Posted on 08/14/2009 10:09:56 AM PDT by MaggieCarta
Tired of wading through thousands of pages of legislation? Worried that the government will of necessity (that’s “perforce” to budding wordsmiths) begin rationing health care?? Sick of the whole “health care is a right” crowd??? Fugeddaboudit!!! FReeper MaggieCarta offers her modest proposal to effectively “reform Health care as we know it” in less than 140 characters.
See the proposal in comment #1.
I work in an ER. Can I do that too?
“I’d add one more thing. Allow doctors and hospitals to write off charity care on their taxes. Lots more care available for the poor and uninsured.”
Good point...but it would have to be unattached to any obligation to the service provider, (forcing them to offer services in a quid pro quo)...I think there would be a lot more care given that way...
Some good thoughts, although not likely possible. I’m thinking that a compromise with the devilcrats is in order.
Give them their new government program, but make it for catastrophic/chronic care only. Limit private insurance exposure to say $50,000 per year, per life and let the employers and employees enjoy the lower premiums. After it works well, let private insurance eventually take over Medicare and Medicaid with a similar capped exposure per life. In this scenario, government would initially be provided the control of the exceptional cost cases. But, costs for all other Americans would go down dramatically.
OK, back to my cigar now.
Why not?
If modest co-pays (say $25-$50) were required for everyone entering ERs, it would, IMHO, certainly tend to make people think twice before using the ER as their personal physician. Imagine---emergency rooms actually used for...wait for it...wait for it...emergencies!!!!
I'm awake, but still dreaming....
Give them their new government program, but make it for catastrophic/chronic care only. Limit private insurance exposure to say $50,000 per year, per life and let the employers and employees enjoy the lower premiums. After it works well, let private insurance eventually take over Medicare and Medicaid with a similar capped exposure per life. In this scenario, government would initially be provided the control of the exceptional cost cases. But, costs for all other Americans would go down dramatically.
OK, back to my cigar now.
Well, at least you clarified it was a cigar you were smoking---kidding!
Sorry, I don't favor any compromise. "Payment is expected at the time services are rendered."
The prudent will purchase insurance to mitigate their risk. Those who don't want to purchase insurance will (in my dreams) mitigate their risks in other ways by not engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Should they suffer a (non auto, non work related) catastrophe, they can work out a repayment plan with the service provider.
“Payment is expected at the time services are rendered.”
While virtuous, certainly impossible.
Your thread got me thinking about where the current health care plan debate is going to end up. I figure we’re in for a new government program of some kind. If so, make it one that reduces cost for the employers and the people while keeping the same care.
Although I have been a proponent of MSA’s/HSA’s in the past, they haven’t flourished to a point where a widespread conversion to personal responsibility is even a remote possibility. This during a period of Republicans controlling DC.
We are already hearing some hints that the Democrats are going to go for a compromise plan. They will shove something through and I was looking for a way to make the best of it.
Good morning.
Obamacare: a tax on your life.
I'm very glad about that!!!
I have to leave, now, like MacArthur, I promise that I shall return...
Well said! Exceptional tagline, also. I have to leave now...
Nowdays somebody at a gas station probably makes $400/wk or 1600/mo.
Cost of normal baby delivery according to this: http://www.costhelper.com/cost/child/baby-delivery.html
is minimum $10K, so out of pocket it would be minimum 6-7 months of pay.
“Payment is expected at the time services are rendered.”
While virtuous, certainly impossible.
Discussion of payment was the standard (ahem) operating procedure prior to the proliferation of employers offering health insurance in lieu of wages and, of course, expansive government interventions as evidenced by Medicare/Medicaid. Alas, you are correct, it would be pretty much impossible with today's "What, me take responsibility for myself?" mentality.
Your thread got me thinking about where the current health care plan debate is going to end up. I figure we’re in for a new government program of some kind. If so, make it one that reduces cost for the employers and the people while keeping the same care.
Well, now who is talking impossibilities? ;)
Although I have been a proponent of MSA’s/HSA’s in the past, they haven’t flourished to a point where a widespread conversion to personal responsibility is even a remote possibility. This during a period of Republicans controlling DC.
IMHO, the MSA/HSA options have not been allowed to flourish, due to the overly burdensome regulations placed on them. One example I can give is that many of these options have the "use it or lose it" feature. (Shouting now: It's MY money. Why can't I save up for a heart attack? If I don't have a heart attack, why can't I spend it on something else?)
See, deep down, docs and insurance companies realize that when people are in charge of paying "first dollar" for their health services, (for example, modest co-pays for office visits, or "major medical" coverage--where you first must pay a specified dollar amount before your carrier begins to cover your costs) people tend to behave in rather predictible ways--seeking to lower the costs for themselves, and perhaps even educating themselves about their options.
We are already hearing some hints that the Democrats are going to go for a compromise plan. They will shove something through and I was looking for a way to make the best of it.
This is what I find truly disturbing. I have no problem with Republicans being the party of "No", someone has to. You are quite correct, something could very likely be shoved through, and it most certainly will not be pretty. It will be Medicare on steriods, with runaway waste, fraud, overuse and outright abuse.
Thanks for taking the time to reply to me, sorry I had to leave for the weekend! Have a great day!
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