[chrisser]

Now, whether it is "insurance" to pay for routine medical expenses and medicines is another question entirely.

This is my strongest feeling on the whole insurance issue. Words mean things. We need insurance to be what insurance is - coverage for unexpected catastrophic events.

I would prefer to pay my physician for routine visits in cash and then have a plan to cover things like ER visits, catastrophic illness, etc. should I need it. The same way I pay for my own tires and wipers, but if my car gets in a wreck, then insurance kicks in.

If people want to participate in some sort of "routine medical services payment club" or "prescription drug payment club", whether through their employer, their social group, or even as a family, then lets keep that separate from insurance both in terminology and in legislation.

That's not saying it can't or shouldn't be bundled with an insurance product, but too often these separate products/services are spoken of interchangeably when they really aren't nor shouldn't be, IMHO.

[SoothingDave]

Exactly my thoughts. The benefit being that as consumers pay for their own services and products, the market will begin to work and we will see price competition, etc.

If I need an annual blood test, I will shop for the best price with the level of convenience, etc. I want.

If I have an affliction and require medication, perhaps we form a group with the same condition and bargain for our medicine together. Or we group in other ways to use the power of consumers and competition.