Do The Obscene Profits Earned By Health Insurance Companies Improve The Quality Of Your Health Care?

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Do The Obscene Profits Earned By Health Insurance Companies Improve The Quality Of Your Health Care?

by Geezertalk Posted July 23, 2009 00:06:02

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+22 raves

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+5 raves concerned July 23, 2009 21:01:39

Answered: No
or else MJ would not be dead ..it is just plan oh greed ...and it can kill us all
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+2 raves
Denise to Dionysus August 12, 2009 18:39:43

Nyuck, nyuck.....prove to me, sweetie that Obama care's gonna provide good quality health care without raising taxes and becoming a horrendous burden on the shoulders of us all. You can't. Oh sure, Obama can SAY anything....and he does, but the reality is France and Great Britain are struggling with the mounting costs of health care. (Hmmm..gee..socialized medicine over there has failed to keep costs down) What do they do? Incur....cuts, cuts, cuts on care---medications and treatment. It's not the answer. Taking the time to get this right is imperative. The only reason they're trying to go like Speedy Gonzalez is that they know when we all get the details and read the bill (as we now are), the less folks want it because it's the wrong approach. Go back to the drawing board.
twocrows to Denise August 12, 2009 23:39:33

Medicare does now. The new system will be on a par with it.
And before you start screaming about it being out of money --- keep Medicare and Medicaid straight. They're different programs.
+1 raves
Denise to twocrows August 13, 2009 00:02:20

Medicare does what?
Dionysus to Denise August 14, 2009 13:58:07

You know I would rather on the side that HELPS people instead of the cash. I have a ton of Medical bills for my baby son's heart defect... The State run healthcare in Wisconsin called Badgercare is great they help my Insurance company is dragging their feet on EVERY bill.

I would rather help than bitch about the cost
+3 raves
moomoof "Jin Kazama!" July 23, 2009 23:43:06

Answered: No
awesome pictures!!

we are over medicated and not really treating deseases

farther more health isnt a business
+5 raves
concerned July 23, 2009 21:01:39

Answered: No
or else MJ would not be dead ..it is just plan oh greed ...and it can kill us all
+3 raves
No nonsense NanC...don't BS... July 23, 2009 17:06:20

Answered: No
Their profits are a big part of the reason the health care costs are up and the quality of that care is down.
+5 raves
Sarah 2 July 23, 2009 15:44:34

Answered: No
They are the reason health care is in such a mess and untenable for any length of time into the future. $1 in every $4 is going to pay the PRIVATE insurance overhead - and they do so much to help - like argue with doctors about treatment, raise rates and premiums at will and drop coverage whenever it suits them. If you haven't seen the interview with Wendall Potter - ex chief CIGNA spokesman turned whistle blower, it's a must. You will get the inside story. This guy flew corporate jets and ate off gold-rimmed china and thought people were just numbers until CIGNA refused a transplant for a 16 year-old girl who died. He also saw a Medical Expedition where volunteer medical teams, which used to bring care to the third world, were delivering services to RURAL AMERICA which was willing to travel hundreds of miles and wait hours in the rain for help!!

http://www.democracynow.org/2...
+3 raves
Amy July 23, 2009 13:49:04

Answered: No
Hellllllllllllllll no! With or without insurance I still wait 6-10 hours to see a Doctor in the Emergency Room. When I finally see a Doctor, I am still waiting 2 to 3 more hours for him to write a prescription.
+4 raves
Turtle Chell July 23, 2009 13:25:54

Answered: No
All insurance companies should be non-profit.
+3 raves
atmer to Turtle ... August 11, 2009 23:50:52

Wouldn't THAT be great!??! But, that's what single payer or the public option would be.
+1 raves
Turtle ... to atmer August 12, 2009 12:11:27

from what I am hearing, if the single payer or public option go into effect, there will be competion between them and they will not be non-profit.

who knows what will happen, my biggest concern now is peope getting free healthcare when they are fully capable of paying for it themselves. I have worked hard to finally get health insurance and it is not fair for somebody else who has not worked to just get it for free.
+2 raves
atmer to Turtle ... August 12, 2009 13:29:35

I agree to a point... but there are lots of 'working poor' out there who can't afford much of anything. They are forced to use the emergency rooms as their regular doctor and we ALL have to pay for that anyway. Covering checkups and stuff that keeps people healthy would save TONS and would be the 'right thing to do'.
+1 raves
Turtle ... to atmer August 12, 2009 13:38:36

but who is going to pay for it? I think we should be responsible for our own bills. If someone can't afford heathcare it is their problem and they need to do something about it themselves (excluding the handicapped).
+2 raves
atmer to Turtle ... August 12, 2009 13:49:17 (edited)

WE pay thru higher insurance rates. The hospitals spread the costs out over everyone and bill the insurance companies! Wouldn't you rather pay $50 for a doctor appointment for a flu shot than $500 for an emergency room visit? Plus, it keeps the population more productive and cuts down on the spread of disease... lots of benefits to wellness care vs sickness maintenance.
+1 raves
Turtle ... to atmer August 12, 2009 14:27:27

I agree it would be great, but the main problem is that people will get it for free when I have to pay for it. I think what you say sounds like a great plan as long as we figure out how to keep people from getting a free ride.
+2 raves
atmer to Turtle ... August 12, 2009 17:05:28

Right! The President proposed that everyone have some 'skin in the game', no matter how little they earn. Also, their programs will be much more limited than what you and I pay for.
+1 raves
Turtle ... to atmer August 12, 2009 17:44:06

I am afraid it is just too good to be true. He hasn't said how it will happen, he hasn't said anything about how he will make sure nobody is getting a free ride like they do now.

I would feel better if we could start finding out about how they are actually going to do it. Right now everybody is just talking about what needs to be changed or what their fears are and I want to know how it will actually work in reality.
+1 raves
twocrows to Turtle ... August 12, 2009 23:46:22

read the bill?
it's in the public domain and anyone can read it.
http://www.opencongress.org/b...
Turtle ... to twocrows August 13, 2009 14:08:33

okay, I'll go take a look see :)
+1 raves
atmer to Turtle ... August 13, 2009 02:01:32

That to me is the main problem... too confusing! That and the fear mongering that's confusing so many people. Once they get a final bill from the House and one from the Senate, then they have to reconcile it into ONE BILL. If it passes Congress and goes to the President, he has to sign it into law. Right now there are 5 bills... so... all these arguments and yelling is for naught.
Turtle ... to atmer August 13, 2009 14:05:03

way too confusing!
+1 raves
twocrows to Turtle ... August 12, 2009 23:45:14

not for free. not going to happen.
in all countries that have single payer care, taxes pay for it. that's not free. the costs are spread across the entire population. and --- it works.

A non-partisan, American firm examined preventable deaths and compared 19 industrialized countries. Canada came in 6th [no it's not perfect]. The US came in 19th --- OUT OF NINETEEN!
Turtle ... to twocrows August 13, 2009 14:06:13

right taxes pay for it so that means I have to pay for lazy ass people who don't want to pay for themselves.
+3 raves
Dan-Proud American July 23, 2009 12:26:43

Answered: No
No. The quality of care has nothing to do with the insurance companies.
+1 raves
Keen ToJones July 23, 2009 10:09:54

Answered: Other
I doubt it. But lots of things are getting obscene these days. Take Geezer for example.
+4 raves
Nowonmai July 23, 2009 09:52:54

Answered: No
Their profit margins are due to collecting policy fees and denying payments. How the hell can this be good for anyone's health?
+2 raves
1169888 July 23, 2009 09:14:12

Answered: No
No! That money goes into the company's employees pockets, not towards my healthcare...
+2 raves
Demongirl1960 July 23, 2009 08:39:14

Answered: No
HELL NO.... that's got to get reigned in one way or another....
+2 raves
nurse stuffy July 23, 2009 06:13:41

Answered: No
absolutely not!!!!!
+3 raves
Koda ~ McHottie SuperKnight ~ July 23, 2009 05:55:52

Answered: Other
A choice is being shoved down our throats right now , National Health care, if that passes , we all get to wait in line like cattle and may or may not get medical attention , talk to people in Canada
+2 raves
atmer to Koda ~ ... August 12, 2009 00:16:21

Speaking of the people in Canada...

This article is from "THE GLOBE AND MAIL" in Canada. Link below....

Canadians happy with primary health care, study says
A large-scale survey finds that most Canadians have high praise for their family doctor

Marina Jiménez
Thursday, Jul. 23, 2009 06:47PM EDT
The largest survey on primary health care ever conducted in Canada found that most people have high praise for their family doctor, and a staggering 92 per cent would recommend their physician to a relative or friend.

Canadians – except those living in Nunavut – have excellent access to primary health care: 85 per cent of people aged 12 and older have a regular doctor, and two thirds have been seeing the same doctor for five years or more, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) study, released yesterday.

“I feel darn good that 92 per cent of Canadians would recommend their family doctor to a friend. That is the litmus test,” said Sharon Johnston, a family physician and University of Ottawa professor.

Very few Canadians complained about not having a family doctor – despite the oft-repeated grievance about a shortage of physicians in some parts of the country.

The report is being released just as the Canadian health-care system is coming under increased scrutiny south...

Speaking of the people in Canada...

This article is from "THE GLOBE AND MAIL" in Canada. Link below....

Canadians happy with primary health care, study says
A large-scale survey finds that most Canadians have high praise for their family doctor

Marina Jiménez
Thursday, Jul. 23, 2009 06:47PM EDT
The largest survey on primary health care ever conducted in Canada found that most people have high praise for their family doctor, and a staggering 92 per cent would recommend their physician to a relative or friend.

Canadians – except those living in Nunavut – have excellent access to primary health care: 85 per cent of people aged 12 and older have a regular doctor, and two thirds have been seeing the same doctor for five years or more, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) study, released yesterday.

“I feel darn good that 92 per cent of Canadians would recommend their family doctor to a friend. That is the litmus test,” said Sharon Johnston, a family physician and University of Ottawa professor.

Very few Canadians complained about not having a family doctor – despite the oft-repeated grievance about a shortage of physicians in some parts of the country.

The report is being released just as the Canadian health-care system is coming under increased scrutiny south of the border. President Barack Obama is attempting to reform the U.S. system with a $1-trillion initiative that would bring health care to 47 million Americans who lack coverage. His opponents have complained about the spiralling cost of his proposed overhaul, and pointed to alleged shortcomings in Canada's health-care system.

THERE IS MORE IF YOU WANT TO READ IT...

http://www.theglobeandmail.co...
(more)
+2 raves
Koda ~ ... to atmer August 12, 2009 02:53:15

That is Great , Socialism at it's finest ! I still dont want it. There is not enough resources to cover the US, The stimulus package is not working, we Do not need to spend a trillion $$ that money comes out of our pockets, Now how many people that do not have insurance can work but refuse too , because they abuse our current system. How ill we weed these people out?There are plenty of them. All this Money is coming from somewhere , it just does not appear.. and if it does it makes the $ worth less and less....These radical changes will amount to nothing, other than certain people will gain in the Money department. What gets nationalized next ? Oil Companies, The rest of the Auto makers? Farmers? It is called Communism. Free Enterprise ( capitalism ) is what made the US the strongest nation on Earth Period !
+2 raves
atmer to Koda ~ ... August 12, 2009 02:58:36

Do you understand the term DEFICIT NEUTRAL? This program will pay for itself... or President Obama will not sign it. And, whether YOU want it or not... HERE IT COMES!
+2 raves
Koda ~ ... to atmer August 12, 2009 03:37:19

LOL , funny stuff ....
+1 raves
Scoop July 23, 2009 04:58:14

Answered: No
I am very pleased with my medical plan. It is expensive, but I have never had to wait to see a specialist, I can always be seen on a smae day basis, although it may not be with my usual MD. Hey, if I am that sick, I don't care who I see! They make mass profits, but they are spreading the wealth around a little bit.
+1 raves
atmer to Scoop August 11, 2009 23:54:17 (edited)

Wait till you have something really serious... and they decline to cover it because you had a hang nail in 3rd grade and didn't report it when you applied for insurance! Of course, I'm NOT wishing you any bad luck or anything like that... just sayin'.
+3 raves
Lunacat July 23, 2009 04:47:42

Answered: No
Nope.
+3 raves
Shadow13_Novus_Ordo_Seclorum July 23, 2009 04:40:44 (edited)

Answered: No
Profit doesn't include the funds recycled into medicine, it goes into the pockets of executives who fly to the spa and live the good life on the money you struggle to provide to ensure you don't fall through the cracks, and even then that is if they approve it.
+3 raves
WORLDPEACE July 23, 2009 04:08:55

Answered: No
But it certainly DOES improve some bottom lines!