Healthcare - Part I
Preface: As I began writing this I realized I was and wanted to write about these subjects without putting in or quoting any research from news or other public sources in forming any opinion or question because I believe that's how the majority of Americans would contemplate the questions posed and the issues faced by themselves and their peers.
Well, why not start big? Personally, I view Healthcare as the biggest of all the major issues. The cost of insurance plans have continued to have double digit increase for many of the past 7 years, thus doubling the cost while wages have not typically doubled for the same job over that span - especially in the Red River Valley. I have a family of 5, and the cost of my insurance plan including employer contribution, has ballooned to over $10,000. So BCBSND receives 1 stack of high society every year in an effort to protect me from calamitous ruin due to an unforeseen hospital bill. On the surface, that gives me a very sick feeling seeing that number. But that, in my opinion is far from the worst of it. Each time we visit the Dr. we see a $20 bill. Then we have prescription drug costs, lab tests, and this year, maternity ward costs. So in addition to our upfront costs - which at least are pre-tax dollars, we have out-of-pocket expenses that, although aren't enormous, are sometimes difficult to deal with - and this is as a family that is by all means very, very healthy. I look at my situation and feel we probably have a best case scenario - supposedly. I see many, many other families that would have a much harder time - be it financially or physically - than us when it comes to paying and receiving quality healthcare. I'm sure this is only 1 of many different anecdotes that our leaders have to consider. So what are the issues? How can we solve them.
#1 issue: Cost. From the first visit, to each test, to each and every drug you take, why and how is the cost to the consumer determined? This is absolutely the first big hurdle that has to be tackled. Is it due to their own liability insurance at each and every level of business? Is it due to rising salary costs? Is it due to rising material costs? How about executive salaries? Better technology but at what cost?
#2 issue: Availability. How do we get everyone who needs treatment for an ailment what they need? Why do so many in America not have insurance?
#3 issue: Preventive issues. Are there programs that can be implemented to reduce the need?
#4 issue: Effectiveness of care. From pills prescribed to treatment in a facility, are we getting the best care?
Obviously most of the latter issues deal with a monetary issue as well, but are a little more in depth to their respective topics than just plain 'how much'?
To delve into each issue quickly at first, I'll look at the bottom first and work up.
Effectiveness of Care: If I would decide to go without health insurance, would I receive the same level of treatment? Even with health insurance are the poor treated differently in the current system because they may be seen as risk to not being able to pay for certain treatments? There are many who believe this is most assuredly the case with the current system, and if so, then the system needs to change. At least to the point they are told why they are not receiving the same quality of care. Risk and reward is part of our lives as poker players and I think most of us understand a gamble, but we want to know as much information before we put our chips in the pot as well. If there are 'generic' options that cost less, give me the information to decide if it saves me money, but there has to be an incentive to taking this option if I'm on a healthcare insurance plan.
Prevention. From a national standpoint, to state, local, corporate, and personal, I think most of America has failed in this regard. The lack of incentives (since obviously just plain good health is not incentive enough) at each level has led to a ballooning for the need for various heathcare items that could be avoided. Obesity - to whatever extent, is one of the leading causes for needing healthcare. Could there not be corporate, state, or federal incentives for joining health clubs, achieving certain levels of body fat %, weight status, cholesterol levels, etc.? If a company (and IBM has done a program along these lines and seen huge savings) were to give incentive to their employees - monetary bonuses - to achieve certain levels of weight loss/status, do you not think employees would take advantage of such a program? Why does everyone in my health care group get the same insurance rate when I have been more healthy as a general rule than them? This is how car insurance works, why not health care?
Availability: From the homeless to the reckless college student to the working poor, there are many in America without health insurance for one reason or another. But most all of us agree, that every person needs some form of basic coverage. However, once again, we mostly disagree on the definition of basic as well. From my knowledge, most states do provide healthcare for children from poorer families. These leaves the adults and why they are without healthcare. One debate I cannot begin to accept is that there are 40 million people in America without insurance because they cannot afford it. After looking recently at health plans, there were some basic plans for just $100 a month and there are catastrophic/disability coverages for less. Yes, that can still be a lot of money for some, but not all 40 million of those that are uninsured. Could it be that many Americans are choosing to gamble without health insurance for a certain amount of time and pay for the expenses out of pocket? I believe more and more everyday are taking this route because of their and others experiences with the current health system.
I'll continue with Part II shortly or in a day or two, the subject of which will be the cost of medical items, insurance, and procedures. I will also try to formulate a theory or two to get my mind working on what could possibly be down to help solve this issue.
Well, why not start big? Personally, I view Healthcare as the biggest of all the major issues. The cost of insurance plans have continued to have double digit increase for many of the past 7 years, thus doubling the cost while wages have not typically doubled for the same job over that span - especially in the Red River Valley. I have a family of 5, and the cost of my insurance plan including employer contribution, has ballooned to over $10,000. So BCBSND receives 1 stack of high society every year in an effort to protect me from calamitous ruin due to an unforeseen hospital bill. On the surface, that gives me a very sick feeling seeing that number. But that, in my opinion is far from the worst of it. Each time we visit the Dr. we see a $20 bill. Then we have prescription drug costs, lab tests, and this year, maternity ward costs. So in addition to our upfront costs - which at least are pre-tax dollars, we have out-of-pocket expenses that, although aren't enormous, are sometimes difficult to deal with - and this is as a family that is by all means very, very healthy. I look at my situation and feel we probably have a best case scenario - supposedly. I see many, many other families that would have a much harder time - be it financially or physically - than us when it comes to paying and receiving quality healthcare. I'm sure this is only 1 of many different anecdotes that our leaders have to consider. So what are the issues? How can we solve them.
#1 issue: Cost. From the first visit, to each test, to each and every drug you take, why and how is the cost to the consumer determined? This is absolutely the first big hurdle that has to be tackled. Is it due to their own liability insurance at each and every level of business? Is it due to rising salary costs? Is it due to rising material costs? How about executive salaries? Better technology but at what cost?
#2 issue: Availability. How do we get everyone who needs treatment for an ailment what they need? Why do so many in America not have insurance?
#3 issue: Preventive issues. Are there programs that can be implemented to reduce the need?
#4 issue: Effectiveness of care. From pills prescribed to treatment in a facility, are we getting the best care?
Obviously most of the latter issues deal with a monetary issue as well, but are a little more in depth to their respective topics than just plain 'how much'?
To delve into each issue quickly at first, I'll look at the bottom first and work up.
Effectiveness of Care: If I would decide to go without health insurance, would I receive the same level of treatment? Even with health insurance are the poor treated differently in the current system because they may be seen as risk to not being able to pay for certain treatments? There are many who believe this is most assuredly the case with the current system, and if so, then the system needs to change. At least to the point they are told why they are not receiving the same quality of care. Risk and reward is part of our lives as poker players and I think most of us understand a gamble, but we want to know as much information before we put our chips in the pot as well. If there are 'generic' options that cost less, give me the information to decide if it saves me money, but there has to be an incentive to taking this option if I'm on a healthcare insurance plan.
Prevention. From a national standpoint, to state, local, corporate, and personal, I think most of America has failed in this regard. The lack of incentives (since obviously just plain good health is not incentive enough) at each level has led to a ballooning for the need for various heathcare items that could be avoided. Obesity - to whatever extent, is one of the leading causes for needing healthcare. Could there not be corporate, state, or federal incentives for joining health clubs, achieving certain levels of body fat %, weight status, cholesterol levels, etc.? If a company (and IBM has done a program along these lines and seen huge savings) were to give incentive to their employees - monetary bonuses - to achieve certain levels of weight loss/status, do you not think employees would take advantage of such a program? Why does everyone in my health care group get the same insurance rate when I have been more healthy as a general rule than them? This is how car insurance works, why not health care?
Availability: From the homeless to the reckless college student to the working poor, there are many in America without health insurance for one reason or another. But most all of us agree, that every person needs some form of basic coverage. However, once again, we mostly disagree on the definition of basic as well. From my knowledge, most states do provide healthcare for children from poorer families. These leaves the adults and why they are without healthcare. One debate I cannot begin to accept is that there are 40 million people in America without insurance because they cannot afford it. After looking recently at health plans, there were some basic plans for just $100 a month and there are catastrophic/disability coverages for less. Yes, that can still be a lot of money for some, but not all 40 million of those that are uninsured. Could it be that many Americans are choosing to gamble without health insurance for a certain amount of time and pay for the expenses out of pocket? I believe more and more everyday are taking this route because of their and others experiences with the current health system.
I'll continue with Part II shortly or in a day or two, the subject of which will be the cost of medical items, insurance, and procedures. I will also try to formulate a theory or two to get my mind working on what could possibly be down to help solve this issue.
posted by Corey Eslinger at 6:59 PM
1 Comments:
I agree with Corey in that healthcare is the major issue facing Americans today. I don't understand how the same drug can cost so much less in Canada than it does here.
And how can the richest nation on earth is not able to afford healthcare for their own citizens? We can give, literally, billions of dollars to other healthcare deprived nations, but we cannot come up with a feasible system for our own people?
There are certainly other issues that need to be considered during this political 'season', including the war, abortion issues, educational spending, etc.; but, healthcare needs to have a secure position at the top of the list.
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