Comments on: Health care reform rant

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:29:54 +0000

Sara, right on! You know I work with the homeless shelter in PT. The MASH free clinic, staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses, is in the same location and I know some of the folks involved. The men and women treated there often work and have an income, but today’s health insurance is beyond their reach. A member of my extended family is in exactly the situation you describe. This person’s spouse is on medicare and both had always paid (a lot) for Blue Cross. When the Medicare started, Blue Cross raised their deductible through the roof. But they couldn’t get any other Medicare supplemental insurance because the person in question has a health condition developed AFTER the Blue Cross began. I.e., all other insurers called it a preexisting condition and refused coverage. So they are stuck paying high premiums and facing a potentially large out-of-pocket deductible expense every year. Who’s to blame? Not the folks involved – they are already paying a larger part of their income than anybody should have to pay to stay healthy. Blame the insurers? They are profit-oriented businesses doing what it takes to turn a profit. So why blame anybody? Let’s just fix it so that we all pay in and everybody gets to take help out. Now look what you did – you got me ranting too!

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:57:34 +0000

Hi Brad,
Thanks for the comment.
I was following my usual policy of publish first, revise later I really am trying to watch my potty-mouth; it doesn’t play well in VA. So references to the almighty I’m trying to avoid as well. A little editing took care of the problem.
You made a point that I’d left out… Yes, we do end up paying for uninsured folks’ medical care, through higher premiums, and b/c hospitals are going broke.
Lots of pundits and even analysts like to blame these folks for the problems. (I know that wasn’t your intent… the following is for people who are not as informed as I know you are.)
It’s important to note that in most cases, those “uninsured” who show up in emergency rooms w/no ability to pay are not there b/c they’re irresponsible. They’re there b/c they can’t get (or pay for) regular health insurance, and thus CAN’T have a regular provider. They aren’t poor enough to qualify for Medicare, but can’t afford the cost of high-risk insurance AND medical care AND the prescriptions they need.
So let’s not demonize them- they’re a symptom not a cause.

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:28:24 +0000

Sara, I have a very good private policy to supplement my Medicare coverage. But – guess what? – I agree with you completely. We are already paying for everybody’s coverage. We pay through our taxes and through what we and our insurers pay to hospitals whose emergency rooms treat the ailments of the uninsured. This MUST be fixed, no matter how long it takes and how many false starts we make, so that everybody has coverage.

Now, a question to you who write so well. Why do you leave out the “o” in God? It’s not a nasty oath to say “God forbid,” and I’m with you in thanking God for Susan and others like her. I also thank God that you’ve pushed through to a resolution, and pray that soon such efforts will no longer be needed.

You maybe should rant more. You are eloquent when you do.