National Academy of Sciences - Health report.

U.S. Health in International Perspective:
Shorter Lives, Poorer Health

Although the United States spends more on health care than any other nation, a growing body of research shows that Americans are in poorer health and live shorter lives than people in many other high-income countries.

That's what happens when health care is too expensive for people.

Regular check-ups are neglected. Even people with insurance often cannot afford a needed surgery, or even afford to go to the doctor when they suspect something is wrong.

For almost 10 years, every year my costs have gone up or stayed the same, all the while the benefits were being lowered annually.

Now, at my place of employment those of us with families are spending 150$ per week, for insurance that DOESN'T COVER 1 PENNY until you've spent over 3000$ out of pocket on top of the weekly premium!!! (At my place of employment, I'd guess the median Gross pay is about 450$/week..... You do that math. Yep.)

And this is considered OK!? Because anything else would be 'Socialism'..

Corporate profit has no place in the health care system. It's barbaric.
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-Dave #2


3.2.0-33

I cant argue with that EX, On a 40 work week my bring home pay is $455.00 a week. My medical is only $81.00 a week. But that is still a big dent every week.
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I cant argue with that EX, On a 40 work week my bring home pay is $455.00 a week. My medical is only $81.00 a week. But that is still a big dent every week.

That's what happens when health care is too expensive for people.

Regular check-ups are neglected. Even people with insurance often cannot afford a needed surgery, or even afford to go to the doctor when they suspect something is wrong.

That's what happens when health care is too expensive for people.

Regular check-ups are neglected. Even people with insurance often cannot afford a needed surgery, or even afford to go to the doctor when they suspect something is wrong.

It is the insurance that people can't afford. Regular checkups cost far less than the insurance premium. Also it isn't the Doctor that is the expensive part, it is the lab tests. How the hell is putting a drop of blood in a machine that damn expensive? Could it be malpractice insurance? Could it be product liability insurance for the maker of the machine? Or is it just flat out greed on the part of everyone?

Example: Lab I go to charges a $20 "draw fee." Average time for the tech is 10 minutes per. Place always has a line. That is $120/hr per tech. Just checked and average RN pay is $26/hr. I suspect they aren't full RN's either. Nice mark up. Then there are the fees for each test. I doubt that much electricity is used by the machine doing the test, so it is all pure markup.

Im sure even the Obama care isnt going to be cheaper for us folks either. It was crfated by law makers who have pals and lobbyists who work for the drug and health care providers.

I know a few people at work who opt out of the health insurance just because of the cost. They reason that they are still young and need the money in the paycheck more. They are just one major illnes away from financial disaster.
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They are just one major illnes away from financial disaster.

They are just one major illnes away from financial disaster.

The very same can be said about fire insurance. But why is it in the case of illness people insist on free treatment when they didn't purchase insurance? Shouldn't people who have a fire but didn't purchase fire insurance have their place and possessions restored by the government?

I think that is a straw man argument, it is more like a case where the fire dept does not respond because you are not a tax paying resident in their district.

The health insurance approach to healthcare astonishes me in a rich country like the USA, where >25% of the population has little cover. Amazing ...
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It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues

They are just one major illnes away from financial disaster.

The very same can be said about fire insurance. But why is it in the case of illness people insist on free treatment when they didn't purchase insurance? Shouldn't people who have a fire but didn't purchase fire insurance have their place and possessions restored by the government?

The very same can be said about fire insurance. But why is it in the case of illness people insist on free treatment when they didn't purchase insurance? Shouldn't people who have a fire but didn't purchase fire insurance have their place and possessions restored by the government?

The American people are not fighting against a more cost effective health care system, the health care industry is doing most of the fighting.

Nobody ever died because of a lack of fire insurance and from what I read, rebuilding your house is cheaper in the US than most life saving operations and the associated care.

I don't think anyone wants "free" medical care, they just want the health care and health insurance to be affordable.

Gary, while we agree on many things, I find it very hard to understand your attitudes on public health care. Are you trolling, or just an unfeeling, asocial b*st*rd ?

T.A.

Nobody ever died because of a lack of fire insurance and from what I read, rebuilding your house is cheaper in the US than most life saving operations and the associated care.

Love your straw man. Every hospital emergency room in the US must treat.

Why do you wish to run other people's lives? To tell them what they must do, e.g. buy single payer medical insurance.

Malpractice costs are out the roof because malpractice is rampant.....