Toothache? Tough.

[PLC1]

But they AREN'T under our current system - they are covered by Medicaid. This is a HUGE government program - why does it seem nobody has ever heard of it? The idea that a nation should do something about sick people who are poor doesn't at all imply socialized medicine.

The idea that the government should do something about the soaring cost of health care and health insurance doesn't imply "socialized medicine" either. The last thing we want is the government nationalizing the hospitals and doctor's offices.

There is another way, however, and it is being used around the world with varying degrees of success, all better than the patchwork system that is in place in the United States.

The fact of the matter is that the US pays more than any other nation for its health care.

 

[GenSeneca]

The fact of the matter is that the US pays more than any other nation for its health care.

Not that that particular point really matters (since we pay more than any other nation for lots of things), how about we do something productive:

Perhaps we could list the causes for rising healthcare costs and address each one with a possible solution... Or would that too just become unsupported partisan rambling? For example:

Health insurance covers too much and its one size fits all coverage. Catastrophic Care should once again become an option to help fix that.

Is there anyone against Catastrophic Care being an option?

 

[Dawkinsrocks]

Spoken like a true christian.

How about spending less on bombs that kill people and more on healthcare that saves them?

I know you pro-lifers prefer the bombs and guns but just a thought.

 

[PLC1]

Not that that particular point really matters (since we pay more than any other nation for lots of things), how about we do something productive:

Perhaps we could list the causes for rising healthcare costs and address each one with a possible solution... Or would that too just become unsupported partisan rambling? For example:

Health insurance covers too much and its one size fits all coverage. Catastrophic Care should once again become an option to help fix that.

Is there anyone against Catastrophic Care being an option?

Catastrophic care needs to be an option to be considered, but we might get more mileage out of preventative care.

 

[GenSeneca]

Catastrophic care needs to be an option to be considered, but we might get more mileage out of preventative care.

I liked what you said in the other thread about using HSA's with Catastrophic coverage. That way you could use the HSA for preventative care and have the Catastrophic as a back up plan in case you need serious medical attention.

 

[PLC1]

I liked what you said in the other thread about using HSA's with Catastrophic coverage. That way you could use the HSA for preventative care and have the Catastrophic as a back up plan in case you need serious medical attention.

That makes a lot of sense, and would probably help bring costs down. If the consumer is paying for basic care, then that consumer is likely to shop around. If not, if insurance is paying, then who cares what the cost is? Paying for it outside of the tax system makes sense, as employee paid insurance is not taxed. Having a catastrophic coverage, paid for by tax dollars, would free people from the fear of losing everything in one serious illness or accident.

It makes so much sense, in fact, that it is highly unlikely that the government will ever pass legislation to make it a reality. They seem to specialize in expensive, impractical, and unworkable ideas.

But, maybe I'm just being too cynical.