The Healthcare Debate - what do you think?

[beatthegmat]

Hi Community,

I was curious about what this community thought about the healthcare debate that's currently happening in the US. This is an issue that I care about a lot.

Even though I am only 28-years old, I do have a pre-existing condition (chronic lung infection picked up in 2005). Even though I'm pretty much recovered, this condition has made me ineligible for independent healthcare.

I'm currently on COBRA right now and I'm paying about $500/month. I hate how much I'm paying for healthcare, and I also hate the stress I feel when I think about what I'll do for healthcare when COBRA runs out!

What do you guys think about this whole US healthcare issue?

[dragoljubce]

Ah, don't even get me started on this subject. Are you getting 65% subsidy on your COBRA? It runs 9 months, so that should help. Check AARP, the stimulus plan and you should get retroactive discount if your former employer conveniently "forgot" to charge you only 35%.

My COBRA is $1100/m for the family of 3. I am healthy for my age, but my husband is self-employed type 1 diabetic, so I am not even sure he can get an insurance.

The bottom line is that the health insurance system is morally wrong and should be scrapped alltogether. I am not happy at all with whimpy Dems and their proposals so far.

[beatthegmat]

Holy moly, $1100/month?! Is that after your subsidy too? That is just completely ridiculous.

From what I understand, I'm ineligible for a 65% subsidy because I voluntarily left my former employer. When I called and asked about this, I got confirmation that I will indeed need to pay the whole thing--unless something changed recently.

Sheesh!

[DanaJ]

When I was in the US last year, my friends were like: "Pah, Europe! You pay 40% of your revenue in taxes!". Well, there's a reason for that: healthcare and education cost much less...
I guess it depends, really: if you're sick, you have the "healthcare for all" view, while if you're healthy you'd be like "why should I pay more taxes for others?"

[beatthegmat]

Quite true. In fact, if I were completely healthy today and had never gone through my previous condition, I can't honestly say I would be in favor of additional consumer protection or even a public option for the US. Perhaps I am really selfish when it comes to that.

But now that I've seen how much pain/stress/trauma healthcare can cause, first hand, I do have a perspective that the US needs to do more to help individuals get insurance: cheaply and freely.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Can someone tell me what's wrong with government-run health care?
As a Canadian, I feel like I am, essentially, paying for health care insurance whenever I pay my taxes. By paying for this "insurance" I know that I will never have to worry about being denied coverage, losing my house because I can't pay my medical bills etc. For me it's worth the peace of mind. At the same time, I believe that everyone has the right to have theit health protected, regardless of how much $ they earn.

For those Americans who are against government-run health care, I always wonder:
- How do you feel about having to pay taxes for roads and highways that you may never drive on?
- What about paying for the establishment and running of fire departments, even though you may never require their services in your lifetime?
- Paying for schools even though you might never have children?

[beatthegmat]

You're making a lot of sense, Brent. I have no problems paying for police and fire fighting as well.

Just saw Michael Moore's 'Sicko' last week. Not fan of Michael Moore's perspective in general, but I did get even more depressed from it by the state of US's healthcare system.