I just wanted to make an observation about this discussion. Personally, I'm not too impressed with "Obamacare", but that's beside the point. I've noticed that this discussion about politics has been a mutual exchange of ideas and opinions and hasn't escalated into a shouting match. It's very refeshing to see the respectful way in which this conversation is taking shape.
Mark S.
--- In epilepsy@yahoogroups.com, elizabeth <equinn76@...> wrote:
>
> True,
>
> One has to buy your own insurance-we have the same requirement in MA. Unfortunately, no one was willing to give healthcare to everyone (like Medicare from birth). But even in other countries, it's not free-you pay higher taxes for it.
>
> The law does provide subsidies for people to buy insurance if you make under a certain income. So yes, in MA some people do go without if it's cheaper. But we all end up paying for it when someone goes through the ER without insurance.
>
> Yes, Medicare does charge really low rates. Unfortunately we've let this happen. But if people realized how much care they receive for only $96/mo they would love Medicare more.
>
> $400/mo is worth it for me-my neurologist alone charges over $200. And my pills without insurance would be unaffordable.
>
> Hate the law/love it, but it is positive.
>
> Elizabeth
>
> Sent from Samsung mobile
>
> Kelly Porter <race_12_1@...> wrote:
>
> >If the "positives" are going to be listed, so should the negatives.
> >
> >This law does not "give away" health insurance. It mandates you BUY it,
> >that's right BUY it. You will pay for insurance or pay a tax to the
> >government for not getting it. Everyone who doesn't have insurance now
> >will have to pay one or the other. Nothing in it gives you fee
> >insurance or healthcare.
> >
> >Also, the fine is much less then insurance will cost, which means many
> >who don't have insurance still won't buy it. That means the group most
> >in need of insurance still won't have it because they won't be able to
> >pay for it.
> >
> >Most of those "positives" you listed could be made law WITHOUT most of
> >the other stuff in this law. For example, mandating insurance purchase,
> >creating giant government backed insurance cooperatives, or creating
> >another governmental bureaucratic nightmare.
> >
> >Again, this law does not give anyone health insurance, it requires you
> >BUY it. Again, the things you listed, such as pre existing condition
> >laws, no co pay preventive care, and medicare changes, do not require
> >the rest of the law to put into place.
> >
> >Also, the preexisting condition clause will become a nightmare. If you
> >are paying $400 a month for insurance, and you don't have to in order to
> >get covered later if you get sick, why would most people do it? Far too
> >many people will say "I'm healthy, young, and would rather pay to see
> >the dr. once or twice a year." Then, fit hey get really sick, they will
> >just sign up for insurance, and it will be paid for. Insurance isn't
> >something you get WHEN you need it, but before you need it. It is
> >designed to protect you when something does happen. It is no longer
> >insurance if you don't have to buy until you already need it.
> >
> >The law is full of garbage with a few positives sprinkled in to make
> >people "feel good" about the law. It's still garbage no matter how it
> >smells.
> >
> >Lastly, the single biggest reason health care costs int he country are
> >so high is because healthcare provider must over charge private
> >insurance companies for services to make up for the losses they suffer
> >by treating medicare patients. That's right, medicare pays such a low
> >amount to providers that they have to jack up what the "normal and
> >customary charges" would be to recoup that. The best way to decrease
> >costs would be if the government actually paid providers enough!
> >
> >Kelly
> >>
> >>
> >> On Jun 29, 2012, at 2:04 PM, "Elizabeth Quinn" <equinn76@...
> >> <mailto:equinn76%40earthlink.net>> wrote:
> >>
> >> > As someone who works in healthcare, and deals with Medicare/Medicaid
> >> daily, here is why everyone should be happy that healthcare reform was
> >> upheld:
> >> >
> >> > 1) People with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied
> >> coverage beginning 2014--children cannot be denied already
> >> >
> >> > 2) Seniors with Medicare Part D receive lower prescription costs
> >> when they go into the donut hole--it will be essentially closed in
> >> 2020 (yeah, that's far away)
> >> >
> >> > 3) More people joining the insurance pool lower costs for
> >> everyone--this will add healthy people to even the cost
> >> >
> >> > 4) the PCIP plan is already up and running
> >> >
> >> > 5) If your insurance company spends less than 80% on your
> >> healthcare, they owe you a rebate
> >> >
> >> > 6) Preventive services!! Have you gone to see your PCP in the last
> >> year for a check-up? It was free, right? Thanks healthcare reform. If
> >> you're not on Medicare yet, you may not know that they are receiving a
> >> lot of free preventive care now--colonoscopies, PCP visits,
> >> mammograms, etc...
> >> >
> >> > 7) If you're in a Medicare advantage plan, they lowered the
> >> percentage they can charge Medicare to operate--it used to be 14% on
> >> average, now it's down to 11%, which saves the consumer money in their
> >> premiums.
> >> >
> >> > 8) Expansion of Medicaid!! If States do not accept the expansion,
> >> they will lose a boatload of money.
> >> >
> >> > There are a lot of other things that will start in 2014-but the
> >> collection of money due to Medicare fraud has already begun. The law
> >> will keep Medicare solvent, not take away from it. There are a lot of
> >> other pieces to the law as well. If you want more information, the
> >> Kaiser Family Foundation is a wealth of knowledge: www.kff.org .
> >> >
> >> > Please don't jump to conclusions about the law! It will benefit
> >> everyone. For those of us with pre-existing conditions, it will
> >> definitely help us. If you use your local community health center,
> >> they are receiving more money due to the law.
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
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