Does everyone MUST have health insurance?

[B5C]

Do we need health insurance for everybody? In college, I didn't need health insurance because I rarely get sick nor go to the hospital. Also a lot of people can join state insurance plans if need too. I have a friend at work who comes from a rich Oil family in Louisiana. They are so loaded with cash they don't need insurance to help pay for it.

So ask me again why we need nationalized healthcare controlled by the US government?

[♔Jean-Luc Picard♔]

We really don't, but people are under the impression that free healthcare will be a wonderful thing. Until they start paying for it, that is. Sadly, it is one of those things that will be here to stay if it becomes a reality.

[My Favorite Martian]

Health insourances are mandatory at some places while they are not at others. It is a question of the political will and of economic rationality. There are costs in both cases. I assume the more people have a health insurance, the better it is for the average consuming citizen, and the less people have one the more the taxpayer will have to pay at the end for those who have no insurance.

[B5C]

Then why I should pay double for insurance? Mine and someone else?

[My Favorite Martian]

You do not pay double - but healthcare costs money and is affected like everything else by a continuous price increase. These costs either pass over the account of the insurance you pay for or over the budget of your county, state or whatever. If there are a lot of people without an insurance, their health costs stress public finances and cause an increase of taxes over time. The crux is that if you make an insurance mandatory then you have to introduce tarifs that can be paid by the insurant otherwise the insurance has to be subsized by public money what over the long again results in tax increases.

[B5C]

You do not pay double - but healthcare costs money and is affected like everything else by a continuous price increase. These costs either pass over the account of the insurance you pay for or over the budget of your county, state or whatever. If there are a lot of people without an insurance, their health costs stress public finances and cause an increase of taxes over time. The crux is that if you make an insurance mandatory then you have to introduce tarifs that can be paid by the insurant otherwise the insurance has to be subsized by public money what over the long again results in tax increases.

Well I have my own insurance through work, but my taxes are going up to help pay the nationalized insurance. Because I know we can't milk the rich for long or they are going to find ways to move money away some where else. If the US government is going to provide Health Insurance then what is the point of keeping my private insurance?

[My Favorite Martian]

If the US government is going to provide Health Insurance then what is the point of keeping my private insurance?

I would think mandatory should be either private or public. The type you refer to would only make sense if you could deduct your actual insurance from the taxes in some form or if the health insurance over the employer is transformed in a public insurance or reduced to an additional insurance that offered services to you that the general public insurance could not provide (maybe dental healthcare or whatever).

[Georgy Zhukov]

Well I have my own insurance through work, but my taxes are going up to help pay the nationalized insurance.

Private insurance will be rid of, your employer wont have to pay for private insurance, profits go up which means your salary (should) go up.

[B5C]

Private insurance will be rid of, your employer wont have to pay for private insurance, profits go up which means your salary (should) go up.

I say BS to the salary going up for me. Maybe the CEO and the board members will. If it does go up. It's all going to help pay for the government insurance.

[Hiero of Syracuse]

I doubt it will pass, but maybe someone can write a well thought out, nonsmartass letter to the president and see if he responds.

[B5C]

Just curious do you support the house bill of fineing people who choice not to get health insurance?

[My Favorite Martian]

Just curious do you support the house bill of fineing people who choice not to get health insurance?

I am not American, so ... but the bill could be a reason for me to talk on TWC about moral values including concepts of solidariy and I would hope no American left his fellows in the lurch.

[Каие]

It's not nationalised Healthcare, that's why.

[B5C]

It's not nationalised Healthcare, that's why.

Not yet. Give it some time. If the health bill passes more and more people will be added on. Not just that 50 million uninsured. Also when couples will have their first kids or new kids. They will just add the kid to the government plan, so they don't have to pay extra through work. Then those kids who have government supplied health care will have kids in the future and they will put their kids on it as well. In 20-30 years, private insurance will be phased out with the government one.

[Каие]

Not yet. Give it some time. If the health bill passes more and more people will be added on. Not just that 50 million uninsured. Also when couples will have their first kids or new kids. They will just add the kid to the government plan, so they don't have to pay extra through work. Then those kids who have government supplied health care will have kids in the future and they will put their kids on it as well. In 20-30 years, private insurance will be phased out with the government one.

So this is all your humble assumption? Excellent.

[My Favorite Martian]

Ok, I see ... it's not yet through. They hopefully find a reasonable solution.

[Admiral Piett]

Do we need health insurance for everybody? In college, I didn't need health insurance because I rarely get sick nor go to the hospital. Also a lot of people can join state insurance plans if need too. I have a friend at work who comes from a rich Oil family in Louisiana. They are so loaded with cash they don't need insurance to help pay for it.

So ask me again why we need nationalized healthcare controlled by the US government?

Guess what? I'm of college age and I've got hypothyroidism (which can potentially become lethal), urinary tract problems (which could mean malfunctioning kidneys), peptic ulcers as a result of a hyperactive digestive system (cannot drink anything other than water or else I'll be in excruciating pain), am almost legally blind, has chronic tooth decay (due to a genetic trait) and acute insomnia that may or may not be attributed to the above. I've also got various anxiety issues that at times can make it difficult to function in 'normal' daily environments. I'm also a high risk for high-blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. All of this can be very easily treated (and most of these issues could actually disappear) with proper routine maintenance. I do not qualify for government programs because they target minorities, single moms, the elderly, and those with terminal illnesses. Young white people do not qualify for any aid whatsoever no matter your income. Some insurance companies may not even cover me cause I have long-term conditions.

Without making this a pointless sob story about my situation, my point is that health insurance or not, people are not being covered for their medical expenses. The most important thing in life other than food, water, and shelter is medical care. If you haven't got your health, it's really hard to achieve anything in life is it?

Our current system is broken and current insurance firms should be indicted for breach of contract and embezzlement.

Guess what? I cannot afford to dish out $95 to a doctor just for visiting not even counting the cost of testing, drugs, and any physical care they may provide. Not to mention if I may one day need surgery. That's just out of the question. Do you know how much a simple endoscopy costs? $500 flat for a simple 15 minute procedure.

[Ludicus]

The most important thing in life other than food, water, and shelter is medical care

Indeed.
US is signatory to the ICESR, but application of the ICESR in the US is minimal or inexistent.

[Каие]

Your system is perfect remember FF, Phier told me. It's all perfect. Nothing wrong.

[Admiral Piett]

Your system is perfect remember FF, Phier told me. It's all perfect. Nothing wrong.

Oh and before he tells me costs would drop with less regulation, it simply won't happen. Not in an inflationary market like ours. The only cost reduction would be to drugs if we release our embargo on drug trade with Canada and Mexico. As far as procedures, labs, and treatment, those costs are only going up, never down. Pharmaceutical companies have far too much leverage on Congress.

The only realistic solution is a socialized option for all working American citizens. With as hard as us Americans work everyday, I believe we deserve to have our nerves silenced about health issues. I mean its one thing to experience health problems, but its entirely another inhumanity that we have to wrongfully evade treatment for worry about bills. This whole system lacks humanity, efficiency, and civilization.