posted on Apr, 14 2011 @ 07:46 PM
I just wanted to clarify why the health care bill is requiring the purchase of health insurance.
I do not agree the US is going about the reform the right way, so do not construe this post as supporting the current healthcare reform.
The private insurance companies are claiming in order to stay profitable and still have guaranteed coverage (everybody gets coverage regardless of
pre-existing condition's, age etc.) everybody has to have mandatory insurance. The law specifies a certain minimum coverage , so paying $2.00 for Joe
Blow not cover anything insurance will not work.
The reasoning is some healthy people will not get insurance until they are sick, then get coverage and cancel as soon as they are healthy again. I can
understand this argument, however I do not think the current reform is the correct way to solve the healthcare issues in the US.
If any of you have ever tried to get individual coverage, you know what that process is like, I equate it to the Inquisition. The underwriter will
interview you and ask you for details about the most minor and outdated stuff that occurred 10,15 20 years ago, most people don't even remember.
I cannot get individual insurance because of sleep apnea, a condition that basically costs the insurance company nothing as it is treated by a machine
that costs about $300.00 and I replace around every 5-6 years.
I am insured by a "High Risk" insurance plan that the state contributes and runs through a private insurance company.
The laws for group health plans (generally the ones you get through your employer) already have regulations that disallow an employee being rejected
from the group plan due to pre-existing condition, etc.
I do not know if the private insurance companies are telling the truth about the need for mandatory insurance in order to stay profitable, or if
pre-existing condition issues are really that big of an issue for insurance companies as group policies already have restrictions against rejection
for those conditions.
Lawmakers and private insurance companies are dead against a public option, as the companies see that as major competition.Most countries that have
socialized medicine have a complete public system, and some allow some private insurance to gain some extra coverage or perks.
I don't have an answer, but I believe this private mandatory insurance, with no public option is not the answer.