Post by Roland of Gilead on Oct 16, 2008 11:38:50 GMT -5
I was wanting to say that having been in the insurance industry in the past, I can tell you that McCain's plan is pretty absurd. He seems to want to eliminate employer-provided insurance with tax credits that can be used by individuals to go out and buy their own policies.
Now, beyond the fact that his $5,000 credit wouldn't buy much is just the fact that you really CAN'T go out and buy your own medical policy that would be adequate. When you're in a large group, such as an employer, insurance companies agree to cover pre-existing conditions provided that everyone who is eligible accept the insurance on the first day they become eligible. If you decline coverage and decide to take it later, you're going to be subject to a physical examination and coverage will be denied for any ailment they find, whether you knew about it or not.
I know a lot has changed since I sold insurance for The Equitable in the 70's, but we did offer a major medical policy for individuals and sole proprietors of businesses. It was so poor that we never even mentioned it to customers unless they asked. So, my understanding of the insurance industry, which is admittedly quite dated, leads me to believe McCain's plan is the worst of all possible worlds.
But I know that one fact hasn't changed over the years, and that is that the larger the group you put together, the better coverage you can get for the lowest individual cost. This is why Barrack Obama has suggested that everyone have the same coverage that he has...and coincidentally, that I have as a Federal Retiree. Congressional members probably have better coverage than me, since I doubt they have any deductibles and co-payments, and probably have great dental plans that I'm lacking. Nevertheless, I'm pretty happy with what I've got. Despite the right-wing pundits, I've never had to wait or experience needless delays when seeking treatment, and that includes elective surgery. I certainly could never have paid for my gastric bypass surgery, and many consider it cosmetic. I would disagree, but you get the point.
The thing is, it's not really socialized medicine, since it's still handled by insurance providers. Every year, you get a mailer that allows you to switch insurance providers. You may have a choice of between 3 and 10 providers, depending on where you live.
We are the only country in the world, so far as I know, that places the onus on employers for providing coverage, and not everyone can afford it. If you can get it, you may have the world's best medical care, but if you lose your job you may find yourself in quite dire straits.
If, somehow, everyone could be placed on the same plan (I actually preferred Hillary Clinton's plan, since it was more all-inclusive), even my premium contributions would be lowered, and the level of coverage improved. As I have said, the more people you put under the same umbrella, the better things are for everyone. Even if you keep the coverage you have, you will see your premiums decrease.
Best of all, it maintains coverage if you lose your job or change employment...or, best of all, start your own business. But I don't know all the details.
But, the pundits who scream about long waiting lines experienced in other countries simply do not understand the program or they're deliberately lying.
Now, beyond the fact that his $5,000 credit wouldn't buy much is just the fact that you really CAN'T go out and buy your own medical policy that would be adequate. When you're in a large group, such as an employer, insurance companies agree to cover pre-existing conditions provided that everyone who is eligible accept the insurance on the first day they become eligible. If you decline coverage and decide to take it later, you're going to be subject to a physical examination and coverage will be denied for any ailment they find, whether you knew about it or not.
I know a lot has changed since I sold insurance for The Equitable in the 70's, but we did offer a major medical policy for individuals and sole proprietors of businesses. It was so poor that we never even mentioned it to customers unless they asked. So, my understanding of the insurance industry, which is admittedly quite dated, leads me to believe McCain's plan is the worst of all possible worlds.
But I know that one fact hasn't changed over the years, and that is that the larger the group you put together, the better coverage you can get for the lowest individual cost. This is why Barrack Obama has suggested that everyone have the same coverage that he has...and coincidentally, that I have as a Federal Retiree. Congressional members probably have better coverage than me, since I doubt they have any deductibles and co-payments, and probably have great dental plans that I'm lacking. Nevertheless, I'm pretty happy with what I've got. Despite the right-wing pundits, I've never had to wait or experience needless delays when seeking treatment, and that includes elective surgery. I certainly could never have paid for my gastric bypass surgery, and many consider it cosmetic. I would disagree, but you get the point.
The thing is, it's not really socialized medicine, since it's still handled by insurance providers. Every year, you get a mailer that allows you to switch insurance providers. You may have a choice of between 3 and 10 providers, depending on where you live.
We are the only country in the world, so far as I know, that places the onus on employers for providing coverage, and not everyone can afford it. If you can get it, you may have the world's best medical care, but if you lose your job you may find yourself in quite dire straits.
If, somehow, everyone could be placed on the same plan (I actually preferred Hillary Clinton's plan, since it was more all-inclusive), even my premium contributions would be lowered, and the level of coverage improved. As I have said, the more people you put under the same umbrella, the better things are for everyone. Even if you keep the coverage you have, you will see your premiums decrease.
Best of all, it maintains coverage if you lose your job or change employment...or, best of all, start your own business. But I don't know all the details.
But, the pundits who scream about long waiting lines experienced in other countries simply do not understand the program or they're deliberately lying.