Reply #31: Health insurance and health care are not the same things. [View All]

[Marr]

I have health insurance, and a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition. I can't visit the doctor as often as they want me to, because I have to pay for the visit myself. I have a high deductible and the insurance companies have, thus far, refused to pay for even a penny of my costs. So I give the insurance company money that I'd otherwise pay the doctor. In exchange, they send me nice letters every couple of weeks saying they refuse to cover (fill in the blank).

With a mandate in place, they will raise deductibles and deny payment even more regularly. Today's "decent" plans will be tomorrow's cadillac plans. Most people are going to be in my situation.