McCain on health insurance

[question everything]

No doubt, the next debate, which is expected to be on domestic issues, Obama will hit him hard.

I agree with McCain that health insurance should be separated from an employer. And I agree that tax treatment should be the same whether one gets health insurance from an employer - currently paid by pre-tax dollars - and whether one purchases one on his own - with after tax dollars.

However, once we are encouraged to purchase our own insurance in "the market" insurers will first fish for any "pre-existing" conditions and will either deny coverage altogether, or will not cover these pre-existing conditions. And there is no assurance that once we do get sick, that the insurance company would not kick us out. After all, insurance companies operate like business, pay their executives millions for increasing profits and such profits increase when they do not have to pay hundred of thousands of dollars for cancer therapy, for example, or for intensive care units.

With McCain's own health history, were he younger than 65 and thus not eligible for Medicare, he would not be able to purchase his own health insurance in "the market," and I hope Obama will hit him on this.

As long as we are exposing the millions that executives in the finance industry have been getting, let's direct a similar light on the health industry. I don't have a problem with the actual providers of health care - hospitals, doctors, nursers and technicians - making good money. Or even the pharmaceutical industry where it can take 20 years and million of dollars to develop that Lipitor or even an antibiotic that can kill the super bugs.

But insurance companies do nothing but shuffle papers and deny decent payments to our health care providers.

[Doctor_J]

1. I have a slogan for Obama on this

It's widely known that health insurance companies refer to a claim that they actually have to pay as a "medical loss". Here's our slogan to fight back against Big Insurance:

It's not a medical loss - it's a commitment"

[question everything]

2. Great. I hope that this suggestions will land on his desk (nt)

[Mimosa]

3. My DH is Self Employed: Health insurers screw us over

We pay 800 bucks a month for a BC/BS 70/30 plan with $10,000 deductible. No Rxs. He has a 5 year exclusion for any treatment related to his pre-existing astma, I have a 3 year exclusion for my FMS/CFIDS. I admit the out of pocket keeps me from getting OB?GYN care, since I'd have to pay extra for exams and mammograms. The insurer is making big bucks off of people like us. I'm playing dice.

[question everything]

4. This is horrible. I wish that Obama could read examples like yours

in his appearances and during hid debate.

People who are healthy, who feel secure in their jobs and having health insurance, have to know how close they can come to grave conditions. That one cannot pull himself by his "boot straps" when things go bad.