Two of my Questions on Healthcare

[cch5432]

1. Especially for those that are opposed to large scale health care reforms- how would you feel about "healthcare vouchers"? Many who support small government, myself included, think that school vouchers are a great idea. They increase competition, accountability, and promotes more equality in who is getting subsidized. Would this be an idea that could work for healthcare as well?

 

2. Habib told us that, from his understanding, part of the healthcare reform is to make it illegal to not have healthcare. I find this to be incredibly intrusive. However, today I was thinking about how it is illegal to drive without auto insurance. What are the similarities and differences between health insurance and auto insurance?

[coldweatherfan]

1. Especially for those that are opposed to large scale health care reforms- how would you feel about "healthcare vouchers"? Many who support small government, myself included, think that school vouchers are a great idea. They increase competition, accountability, and promotes more equality in who is getting subsidized. Would this be an idea that could work for healthcare as well?

I have a retirement healthcare account through my work that I and my company contribute to. I would like to see the idea of broadening that to personal healthcare accounts, similar to a 401k or IRA, that you could use to either purchase insurance or pay your medical bills but could only be used for med bills and could be passed to your kids. If purchasing your own insurance you would have the ability to shop for your needs, if paying bills you would shop doctor against doctor for cost of procedure.

 

Like for me personally all I want is catastrophe insurance. A 5000 dollar or so deductable. I'll pay my regular bills, I just want to protect myself and my family in case something bad happens.

 

2. Habib told us that, from his understanding, part of the healthcare reform is to make it illegal to not have healthcare. I find this to be incredibly intrusive. However, today I was thinking about how it is illegal to drive without auto insurance. What are the similarities and differences between health insurance and auto insurance?

If you own your car you only have to have liability in case you hit someone to pay their bills you don't have to insure your car. That's the difference I see.

[Theoldguy]

1. Especially for those that are opposed to large scale health care reforms- how would you feel about "healthcare vouchers"? Many who support small government, myself included, think that school vouchers are a great idea. They increase competition, accountability, and promotes more equality in who is getting subsidized. Would this be an idea that could work for healthcare as well?

 

2. Habib told us that, from his understanding, part of the healthcare reform is to make it illegal to not have healthcare. I find this to be incredibly intrusive. However, today I was thinking about how it is illegal to drive without auto insurance. What are the similarities and differences between health insurance and auto insurance?

 

If I choose not to drive/own a car, or I choose not to get a license to drive, then I am not forced to purchase auto insurance!

 

On the other hand, by being alive and living in the USA, I would be forced to purchase Healthcare and the only way not to, would be to move out of my Country, or die! Neither are what I would want to do!

[True blue (and gold)]

I have a retirement healthcare account through my work that I and my company contribute to. I would like to see the idea of broadening that to personal healthcare accounts, similar to a 401k or IRA, that you could use to either purchase insurance or pay your medical bills but could only be used for med bills and could be passed to your kids. If purchasing your own insurance you would have the ability to shop for your needs, if paying bills you would shop doctor against doctor for cost of procedure.

 

Like for me personally all I want is catastrophe insurance. A 5000 dollar or so deductable. I'll pay my regular bills, I just want to protect myself and my family in case something bad happens.

 

 

If you own your car you only have to have liability in case you hit someone to pay their bills you don't have to insure your car. That's the difference I see.

 

Would you advocate required catastrophic insurance? I agree with you that some things should be choice. Many things, in fact. However, I don't think that there should be an option to go without some kind of healthcare.

 

I also think that it should be illegal for insurance companies to randomly drop you or raise your rates.

[True blue (and gold)]

If I choose not to drive/own a car, or I choose not to get a license to drive, then I am not forced to purchase auto insurance!

 

On the other hand, by being alive and living in the USA, I would be forced to purchase Healthcare and the only way not to, would be to move out of my Country, or die! Neither are what I would want to do!

 

I'm not quite sure which side of the argument are you promoting. Are you saying that one should have the right NOT to have health insurance?

[coldweatherfan]

Would you advocate required catastrophic insurance? I agree with you that some things should be choice. Many things, in fact. However, I don't think that there should be an option to go without some kind of healthcare.

 

I also think that it should be illegal for insurance companies to randomly drop you or raise your rates.

I still do not think someone who doesn't want insurance should have to have it.

 

I agree something needs to be done about dropping people because they got sick.

[True blue (and gold)]

I still do not think someone who doesn't want insurance should have to have it.

 

I agree something needs to be done about dropping people because they got sick.

 

CWF, I enjoy discussions with you! :thumb:

 

Question - what do you feel should happen to those that don't want insurance? For the very wealthy, it shouldn't be an issue. However, what about the guy making $50,000 a year? If he gets in a serious auto accident, he might owe hundres of thousands, or millions, to get care. This may sound bad, but do we just let him die because he has no coverage?

 

What about young adults that get dropped from their parents' insurance policies (at whatever age that happens...I'm not sure?) If he/she works at a grocery, walmart, a gas station, fast food, they will not be provided insurance and I bet that they wouldn't choose to pay for insurance. Yet, they're the ones most likely to be involved in a major car accident and need care.

 

Again, I hope that didn't sound argumentative, because I don't mean it that way. I'm just interested in the discussion.

[cch5432]

First of all, let me say that I appreciate the response:

I have a retirement healthcare account through my work that I and my company contribute to. I would like to see the idea of broadening that to personal healthcare accounts, similar to a 401k or IRA, that you could use to either purchase insurance or pay your medical bills but could only be used for med bills and could be passed to your kids. If purchasing your own insurance you would have the ability to shop for your needs, if paying bills you would shop doctor against doctor for cost of procedure.

 

Like for me personally all I want is catastrophe insurance. A 5000 dollar or so deductable. I'll pay my regular bills, I just want to protect myself and my family in case something bad happens.

This sounds like an excellent idea- however, it doesn't clear up the issue with those who cannot afford insurance. Any thoughts on "healthcare vouchers"?

 

If you own your car you only have to have liability in case you hit someone to pay their bills you don't have to insure your car. That's the difference I see.

True, although I wonder what effect that uninsured people currently have on the cost of health insurance now...anyone know if it is material?

[cch5432]

CWF, I enjoy discussions with you! :thumb:

 

Question - what do you feel should happen to those that don't want insurance? For the very wealthy, it shouldn't be an issue. However, what about the guy making $50,000 a year? If he gets in a serious auto accident, he might owe hundres of thousands, or millions, to get care. This may sound bad, but do we just let him die because he has no coverage?

As a Christian...no. It is our responsibility, as a community, to step up to the plate to help this man. However, from a political philosophy standpoint, I see no reason why anyone should be forced to get insurance. The scope of government's involvement in our lives should extend no farther to when we encroach on the liberties of others, and not getting my own insurance infringes on no one else's rights.

[True blue (and gold)]

As a Christian...no. It is our responsibility, as a community, to step up to the plate to help this man. However, from a political philosophy standpoint, I see no reason why anyone should be forced to get insurance. The scope of government's involvement in our lives should extend no farther to when we encroach on the liberties of others, and not getting my own insurance infringes on no one else's rights.

 

Well, what is your bottom line then? We can't have our Christian cake and eat it, too. Do we then bail him/her out? Or do we allow him/her to die due to their poor decision to NOT have insurance? Or, do we provide care for him/her and then take every penny they make for the rest of their lives? Again, these are extreme examples for discussion purposes.

[cch5432]

Well, what is your bottom line then? We can't have our Christian cake and eat it, too. Do we then bail him/her out? Or do we allow him/her to die due to their poor decision to NOT have insurance? Or, do we provide care for him/her and then take every penny they make for the rest of their lives? Again, these are extreme examples for discussion purposes.

Of course we provide care for him, just not through the government. As Christians, we have a responsibility to help our neighbor, but we don't have the right to force others to do the same.

[True blue (and gold)]

Of course we provide care for him, just not through the government. As Christians, we have a responsibility to help our neighbor, but we don't have the right to force others to do the same.

 

If I may continue with this line of thinking...do we force the doctor/hospital to care for the person in this situation and hope that a charitable person/group will them pay his/her debts? What if no one does?

[Theoldguy]

I'm not quite sure which side of the argument are you promoting. Are you saying that one should have the right NOT to have health insurance?

 

If an adult refuses to have Health Insurance, then so be it.

 

True blue (and gold) is Dental included in the new Healthcare reform? If not why not? Is life insurance included in the plan? If not why not? Eye care included? If not why not? Opps forgot about funeral insurance, is it covered in the Healthcare plan? If not why not?

 

I could go on with what an adult might need or even should have but where does it stop!

[True blue (and gold)]

If an adult refuses to have Health Insurance, then so be it.

 

True blue (and gold) is Dental included in the new Healthcare reform? If not why not? Is life insurance included in the plan? If not why not? Eye care included? If not why not? Opps forgot about funeral insurance, is it covered in the Healthcare plan? If not why not?

 

I could go on with what an adult might need or even should have but where does it stop!

 

I have a problem letting people die. Or suffer with breast cancer and have their insurance drop them while they are undergoing chemotherapy.

 

I wish to discuss, not partake in anything argumentative.

[coldweatherfan]

CWF, I enjoy discussions with you! :thumb:

 

Question - what do you feel should happen to those that don't want insurance? For the very wealthy, it shouldn't be an issue. However, what about the guy making $50,000 a year? If he gets in a serious auto accident, he might owe hundres of thousands, or millions, to get care. This may sound bad, but do we just let him die because he has no coverage?

I think most younger people who are in good health feel that the only way something bad will happen to them is a car accident or work related accident. In which case their auto insurance, the other person's auto insurance, or work's insurance would cover their medical bills.

 

I personally would never choose not to have a safety net if I could afford it. But some folks do and that is their right.

 

What about young adults that get dropped from their parents' insurance policies (at whatever age that happens...I'm not sure?) If he/she works at a grocery, walmart, a gas station, fast food, they will not be provided insurance and I bet that they wouldn't choose to pay for insurance. Yet, they're the ones most likely to be involved in a major car accident and need care.

 

Again, I hope that didn't sound argumentative, because I don't mean it that way. I'm just interested in the discussion.

 

Would like to see something done here. I think I should be able to keep them on my insurance as long as I want. I understand that I may have to pay a little more, but I could ask my son to pick up part or all of the increase just like I do with his car insurance.