Hr 4872

[mamamax]

Ok then - the health care bill has passed and been signed into law. Now what?

I had no idea just how many people in the US were without insurance - 83%

Here's a good "overview" http://www.healthwikisource.com/

And the full text: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4872:

Looks like insurance companies will no longer be able to deny claims based on pre-existing conditions (excellent). Some Medicare reform down the road, companies with 50 employees or more will be required to provide insurance, and parents will be able to keep their kids on their family policies until they reach age 26.

Looks like a very complex thing. Was wondering how the changes may effect our future health care choices. Will it be easier or harder to say: to have insurance cover Schroth in WI - or an out of network surgeon?

[Pooka1]

Looks like a very complex thing. Was wondering how the changes may effect our future health care choices. Will it be easier or harder to say: to have insurance cover Schroth in WI - or an out of network surgeon?

Linda has mentioned a few times that coverage is heading towards evidence based choices. If that was in relation to this bill then I think bracing and PT are on chopping block.

[jrnyc]

i do believe that the percentage is around 15%..it is defintiely not 83%!! the number quoted is usually 44 million..that doesnt come out to 83% of America!!

if you check the internet for a percentage, it most often says that 15% of Americans are without health insurance at this time...

jess

[titaniumed]

If there are 300 plus million people, how can 32 million be 83%?

Where do these numbers come from?
Ed

[titaniumed]

Nevermind. This is not a govt website.

It sure looked like it.
Ed

[titaniumed]

Mamamax

We still have to wait this out.......

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36012201...ashington_post

Ed

[jrnyc]

i think it will take time to se how it goes...it is nerve wracking...a little bit i think...cause who knows what it will cause to happen...my sister lives in montreal & she has "free medical care" but said the taxes are really high up there!
i hope it works out well & brings needed insurance to those who lack it...just hope it doesnt mean loooong lines at the doctor's office & treatments denied from insurance companies! am sure they will find a new way to deny people! they are so good at that!!

jess

[JenniferG]

I don't think there's a perfect system. We have free medical care for all, but because of the long waiting lists, most Australians take out private health cover. This ensures you get what you need promptly and with your choice of doctor. Health insurance premiums are paid by the individual in Australia, not the employer.

Health insurance is not compulsory here but there are good incentives to take it out e.g. 30% (I think it is) is subsidised by the Government.

I believe everyone should be entitled to health care, even at the expense of higher taxes.

[mamamax]

The White House web site posts a link to frequently asked questions -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#r1

I like that (it appears) treatment decisions will be placed back into the hands of doctors in consultation with their patients (vs the insurance companies).

That treatment decisions were ever taken out of the hands of our doctors - has been something that has bothered me for quite some time.

Fact Check: Thanks Ed! 83% certainly sounded out of line ... and it is :-) Here's a web site that makes the numbers clearer. Still, a LOT of people uninsured. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/03/uninsured-us-citizens/

[michael1960]

Good discussion.

While it says that we can get the treatment our doctors recommend, I bet that if it is not in the list of services approved by the insurance company, it will not be covered.

For example, many of us are discussing VBS, and the fact that it is not covered by many insurance companies. And while an orthopedic surgeon may feel that it is best for the child, the insurance company can still deny it.

I wish the reform addressed forcing insurance companies to include new surgical techniques in their approved list of services.

I was also wondering that if insurance company A covers VBS. And our insurance company B does not, can we switch to a new insurance company, with no pre-existing conditions, and get VBS covered?

I look forward to reading more comments on all of this. Thanks for starting the discussion.

Michael

[jrnyc]

wonder if they will still be able to cop out with calling things "experimental"!! am waiting to see how long dr anand's method will be "experimental" to some insurance companies...though i do know that blue cross/blue shield anthem paid for it in CA for at least 2 patients i spoke to...

jess

[CHRIS WBS]

Was wondering how the changes may effect our future health care choices.

What choices? Over 30,000,000 more insured plus critical doctor shortage (with more threatening to leave the profession with passage of this bill) equals rationed care. And don’t forget taxes, taxes and more taxes. Welcome to western Europe.

[Karen Ocker]

My brother-in-law developed cancer in his 50s. Couldn't work because of chemo, lost insurance, lost everything to medical bankruptcy. In Western Europe, where have family with medical problems, no-one worries about medical bankruptcy. Some have chosen to buy a supplement for private care(Germany/Switzerland) for say, a private room. At least they do not worry about losing everything.

I see smugness in those with excellent insurance, paid for by employer--just get sick and not be able to work and/ or have your spouse get sick at the same time. Your insurer would never cover you if you do not work. We have lost employer coverage in retirement. We thought we were immune. You would be glad to have a safety net under you.

I personally would prefer higher taxes with lower premiums(they are limited under the new law-phased in over time) and never have to experience what my brother-in-law has.

[Pooka1]

Scandinavian countries regularly rank as having the best standard of living in the world. They have high taxes and lots of safety nets and score near or at the top on science knowledge.

The proof is in the pudding... compare living standards.

[CHRIS WBS]

No comparison. Scandinavian countries combined have only one-fifteenth of the U.S. population.

Bottom line is this thing will most likely bankrupt our country. For sure something had to be done to address problems, but a government takeover based on backroom deals by a bunch of crooks was not the answer.