I don't care if you voted for the man, or if you agree with my opinion of him,or how he's doing, just curious to see how you think he's handling this specific issue.

Personally, I find the way that things have been handled (and yeah, even healthcare) horrific. Taxing people more in time of a recession (which is what we're in) means less spending, more downward spiral, and, less room for improvement. But, let's get onto the specific topic at hand shall we?

Healthcare, as it is needs to be reformed. Note that I didn't say healthcare insurance, but healthcare itself. Everything about it needs an overhaul. You seriously can not tell me that it is standard practice to go into an office, have them not tell you how much they're going to (over)charge you, have them do the work, then see the bill ? In what alternate universe is this proper practice?

The problem with the way this is looking @ being 'reformed' now? It won't work! Pure and simple, it just flat out won't work. Want proof? Ask any veteran how well they are taken care of, how well their health insurance covers them . These people gave everything for our country, and our thanks to them? Pathetic at best. The U.S. government can not handle global healthcare.

That's not the only problem, though. Who's going to pay for all this? Big business? Uhhh, nope. Rich people? Absolutely not. No, the person who will inevitably end up paying for all of this 'universal healthcare' garbage is you and me, the average consumer. Consider this for a moment:

The current plan is to tax those making over X/yr for this. That X, as I understand is like $1m, $2m or something? Where do you think those people get that money? From their own business. Do you think they are going to foot this enormous bill alone? Absolutely not. In fact, that will give them reason to raise their rates. Think about it, it's a win/win for them. They pay more taxes, raise their prices, thusly making more money, and we, the consumer get to pay for this. That is always how it ends up.

As I said earlier, I agree 100% that health care in this country is messed up. So, if a universal system won't change it, what will? Well, that is a very, very simple answer, honestly. Eliminate the 3rd party payers. Seriously, that's it.

Why do hospitals charge so much? Because nobody is there to keep them in check. 3rd party payers (ie: insurance companies) will pay whatever to hospitals, doctors, etc, but only after jacking the patient around a bit.

Why are medications going for $100s a pill? 3rd party payers of course. It's in their best interest to pay this off and keep (over) charging their customers.

Eliminate the 3rd party payer situation, and you'll find prices will drop drastically. Doctors, hospitals, etc, will no longer be able to double bill clients (one bill to clients, one bill to insurance), they will be held accountable for their practices, and you'll see that $100 pill drop to a reasonable $1-$10 pill.

Need surgery? That's ok, no more $10k/night room for you. Hell, we won't even charge you $1k/night. Realistically, it can't cost a hospital more than $100/night to keep you in a room, and you're splitting that room, so why should someone have to pay $10k/night? Because the healthcare profession is a bunch of money hungry, greedy bastards.

Level the playing field, remove the separatism. Whether a client has insurance or not, charge them as if they DIDN'T, treat them as if they DIDN'T, THEN you will see true 'health care' in the U.S. .

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TV on the Brain: TV and Entertainment Forums
Wylde Fans: Metal, in its purest form

I think we were better off without insurance companies.

The whole industry is just legal extortion.

Off track here but I HATE those Nationwide commercials that try to make the insurance companies look like they're gonna be your friend.

Accident forgiveness, what a crock. Accident forgiveness just means you get one accident forgiven every 3 years, ONE. EVERY. 3. YEARS. If you have another one in that 3 years your rates go up regardless. If you stay "clean" for another 3 years then your rates go down, but if you have ONE MORE ACCIDENT in that time, you're dropped like a hot potato & then end up on the state's tab for 3 times the amount you WERE paying.

I know because that's what happened to me. I've been clean for 2 years now, one more to go **crosses fingers & toes**.

Anyhoo, I have decent health insurance & have had it for a while. I guess that's why I don't get into all the health care reform stuff. If I didn't have it, I'd be all over it though.

I fully agree, insurance companies are a huge problem here, and the reason why healthcare costs are so high.

Myself, I haven't had insurance for probably 5 years, and take care of things pretty well, without it.

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TV on the Brain: TV and Entertainment Forums
Wylde Fans: Metal, in its purest form

I don't recall there always being that kind of interference with insurance when I was a kid. Other than Medicare or Medicaid I guess.

It really is a huge scam. They should just get rid of all of them, doctors can lower costs to an affordable rate & we'd have a nice start.