> This not about a conspiracy, but about DENIAL. We no longer live in the
age
> of the human as the producer, therefore EVERYTHING in the way of a social
> safety net has and will continue to shred. This same battle is raging in
> France, Brittian and Germany. In the 1980's nearly 60 % of all insurance
> was proviced by the employer. Today, this figure is 40%. It takes not
much
> insight to see, that the battle for healthcare has turned from a 'right' as
> in Medicare/Medicaid to a privilage. The most sigificant process now is
for
> people to understand that a problem exists, and WE have the ability to
> organize a solution. As soon as the economy goes into the tank, and the
> market goes down by about 1000 points--healthcare with employment will
begin
> to look as a preexisting condition does to some HMO.
Michael, I'm not exactly sure where you're coming from, but I have problems
with a national health care system. I think the restrictions it might have
would be worse than the HMOs now. Then there is the financial aspect -- where
would the money for all of this come from? A national health care system
would have to be a massive department, which intrinsically would have plenty
of opportunities for waste and confusion and cold uncaring faceless voices on
telephones refusing what you need. I personally would rather forget insurance
companies and government help in this area altogether and take care of my
medical needs myself, and leave the government health care for those truly in
need rather than thinking of it as a "right" for everyone, except for the
exorbitant costs. One illness or accident could wipe you out for life,
financially. I would like to see health care approached from that standpoint.
Why is it so expensive? I know malpractice insurance is a lot of it ( I read
recently of a dr. paying $100,000 a year in this country, compared to very
little in another country). I know it takes a lot of technology to come up
with things like MRIs and such. But, still...
And even though I don't particularly like HMOs and they have their problems,
it is very nice to go to a dr. and only pay $10, and have things like
immunizations, dental cleanings, and cavity fillings paid for completely.
I wonder how it came to be that health insurance came through one's employer
in the first place. Anybody know?
Barbara