..without an alternative.
-
Dagwoodie — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 01:09 PM)
CEO's of dozens of different types of corporations make similar salaries. Yet no one ever seems to care how much the CEO of Apple Corporation makes. Either socialize the whole mess (ready for VA-level care, anyone?), or find constructive ways to make healthcare more affordable (something ACA has not yet done).
And it's not the poor who are being victimized by the ACA, it's hard-working middle class individuals and small business owners who are being taxed through inflated premiums to pay for those who are subsidized - who can no longer afford the cost of a plan that offers the same benefits as those who are paying little or nothing. -
zabbree — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 04:29 PM)
CEO's of dozens of different types of corporations make similar salaries. Yet no one ever seems to care how much the CEO of Apple Corporation makes. Either socialize the whole mess (ready for VA-level care, anyone?), or find constructive ways to make healthcare more affordable (something ACA has not yet done).
Sorry, health insurance should not be seen in the same way as an iPhone. Health insurance should never have become a luxury item, and if we didn't have insurance companies gouging insureds and medical providers, it would be a lot less costly to provide care.
And it's not the poor who are being victimized by the ACA, it's hard-working middle class individuals and small business owners who are being taxed through inflated premiums to pay for those who are subsidized - who can no longer afford the cost of a plan that offers the same benefits as those who are paying little or nothing.
I keep hearing and reading this. Yet, no one has actually been to prove where this is the ACA's fault directly or explain why many employees were already paying this much or more in premiums. At my last employer, we paid well over 1k a month for a family plan, and that was before the ACA.
I have no sympathy for healthcare CEO's, and frankly, when you see CEO's like UHC's that got a 106 million compensation package for 2010 based on profits when his actual salary was around 1.5 million, and in 2014 he made 66 million with the same base salary. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him because he only made 20 million in 2015, when they are low-balling and strong arming the actual providers? -
Dagwoodie — 9 years ago(January 08, 2017 06:35 PM)
I have no sympathy for healthcare CEO's, and frankly, when you see CEO's like UHC's that got a 106 million compensation package for 2010 based on profits when his actual salary was around 1.5 million, and in 2014 he made 66 million with the same base salary. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him because he only made 20 million in 2015, when they are low-balling and strong arming the actual providers?
Understand, and agree that CEO's in many or most industries get obscene salaries and compensation, even after less than stellar years for the corporation. But I recognize, too, that certain industries are continually targeted as the most convenient of scapegoats, while others are given absolution in the media or public eye. And not because those industries given a pass are any less greedy or more philanthropic.
Take away the perks and golden parachutes and apply it to cutting costs? A nice place to start, but probably far less effect than most of us would hope or expect. And I believe that, when it comes to low-balling the providers, government programs are paying physicians and others even less than corporate healthcare coverage providers.
By its very nature, ACA forces rate increases. Those most likely to enroll are high-risk individuals who either have been without coverage or have been forced before now to pay unreasonable rates. And that sends both premiums and deductibles through the roof for those who aren't fortunate enough to be part of an established and wide ranging (in terms of enrollment) plan such as is offered to employees of major businesses, to teachers, civil servants, etc.
I'm not for denying coverage or medical care to those who need it, but the farce that was passed by lying and arm-twisting is now burdening millions of others beyond their ability to cope financially. Millions of people (many of whom had plans that were a much more reasonable and cost-effective fit for their particular ages, lifestyles and needs) were forced either to enroll in much costlier plans or to pay a penalty. And many of those enrolled in the ACA are afraid to seek medical care now because they can't even afford the deductibles anymore. -
zabbree — 9 years ago(January 08, 2017 08:16 PM)
The ACA did not have to force rate increases. They should never have used the for-profit insurance model. They should have created a single-payer system, but the insurance lobby is too powerful. The ACA was the result of compromises to appease the insurance companies, and it backfired on everyone.
If you look at any EOB, you can see that insurance companies are lowballing doctors and facilities, while keeping them from offering the same negotiated rates to people that do not have insurance. Service payments are reduced 40-50% before the insurance companies pay a dime, and then, they may still not have to pay the reduced portion due to deductibles. So, we are basically paying insurance payments for negotiated rates with the providers. Why not allow the providers to negotiate directly with the patient? That's what they used to be able to do.
Once I became self-employed, I was unable to get more than catastrophic care insurance better known as hospitalization only. It did not cover doctor visits, my prescriptions were only covered up to 40% co-insurance, and I still had a 5-10k deductible for many years all because my daughter had asthma. The ACA allowed me to at least get decent insurance as a self-employed person. Doctor visits are covered, and I have a co-pay for prescriptions. I'm still paying around 1k a month, but I have more benefits. The ACA isn't perfect, but it was definitely better than what we had and not just for lower-income people. -
pvd295 — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 02:56 PM)
And how dare those lazy no-good doctors expect to earn enough to pay off their med-school debts!!
Wow - you know nothing at all about the medical profession. The money is NOT going to doctors to pay off their school debts, which is why so many doctors are leaving the profession, or taking early retirement. They are working very hard, yet being second-guessed by insurance companies who think they know how to treat the patients and what cause of action to take just so the health insurance company can save some money, and get paid very little for their knowledge and workjust so the CEOS of health insurance can buy another private jet for their wives.
CEO's of dozens of different types of corporations make similar salaries. Yet no one ever seems to care how much the CEO of Apple Corporation makes.
Most idiotic statement for 2017! You want to compare a CEO who's in charge of manufacturing technology to that of the CEO who is in charge of life or death situations? Are you insane?
The CEO of Apple is not making the judgement call if someone 'qualifies' for a heart transplant, based on hoe much money the company is profiting for the quarter.
"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16 -
Dagwoodie — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 04:08 PM)
You don't seem to be able to grasp anything that I was actually posting. I realize that your binge drinking has likely escalated since November, but please try to show some semblance of comprehension or coherency in responding.
-
A_l_a_c_h_u_a_1 — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 04:12 PM)
You don't seem to be able to grasp anything that I was actually posting. I realize that your binge drinking has likely escalated since November, but please try to show some semblance of comprehension or coherency in responding.
-
!!!deleted!!! (28128673) — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 12:24 PM)
zabbree, that's so true, and it happens over and over. A person gets cancer and loses their lifetime savings within months. It's unconscionable that the CEOs become obscenely wealthy while dying people are scrambling to die with grace and dignity.
-
pjpurple-1 — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 04:04 PM)
Seriously? Out of MY property tax? My property tax has gone up almost every year for a decade in this little podunk town that I live in. Services have NOT gone up. The school teachers went on strike last year for more money and the kids here are NO smarter. Now I am supposed to pay for health care out of my property tax?
We have a large segment of the population here on SNAP and getting the free health card. They can walk into any doctor's office and get free stuff way faster than I can! Maybe they should think about their "health" before they have a bunch of out of wedlock babies, expecting someone who is paying property tax to SUPPORT them. You are out of your ever lovin leftard mind! No offense, just calling it as I see it.
Facts are not liberals strong suit. Rhetoric is. Thomas Sowell -
zabbree — 9 years ago(January 08, 2017 01:20 AM)
I thought it was pretty funny to see someone call you a leftard. Some people can't see past what they feel their political ideology means. This is what's wrong with this country. People assume every idea is partisan. Affordable Healthcare should not be a Democratic vs Republican thing.
-
A_l_a_c_h_u_a_1 — 9 years ago(January 07, 2017 04:01 PM)
the intelligent people that prepare for the future will be wealthy. The individuals that expect hand outs will be left poor again,
I so agree! To an extent - I do agree that people should be SELF RELIANT and RESPONSIBLE and should plan and take care of themselves. There are, however, those exceptions who, for what ever reason - physically or mentally - cannot take of themselves, and we should all help them. Other than that - EVERYONE should PLAN and PREPARE for their own future, and should NOT expect handouts.
And I totally agree - why should I have to pay for someone else's health care? Apart from those exceptions who cannot fend for themselves - why should I pay for everyone else? I plan and save and work hard to take care of myself. Why should someone else - who is able bodied and able minded - benefit from that?