[ari-freedom]

that’s why we need
1) tort reform
2) same tax treatment for individual insurance as for employer based insurance
3) ability to purchase insurance across state lines
4) perhaps a bigger charitable tax credit for those who help pay for insurance for the uninsured

[wintertime]

I would also add that people should be able to set their own deductable. In my state the highest deductable we can purchase is a $4,000. We could easily afford a deductable and a risk of $10,000 or $20,000. This would greatly reduce our monthly payments. We could have afforded this level of insurance for our employees and for ourselves. Yes, it is not total insurance of our employees but it would save them from losing their house and going bankrupt.

Yes, it would hurt financially to have to pay out $10,000 or $20,000 but it wouldn't leave us bankrupt and penniless.

Essentially, my husband and I are able to pay out of pocket for most illnesses ( a pneumonia, appendectomy, broken arm, gall bladder removal, hip replacement..etc.) What we **really** need insurance for is a very long stay in an ICU after a very unusually illness or horrific accident.