Let it be known that dealing with insurance completely, totally, absolutely SUCKS. I could write a whole story about it here, but it wastes energy. I know that my issue is really minor compared with people who have to go to a lot of doctors (the elderly, those with MS (ahem), etc.) but it's really disgusting to me how both hospitals and insurance companies take advantage of people, fooling them into believing they owe more than they really do.
I'm going out on a limb here: in November, I am going to vote for whoever is committed to improving health coverage. Of course, that doesn't mean that anything will be done in the next 4 years, but hopefully by the time my parents are elderly things will be better. Enshallah.
Posted by Lacey, September 10, 2004 10:47 AM
Comments
Just remember it is in the insurance company's interest not to pay out on a claim.
Posted by: ez on September 10, 2004 01:35 PMYes, but that's mean and they suck!
Posted by: lacey on September 10, 2004 02:29 PMWhat? Wow! How did you get health insurance in America? I'd like some, if you've got any extra.
Posted by: Uncle Sam on September 10, 2004 05:07 PMRemember that some people who have insurance also try to milk the company fraudulently or naievely. Finding that perfect balance where all the people who really need help are helped, the company successfully pays all their debts, and the company makes money for the shareholders seems daunting.
Posted by: ez on September 12, 2004 05:06 PMhealth care is a privelege, not a right! right? is social health insurance worth all the tax money it would take to deliver? you know there would be rationing of health care. just ask doctors about working with the bureaucratic nightmare of medicare. or the VA.
these are all things we hear about when the issue of providing health insurance to those who cant afford it comes up. i am fora system of health insurance that would guaruntee everyone the right to see a doctor and be given adequate heatlh care. and i am thankful that when i was young and poor (and admittedly sometimes stupid--- riding an ancient , poorly mainitained motorcycle without a helmet! ) i never needed any serious medical care , outside a trip or two to the ER . which sucked because i couldnt pay the bill!!! because i worked in a restaurant to make ends meet while going to school part time and had no insurance.
and that was years ago. we all know it costs much more to be sick now, at least care/insurance costs much more. you really have to wonder what kind of profit the insurance and pharm companies are making that they have so much influence on our political system. just think, if 12 people got together to pitch in to take out your rep or senator to a fancy lunch to explain our case and press for some action on this issue, he or she would likely tell us that one lunch meeting is very nice and all, but we have to consider the fact that the groups that lobby to get legislation passed are wining and dining our elected officials every week, if not every day. think about how much money that costs. think about how much it costs to treat a room full of doctors to dinner or a weekend on the ski slopes to educate them on the efficacy of their new drug. imagine what it costs to put an ad campain together-- with full page glossy ads in all the leaing magazines and television commercials on all the time. these are things that my wife (a brand new family practice doctor) and i are learning.
its enough to make you wonder what it will take for things to change in this country.
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