the increase is that many hospitals cannot refuse to treat someone that has no coverage and many of these people rack up large medical bills that they never will pay, so in turn the hospital must increase their charges or else go under. Another cost that has a roundabout effect on our cost for health insurance is the cost doctors must pay for medical malpractice insurance, here in Ohio the cost of this coverage for Doc's has increased nearly 200% in the past ten years, so in turn doc's pass some of this cost onto consumers as well as health care carriers or they relocate to states that have caps on malpractice insurance costs. The cost of health insurance will continue to soar if we stay on the track that we are currently on, as the baby boomer's age and begin to require utilization of medical treatment the stress on our current health care system is going to create a medical crisis. Recall that many of these baby boomer's have smoked a vast majority of their life and the cost to treat a smoker when hospitalized is usually around 50% higher compared to treating a non-smoker, as the smokers tend to require more intense care such as RT Therapy and the same can be said for obesity. Hospital Cost is the number one driver of the cost of health insurance in the USA, while it is true that the average cost for a aspirin in a hospital is $5.00 that just shows a small example of the billing abuses committed by hospitals, some New Jersey hospitals are now charging nearly 5k a day for a hospital room, and in California the average cost of an appendectomy is 18k whereas 10 years ago it was 6k.
Master Capper,great information on pill splitting. I never thought of that. I do split a pill I take now but that is only because the doctor cut my dosage. Together I think we can change this for the good of everyone. But we all have to get on the same page for awhile.
We have a Nataniel insurance for 63 million seniors right now. And they can go to what ever Doc they wish. Im sure by working With Insurance companies they could expand this to work for everyone. The reason you are always told it wont work. Is the insurance companies are scared chit less they don't get to play.
It is sad in D C the drug and insurance industries have 3 to 4 representatives for each congressman and senator.
It is sad in D C the drug and insurance industries have 3 to 4 representatives for each congressman and senator.
sadder yet DJV --is in the litigation end of it most politicians ARe attorneys.
On scripts you have the cost of research which is necessary--however consider the enormous cost of fighting lawsuits--let alone the cost of settlements
Hospitals and doctors have enormous cost in malpractice ins passed along to consumers + the cost of settlements.
So you have one enity that (attorneys) that weigh heavily in all aspects--and who benefits at what cost and who foots the bill.
It is passed down to consumer via higher doctor and hospital fees--more test--higher Prescription cost--and ultimately the insurance company in form of premiums. The drug companys-Hospitals-Doctors and Insurance companies have to make profit to exist.
As I said long ago these idiots on juries that award these huge settlements can set there smiling until they get their next ins premium and then scratch their heads and can't figure why the huge increase.
I agree the medical society-drug companies and ins companies need to be held accountable but feel arbitration board would be MUCH more economical as you would would lose to element of those trying to prosper on someone elses misfortune.
On scripts you have the cost of research which is necessary--however consider the enormous cost of fighting lawsuits--let alone the cost of settlements
Hospitals and doctors have enormous cost in malpractice ins passed along to consumers + the cost of settlements.
So you have one enity that (attorneys) that weigh heavily in all aspects--and who benefits at what cost and who foots the bill.
It is passed down to consumer via higher doctor and hospital fees--more test--higher Prescription cost--and ultimately the insurance company in form of premiums. The drug companys-Hospitals-Doctors and Insurance companies have to make profit to exist.
As I said long ago these idiots on juries that award these huge settlements can set there smiling until they get their next ins premium and then scratch their heads and can't figure why the huge increase.
I agree the medical society-drug companies and ins companies need to be held accountable but feel arbitration board would be MUCH more economical as you would would lose to element of those trying to prosper on someone elses misfortune.
If after the insurance gets there wish with lower payouts they would return some of the money to us it would be a win win. You and I know they wont do that. As I understand were led to believe 1/3 of insurance cost is because of these law suites. Yet last week there own industry changed that to 1/4. So it looks like we need to find some help from the cost from the other 3/4.
