How bad is it in America? - Breaking an arm among the 30M without health care (VDH on Health Care)

VictorHanson.com ^ | March 13, 2004 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Remember_Salamis]

How bad is it in America?

I broke my arm last week and went into the emergency room at our local hospital about 24 hours after a Sunday morning accident. My family doctor told me to go to the ER first to get an x-ray and then take it over to his office later that Monday afternoon.

[speekinout]

In disputing our denial of coverage, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield TX, we were finally offered coverage, at $1500. per month!

Blue Cross/Blue Shield has always been comprehensive coverage with low co-pays and the like. Is that what you were pricing? Did you look for a catastrophic coverage policy?

I have no sympathy for those who qualify and can obtain "affordable" health insurance but choose to go without and spend their money on "other things".

I agree with that. I know a few people who went uninsured until they got serious medical conditions and then complained that ins. coverage was too expensive. I think that is one reason why people like you, who carried insurance all along, have trouble continuing it after they need it. The ins. cos. don't really make a difference between those people and ones like you.

[lainde]

Thanks for this informative article.

[FITZ]

She tells me that less than half of the patients actually pay or have insurance. I really don't know how these rural hospitals stay in business.

Here it's more like a third of the population bothers with private health insurance --- the rest get free health care --- much of the costs of that free health care is passed on to the ones who bother with private health insurance --- they pay for themselves and the others of course.

The other way it works is that the insured population are the working people who tend to be the healthier group --- shorter hospital stays, healthier lifestyles. The uninsured have the government paying their way --- and the government will send the Medicaid, Medicaid and bailouts for the free health care of those from Mexico. The uninsured also are the biggest users and include many who are inadvanced stages of illness like AIDS. The hospitals don't go under because they get paid.

[FITZ]

Do I wish things were different? Of course I do. We live in a city (El Paso) where thousands access our medical facilities with no intention of ever paying a dime.

I think that is very difficult --- all along the border you see them come over --- many times not to work but just for the health care --- and they are not expected to pay a dime but yet a middle class American taxpayers who have always paid in --- even to a very costly county hospital --- will not get even a discount.

[Capitalism2003]

Maybe if people didn't need to work literally 5-6 months out of the year to pay the massive federal state, & local taxes, along with hundreds of hidden taxes like those on gasoline (.73 per gallon average...in case ya didn't know), perhaps they would be able to afford insurance. I don't think most people realize the harm that the 35% corporate tax rate causes them, along with the massive regulation facing employers today. These are all hidden taxes. You know your FICA 7.5% "contribution" to social insecurity? Your employer matches that 'contribution' by taking 7.5% off the top of what you REALLY earn. Imagine if the corporate income tax were abolished, along with the need for them to match your "contribution". In addition to creating a massive economic boom, every employee would get an INSTANT 42.5% raise!!! How would that help with the bills?

If people really knew what government was costing them, I have no doubt we would see a tax revolt in this country, even among those on the left. If government at all levels would stop taking half (or more) of what people earn, perhaps they could afford their insurance premiums.

Just a thought.

[tm22721]

Why is the health care industry any different?

Atlas Shrugged.

BUMP

[hershey]

Agreed, V.D. Hanson is a national treasure.

[Tinman]

When we decided to relocate, the first thing I asked about was our ability to maintain our health insurance. I was informed, by my employer, to simply request a "transfer of coverage", from BC/BS NE to BC/BS TX. (We were moving outside the area that would allow us to "cobra".)

Within two weeks, we requested the transfer. We were told it would be "better" to enroll as "new subscribers".

We filled out all the paperwork, paid out of pocket for exams and tests, then they denied us because of "pre-existing conditions". These "conditions" had been diagnoised, treated, and covered while we were with BC/BS NE.

Maybe you can find the logic in their decision, I sure can't.

Regards

[Tinman]

Exactly right! This is why I've told Thomason Hospital, here in El Paso, that at least they're getting something from my wife and me, every year, when we pay our property taxes. Right on the tax bill, there is portion of our money earmarked for "hospital".

However, on any given day, you can walk into Thomason's ER and you will see a scene much like the one described in this article.

Regards

[ArrogantBustard]

We were told it would be "better" to enroll as "new subscribers".

Aha!!! They didn't tell you for whom it would be "better", now did they??? You assumed that it would be "better" for you,/i> when in fact it appears to be "better" for them. They got to dump you.

Step right this WAY! See the Egress! THIS way to the Egress!

[Killing Time]

Why?????????????????????

Human decency?

[FITZ]

If anyone doesn't believe what you say ---- I would suggest they travel down and take a look --- seeing is believing as they say. I've heard that finding English speaking staff employees if you do happen to become a patient there can be quite a trick.

[speekinout]

We were told it would be "better" to enroll as "new subscribers".

Why didn't you question that? Every form of insurance we have - health, car, house, etc. - requires a long history. It sounds like your employer gave you good advice. Who told you differently?
BTW, don't change your car or home ins. policies, either. Insurance of any kind is only for catastrophes, and you only get one.

[Tripleplay]

I am for decent health care for USA citizens......I shoud not pay for 20 million illegal aliens also.