What is the correct role for private insurance companies in providing universal health care?

[yurbud]

Poll question: What is the correct role for private insurance companies in providing universal health care?

[supernova]

1. Other

they should have no role other than fighting for the ever expanding elective plastic surgery market. I think "medical" insurance companies would be great at doing what they do now, except with elective procedures that people don't really need.

[yurbud]

4. wouldn't the only people who buy coverage for plastic surgery be those planning on getting it?

it might be more appropriate to call that kind of policy a medical credit card.

[supernova]

5. That's an interesting idea

"medical credit card" - I think I like it, a future business opportunity for someone.

I think it's criminal that the insurance cos are denying care and not being sued out the yin yang for essentially practicing medicine without a license. Individuals without medical degrees are charged with this crime all the time. Why not an insurance company? After all, insurance companies are "individuals" and have "personhood" according to our law. I think until we get universal care, some crafty lawyer(s) could spend their careers on cases like this and reform the industry. That would be a good thing.

That's why I don't want them involved in the new system. It would be the fox guarding the hen house. Yeah, that'll work.

[yurbud]

7. Joan Rivers could be spokesmodel for medical credit card. Only problem:

she's had so much botox, she may not be able to move her mouth to talk about.

"whym voan vivehs un I wuv vu cusvetic expwess caht"

[supernova]

14. BWAAHAHAHA!

:rofl:

Imagine celebs on late night infommercials showing off their boob jobs.

"Hello. I'm Jessic Simpson, and if you're like me, you could use a little extra up top. Just fill out an application for the new American Medical Express Card at your surgeon's office. You'll be approved right away. There's no chance you will be denied nor turned down. So get the rack of your hubby's dreams. Operators are standing by."

[yurbud]

16. and when they say 'operators' they cut to a surgeon standing over an empty operating table

We're SLASHING our prices on boob jobs, tummy tucks, vag tightening, and if you act now, we'll throw in a scrotal lift for your husband so his danglies don't drop all the way to his knees.'

[InkAddict]

23. Google "plastic surgery loans" and check it out

http://www.implantforum.com/finance.html

Wonder what impact the credit crunch will have here, huh?

[DBoon]

6. and they should cover

any form of medical treatment shown not to be effective.

If you want snake oil, you should get it from the private sector.

That is what capitalism excels in.

[yurbud]

9. some policies cover that now because it's cheaper, has a placebo effect, and if you have cancer or

something expensive and you just go to the quacks, you'll die without getting all that expensive chemo and radiation.

[supernova]

11. Yes, snake oil would be

fine too.

Though I would include an alternative therapy benefit in our Universal Care for things like acupunture, massage, or chiropractic, things that while not strictly "medical" do seem to help people feel better, and more importantly, are not harmful.

[bryant69]

2. I have a hard time believing that in the real world we are just going to eliminate an industry

Whatever plan we come up with will incorporate the private insurance companies in one form or another.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[NashVegas]

3. WE Won't

It will only happen when there's a bigger player to take its place.

Forgive my pessimism, but I work in music radio and have spent the last 20 years watching my industry swallow its own tail; as of now, the RIAA and friends are trying to eliminate music radio (and internet radio that's not owned by anyone with very, very deep pockets) altogether.

[Solon]

12. Why? Its not like they produce anything...

Seriously, they don't, they are, at best, a money investment machine, for themselves, rather than others, they take our premiums, invest them for profit, and when we need the money for some health care costs, they say no. They produce nothing.

[yurbud]

18. they are parasites, leeching some of the money out of the system that could have gone to health care

[InkAddict]

26. I too wonder about another purge of jobs in our nation.

ICD10 coding was supposed to be the upcoming global standard, but I believe it is still being worked on and I don't believe there is a mandated use date yet. Standardization of health documentation is another big issue standing along side the EMR. I also surmise that our health records are as private, HIPAA notwithstanding, as our phone conversations and financial information, etc. If maintaining that ilusion of privacy, what new conditions will be "reportable" to our national dossier?

[Selatius]

8. Apparently, we have a lot of socialists who need liquidation in KBR-built concentration camps.

To think of the nonsense of putting health above profits! It's revolutionary and dangerous and communistic! It must be destroyed as an idea! :sarcasm:

[yurbud]

10. spoken like a true DLC capo in the camp

[supernova]

13. LOL! And you actually have a problem

with us socialists?

[yurbud]

17. yes. How come you've done so much in Europe but nothing for us here?

[cynatnite]

15. None...

They won't be needed if Medicare and Medicaid are the ones providing health care to everyone. Dismantle the companies and seize their assets.

[SidDithers]

19. They could provide extended health benefits...

above and beyond what a single payer system covers.

That's the role they play here in Canada. My government plan covers almost all medical situations, but not everything. My extended health benefits costs my employer about $300 /mth for family coverage, and covers things like perscription meds, dental benefits, eyeglasses, some diagnostics, physiotherapy, and a bunch of other things like massage therapy and orthotics. Extended health also pays for an upgrade to a semi-private or private room for any hospital stays.

Sid

[yurbud]

20. the government plan doesn't cover meds?

[SidDithers]

21. Under special circumstances it does...

but most are not covered. 'Course, they're much less expensive up here to begin with.

Sid

[hunter]

22. Send them off planet to destroy the "independence day" space invaders.

If those guys had our health care system we wouldn't need Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum to save the world.



.html?hint=group

Uh oh. Maybe the private insurance companies ARE the independence day space invaders.

[rucky]

25. Not without selling some Alien Abduction policies first.

you say it'll never happen to you, but that's exactly when it happens!

[Kip Humphrey]

24. Selling auto insurance