Janet B > wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:05:55 -0500, jinx the minx
> > wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
> when you become eligible for Medicare you will find that insurance
> companies can and will deny you coverage because of pre-existing
> conditions. You undergo an interview about who your doctors are, what
> prescriptions you take and very specific questions about illnesses and
> dates. It becomes difficult to shop the market for better insurance
> rates because of this. I understand the reasoning, I just don't like
> it.
> Janet US
>

Well that's just great. Hopefully that will change sometime in the next 20
years before I become eligible!

--
jinx the minx