Do We Need Socialized Health Care?

M'Lady Espresso is always on the lookout for commentary blogs that she thinks I may be interested in. She found Mormon On Politics and sent it to me today. I thought I'd find a new persective on Mitt, but instead found a remembrance of a "once mine" attitude on socialized health care. Like Mop, I'm not crazy about the prospect of Jack Murtha writing my daughter's health plan, or Obama writing mine. But unlike Mop, and I guess, many Republicans, I DO think it's time conservatives and free-market types get off their "collective" butts on this issue. This is the graph that attracted my attention --

A much better plan for the individual and the employer is catastrophic insurance programs coupled with healthcare spending accounts and some prescription plan (which might just bet Walmart). Catastrophic plans cover, after the large deductible, those rare health cases that the average person cannot afford -- cancer treatment, heart surgery, and any extended hospital stay.

I'm sorry, but when simple, but expensive tests are necessary for the medical crew to avoid lawsuits, there is no distinction between a "simple" shortness of breath and, let's say just hypothetically, a serious stroke. My comment to Mop ---

I think it's a little deeper situation that deserves more analysis. Think of all the small businesses, the sole proprietorships. I have to admit that the biggest disappointment I have with the current administration (and the previous congress)is the lack of movement in this (health insurance) area. It's as if they are conceding the issue to the socialists. When a market based plan was so sorely needed, they just ignored it. It's not good enough to say "It's a perk, get over it if you're not worthy." I work for a large property management company, don't earn much as far as wages are concerned, but the health plan effectively DOUBLES my income. I have an oppurtunity to start my own business, but the lack of a prescription plan terrifies me! A $40 co-pay can easily turn into a $200 a month way of life - and three or four of those prescriptions could bankrupt anyone. For me, there's ways around these problems, my medicals are not that serious (if preventing a heart attack isn't serious). What I can't understand is that if my company can negotiate a health insurance plan for it's employees, why can't a state negotiate one, or several, for it's citizens? Can you help me with that?

"This week, I spoke to a young, married husband and father of three. He works for a small business (<10 people). They do not offer health insurance. He self insures himself and pays for a catastrophic policy ($5000 deductible)."

You would have done well to include a link to that insurer's website. Your friend may have found something that the rest of us haven't, or your friend may be in for a big surprise when he needs care. $5000 will pay for the first 20 minutes of emergency care - I haven't been able to find anyone willing to pick up the rest.

Rob

I am not for any plan that puts any government in CONTROL of my health plan. I want to pay my doctor for my health care, my hospital for my ambulatory care, and my neighborhood Walgreen's for my prescriptions. But these things are getting way too expensive to simply chalk up to "find some other way" kind of answer. When an MRI will bankrupt me, but my wife needs one, does anyone expect me to say "NO?" Is bankruptcy the only answer for us in that situation? Do you understand how many bankruptcies are medically induced?