Help needed in argument with liberal about HMO's

n/a ^ | 07-03-03 | n/a

[Monster Zero]

Having a candid discussion with a liberal at work about what's wrong with health care. After being told that evil HMO's were the big problem, I stated that HMO's (I hate 'em too, btw)) were invented by Ted Kennedy and his crew back in the late 70's. He said, "well, Monster Zero, you've given me something to go look up."

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

It's really a freedom question. Ask the liberal this: Should have have the power to take away my freedom to choose an HMO?

[Just mythoughts]

You get what you pay for.

You pay $10.00 for a visit then you might get a 5 minute visit with which ever Doctor is on schedule that 5 minute time frame.

The next 55 minutes is spent filling out paperwork. Government work for the Union members.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"If both of you hate HMO's, what's the argument going to be about?"

The question appears to be was Kennedey part of creating the HMO? Frankly, that question isn't very important. The big question: should others have the power to tell you what kind of insurance you buy? Should they be allowed to take away your freedom as a customer?

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"The basic liberal's take on healthcare amounts to this: Me want live always. HMO bad. Insurance companies bad. Me good. Me want free stuff. Gimme a new liver."

LOL!

England and Canada are helping their citizens purchase health care services from other countries, allowing their currency to flow here and elsewhere to prevent a needless death. That is desperation. So I say, let's all join in on this great concept. Let's all pay for overseas healthcare. Once that is a worldwide policy, we reduce the 'surplus population'. Only one catch, the US joins in last. I'm curious how all the other countries would react when we were last to join?

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"..You pay $10.00 for a visit then you might get a 5 minute visit..." How about $60 for a 2 minute nurse visit and a 90 second doctor visit after waiting three hours?

[MalcolmS]

>>>The big advances in health care has been advances in drug therapy. Drugs are expensive now, but all go off patent in 17 years. Problem solved. <<<

Surprisingly, in 16 years and 11 months, a study will be released which shows that these drugs have unexpected and serious side effects for a small, but unidentifiable segment of the population. Regrettably, they must be withdrawn from the market and we are recommending that the FDA rescind its approval for this class of medications.

Fortunately, diligent researchers at the lab have developed a new a better (just patented) medication without these effects, which is now being made available to the public.

[m1911]

NYFriend: You may be right - but it especially hurts when the private insurers have to compete with government supplied care and government supported care. Also, on your last post to Monster Zero, "your employer picks up a bigger portion of our health insurance costs than we do." just means that your paycheck is smaller than it could be. It's all counted as part of your compensation. Of course

elbucko: I think that Monster Zero was referring more to what happened with the HMOs when they became Federal pets rather than their more distant origins.

Pete: I agree that the wage freezes created the benefit plans that led to the tax incentive - which only shows that gov't meddling usually leads to more gov't meddling. I try not to bash HMOs. I don't think it is good policy that businesses get a tax credit and individuals don't. And one origin of the problem the HMO Act was supposed to fix was Medicare/Medicaid - again, government meddling to fix government meddling.

Kaisersrsic: A comment - "If a person does not like their HMO, they should pay for a better plan". I agree, but I think that they should get the same tax incentives they would get if they got it through their business.

[Just mythoughts]

That bad. Never went the HMO method, even as a silly 20 year old knew that when HMO's were first offered it was a pig in a poke. Since that time have refused to go the HMO way.

I had a liberal get really ticked off because I had an MRI done on my leg and his HMO would not approve of one for him. Of course he could have had it done and paid for it himself, but that HMO primary physician would not refer him to have one done under his HMO.

Funny thing about it was when he signed onto his new job he had called me for advice about which insurance to buy and I told him that it depended on what he expected from that insurance and that I want to be able to see whatever physician I wanted without permission, well needless to say he did not listen and went the HMO way, it was all I could do to keep from saying "I told you so" when he could not get his HMO to get him his MRI.