Healthcare – To change or not to change….

As an agent who has sold health insurance for over 20 years, I am 100% for national healthcare.

There are differences as to the whys for those who are against any change.  Some state that they don’t like the government involvement, I say Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are all Government run and while they are burdened financially, they are not a poor choice and most  doctors operating in the US would be on the plan with a national healthcare plan in place.

I have seen the movie “Sicko” by Michael Moore and yes it is a propaganda film, but with some very interesting angles.  “The French have one of the best national health care systems in the world”, but a little research revealed that 80% of all French citizens also purchase a supplemental health plan.

On the “we don’t need any changes” side of the debate there are the current insurance industry proponents.  From a recent article below,  the magazine “Benefits Selling”,  the author is touting the health savings accounts and the wonderful advantages as noted below:  

By Tim Bireley | Published October 1, 2009 From the October 2009 Issue

“Consumer-driven health care growth data is indeed noteworthy —  the industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans reports enrollment in health savings plans, for instance, enjoyed a 31 percent increase in 2008. The explanation for the phenomenon is entirely logical. For one, in tight economic times like these, price is king, and the combination of high-deductible health plans coupled with health savings accounts has yielded an appreciable savings to companies and employees alike. The biggest jump in the AHIP numbers came from small companies having between two and 100 employees. Firms that size are arguably most susceptible to the downturn; they’ve seen sales shrink and many have had to contemplate cutbacks in everything from headcount to benefits. For managers, the 20 percent to 40 percent premium savings on health benefit costs possible under new programs like these are more than a boost – they are a lifeline that can avert layoffs.”

These plans may be great for those who have access as they can be a great option for many people, however if someone is not working, uninsured and or has a pre-existing health issue then they are not likely  to acquire any of the plans.  They may have some guaranteed issue options like the ones in Florida, however these plans are very, very limited in benefits and I would not offer them to any person seeking coverage (that is an errors & omissions liability claim waiting).   For one thing the plans only cover about $500 year in prescriptions, about $25,000 annual maximum benefit.  The high deductible plans the agent is referring to in the “Benefits Selling” magazine are one of the last alternatives people have to paying the currently high premiums. A link to an insurance industry news publication is: lifeandhealthinsurancenews.com

In an email that is circulating the web,  a retired attorney in Texas has submitted his opinion that the healthcare reform is a method for the government to take over the whole process and this is unconstitutional.

“The Bill will also eventually force private insurance companies out
of business and put everyone into a government run system.  All decisions
about personal health care will ultimately be made by federal bureaucrats
and most of them will not be health care professionals.  Hospital
admissions, payments to physicians, and allocations of necessary medical
devices will be strictly controlled.  In part of his speech…
However, as scary as all of that is, it just scratches the surface.
In fact, I have concluded that this legislation really has no intention of
providing affordable health care choices. Instead it is a convenient cover
for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been  contemplated. If this law or a similar one is adopted, major portions of the Constitution of the United States will effectively have been destroyed.”

As you can see from the readings that scare tactics are being used by those opposing any change with the current inefficient, overpriced,  sometimes inaccessible “Superior” system we have in the US.

The latest in Congress and addressing some of the issue is the fact of Antitrust law exemptions.  It is my understanding that only the MBA, the NFL (and the insurance industry????) have the Antitrust exemption and it appears that the insurance industry has been given free rein to monopolize and control most all aspects about insurance access and premiums (with limited state controls) while charging outrageous premiums and paying outrageous executive salaries.  Congress is voting on that issue shortly.

John P

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