Why is it that most people focus on decreasing the cost of health insurance?

1. 70

   TomBlalockposted 11 years ago

   Why is it that most people focus on decreasing the cost of health insurance?
   
   Why do most people focus on decreasing the cost of health insurance, when the cost of health care itself is what drives health insurance costs, in addition to profit margins?

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2. 61

   PhiMaths ATBposted 11 years ago

   Interesting question. I imagine it is because that insurance costs are what people have personal experience with. Most of us never actually see the bill that gets sent to the insurance company. Also, it is insurance costs and insurance companies that politicians tend to focus on.

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3. 58

   lawyerblogposted 11 years ago

   To make it available for all, not just to those who can afford it. It will benefit many people.

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4. 72

   backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

   We have existed in the past before without insurance, but someone in the family or neighborhood would have some kind of knowledge of natural healing methods as a common practice.  Today we give that power over to the insurance companies, which in turn drive many of our laws and regulations, effecting how we live.  For instance, we use to not worry if the neighbor kid fell on our property as far as a law suit goes.  But now we monitor the activity around our living space so not to "accidently" infringe someone's right.  We used to help those neighbors around us in times of need ( and some still do, but not a common practice anymore).  We have become cold and unresponsive to others and tend to keep to ourselves.  Insurance is today a way of gauranteeing that we can recieve good medical care.  What person does not want good care?   However, we have to pay the price for that gaurantee, a high price!  Let's face it!  Insurance is a multibillion dollar business thanks to us for our insecurities and failing faith in our fellow humans.  They are feeding upon these human downfalls.  Someone is making lots of money and it is not the ones paying the high premiums!   
   The high cost of these premiums forces some into the dog house, living a lesser quality of life than expected or use to.  We need to be reasonable about insurance and how we handle those who are unable to possess insurance.  It is times to take the reigns backs and not give so much control to a mulitibillion dollar business!

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   Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

   The cost of health care has gone up tremendously in the past two decades. Doctors and hospitals have higher over head costs. Hospitals do not have wards are longer,or even semi-private rooms. There are color TV sets in each room. New medications that cure many ills or reveal problems, like CAT Scans and MRIs did not exist that long ago.
   Nurses are making more money--and they earn it--especially in hospitals. Medications are more expensive, because they work better and treat more ailments.
   
   You do see your hospital bill. Insurance companies send out EOBs--Explanation of Benefits--that shows what the doctor or facility charged, the negotiated price or the part that is covered, the deductible and finally the amount you may owe.
   
   It is a bureaucratic maze. All docotors' offices are not as cooperative as others. I had a procedure done last year that cost $1400 and the insurance, a PPO, agreed to pay $300. I needed the procedure again. I talked to the business office and explained I had new insurance and found out they did not accept it. I think ask if we could negotiate a price, since i had been a patient for 12 years. The doctor had raised his fee to $2,400, apparnetly hoping to get more from insurance companies. I said I could not afford that and offered to pay $1,000 and work out a payment plan for the rest. They said so. I found a new doctor, whose office is working with me.
   
   Sometimes you have to shop around. That is not always possible in an emergency situation, but if you have some time, talk to the business office, get an estimate, see if your insurance is one of their preferred companies and get some hard numbers.

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