Posted on 06/08/2005 10:58:34 AM PDT by QQQQQ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Health insurance premiums will cost families and employers an extra $922 on average this year to cover the costs of caring for the uninsured, according to a report released on Wednesday. With the added cost, the yearly premiums for a family with coverage through an employer will average $10,979 in 2005, said the report from consumer group Families USA.
By 2010, the additional costs for the uninsured will be $1,502, and total premiums will hit $17,273. In 11 states, the costs of the uninsured will exceed $2,000 per family.
For individuals, the extra charge this year is estimated to be $341 on average, rising to $532 in 2010. Total premium charges for individuals will be $4,065 in 2005, and $6,115 in 2010.
"The stakes are high both for businesses and for workers who do have health insurance because they bear the brunt of costs for the uninsured," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.
Nearly 48 million Americans will lack health insurance for 2005, the report said.
Uninsured patients pay about one-third of the costs of their care provided by doctors and hospitals, the report said.
The remaining costs -- more $43 billion in 2005 -- are considered "uncompensated care." The government picks up part of the tab and most of the rest is added to insurance premiums for people with health coverage, the report said.
"Ironically, this increases the cost of health insurance and results in fewer people who can afford insurance - a vicious circle," the report said.
The costs for people with insurance vary by state based on a number of variables, including the percentage of uninsured in a state and the amount local, state and federal governments contribute.
The report was based on data from the Census Bureau, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Center for Health Statistics and other sources.
I think those who are covered with medicaid are not being counted as uninsured. So the uninsured are those who are above the poverty line, but still carry no insurance, so we have to pay it for them. Something wrong with this picture.
a) No insurance, no treatment (this is not acceptable in our society)
b) Make minimum health insurance, for at least for catastrophic illnesses, mandatory (the government already carries the insurance for the "destitute" -- medicaid)(People who drive have to carry car insurance in most states, I think -- so why not health insurance?)
c) ????
d) ????
PS. Before someone starts on the "it's all the fault of the illegal aliens" song. Sure, that is a problem and they contribute to the problem, but MOST uninsured people are NOT illegal aliens. Note the numbers: they say 45 million people are uninsured.
Seriously, I do think some drastic measures need to be taken, but not sure what.
So please post any ideas you have.
I personally tend towards b), much as I don't like the government to tell people to have to carry insurance, but I don't see any alternative for more people expecting the rest of us to pick up the tabs for them, because other things are more important for them in their budget, than health insurance.
Too bad they don't (won't) break it down into legals and illegals.
We cannot refuse service to the underinsured, but they have to pay back the money they owe. If they cannot, we should force them into labor. Sort of like indentured servitude.
My friend, this is nothing compared to what the prescription drug bill will be. George Bush pulled a number on that one by adding trillions to our debt. I am not sure how to properly say in pleasant company about his degree of misguidedness.
That's a better deal than I get, plus I also have to pay for the insurance myself.
So, what exactly are these deadbeats complaining about?
Something definitely needs to be done. Look at these numbers, and they will only grow, because people don't have an incentive to pay for insurance for themselves.
Perhaps indentured servitude would give them the needed incentive.
"Nationally more than $43 billion will be spent on charity care this year and $60 billion in 2010. "
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-5/111823800037300.xml
How is this costing families in some states up to $2000? Health insurance shouldn't be going up, because no insurance company is paying the debt of an uninsured person. Is the government paying the hospitals to make up for the debt of the uninsured? How is this $2000 coming from families?
And how much of that is supporting illegal immigrants...
I'm not insured, but I don't add a dime to anyone else's premiums (other than by inference, in that I decline to buy in to this scam) - I pay for my medical care in cash.
The hospitals and doctors charge those who can pay more, to cover the free services, so because the bills are higher, the insurance company charges you more.
E.g., if everyone can pay, the doctor charges an average of $50 per visit. But if he has to treat some number of patients for free, than he needs to charge $55 of the patients who can pay, to keep his same income.
So if the insurance company has to shell out $55 instead of $50 per doctor visit for their insured, they will have to raise their insurance rate, to keep the same income.
You don't seem to accept the county hospital that is open to anyone without health insurance. Simply give people without insurance minimal care and put them back on the street. Ease their immediate symptoms, do not test for underlying symptoms, no preventative care either.
This is not unlike what is done today with various health plans. Some people get more care than others. Lets hear from some admitting nurses what happens to people with minmal health care policies Vs the expensive full care policies? Why not let the uninsureds accept the responsibility that they will end up with minimal health care?
I know of a homeless man on medicare who got a quadruple by pass. I am not sure this makes any sense unless this was a training surgery for the med students?
I heard on the news last night that GM adds $1,500 to the price of each car they make to cover the health insurance they provide to their employees.
Health insurance has gotten WAY out of hand. Solution? In my opinion, there could be a number of underlying issues...from the cost of outrageous law suits to illegal aliens. There isn't an easy answer...
Here's a unique concept.
People pay for their own health insurance.
You know, sorta like, people paying for car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, renter insurance, short term or long term disability insurance...etc.
I know. Radical concept in today's socialistic USA.
The only thing wrong with that theory is that if govt forces everyone to have health insurance, then welfare will skyrocket for food stamps because people will be taking money out of their grocery budget to cover the premium.
I agree, something needs to be done about this, but what? Between this and the high cost of fuel and even the increase in groceries and necessities, regular hardworking people are going under fast.
I'm amazed at the news lately about Hollywood wondering why people aren't going to the movies anymore. My answer.... hmmmm, let's see, spend $20 for movie at the theater OR spend $6.00 for dvd rental at home and still have $$ left for milk and bread and gas.... hard choice huh?
"I pay for my medical care in cash."
And what if, God forbid, you have an accident or a serious or chronic illness, which will cost lost of $$$$$$$$$ to treat. I doubt that you will be able to pay that in cash.
Who do you expect to pick up the tab for that?
Obviously the rest of us.
I agree. I just turned 30, self employed, and have not had health insurance for at least 7 years. I am in good physical shape, eat reasonable, etc. The cost for me as a single guy is arounr $400/month. I never use the doctors and wish they would offer a catastrophe plan.
The working poor can't afford private medical insurance. A family would need a third job just for that.
Precisely my thought too.
I won't argue that hospitals should turn away people who are uninsured if they really need help, but several times when I have been in the emergency room for one reason or another I've noticed a lot of people who don't really belong there, with what seem to be minor or imaginary problems. I doubt they would be there if they didn't know it was free.
We owe a lot of this to the tort lawyers. Set some limits on them and a lot of hospital expenses could be slashed.
Somebody's making a heck of a lot of money out of health care.
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