Health Care Reform---If You Were Congress

[Riseupandnurse]

It seems as though, one way or another, we are going to get health care reform. I think most people are aware we desperately need it. A lot of the talk is about expanded coverage, etc., and that is definitely a good thing. But if you had the power, what can you think of that would preserve and enhance Americans' health and yet save money? Because we are going to HAVE to face the fact that we as a nation don't have unlimited funds.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

This would be a great solution in an ideal world, but who will pay for this. Medicare is already functioning in the red, how can they possibly pick up the extra coverage? Medicare was never intended to be total coverage, but a basic plan to keep the elderly from death's door. There are two general premises that the American public needs to realize - Social Security is not designed to keep us comfortable in our old age and Medicare is not an overall coverage. These two should never replace the good old ethic of saving for retirement. I am always amazed at the number of people who do not have a savings plan. I think the good 'ol days make more sense - where people lived a lifestyle they could afford and always socked a little away for retirement.

The "Good Old Days" my parents grew up in were the depression.

Okies and others losing their homes and farms. Banks not letting people withdraw from their savings account.

Homeless farmers burying grandparents and babies on the side of the road as the family and all possessiond prayed the car would make it to a place where they could find work.

[Katie82, RN]

The "Good Old Days" my parents grew up in were the depression.

Okies and others losing their homes and farms. quote]

Those obviously were not the "good old days". My parents also grew up during the depression. That experience taught them to live within their means during the 50s and 60s. My children grew up in affluence, that I both waited for and worked for, and feel a sense of entitlement to have it all now. I am not only referring to my children, but the entire generation. I work with so many young people who do not have health insurance because they need the premium money for a car payment - they drive cars that are twice as expensive as mine. I learned a very valuable lesson when I lived in Europe - live on what you earn. You pay for everything in cash - if you don't have enough, save for the purchase. The only exception was the mortgage on my house. Health care should be a right, but it should also be a responsibility.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

With single payer healthcare all working people will pay their premuims as a payroll deduction. All who can will pay their premium.

And the same system will pay for the healthcare we taxpayers already provide.

Those > 65, the disabled, the poor, foster children, and such.

We won't need COBRA between jobs.

Self employed people will pay too.

I keep thinking of the young healthy people who choose not to pay their part for employer provided insurance. Some then become ill or are in an accident.

We pay now.

With single payer they will be covered because they pay in.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Well said, RN4MERCY. One of the key things I would also ensure is NO PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSIONS.

That is an utterly absurd ingredient in the crap-sandwich known as private insurance.

It is literally like..."ok, we'll provide you ridiculously expensive yet still sub-par coverage as long as we have some reassurance that you'll NEVER NEED TO USE IT".

Ugh. I hate health insurance companies with every fiber of my being. And how any living, breathing, feeling human being could ever defend their actions is utterly beyond me.

Amen!!!