http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4436849Scuba (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 06:17 AM
Original message
Costs soar for individual health insurance
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online
Premiums for Berniece Masanz's health insurance went up nearly 30% this year. Last year, the increase was 24%.
Her experience isn't atypical. People who buy their own insurance faced premium increases that averaged 20% for their most recent renewals, according to a national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research organization.
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/business/96854979.html
The "zero value added" health insurance industry is mad we almost regulated them.
Lasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 06:31 AM
Response to Original message
1. Employer provided health care costs are going up too.
Just as they have for many years. We're all headed for expensive, shitty insurance we can't afford to use. And some of us are there already.
wordpix (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 08:39 AM
Response to Reply #1
15. +1, seems with employer I'm paying 50% & if you select a doc out of network Updated at 4:18 PM
because he/she has an outstanding reputation with friends/family/other docs you know, you're paying 100% or maybe the insurance co. will pay a small part.
The system sucks. For 20+ years of my working life, I paid in thousands each year and received nothing but a checkup and regular "maintenance" care (vision care, for example), which cost the insurance co. maybe $100-$200/yr. Now I'm older and have a minor health issue, and it's costing me more thousands while the insurance co. balks at paying out more than they did before.
This is how they profit in billions each year---on our backs at at the expense of our health.
Just pay a callin to the local death panel. Problems solved.
Warren Stupidity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 07:14 AM
Response to Reply #2
6. Little effect until 2014.
So it is a bit premature to blame the lame health care reform for the continuation of the health insurance crisis.
pattmarty (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 07:43 AM
Response to Reply #6
9. Yeah, I just can't wait until 2014 for the "reform".
It's
Bush's obama's fault. (That felt good to say)
Flatulo (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 08:17 AM
Response to Reply #6
13. I think the increases are to slip 'under the wire' before the new provisions take effect. nt
RC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 07:31 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Do what Canada is doing.
Hospitial, clinics and doctors are private. Government pays the bills.
Another thing, we need to stop restricting the number of people getting into medical schools. If they think they have what it takes, let them in. Those that don't will get weeded out. Maybe we would then have less bad doctors that bought their way in.
At any rate get rid of the parasitic health insurance companies that are killing us for money.
Single Payer, Universal Health Care.
Yeah. Do what Canada is doing. When they get sick, they come to the states for health care.
h9socialist Donating Member (462 posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 07:20 AM
Response to Original message
7. Solution
Forget all the wrangling -- we should nationalize all the hospitals and draft all doctors into the
Army, and pay them on a civil servant's pay scale. As to the insurance companies: Put 'em out of business! Accept a driver's license, passport or Social Security card at admittance and finance the health care system through heavily progressive taxation!
Flatulo (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 08:20 AM
Response to Reply #7
14. Yeah, forcing doctors at gunpoint to work for slave wages should really improve the quality of care.
SHRED Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 08:05 AM
Response to Original message
12. And people are blaming Obama
That is what I am hearing.
That premiums are rising because of the health "reform" bill.
Of course I live in red San Diego County so I take it with a grain of salt but many here are saying this.
Believe it. it's true. It's obama's fault.
Lost4words (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 08:46 AM
Response to Reply #12
17. cause,... like its the TRUTH! maybe,...
Early lunch.
derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 09:44 AM
Response to Original message
31. Yep, our insurance rates are going up, too
We're not getting any raises this year, as the money is being used to offset the higher premiums.
Who was it on DU that said we'd be cheering this whole "healthcare reform" deal within a year? I'm not seeing that.
obxhead (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 10:14 AM
Response to Original message
33. This will continue as well. Guarantee 20% and the first thing
a capitalist system will do is make that same 20% translate to a higher profit.
Once 2014 rolls around I fully expect to see ins cos negotiate higher pay for procedures with hospitals and doctors. It's a win win for them. They are Guaranteed their 20%. Paying more out is the only way to increase profit when they get locked into a cap based on a percentage.
This Health insurance reform bill is going to cost a LOT more than any of the projected numbers we got while it was "debated."
eflatminor_99 (2 posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Jun-22-10 10:52 AM
Response to Original message
46. But, but, but
Are you saying Obamacare didn't fix everything...that there were no magic beans? SHOCKING!
Will that be a table for two?
I love the smell of burning DUmmy's in the morning.