Letters To The Editor: Insurance Companies Will Suffer the Greatest
Insurance Companies Will Suffer the Most
Editor, Times-Dispatch: President Barack Obama and the Democrats aren't tired of spending money we don't have. While the United States has the best health care system in the world, they propose health care reform that by their own estimates will cost $1.2 trillion to $2 trillion. Not only is the cost astronomical; during a time when even Obama says we're broke, this proposal could make our health care system worse.
It is being put together too quickly without detail or enough evaluation and analysis. The president claims that we'd still be able to choose our doctors and our coverage, but this is not true. A government bureaucracy would decide what health care and procedures a person could receive -- if at all -- in the name of resource management and efficiency.
In countries with national or universal health care, patients may wait two or more years for a needed operation even when they are considered eligible. Health care decisions should be left to the individual and his doctor, not a bureaucrat in Washington.
A recent Lewin Group study shows that upward of 100 million Americans would lose their current health care plan and have to use the government's plan. When given the option of providing health care for employees or letting workers get their insurance through the government, most employers would choose the option that costs less -- having their employees participate in the government-run plan.
How can private industry compete with the federal government when the government can operate without having to make a profit? All it needs to do is raise funding. With the government health care plans undercutting private insurance, the private insurers will go under, leaving people with no choice but to turn to Uncle Sam for their health care needs. It is important to communicate with legislators about this very important issue.
Jane Logan.
Richmond.
All Three Branches Need Personnel Changes
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Our Constitution gave us three independent branches of government that were to provide checks and balances, thus preserving the rights that are reserved for the people. Too often now, rather than protecting our rights, the three branches have conspired to relieve us of them. That process will not stop until the electorate changes the population of those three institutions.
Secession is not the answer. We the people must become united and seek out and elect those of us who will stand in defense of our rights and preserve the principles contained in the Constitution. Put an end to the political class.
John Mittell.
Richmond.
Washington Must Fix Health Care System
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I am still hopeful that Congress and the president can come up with a single-payer health care system for this country. Our economy and our citizens need and deserve to be out of the current topheavy, inefficient health care system. Mindy Loiselle. Richmond.
Climate Legislation Is Based on Hot Air
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Cap-and-trade is based on questionable -- some even say junk -- science. It is an absolute fraud and will cripple the U.S. economy. A PowerPoint show by former Vice President Al Gore does not constitute proof and a consensus of scientists is a farce.
The consensus of most scientists was nearly unanimous in 1491 that the Earth was flat.
The consensus of most scientists in 1850 was that the atom was unsplittable.
The consensus of most surgeons in 1940 was that open heart surgery was impossible and to attempt it was unethical.
Fortunately, all those scientists were wrong. I, myself, had open heart surgery in 2001, proving that consensus in science in nonsense. True science demands proof -- not political spin.
Congress must not destroy our country based on this supposed consensus. By the way, has anyone noticed that the proponents do not say climatologists or oceanographers or paleontologists agree? There are social scientists, there are psychologists, opthamologists, oncologists, proctologists, metallurgists, dentists, etc. -- none of whose training qualifies them in climatology, atmospheric analysis, or oceanography. If a dentist offers his opinion on operating a nuclear power plant, is he considered an authentic expert -- even if his urologist agrees with him? I think not.
Let's ignore that "consensus of scientists" baloney. A vote for cap-and-trade is a vote for hoax.
Don Cahill.
Fork Union.
Is All the Media Crazed With Grief?
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Anyone in his right mind was saddened by the death of pop star Michael Jackson. However, the amount of news coverage devoted to his death is absurd and appalling. You allotted three pages of the front section of the newspaper, including the front page, to the death of the talented, yet freakish and past-his-prime, singer and dancer. Ridiculous.
The television networks were even worse. The NBC news at 6:30 devoted almost the entire show to his death, followed by CNN at 7:00 which did likewise. At first we tried muting the shows until news came on, but when it became apparent that this was the only news to be reported, we turned the TV off.
Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, energy, and health care have all become irrelevant, it seems. How long will the media continue this madness? I hope nothing Earth-shaking happens any time soon, because we certainly will not be told about it by the media.
Carol M. Smith.
Sharps.
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Reader Reactions
scottgreene,
We as a society have fallen apart. We no longer care for our fellow citizens, just ME, ME, ME. In many cases, we don’t even socialize with our neighbors. So it is not surprising that many could care less if others don’t have healthcare, as long it is not them. The same people who hate government, unions, social programs and now universal healthcare are often the ones who are a missed few paychecks from disaster and getting in line for foodstamps themselves.
Health insurance provides medical coverage when needed. .
But unlike businesses that provide a product to make money, health insurance companies make money for themselves when they restrict and do not pay claims.
Read the 50 pages of a health insurance contract.
Pay attention to limitations and exclusions.
People’s health is not a product that needs to be left to the whims of money motivated CEO’s.
If that is your thinking, you might as well have your police and fire dept protection based on insurance premiums you pay.
Then you can go to the police and fire protection insurance page for ‘limitations and exclusions’ on whether or not the police or fire dept would come out to your house in the event of an emergency.
The point is, you would never think of discriminating against another citizen if he was the victim of a fire or crime.
So why would you be ok with health insurance companies discriminating against fellow citizens who have pre-existing medical conditions?
A part of our society has changed over the past few decades, and it is not for the better. There is this push by many to classify success as monetary, meaning a competitive environment for acquiring things for one’s self that displaces pulling together to help one and all with major emphasis on LOVE. Many have replaced the importance of love for others with greed for things.
Even now as we go through this economic crisis the priority is “how to return to the way it was, rather than improving the way it ought to be”. Greed has engulfed us. Me-only attitudes. Greedy Wall St crooks (there are more than one Madoff), mortgage lenders, banks, greedy corporate CEO’s with 5-yr plans for self-gain; then, off to another corp, greedy insurers cheating us, on it goes.
Optimistic we will change for the better? Odds are against us, but we never know about the future. Maybe.
richmond4real ,
We are the most selfish society on earth. Most people won’t give a homeless man a dollar on the street…yet yell “get a job”. No wonder why many don’t care about the healthcare crisis…until it hits them. Other nations have a strong sense of history, community, and culture. They feel a sense of obligation to all citizens, and make sacrifices accordingly. Ours is all rooted in greed and capitalism. It will be our undoing.
Do YOU know what they pay in taxes, in Sweden? Well they pay about 52%, sounds horrible right? Not after you factor in what they DON’T pay outta pocket compared to what we pay, after the calculations, they on most accounts pay LESS in taxes than we do and don’t have to worry if they get sick. Those of you singing the praises of independence and hard work have never had to take your sick child to the ER to only be sent to another hospital b/c of insurance. I thought the America way was to help thy neighbor. Well if my “neighbors” can’t afford to get basic medical care, then I’d like the government to help. The government should provide goods and services that we can’t easily provide, well we are doing a crappy job taking care of our fellow Americans and I think its time the government get involved.
mrright ,
My point about Sweden is that our reputation in the world is less than admirable because we are seen as a society of selfish individuals versus a collective. He who has money is ok, he who doesn’t…screw’em.
Also, your premium is ridiculous. If you keep yourself in relatively good care, you are pissing your money in the wind, aside for the unforseen catastrophe. My company offers a $1300 dedictible and I told them to go F-themselves. I got a private plan which give me 3 DR visits at $25 per and dental , 1 free, $25 copay for others. Insurance companies screw you on preventative HC. My deductible is $200 and I pay $100 per month. 3 DR visits might cost me $300 if I paid out of pocket so I am still $900 in the hole unless I get hurt. We are both getting ripped…just pick your poison
Dubious thoughts.With all due respect,Axelrod said last week that Obama would not take off the table the possibility of taxing peoples health insurance benfits even those people making under 250,000.Another broken campaign promise.More to come.The money has to come from somewhere.and that somewhere is your back pocket
FYI, I do not have nor do I want a $30 co=pay.I’m self employed and navigate the market to provide me and my family(wife/3 kids) with the best possible coverage for the least money.I currently have an HSA with a $3000 deductible.If I go to the doctor for the sniffles I pay for it…not you.
But in the event of a major catastrophy I’m covered.At times over the last 25 years I’ve been one of the uninsured and never did I expect someone to give it to me or subsidize my premium.It’s just the way I was raised.Independence takes a little work but it can be done.Thats why I’ve advocated an HSA type program for everyone because it infuses an element of responsibility rather than people who do have a $30 copay and overuse their coverage.Ther are many options other than ‘letting the government do it.‘
FYI I really don’t care what people in Sweden think about the USA.Do you know what their tax rate is and what I think of that?
Possumbob,coolname and nice post.Still not sold on global warming though. Thank You !!!
possumbob-I do not agre with your particular points of view, but your civility was a breath of fresh air.
It was a pleasure to read your post.
mrright,
Obama said that only the upper 2% of americans would see a difference in taxes. What is so hard to understand? Are you really so ignorant to believe a politician who is against this to maintain the status quo, or a President giving you a plan? I suppose you are fairly healthy so this does not impact you. As long as you get your $30 and under co-pays for doctors visits you are fine. Wait until you get diabetes and see how that changes your life. If your insurance company does not outright deny you care, your employer will try to get rid of you. What then?
Secondly, I have a family member who lived in Sweden. They are socialist and despise greedy self centered Americans. This is the country seen in Europe as one to expolit for it’s toys and making a fast buck. However, most Europeans think our society sucks. It is no wonder more immigrants are coming from impoversihed countries and not comparable western nations. They know that you just come here to make quick money and go home.
Mright:
I promise no name calling, but I would like to respectfully respond to several of your points. First is your point about the often cited Newsweek article from the early 70’s touting the possibility of a coming Ice Age. The misconception that this is a comparable situation is not fair. . The existence of a narrowly held theory that was discredited 30 years ago is not comparable to a widely held scientific theory today. Moreover, the reversal of a cooling trend 30 years ago to where eight of the ten warmest years on record have occurred in the last 10 years is more of a cause for concern than anything else. Your point about developing economies unwillingness to take action to curtail greenhouse gas emissions is merely an excuse not to take action and they can take the same position that they will not do anything until we do. We as a leading economy have the resources to take steps to curtail our greenhouse gas emission and to set an example for the rest of the world rather than wait for someone else to set an example for us. Further more, the development of economies around the world have the potential to more rapidly increase overall greenhouse gas emissions as their economies develop. This is more not less of a reason for us to take action now.
I applaud your efforts to take a critical look at our current health care system and the proposals. We currently pay considerably more for Health Care than any other nation, and it is hard to argue that we receive value to offset the additional cost. Contrary to your opinion of Liberals, I believe in markets as the most responsive means to make most economic decisions. The problem with healthcare is that it does not respond particularly well to market forces. There are few options available to the public and it is quite possible to find oneself in need of way more healthcare than one would like with few options to reduce costs. I find the development of a public health care option that could give another alternative to small business and individuals as an enhancement to competition not an impediment. Furthermore, with the question of costs, if your taxes were rising and the quality of your services were increasing and decreasing respectively at the same rate as your health care, the country would be in revolt.
With regard to your point about the conservative versus liberal mindset, it seems very easy to adopt either a defeatist attitude, or deny there is a problem with regard to both of these issues as conservatives have done do nothing than it is to take a positive approach of combining Government Leadership and Market Forces to solve these problems.
By the way, I don’t think you sound like a redneck at all. I appreciate your concern and your perspective and I think that our country has been the most effective when we have taken as many perspectives as possible into consideration. I welcome input from the conservatives.
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