****If consumers are happy with their existing coverage, they can keep it, Baucus said, but he added: “The system can work better and cost less for everyone, if leaders are willing to work together for sound policy solutions.” ****
Translation: Members of Congress get FREE health care for themselves and families for life. So what do they care if the rest of us wait months for an emergency operation? As it is right now, this country has the BEST health care in the world. If anyone doesn’t have insurance, all they have to do is walk into an emergency room and get taken care of, thanks to the taxpayers.
You said — “If anyone doesn’t have insurance, all they have to do is walk into an emergency room and get taken care of, thanks to the taxpayers.”
That’s not a very good health maintenance option. You don’t get good care, because they are set up for emergencies. If you don’t have an emergency, but simply a “health care issue” (like soeone would go to the doctor), then you’ll wait for about 4 hours and then hardly get any attention, be told to leave and go see a doctor (we’re talking about “not” life-or-death” issues here, which they will take care of quickly in the emergency rooms).
I took someone to an emergency room (they didn’t have insurance and needed a ride). So, we waited for about three hours and it was going to be another hour before being seen. It was a relatively minor item, but did require medical attention as the doctor said, after seeing it.
Afterwards, there came the bill, although, the person didn’t have the money. However, the bill goes on the record, it stays there (for years on end), it goes into collections and it gets bigger — so that once the person gets a job and starts taking care of these kinds of bills, they find themselves saddled with costs that are about — 5 to 10 times — more costly than merely going to their own doctor, if they had health insurance. So, they are *further behind* than they were in the first place, and it *carries into the future* with big bills being put on the person.
So, going to the emergency room is *not encouraged* for medical care. It’s a very stupid option for anyone to suggest.
ditto. My husband and I are retired military, so we have to pay for our primary care if we enroll at the closest military treatment facility, so we chose to go TRICARE standard and pay for a percentage of our treatment, just like old CHAMPUS. My senior age parents are part of the TRICARE For LIFE medical program: my dad and other vets like him were “promised free health care for life” when he enlisted, so I totally support the care he and others get at military and VA treatment centers. It aggravates me to no end that he, my husband and I and others who have worn the uniform and put lives on the line have to pay for treatment when those congressional thieves get a truly rich benefit for dubious service. Yes, our nation’s healthcare system does need overhauling, but you are right: it’s the best in the world and works in spite of some big problems. Let’s not become Canada or England, for God’s sake!