Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

Current Events and Musings => Political Forum => Topic started by: WhiskeyGirl on May 14, 2009, 08:06:00 AM



Title: "XXX pay more for healthcare" It must be discrimination...
Post by: WhiskeyGirl on May 14, 2009, 08:06:00 AM
I've been seeing more ads on TV and the internet about women paying more for insurance and linking the higher premiums to some kind of discrimination.

Is this really discrimination or reality?  Should the reality of your cost of care impact the amount of money you pay for healthcare? 

One cost cited was children and female specific care.  Are pregnancy and children forced on women?  Do they have access to birth control, abortion, and self control?  Are children optional in the Obama nation?  Should every one pay more because someone else has ten pregnancies?

In the olden days, many health plans did not cover routine pregnancy or childbirth.  People needed to save for these expenses.

If you smoke should you pay more for insurance?  Is it discrimination if someone charges you more than a non-smoker?

If you have AIDS/HIV should you pay more for insurance?  Is it discrimination if someone charges you more because you engaged in some activity that caused you to acquire a virus?

If you are carrying around a few extra pounds?  Should you pay more?

If you're older, and need a little more care than everyone else, should you pay more?

Why is it discrimination if women pay more because they cost more?  When others cost more, it's all about saving money?

Obama wants to lead the discussion with his grandmothers hip surgery.  Should everyone pay more because some people are having babies, others have conditions they can't change, and everyone is getting older?

The theory of large numbers suggests that everyone could be insured in a basic program.

For some reason, when politicians and special interests get involved, it turns into a discussion of profits and selling more drugs and gadgets.  How can big business, big companies, and rich global corporations make more on human suffering?

There is no fountain of youth.  Is there was really a 'cure' for cancer, and other conditions?  Do researchers and big business make money if they eliminate their patients?

Should the reality of your cost of care impact the amount of money you pay for healthcare?  Or, should government pick the winners and losers in healthcare too?

just my opinions.


Title: Re: "XXX pay more for healthcare" It must be discrimination...
Post by: WhiskeyGirl on May 14, 2009, 08:12:09 AM
Quote
During the child-bearing years, women tend to use more health services than men — and on the individual market, women often pay far higher premiums for health insurance, the New York Times reports this morning.

(snip)

Even for policies that don’t cover maternity care — which can a big expense during the child-bearing years, during which people tend to be healthy — the gap is striking. Insurers say that’s because women are more likely than men to get regular checkups, to take prescription medications and to have certain chronic diseases, the NYT says.

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/10/30/women-pay-more-than-men-for-health-insurance/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/10/30/women-pay-more-than-men-for-health-insurance/)

Insurers use 'actuaries'.  Actuaries are numbers and statistics people.  There are statistics that go back generations. 

Actuaries and others warned for years that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were at risk.  The future has arrived. 

What are the chances that politicians will create a sustainable healthcare model?  What are the chances that politicians will 'fix' or 'repair' the great American safety net?

What are the chances that Obama is going to make it better?  I've seen nothing about making it better, just destroying what is left and more empty promises for the future - change for the future.  Destruction you can believe in.

my opinions


Title: Re: "XXX pay more for healthcare" It must be discrimination...
Post by: WhiskeyGirl on May 14, 2009, 08:20:32 AM
Is it about your ability to see the doctor of your choice?  Should you be concerned about your 'allowable' care once you get there?

Does it really matter if you can see the doctor of your choice?  What if government decides you are too old for treatment when you get there? 

Should politicians determine who gets care and who does not?  Should drug companies?  Researchers?  Insiders?

Should politicians decide for everyone?  In some countries, local communities decide on the focus of healthcare spending.  Should one Borg collective on Capitol Hill decide for everyone?


When they came for the old people,
I didn't worry about care because I wasn't old.

When they came for the AIDs/HIV people,
I didn't worry about care because I didn't have the virus.

When they came for the disabled,
I didn't worry about care because I wasn't disabled.

When they came for the people who smoked...

When they came for the people with genetic conditions...

When they came for the people over 35...

When they come for me, who will be left to care?


Title: Re: "XXX pay more for healthcare" It must be discrimination...
Post by: WhiskeyGirl on May 14, 2009, 08:25:07 AM
There is no fountain of youth. 

I do believe there needs to be an honest discussion of what is possible and what is fantasy.

Will there ever be a cure for cancer?  A virus?  A pill to keep you young forever?

Healthcare won't get better until there are honest discussions.  How much will adding 30-40 million illegal aliens to the healthcare system really cost?  What about 10 million?  What about the uninsured?

Discussions should start with honesty and integrity.  I don't see either.  I just see fantasy, marketing for profit, and ripoffs.

jmho