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Fri 10 Nov, 2006 07:39 am
The lady Diane and meself just got our new health insurance, we are old and have health problems so our insurance is going to $835 monthly and only coverning major events, pretty much zero on routine medical care.
Welcome to America.
My husband and I are in our 40's we own a successful business but can't afford insurance for ourselves or our employees. Our state offers discounted insurance to small business owners but they cap household income for 2 at $28,000. If you have 2 children they raise that to $42,000, but that cap would even include any income your child might earn working at McDonalds. Very few people could run a business and take such a small salary.
I'm hoping there are now people on their way to Washington who understand that our place in the world as a competitive business force is being effected by our lack of health care coverage. I'm hoping General Motors, Walmart, Ford, General Electric etc are sending their lobbyists to Congress to get some action. Maybe the politicans will listen to corporate America, because the general citizens have been ignored.
I heard on NPR this morning that the drug stocks were down because The Street thinks the Democrats are going to push for health care reform and lower drug prices - I sure hope so.
I'm extremely lucky that Mr. Noddy's pension benefits include an excellent health plan. Medicare premiums are covered as are perscription drugs.
Unfortunately these benefits depend on the bargaining power of the UAW and the health of the American automobile industry.
I don't stay up late worrying--which would be pointless--but I'm exceedingly thankful.
dys- Before I went on Medicare, I was paying 10 grand a year just for health insurance for myself!
Phoenix32890 wrote:dys- Before I went on Medicare, I was paying 10 grand a year just for health insurance for myself!
Yes, I hear that, so will be paying $10,020 per year for disaster only insurance. Pretty hefty chunk of change for me.
That's a pretty hefty chunk of change for most people!
Seriously, health care in this country sucks.
I've actually found our local hospital and most doctors to be very understanding and flexible. Payment plans are available and my doctors offer me discounts if I pay cash. I barter with my GP/GYN. The big problem comes in if you need on-going drugs. Your local corporate pharmacy basically sticks to the motto of: "Show Me The Money".
Dealing with hospital bills for indigent elderly members of Mr. Noddy's extended family, I've found that hospitals are very willing to reduce or eliminate fees.
Re: health insurance
dyslexia wrote:The lady Diane and meself just got our new health insurance, we are old and have health problems so our insurance is going to $835 monthly and only coverning major events, pretty much zero on routine medical care.
I suspect you're having a high deductable too.
So, this is a medigap supplement to Medicare?
Bella Dea wrote:
... health care in this country sucks.
Totally wrong! The medical system is excellent.
Have you ever noticed how many foreigners come to the US for medical care? If you worked in a major hospital you would notice this immediately.
Quote:I can remember one year, when the insurance company paid out $150,000 to my doctors and hospital.
That was a very major medical problem. But is it the kind of problem common to most individuals?
Noddy24 wrote:Dealing with hospital bills for indigent elderly members of Mr. Noddy's extended family, I've found that hospitals are very willing to reduce or eliminate fees.
Low income folks can often qualify for "free care" if they can provide the proper documentation.
Remember the illegals are all getting "free care" so why shouldn't a US citizen?
Miller- As we get older, and learn about such things, one realizes that anyone can be at the receiving end of a huge medical bill. One of the women that I worked with (at about the same time that I had the huge bill) gave birth to a premature, very sickly child. The child was in intensive care for a couple of months, until he died. I understand that the bill (which was covered by insurance) was in excess of one million dollars.
Nowadays, people have all sorts of serious operations that cost a huge amount, that were unheard of a few decades ago. Medicare paid out close to 4 grand a month for hospice for my mother. If you go to an ER, you can end up with a bill for a couple of thousand bucks, for things that are not terribly serious.
Quote:Medicare paid out close to 4 grand a month for hospice for my mother.
Most insurance plans will pay for hospice care, if the MD states that the patient is terminal and will be deceased within 6 months.
Miller wrote:Bella Dea wrote:
... health care in this country sucks.
Totally wrong! The medical system is excellent.
Have you ever noticed how many foreigners come to the US for medical care? If you worked in a major hospital you would notice this immediately.
And have you never noticed how many people go to India and other Nations to get health care?
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