Cindy Hamilton > wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 9:54:34 AM UTC-4, Ophelia wrote:
>
>> Yes, it sounds very frightening. What happens if someone is seriously ill,
>> has no insurance and no money? Surely they are not just left to die???
>
> People who present with acute symptoms (say, diabetic shock) at an
> emergency room are treated for the immediate problem and sent on their
> way. Having no regular health care, they eventually wind up back
> in the ER with diabetic shock. Eventually it kills them. The cost
> of treating non-paying patients is baked in to the rates that hospitals
> charge paying patients, so we're paying for it anyway. I can't help
> but think it might be more economical to fund some sort of health
> insurance for the working poor.
>
>>> If you work for most any government agency, a position in the healthcare
>>> industry, an upper middle class job, chances are you have good coverage at
>>> little or no cost.
>>>
>>> People working in food service, hotels, retail, have some of the worst
>>> situations. They are making low wages and are offered little from the
>>> employers.
>>
>> How do they get health cover when they are paid so poorly?
>
> Many of them do not. It is cheaper for them to pay the penalties
> under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act than it is to
> purchase insurance, even with subsidies. Our own Gary is in that
> situation.
>
> My friend whose wife is a doctor was ranting this morning. Dr. Wife
> pointed out that health policy is made by people who consume relatively
> little health care, who seem not to realize that we all need health
> care at some point.
>
> Cindy Hamilton
>

If I were as healthy for my age as Gary is, I would also opt to pay cash
for my care and then take the tax penalty. As it is, with my chronic
health issues I have little choice but to buy the very best policy that is
offered to me through the exchange as it is cheaper overall with premiums
and deductibles than paying cash out of pocket. I know without a doubt
that each year I will hit my maximum out of pocket level, usually within
the first 3-4 months of the year. The only benefit I have gained from the
affordable care act is I am no longer excluded from buying coverage due to
pre-existing conditions that previously kept me "uninsurable" in the
private insurance marketplace. BTW, my premium through the exchange went
up 24% this year from last. There is nothing affordable about the
affordable care act.

--
jinx the minx