If America is being sold out to the Insurance Industry, how about an Insurance Strike?

[Kansas Wyatt]

Now hear me out... I'm just trying to come up with an idea to hit the Insurance Industry and Congress where it hurts, since the they are determined to shut down serious reform.

If everyone stood together, and canceled or opted out of health insurance coverage across the country on the same day, what would it do to the Insurance Industry?

Obviously, if you had serious problems, don't drop coverage, because I'm not suggesting that people cut their own throats.

But how much do insurance companies really pay anymore by the time you pay the co-pay, deductible, and fight them refusing to pay? Even if you have something go wrong, it still doesn't guarantee keeping you out of bankruptcy. Why doesn't everyone stand together and get by just paying out of pocket, since for a lot of people it would be cheaper anyway?

It would send a clear message to our Government that the Insurance Industry cannot be trusted and will not be accepted.

How would Insurance stock perform and who would that really hurt, if they had a massive cancellation across the country?

Any other ideas?

:shrug:

[Teaser]

1. not gonna get many people with kids to do that

.

[Kansas Wyatt]

5. But Insurance Companies do not pay much of anything anymore.

And having insurance does not guarantee parents of anything anymore either. It could also be used to educate America of just how little they are really "covered."

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

16. Yes they do pay for things.

That's why everybody who gets sick doesn't die. They just don't pay for enough. But your solution appears to be to ensure that anybody who gets sick and isn't on medicare or medicaid will suffer.

[Kansas Wyatt]

19. For someone who posts a lot before they READ & THINK

You sure do ACT like you know so much, but your failed to read what I wrote.

Your post clearly shows you are just posting knee jerk reactionary shit, without reading or thinking through anything.

Either you are a punk kid or your an Insurance Industry TROLL, and you bring NOTHING to the table.

You're probably even using an Insurance Company's computer and internet link to post your drivel.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

22. If the insurance industry paid for my computer then they truly are cheap bastards...

...because this thing is a POS.

[Bill McBlueState]

29. Before you conclude that the poster is a paid shill,

you should consider that you may simply have a really bad idea. Occam's Razor, you know.

[Kansas Wyatt]

36. Bad idea...

Continuing to rely on politicians, who have already been placed in the Insurance Industry's pocket, to change health care.

The idea I presented was aimed at attacking the Insurance Industry and sending a clear message to Congress, and I did not claim it was for everyone. I even asked for other alternatives to the problem, based on the means the people are left to use, since a majority in Congress was not enough.

Whether the poster realizes it or not, the poster should take another look at what is standing in the way of health care reform. Continuing to play into those obstacles will never achieve reform. Oh, and I don't care who, when someone makes repeated attacks.

[Teaser]

34. Please. I paid like 20 total bucks for my wife's prenatal, labor

and postnatal care. Her excellent health care coverage picked up the rest. My niece, who has nearly no coverage, spent hundreds to thousands on her pergnancy.

I wouldn't give up our coverage for the world.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

35. Neither will Wyatt (see posts below)

He wants other people to give up their insurance, not him.

[Kansas Wyatt]

40. Just CESSNA INVESCO PALIN

And keeping with YOUR MO, I will oppose everything you do, just because you think being a prick is fun and smart.

Razor cuts must be a bitch, but you can't cure stupid.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

41. As I have told you repeatedly, I do not have insurance.

I have no insurance to drop in protest, as your plan suggests. I am unable to acquire insurance that will provide adequate coverage due to being unemployed.

[Kansas Wyatt]

37. Like I WROTE before...

If you need health insurance... STAY ON IT!

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

39. And as I wrote before, you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of insurance.

If all of the healthy people drop their policies, the income from the remaining unhealthy people still paying premiums will not be enough to cover their care.

The money to pay for care for unhealthy policyholders comes from the multitude of healthy policyholders. That is how insurance works. Any insurance company abandoned by all of its relatively healthy policyholders would likely go bankrupt in short order, stranding the unhealthy with no care. This is a relatively simple concept that is usually taught to people in high school economics classes.

[Kansas Wyatt]

42. See if you can follow along...

Insurance contracts are LAW.

Liability is removed from the patient in contracts, so a second party must go after the insurance company.

Insurance company cannot pay, then there is a big immediate problem with the country's health care system.

U.S. Government finally gets serious about REFORMING health care in a hurry, instead of wasting time on insurance care.

Do you want real Health Care Reform or do you want Insurance Care Reform?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

43. I agree.

And my question to you is why, with all of the current problems we have, is your solution to artifically create a much bigger problem that will likely result in many people dying or being forced into poverty due to lack of care?

[Kansas Wyatt]

46. You know the definition of insanity

Why do you insist on doing to same thing over and over, and expect a different result?

Continuing down the same path will harm more, kill more, and force more into bankruptcy and poverty in the long run.

Would you rather have it solved as soon as possible or delayed for as long (decades) as possible?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

48. I don't believe that the current path is good.

I believe that your "solution" is misguided, insane, and immoral.

[Iggo]

10. ...or with human bodies. (n/t)

[waiting for hope]

2. Come on - a bit drastic here don't you think?

There are people scared to death of doing anything "with" their insurance, i.e. going to the Dr's to begin with, to do something like that for who knows if they would be accepted again?

[imdjh]

3. I was thinking more along the lines of a wave of nation vandalism, and no one sees a thing.

I was watching a commercial for the Evil Geico corporation, their own commercial showing a one car accident. I was thinking how Italian, French, or Irish it would be if suddenly a wave of vandalism hit the US with literally hundreds of thousands of claims for taillights or rear glass.

Of course this is mean, and people would be hurt by the deductibles, and the occasional vandal would do the occasional uninsured vehicle. Everything has a downside. However, Florida law requires full insurance to pay for windshields without deductible, or so I have been told.

[Aragorn]

4. but see

that's what a lot of people already do, cause they can't afford it anyway. There is a real likelihood any "reform" will make us pay whether we want to or not.

[Kansas Wyatt]

6. But for people who do have coverage...

If they have used their insurance, they know what a scam it is. And they know it's going to only get worse, especially if Congress has been bought off Washington.

If all of those people joined together and dumped coverage, it would take a chunk out of the Insurance Industry's ass and it would put Congress on notice that crawling in bed with the Insurance Industry is NOT a replacement for Public Option.

edit - error

[WeDidIt]

7. You're asking a lot of people to commit suicide

That's why the insurance companies have us over a collective barrel.

[Kansas Wyatt]

8. No, that's why I said someone who really needs it now shouldn't do it.

However, Insurance Companies our cutting our throats anyway, so what is the difference?

Between the co-pays, deductibles, fighting the Insurance Company, etc. etc. and then still having a bill you can't pay, what is the difference between taking the chance and paying out of pocket? Sooner or later, the Insurance Industry is going to cut ALL of our throats anyway.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

15. You really, really don't understand how insurance works.

If all of the healthy people stop paying for insurance, it means there isn't enough money to pay for care for the unhealthy. That's the whole point of insurance.

[Kansas Wyatt]

18. I completely understand you.

Do you enjoy your position in the Insurance Industry?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

23. Do you have insurance?

Simple question. I want an answer. Because I don't have it. I'm unemployed. I can't GET insurance. So I live in constant fear of getting injured or developing a medical condition that might BANKRUPT MY FAMILY BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. Hell, I have the money to pay for it, but I can't find a plan that's worthwhile or will cover my preexisting conditions. The condition of health care in the US is appalling, due to both government malfeasance and corporate malfeasance. I don't even ride my bike any more because I'm so goddamn scared of injuring myself. So for you to suggest that it's just a dandy idea for everyone to give up their coverage because YOU think it's like, a really cool idea, is complete garbage.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

27. Why are you supporting the insurance companies by giving them money?

You're a hypocrite. You're sitting here with insurance, telling someone with NO INSURANCE WHATSOEVER that they're a shill for the companies to which YOU ARE GIVING MONEY. Drop your insurance. Do it today.

But you seem to think that sticking to the Insurance Industry's model or letting Congress force everyone to buy a fraud from the Insurance Industry is a sound and good plan. And you talk about 'stupid?'

No I don't. I support a model like the NHS. I don't support your dumb idea.

Everyone dumping their insurance coverage would bring the Insurance Industry to it's knees and send a clear message to Congress about the shit they have been swindling up with the Insurance Industry. But no, keep acting like an ass, since you OBVIOUSLY NEVER READ THE POST.

I believe you should lead the way by dumping your insurance as an example for others to follow.

So, another simple question: Having suggested this idea, will you now dump your insurance as an example for others to follow?

[Kansas Wyatt]

31. Your absolutely right

Go fuck yourself and do without insurance, and I will go to the doctor and get all the medical care that I want. I do not owe you a fucking thing, nor do I care if you are in need of medical care. That is the response YOU have provoked with your bullshit.

You are too stupid to figure out that those who make the rules have already been doing backroom deals with the Insurance Industry, and you will NEVER get what you want and you won't even make them nervous.

By the way, you had damn well better PAY for your insurance coverage in the future, or you are going to JAIL. Deadbeat!

That is exactly YOUR way, not mine. You chose it, so live with it.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

33. This has got to be one of the most bizarre exchanges I've ever had with anyone on DU.

Really, if you're not willing to dump your health insurance, as you are suggesting that everybody else do, then you're not really engendering a lot of support for your proposal.

[Kansas Wyatt]

44. All you are doing is sniping

With your attitude and actions, I do not give a shit about helping YOU. Why the fuck would I drop my coverage, when you are on here shouting down bringing the Insurance Industry to it's knees and waking up Congress?

And whether you realize it or not, you are never going to get health care reform, with the Insurance Industry and Congress in the way. Congress will NOT help you, when they help the Insurance Industry first.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

45. Umm...

Why the fuck would I drop my coverage

Maybe because you just suggested that everybody drop their coverage???

[Kansas Wyatt]

47. Finish the question that you removed that quote from.

Maybe you just like acting like a prick.

You are done, because you are your own worst enemy and you are a complete waste of time.

When you finally get insurance, go to get checked out, because you need to be medicated.

In the meantime, you have been placed on ignore.

[Kansas Wyatt]

9. And I would add....

Maybe that is one of the reasons the Insurance Industry wants to go in business with the Government, because they know people cannot continue paying for their alleged "coverage."

[handmade34]

11. I did it last december

I cancelled my BCBS and have vowed to never pay an insurance company again unless it is a gov't run program that covers EVERYONE. ...I was fed up and will not support corporate insurance ever again. I was paying over 1/2 of my income and still had healthcare bills for services that BCBS gave the runaround on. No more money to corporate interests

[stray cat]

12. Does that include quitting your job to avoid employer-supported insurance?

[stray cat]

13. Lets boycott medical care as well - prices would go down if there were no patients

[rhett o rick]

52. Thanks for the light crop dusting. nt

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

14. There are many, many kinds of stupid in this world.

But this is something special.

[Kansas Wyatt]

17. So, why do you think YOUR way is working?

Keep letting the Insurance Industry bleed you to DEATH or rely on the Insurance Industry's bought and paid for Congress is your idea of sound intelligence. 'Something special' is stupid and insanity merged into one, since you seem to like failure, unless you do well off the current system.

So do you have any other ideas or are you just trying to be the Insurance Industry's troll?

[RobinA]

20. A Person

can be one hundred percent in favor of health care reform, yet still not have any complaints about their own personal insurance. I hate insurance companies and am well aware of the tactics they use to get out of paying, many of which I consider to be fraud. However, saying that insurance companies "don't pay for anything" is nonsense. No its not a sound system, but let's stick to reality and avoid hyperbolic statements that are easily disproven.

[Kansas Wyatt]

26. If the Insurance Company does not keep you out of bankruptcy...

Then does it really serve it's purpose?

I do stand corrected... Insurance pays for part of the bill, but it still bankrupts you in the end.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

21. Yes. I have an idea. Reform health care.

Your idea is the opposite of that.

[Kansas Wyatt]

30. Good luck with that, and the Insurance already has you beat.

The Insurance Industry is writing the "reform" for Congress to pass, because they were given a seat at the table.

The point I was making, which went right over your head, is a protest to the Insurance Industry hijacking the "reform" and Washington inviting them to do it. Too many people have been forced to drop their coverage already, and the Insurance Industry is trying to use Congress to get the government to pay their insurance premiums or force them to pay insurance premiums. If several million more dumped insurance coverage, it would hit the Insurance Industry where it hurt and it would tell Congress that people are not going to be screwed over anymore.

Don't you think that our government would have to get serious about Health Care Reform, when they see the people refuse to accept the Insurance Industry's model anymore?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

32. The point didn't go right over my head.

First of all, your idea is nuts and nobody with half a brain, especially nobody with children or a serious medical condition, would ever contemplate your proposal.

If several million more dumped insurance coverage, it would hit the Insurance Industry where it hurt and it would tell Congress that people are not going to be screwed over anymore.

So I ask you again to lead the way by dumping your coverage as an example for others to follow.


Don't you think that our government would have to get serious about Health Care Reform, when they see the people refuse to accept the Insurance Industry's model anymore?

It's a moot point, because most people aren't crazy enough to drop their insurance and risk catastrophic financial problems if they fall ill.

[Motown_Johnny]

24. OR..... Everyone do everything they can possibly do to USE their insurance and make the corps.

put out more money than they normally would

[kenny blankenship]

28. so you get fined. then you don't pay the fine. then you go to jail and get another fine

when you get out they'll garnish your paycheck to extract the value of the fines. And you still won't have any health insurance.

And within a year you'll get a chance to do this all over again.

It's Reform American style brought to you by "the Party of the Little Guy". You've been terrorizing the insurance companies for too long, and you're not going to get away with it anymore!

If they need to build more prisons they'll build more prisons. If they need to build Workhouses, they'll build Workhouses. If they need to buy more Senators they'll give Puerto Rico and Guam some Senators and then buy them. They always find money for putting people in jail. Healthcare not so much.

The one reform we KNOW we're going to get is the gift of paying insurance company premiums or jail. SO the strike idea is less a wagon circle from which you can hold off the insurance raiding party, than it is a bullet train to Ruby Ridge. The government has come to collect for the insurance bosses and that means any defiance will be met with rapidly escalating and disproportionate force.

[cap]

38. Maybe a "slow pay" strike would be better.

Instead of paying the bill on the month when it is due. Find out the last possible date that you can pay before they cut you off and pay then.
Make sure you have the receipt and have read the policy.

These companies bank on getting millions of dollars the day that the premium is due. When the premiums are slow, it really screws things up.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

49. All people willing to immediately cancel their insurance check in in this subthread:

[csziggy]

50. What percentage of Americans pay for their insurance directly

And don't get it through their job?

The figure of 40% of Americans has been mentioned as the number who have insurance through some kind of government health coverage plan - I have heard that several times on TV but have not found a source for it. One recent story posted here on DU claimed that as many as one in three Americans have no insurance coverage - so that would be 33%. That adds up to 73%.

Of the 27% left how many are paying for insurance with no help from an employer?

Employers are not going to cancel their employees plans, and employees cannot generally change their plan choices except during the enrollment period - and few would change it as a political statement when they would be stuck with that choice for an entire year. Plus for the many who are worried about pre-existing conditions, they cannot afford to have a lapse in coverage that would open them to refusal of coverage down the road.

Our best hope is to make our voices louder in our representatives' ears than the money of the health insurance lobbyists sounds in their pockets.

[BR_Parkway]

51. Easier to get massive # registered D currently to switch to I - that might

grab their attention. They really only need us to go to the polls and vote every few years - the rest of the time they feel like they are free to ignore our wishes in favor of the corporate donors & lobbyists.

Can you imagine how much airtime FAUX would give that sort of protest? And the other stations would pick it up by default. We could send a big message in a very big way with a little online organizing

[midnight]

53. Use something better-regulation. Regulate and investigate them.