Reply #51: Absolutely.

[dotymed]

Peoples illnesses and health should not be a money making undertaking. It is so immoral (at best) to allow "for-profit health insurance companies." We are the only civilized nation in the world that does this for basic health care. In some countries you can buy addendum's that allow luxuries in your hospital stay. We have let the wealthy and the lobbyists decide who lives, dies or is permanently disfigured in our country, to increase the wealth of a few. It is unconscionable.
Remember when it was (at least) illegal yo refuse to treat a person based on their ability to pay? It has not been that long ago.
Currently, I have a son with a torn ACL and I have good insurance. The Physical Therapy company called my insurance, (I do not have a co-pay) and asked at what percentage they were currently covering my son's injuries. It is 75%. So, when I take him to physical therapy 3 times a week, I have to pay 25% of the charge on the spot.
I had never seen this until I moved (back after 20+ years) to TN. Every Dr. or hospital I have taken him to demands payment at the time of service, even though I have insurance. It is sickening that people who are are supposed to put the health of their patients first, actually put money first.
I understand that they must pay their overhead and Dr.'s, etc... but this is sickening. At least I have insurance (for now) or we would not be treated.
My sister was diagnosed with cancer recently, through the Health Department, because she does not have insurance. She has to be treated at the health department. She hopes (very much) that she will temporarily receive "TennCare" insurance through the state, at least until they are able to treat her cancer (and MERSA) that she got after a hospital visit last year, and has re-surfaced.
What better way to tell your citizens that they are expendable if they are poor, let them die. Hell, they can't profit from them.