President Donald J. Trump Is Working To Improve Health Insurance Coverage For American Workers and

whitehouse.gov ^ | 6/14/2019

[RedStateRocker]

It would be one thing if a robust and effective free market were operational, but with the current system, without insurance one genuinely has to be wealthy, even VERY wealthy to afford anything beyond 1950’s level care.

It’s kind of like national defense. Two hundred, two hundred and fifty years ago, you, me and a few others could arm ourselves as well as any other infantry on the planet. A dozen or so go in together and buy a cannon or two, and we’re the equal of anything the British, French, or Spanish can throw at us, even numbers. Nowadays? I seriously doubt that any 16 of us would stand much chance against a SEAL team with full air and satellite and drone support (maybe we’d take out one or two in utterly optimal circumstances fighting guerrilla style).

In a sense, the same thing has happened with healthcare. Back in the day, a blacksmith or merchant could probably access healthcare as good as that of a wealthy person or political leader. Maybe my false teeth wouldn’t be quite as nice as Washington’s, or my surgeon quite as quick, but effectively the same; nowadays there is simply no way a non millionaire can afford to pay for any high tech procedure. And IMHO having such a disparity creates hostility and resentment that is genuinely dangerous to the Republic. It’s one thing if some quant has a nicer car than I do, it’s something else if his kid lives and mine dies from the same condition.

[MortMan]

The existence of prior continuous coverage for a “preexisting condition” should be enough to require the current insurance company to cover the condition.

If one has had diabetes for 20+ years, but one has had continuous medical insurance coverage throughout the time, why should that be considered “preexisting”, where the insurance company can deny coverage?

I understand that a 20+ year diabetic that has taken poor care of themselves is an elevated risk to the company, but one who has taken good care is less so.

My main concern on this front is that people who try to do the right things - take care of themselves, keep insurance (even though the policies differed because of job changes), etc. - should not be punished due to those who gamble without insurance and lose their bet.