This is a problem that has gone on long enough. It is past time to fix it. We need coverage that fits everyone. People who have more health issues should have the option to get higher level coverage if they desire it.
A relative just came back from studying and working in the UK, where everyone has health insurance. At his job he had private insurance stacked on top of public insurance, which is how we could do it here to pacify those afraid of "socialism." But coming back to the US and not able to immediately find a job, now he has none and has had trouble getting the ACA because the website wasn't functioning correctly. So the other night he got an infection, went first to urgent care ($230) which said, "Go to the ER," so he did and is still waiting for the bill. And he didn't even have to go to the ER, it turns out, the issue wasn't an ER issue, it should have been handled by the urgent care person. What happened to him is minor compared to what some people experience. Yeah, he should have health insurance. Why are we the only country in the developed world, including Israel whose military we help fund, that doesn't give everyone at least good, basic health insurance as a normal part of life? We are stuck in a trough and can't get out. Nothing to be proud of.
Cutting needy/eligible people from health insurance coverage does NOT result in "...efforts to improve program integrity and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse". More fraud investigators and criminal prosecution would help eliminate fraud. It took Medicare over 1 year to investigate and realize that my Medicare number was being used by a fraudulent durable medical equipment company. ONE YEAR!!!
Working Poor who are not given insurance in their workplace is a travesty and an example of Cprporate Welfare. That is one area that needs to be addressed.
Excellent summary of a preventable disaster that's unfolding across the country. Wanting to read more, I looked on bookshop.org for the author's book, Uncovered: The Story of Insurance in America, and was shocked to see a list price of $109! Is that an error? Is this book available to the general public?
I agree with everything in this article. However, I still say that many people are not used to budgeting or paying for their health insurance, and that they should be willing to pay more for it. I'm shocked at how many people frequently fly, with plane tickets averaging $800 domestically now. People pay hundreds or even thousands for sports tickets. They buy $1000 cellphones and have expensive monthly plans. Over $200 billion is spent on Christmas gifts per year. Yet many seem to expect the government to pay for their health care even if they really could afford to pay more, even though costs average about $15,000 per person per year in the U.S. I think that the Affordable Care Act lulled people into depending too much on the government to pay a lot for their health care. I never went without health insurance, even when it cost me $900 per month in 2009 (only in my 50's) and my substitute teaching job didn't provide health insurance. So I finally got a job with health insurance to cover it.
You are describing well off middle class people. People not in that class aren't buying the luxury items you mention. Most are still on their parents' cell phone plans, even their health insurance. I think your point about people looking for a free lunch is often correct, and pertains especially to the idea that Republicans have fostered that taxes should always go down. But young people today, so many of them feel like there is no future. Even the ones who work as teachers, like you. I talk to them. We are facing a crisis in this country and sooner or later we'll see what happens, fafo.
Nearly 3 million people fly per day in the U.S. That's about 1 billion trips per year., i.e. not limited to well-off people only. I haven't done a statistical analysis of this, but I'm the only one I've seen who doesn't have a phone much more expensive than mine. Everyone else I've seen seems to, including my friends on Medicaid and in subsidized housing and people begging at my grocery store. One homeless person even suggested that I put his phone on my plan, but I told him I have a $15 per month plan and a $25 cellphone, so he stopped asking then. I was surprised to read recently that "49% of adults ages 18 to 29 live with their parents, and another 47% of adults in that same age group received help from someone outside their household to pay an expense" but I wonder how much of that is due to living beyond their paychecks in many ways, some I assume that are avoidable. I have the oldest cars on my block -- most others are large and newer SUV's. I've spent a total of only $25,000 buying cars in the past 50 years. I took home repair and car repair classes and have saved tens of thousands that way. Our city school district has coursework on financial literacy, and is thinking of adding more. In high school we had "home economics" including cooking, sewing, and financial information to help us save money throughout life, and it has really helped.
Thank you, Barack Obama, for the many years of healthcare that I would not have had otherwise. Never forget.
This situation will only get worse with the current regime.
It's been said before, but it's NEVER been as important as it is come November: vote like your iife depends on it. Because it does!
And the bastards are waiting to impose these drastic cuts till just AFTER the mid-terms.
We must get the word out, through all the Democratic candidates, that only your vote in November can save your ACA/Medicaid coverage.
(Yes, Trump can veto the legislation, but that can be its own very prominent news story if it happens).
This is a problem that has gone on long enough. It is past time to fix it. We need coverage that fits everyone. People who have more health issues should have the option to get higher level coverage if they desire it.
There is no excuse for Americans to NOT have health insurance and first rate care.
Get this fixed once and for all!!!
A relative just came back from studying and working in the UK, where everyone has health insurance. At his job he had private insurance stacked on top of public insurance, which is how we could do it here to pacify those afraid of "socialism." But coming back to the US and not able to immediately find a job, now he has none and has had trouble getting the ACA because the website wasn't functioning correctly. So the other night he got an infection, went first to urgent care ($230) which said, "Go to the ER," so he did and is still waiting for the bill. And he didn't even have to go to the ER, it turns out, the issue wasn't an ER issue, it should have been handled by the urgent care person. What happened to him is minor compared to what some people experience. Yeah, he should have health insurance. Why are we the only country in the developed world, including Israel whose military we help fund, that doesn't give everyone at least good, basic health insurance as a normal part of life? We are stuck in a trough and can't get out. Nothing to be proud of.
Cutting needy/eligible people from health insurance coverage does NOT result in "...efforts to improve program integrity and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse". More fraud investigators and criminal prosecution would help eliminate fraud. It took Medicare over 1 year to investigate and realize that my Medicare number was being used by a fraudulent durable medical equipment company. ONE YEAR!!!
Working Poor who are not given insurance in their workplace is a travesty and an example of Cprporate Welfare. That is one area that needs to be addressed.
Excellent summary of a preventable disaster that's unfolding across the country. Wanting to read more, I looked on bookshop.org for the author's book, Uncovered: The Story of Insurance in America, and was shocked to see a list price of $109! Is that an error? Is this book available to the general public?
Our national shame.
Superlative reporting as always!
I agree with everything in this article. However, I still say that many people are not used to budgeting or paying for their health insurance, and that they should be willing to pay more for it. I'm shocked at how many people frequently fly, with plane tickets averaging $800 domestically now. People pay hundreds or even thousands for sports tickets. They buy $1000 cellphones and have expensive monthly plans. Over $200 billion is spent on Christmas gifts per year. Yet many seem to expect the government to pay for their health care even if they really could afford to pay more, even though costs average about $15,000 per person per year in the U.S. I think that the Affordable Care Act lulled people into depending too much on the government to pay a lot for their health care. I never went without health insurance, even when it cost me $900 per month in 2009 (only in my 50's) and my substitute teaching job didn't provide health insurance. So I finally got a job with health insurance to cover it.
You are describing well off middle class people. People not in that class aren't buying the luxury items you mention. Most are still on their parents' cell phone plans, even their health insurance. I think your point about people looking for a free lunch is often correct, and pertains especially to the idea that Republicans have fostered that taxes should always go down. But young people today, so many of them feel like there is no future. Even the ones who work as teachers, like you. I talk to them. We are facing a crisis in this country and sooner or later we'll see what happens, fafo.
Nearly 3 million people fly per day in the U.S. That's about 1 billion trips per year., i.e. not limited to well-off people only. I haven't done a statistical analysis of this, but I'm the only one I've seen who doesn't have a phone much more expensive than mine. Everyone else I've seen seems to, including my friends on Medicaid and in subsidized housing and people begging at my grocery store. One homeless person even suggested that I put his phone on my plan, but I told him I have a $15 per month plan and a $25 cellphone, so he stopped asking then. I was surprised to read recently that "49% of adults ages 18 to 29 live with their parents, and another 47% of adults in that same age group received help from someone outside their household to pay an expense" but I wonder how much of that is due to living beyond their paychecks in many ways, some I assume that are avoidable. I have the oldest cars on my block -- most others are large and newer SUV's. I've spent a total of only $25,000 buying cars in the past 50 years. I took home repair and car repair classes and have saved tens of thousands that way. Our city school district has coursework on financial literacy, and is thinking of adding more. In high school we had "home economics" including cooking, sewing, and financial information to help us save money throughout life, and it has really helped.