Comments on: Keeping Your Health in Your Hands

By: AC

AC — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:03:04 +0000

I love Chris’ ideas but believe that there will be an irresponsible subset of individuals that won’t buy the insurance and will expect to be treated anyway. I believe Pat’s comments as well. Having relatives living in Europe and friends in Canada, I hear that is one way govenrment controls costs-don’t treat the illness.

So how do responsible individuals protect ourselves from irresponsible individuals? Maybe everyone needs to have proof of insurance and if they don’t willingly buy it on their own, they are forced to buy a Medicare type insurance from the government.

Dennis Miller said it very well the other night on Cavuto. I don’t mind helping the “helpless”, I don’t want to be helping the “clueless.” I don’t think Obama knows (or maybe cares) about the difference between helpless and clueless.I also believe he is so blinded by his preoccupation with “fairness”, that will limit his ability to be rational.

By: Jim Snedden

Jim Snedden — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:26 +0000

Healthcare will not be fixed until there is meaningful tort reform. Far too many tests, etc. are given simply to cover ones behind from a lawsuit.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:59:46 +0000

Things to note;
1. Any nationalized, universal coverage model rations care (try getting an MRI in less than 18 months in Canada).
2. The only way the politician can balance the budget is to reduce the reimbursement rates (see medicare for the last 15 years), which results in fewer providers wanting to accept the program, or be doctors (see rationing above).
3. It is the socialistic aspects of healthcare (no price or quality data published to the consumer) that are ruining it right now.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:09:37 +0000

I am neither a doctor nor a frequent patient (fortunately) but am an insurance agent in the State of Maine. We are burdened by a state legislature primarily peopled by democrats who were responsible, along with our democrat governor, for the failed DIRIGO health insurance experiment. What was billed as a universal health care program that expected over 100,000 policyholders, has ended up with just over 13,000 due to higher than touted premiums. The legislature has refused to recognize the very expensive “commumity rating” and “guaranteed issue” rating methods in an attempt to further the goal of a successful universal health care system. As long as this state continues to cast a blind eye to these two “rate enhancers”, our health insurance premiums will be some of the highest in the nation.

I don’t know if this scenario sounds familiar to any of you but until individuals are allowed to purchase health insurance policies across state lines thus enabling a “cafeteria” approach, commercial health insurance will continue to be expensive. A “cafeteria” approach would let individuals purchase only the coverages they deem necessary and not be saddled with expensive endorsements that their own health history does not dictate.

The commercial insurance answer will allow individuals to pick their doctors and allow doctors to determine proper treatment rather than a government “gatekeeper” (bureaucrat). Doctors paperwork/harassment will be reduced as well.

By: Pat Cipriani

Pat Cipriani — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:01:37 +0000

I believe if the feds get their grubby hands on health care, that people my age(64) will become expendable. I would prefer to see health care plans organized by local medical communities with the goal of providing coverage to its members( people lke me ) for a fee to cover routine medical and dental needs. Major procedures could be offerred by larger specialty groups covering a larger geographical area. The groups ideally would not be constrained by state lines. Anything the government touches eventually deteriorates to something unmanageable and unaffordable.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:23:52 +0000

I believe that the focus needs to get back to the patient. The doctors should be paid a salary commensurate with their experience. The medical industry must become more high tech for efficiency and cost. If the costs can be brought into line and the insurance companies more competative, most people could afford it.

By: Chris Brooks

Chris Brooks — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:21:44 +0000

“Health Care” needs to return to “Hospitalization Insurance”. It’s absurd that if you visit your doctor for the flu, acid reflux or a routine physical that a mountain of paperwork has to be filed for them to receive payment. My idea is this: A three tiered plan. Any visit to the doctor should be paid on the spot, no paperwork and a single list of prices for serves rendered. 2nd tier would be a $500.00 deductible for high end tests such as MRI’s, heart scans, colonscopies, etc. 3rd tier would be a $5000.00 for a visit to the ER or if you’re hospitalized. ALL insurance should be OWNED by the individual. For companies to pay their employees a “health care” benefit, it would be a non-taxed payment that would go into an HSA, where the individual could pay their insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses. The responsibility HAS TO GO BACK TO THE PATIENT.