[cdynaco]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Horsefeathers.
What about Halliburton/Blackwater?
We are using mercenaries now, paying them a hell of a lot more than servicemen, they are not bound by any rules, and are bilking us for billions.

Our government isn't perfect, but I'd take a government agency any day over the health insurance companies that are committing fraud and doing anything to avoid paying claims.

True, recent Story. My daughter's husband was sitting home, said, "I don't feel good". Then, he passed out cold. My daughter called 911, they took him to hospital and ran tests - nothing found (that's another story - they just let him go without a clue why - what if he was driving?) - then came dealing with insurance. He got a call that they were refusing to pay for the tests, because he hadn't called ahead and told them - He was unconscious! Then, they would only pay a fraction of the ambulance - why? "That ambulance company is not in network".
Yes there is some abuse of Medicare/Medicaid, but with private insurance companies, the abuse is on the one who gets sick! I read that Medicare's overhead is something like 10% of what it is for private insurance companies - healthcare for profit means healthcare suffers at the expense of profit.

You missed my caveat - "with true competition". (Not to mention taking the conversation into Iraq... )

The insurance industry gets away with murder because they own the politicians. Why are they free from anti-trust laws? For decades? Why aren't they forced to compete across state lines? The State run insurance commissioners gives the industry a free pass because after their tenure at the State they get fancy vp jobs at ins cos. It's a revolving door. I doubt the ins cos are committing wholesale fraud as you allege, but rather they have paid to have the rules & laws written for their protection. The insurance industry will stop at nothing to keep its monopoly and stifle competition. That's a real problem.

Too many American's (not to mention illegals) are freeloading deadbeats that rather than sucking it up and PAYing for some kind of healthcare coverage for themselves and families, they've got the latest iPod, LCD tv, cable, new cars, new furniture, etc. I have struggled many times to pay my premiums but its more than about having medical care - its about protecting my hard earned assets - and being an adult. The freeloaders run to the expensive emergency room - that is paid for by those of us that PAY for our insurance. That's a real problem.

While physicians and medical facilities must be held accountable, the outrageous settlements - in court and out of court - by trial lawyers has added an enormous burden to the overall cost and procedures of the industry. Without reigning in the lawyers, government healthcare is just another meal ticket for them. That's a real problem.

I never said there isn't major need for major improvement, but wait until you get to deal with Adminstrative hitlers - you can't vote them out, powerful Senators and Congressman have no control over them, you are denied your right to a jury trial by your peers, and you are left to twist in the wind on your own (with your expensive attorney). The staffs are comprised of fat lazy slob morons that have had their gubmint job for decades where they don't have to compete and don't even know their own Admin rules - even though they're posted on the internet these days. And then they keep their jobs without any reprimand even after the Judge exonerates you and rules in your favor - so the next sap gets to deal with the same morons. They love to play god with your life and they are so entrenched that regardless of which party gets elected next, the Admin Agency staff continues 'business as usual' as dictators. And Pelosi wants to create 100+ new Agencies.

btw, if USA for profit healthcare is so bad, why is the US the leader in discoveries & treatment & choice? My close friend moved to Canada 5 yrs back to get married. Ask him about lines at clinics, lack of choices, tax rates, standard of living with his 'free government healthcare'. If everything goes non-profit, why try harder for the next discovery?? And don't forget, those for profit companies - and their employees - and their shareholders - pay taxes to the Government. Where's that lack of revenue to Treasury going to come from if it all goes non-profit, hmmm? You and I. Government should uses its authority to guide the industry and force competition - not take it over.

Some abuse of Medicare? I thought that's where O & Pelosi are coming up with half a trillion to pay for their socialized healthcare?? Medicare is about banko and the government has abused the SS 'Trust fund' (you know, algore's lockbox?) for decades and now people want to hand over control of 1/6 of the economy??

I had superb treatment by my ins plan and health care facilities after a disabling injury and hospitalized for 17 days plus another week of in home care in '99. $30k+ cost me $500 deductible. Apparently your son-in-law shouldn't have opted for that preferred provider plan.