“Universal health care” or just more insurance?

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=B7GeANBMhVlPCz69LjNAY0WRtCz3Ur64KqPoYiCz5ZfCGWnqsvE&bbParentWidgetId=B8XscaNGcc9qz4i1oSqmw36f

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

State and federal politicians are suddenly talking about “universal health care.” Almost all, however, are really advocating some sort of extended insurance coverage, paid by individuals and employers - and the government. But just a darned minute! Isn’t this really “universal insurance company and health industry enrichment”? Why should the vast, greedy health care industry with its overpaid CEOs, arbitrary bureaucracy, and immense profits continue to extract at least a third of the nation’s health dollars?

We don’t need the insurance industry. Under a truly universal system, the government would be the only insurer, and profits would be strictly controlled. We would be a healthier people at less cost in taxes than we now pay for this creaking, wasteful, often cruelly blind contraption we call health care.

Walt Newcomb, Denver

[papau]

1. Misses the point of no underwriting - past illiness doesn't affect premium

[yellowdogintexas]

6. no underwriting makes all the difference in the world, and is probably the real

reason the insurance industry campaigned so hard against the Clinton Health Care plan in the first place. I was working for a small group and individual coverage administrator at the time and you would have thought the Clinton plan was a treaty with North Korea the way they were carrying on.

[sam sarrha]

2. well of course the Republicans will go in first an Fuck it all up if we let them

[sam sarrha]

7. ..

[Delphinus]

3. HR 676

Medicare for all - no insurance companies getting rich off the health and well-being of their fellow American sisters and brothers.

[Clear Blue Sky]

4. If you want Medicare expanded to cover everyone, be careful what you wish for.

Lots of seniors grousing about not being able to find a doctor who takes medicare.

[Lars39]

5. That would change if everyone was in the same pool.