...and healthcare reform has begun

So the house passed the health care reform bill. This makes me happy . Still have some changes to make, but this is a step in the right direction.

House Passes Sweeping Healthcare Overhaul 

... now on to the senate.

Was a scary 220 to 215 vote though... yeesh! Happy though. ;D

*keeps fingers crossed*

very VERY little faith in the senate though

HALLELUJAH!

Let's hope the Senate doesn't screw with it too much...it's already watered down as it is.

Hallelujah indeed! I am not thrilled with the specifics of the current legislation, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

Original Post by theholla:

Hallelujah indeed! I am not thrilled with the specifics of the current legislation...

Indeed - my feelings are a mixed bag.  More people will be covered, but on the other hand, insurance companies are salivating over all the mandates and subsidies.

I really hope some sanity prevails in the Senate.

Original Post by santonacci:

Original Post by theholla:

Hallelujah indeed! I am not thrilled with the specifics of the current legislation...

Indeed - my feelings are a mixed bag.  More people will be covered, but on the other hand, insurance companies are salivating over all the mandates and subsidies.

I really hope some sanity prevails in the Senate.

Actually it looks great on paper "today" however, I remain a little bit skeptical thinking at some point the bill is going to come in and all this "free" stuff has to be paid by someone and paid some how.  BTW I have seen this same type of care in another country and while it works there was also wide spread abuse of the system.  I guess we will see how it is.

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on this...

I get health insurance through my work for my husband and I, and the monthly prices are going up a lot next year, and my copays are much higher. Does this have anything to do with the proposed healthcare bill?

No.

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on this...

 

I get health insurance through my work for my husband and I, and the monthly prices are going up a lot next year, and my copays are much higher. Does this have anything to do with the proposed healthcare bill?

No. It hasn't even gone through yet, lol.

My insurance and copays were going up a few years ago.  It doesn't have anything to do with the legislation.  It's just how insurance companies roll.  They have rediculous profit margins and they like to keep it that way.

I don't like the current healthcare situation much, but I have no faith whatsoever in government healthcare - NONE. I've worked in Canada and Europe and have seen the healthcare there first hand.  Then recently my wife has a major illness. If we had been under the same rules for England, Ireland, and Canada for my wife case, she would not be alive today.

Original Post by cajunrider:

I don't like the current healthcare situation much, but I have no faith whatsoever in government healthcare - NONE. I've worked in Canada and Europe and have seen the healthcare there first hand.  Then recently my wife has a major illness. If we had been under the same rules for England, Ireland, and Canada for my wife case, she would not be alive today.

That's a good kvetch.

Original Post by cajunrider:

I don't like the current healthcare situation much, but I have no faith whatsoever in government healthcare - NONE. I've worked in Canada and Europe and have seen the healthcare there first hand.  Then recently my wife has a major illness. If we had been under the same rules for England, Ireland, and Canada for my wife case, she would not be alive today.

I'm a little confused as to why your wife would not be alive if we had rules like these countries. What made your wife live through this here?

Original Post by tortoisewins:

My insurance and copays were going up a few years ago.  It doesn't have anything to do with the legislation.  It's just how insurance companies roll.  They have rediculous profit margins and they like to keep it that way.

Fact check, please.  Health insurance companies have extremely low margins.  If you want to find big profits, you need to look to big pharma and medical device suppliers, both of whom will see their profits continue to grow under the proposed "reform."

ETA:  Must-read (pdf) for anybody interested in the real reasons why health care is becoming increasingly unaffordable for everyone.

Original Post by simwaves1:

Original Post by cajunrider:

I don't like the current healthcare situation much, but I have no faith whatsoever in government healthcare - NONE. I've worked in Canada and Europe and have seen the healthcare there first hand.  Then recently my wife has a major illness. If we had been under the same rules for England, Ireland, and Canada for my wife case, she would not be alive today.

I'm a little confused as to why your wife would not be alive if we had rules like these countries. What made your wife live through this here?

Yes, I'm curious about that too. I'm Canadian, and I've always found our system to be effective (though, of course, there is always room for improvement). =)

Also, please note that Canada has a different type of healthcare system than the UK.  Conflating the two makes it seem a little too "our way vs. their way" as they occupy different points on the spectrum of federally-assisted plans.  There are many models to look to as we fix our broken system, the only wrong move is not to try at all because of misinformation and fear of the unknown.

For disclosure, I have worked in the US, UK and Canada, and found the Canadian system (while still imperfect) to be the best of the three in terms of quality of care, ease of service, and fair access across the population.

Original Post by cajunrider:

I don't like the current healthcare situation much, but I have no faith whatsoever in government healthcare - NONE. I've worked in Canada and Europe and have seen the healthcare there first hand.  Then recently my wife has a major illness. If we had been under the same rules for England, Ireland, and Canada for my wife case, she would not be alive today.

Do you mind actually explaining that/backing it up?

Original Post by dave98z3:

Original Post by santonacci:

Original Post by theholla:

Hallelujah indeed! I am not thrilled with the specifics of the current legislation...

Indeed - my feelings are a mixed bag.  More people will be covered, but on the other hand, insurance companies are salivating over all the mandates and subsidies.

I really hope some sanity prevails in the Senate.

Actually it looks great on paper "today" however, I remain a little bit skeptical thinking at some point the bill is going to come in and all this "free" stuff has to be paid by someone and paid some how.  BTW I have seen this same type of care in another country and while it works there was also wide spread abuse of the system.  I guess we will see how it is.

What other industrialized country has health care remotely similar to what the US has now, or what is in the bill?  I'm just curious.

There is no "free stuff", unless you are referring to subsidies.  And let me tell you, there are much worse things the government can give subsidies for than to help poor people pay for health insurance. 

If you think the public option is free, then you have not done your homework.  It is just another option amongst all of the other private ones...you still have to pay for it (just like you would any other health insurance policy). 

While I am not wild about the bill (I'm a fan of single payer), it really bugs me that there is so much disinformation out there.

Original Post by kbella24:

Original Post by dave98z3:

Original Post by santonacci:

Original Post by theholla:

Hallelujah indeed! I am not thrilled with the specifics of the current legislation...

Indeed - my feelings are a mixed bag.  More people will be covered, but on the other hand, insurance companies are salivating over all the mandates and subsidies.

I really hope some sanity prevails in the Senate.

Actually it looks great on paper "today" however, I remain a little bit skeptical thinking at some point the bill is going to come in and all this "free" stuff has to be paid by someone and paid some how.  BTW I have seen this same type of care in another country and while it works there was also wide spread abuse of the system.  I guess we will see how it is.

What other industrialized country has health care remotely similar to what the US has now, or what is in the bill?  I'm just curious.

There is no "free stuff", unless you are referring to subsidies.  And let me tell you, there are much worse things the government can give subsidies for than to help poor people pay for health insurance. 

If you think the public option is free, then you have not done your homework.  It is just another option amongst all of the other private ones...you still have to pay for it (just like you would any other health insurance policy). 

While I am not wild about the bill (I'm a fan of single payer), it really bugs me that there is so much disinformation out there.

 Obviously you have your opinion and I respect that...I am not here to debate it.  I stated my opinion and I will leave it as such.