tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post8341115162538424904..comments2023-11-02T04:53:05.386-05:00Comments on kc bob: ObamaCarekc bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-58801673317402515262009-07-11T11:57:33.576-05:002009-07-11T11:57:33.576-05:00Agree with you Joe and think that the healthcare/p...Agree with you Joe and think that the healthcare/pharma/insurance industries are the main critics of healthcare in other countries. Interesting feedback from Norway and Germany.. I have heard others say something similar about their experiences with Canadian healthcare.<br /><br />I think that we all long for the days when companies like Pepsi provided great healthcare benefits for their employees.. we need to wake up.. those days are long gone.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-65361870845949765742009-07-11T11:32:58.373-05:002009-07-11T11:32:58.373-05:00Something has to change because what we have and/o...Something has to change because what we have and/or how it is managed is unaffordable for many and the number is increasing.<br /><br />I had good medical benefits through Pepsi-Cola until I retired. Since then the cost of the coverage goes up each year and the maximum coverage has decreased. Still, I have insurance and it is affordable.<br /><br />My son is 25 and married with two children. He works for a one of Penske's Honda dealerships. His wife works for state of CT. They get insurance through Penske and the annual premium is $9,600. Which is about 20% of their net income. Penske paid a larger percentage of the premium until sales fell off with the economy.<br /><br />While doing business in Norway and Germany in the last 12 months I discussed the healthcare programs in those countries with some of the residents. They all spoke very highly of their programs. I heard from them none of the complaints that I hear from those that oppose making changes to our private healthcare system.<br /><br />I think opposition to healthcare reform consists of (1) people that oppose government involvement of any kind, (2) members of the healthcare/pharma/insurance industries whose profits may decrease and (3) people that believe all the negative propaganda from the first two groups.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11832376808513132553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-79096997805962313882009-07-11T10:19:42.544-05:002009-07-11T10:19:42.544-05:00Agree Shane.. tort reform is a huge issue.. just a...Agree Shane.. tort reform is a huge issue.. just ask the lawyers who advertise on TV about class action suits against drug companies :)<br /><br />But don't expect anything to change at a federal level.. not sure civil suits are even a federal issue.. probably more needs to happen in the states.. but I am not sure.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-22001511629343923182009-07-10T23:57:01.361-05:002009-07-10T23:57:01.361-05:00One thing that needs to be addressed, but doubtful...One thing that needs to be addressed, but doubtful they'll do it is tort reform.<br /><br />If they could get the cost of liability insurance to go down as a result that would likely decrease the cost of healthcare.<br /><br />Looking to the system similar to Canada and the UK has is not the way to go.Shane Vander Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17148737191721551327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-55579910889146354262009-07-10T15:32:03.286-05:002009-07-10T15:32:03.286-05:00I see the Congress as a giant committee that is la...I see the Congress as a giant committee that is lacking persons of special education and experience in the field of medical health care. With all of my experience of committee-run program development, it causes me great fear to see Congress trying to put together a health care reform package. The only truly successful committees I have ever been able to observe are ad-hoc. They are assembled by selecting properly qualified people in the field of development for which the committee is formed, and they are not serving as an open-ended bureaucracy. Their service ends when they have completed their task. I should think there is a group of specialists in this nation who could form such an ad-hoc committee, and it certainly isn't to be found in our Congress.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00003765317884947141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749955731953911627.post-64138407315576291102009-07-10T10:32:26.184-05:002009-07-10T10:32:26.184-05:00Bob,
This is an issue of major concern to me as ...Bob, <br /><br />This is an issue of major concern to me as I watch my own health care costs spiraling with no ceiling in sight. I hear a lot of people saying they fear government control or even intervention. But, I have not spoken with a single person who thinks our system does not need to be fixed nor have I heard anyone with a great play for the private sector to fix it on its own.<br /><br />I don't think we can get there from here, there being a system like they have in England or other countries. However, I think a government run (or at least regulated) national insurance plan as an alternative to private insurance is a great start. If it's terrible, it won't put private insurers out of business because it'll be optional and no one will opt for it if they're happier with their own plan. If it does put private insurers out of business should all the people who worship at the altar of Capitalism and economic Darwinism be happy? It'd be survival of the fittest.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035489123868573312noreply@blogger.com