Arnold/Universal Health Care

tallcal101 · Jan 9, 2007

Arnold,the immigrant Republican Govenor of the State of California,and worlds sixth largest economy(not including the hemp crop,valued at $100 billion untaxed $$)has proposed Universal Healthcare for all,ALL,Californians.Who will pay for this?Those blood sucking insurance companies,thats who.If they want to continue to suck our blood,they will have to give back.Should this legislation pass,California will be the first state to say to these blood suckers,enough is enough.If you want to sell insurance in California. California,you will fund,in part,health care for all citizens.The formula is fair,considering the massive profits companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield have reaped for so many,many years.
In Californa,it is true that the citizens do not wish to pick lettuce,beats,brussel sprouts and any of the many varied fruits and vegtables we grow.It's just a fact.Who pays health care for the unisured,we all know,the tax payers.
I think this is a brave plunge into a solution,and time will tell if it's something the citizens of California want.

RichM · Jan 9, 2007

Way to go,I would like to see that in Florida ,health insurance rates are literally destroying small and independent business while the insurance companies are reaping huge profits. Latest thing is Homeowners and Property Insurance going through the roof because of hurricane damage several years ago. I agree the Companies took a hit but there was a lot of prior years when they didn,t take a hit. Go to Bloomington IL and just look at the park for the State Farm employees. Wonder what they pay for insurance.

cheri1122 · Jan 9, 2007

When individual insurance agents can afford to rent billboards, and have stand alone offices, you know they're raking in serious money! I just read today that one of the biggest causes of the health care mess is the outrageous profits for the prescription drug industry, as well - maybe if our so called 'representatives' had to pay for health insurance, something would get done...And when retired folks have to choose between filling a prescription, or heating their home, something needs to be done, so I applaud Arnold for taking the first step.

Tennesseahawk · Jan 10, 2007

I never liked the idea of a federal health care system. However, states doing it for themselves is what the Constitution was set up for. I'd really like to see California be successful here, not only for them, but for other states to follow suit. It's obvious that different parts of the country need different services. What's wrong with each state having their own criteria for a universal state funded health system? Nada. GO GOVERNATOR!

I still would rather see the illegals get punted. This idea doesn't lessen the toll they take on the rest of us.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

Black Sheep · Jan 10, 2007

If this plan becomes law in its proposed form - which it probably won't - you can bet the insurance companies will NOT foot the bill for coverage of the millions of uninsured Californians and ILLEGAL ALIENS that will be eligible. They will treat these added costs the same as taxes - they'll pass them on to the their existing policyholders and their rates will go sky high. These public companies are in existance for one reason only - not to provide health insurance, but to make a certain amount of profit for their shareholders. If they can't make that profit they'll quit doing business in California just like a lot of property insurers have left Florida.

LDB · Jan 10, 2007

Such a great idea it will only cost a family of 4 earning $33,000 a year approximately 6% of their gross income or $2000 a year. It talks well and it sounds nice but it doesn't soar effortlessly like an eagle. Socialized medicine, it's a dodo whether socialized regionally or nationally.

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Jayman · Jan 10, 2007

Im still trying to figure out why insurance companies will still be in the mix if their was some social medical program? Color me silly, but wont they be out of biz?

Fr8 Shaker · Jan 10, 2007

Well if Hillary decides to run in 08' she'll be talking health care.
It worked for Bill (TWICE).

greg334 · Jan 10, 2007

Actually the state level reforms may work out better than any federal program. I think that we need to examine dissolving of Medicare/Medicaid as a start and force the insurance companies to carrier people over 65.

But as I have said before, when you talk about insurance, insurance companies and the cost, you must look at reforms for elective surgeries and other unneeded things. The insurance companies, auto companies (who are in collusion with them) all say that the high cost of insurance is caused by mal practice, law suits and other things outside of the control of the insurance companies â€“ all lies. The biggest issue is paying for elective surgeries, like (I will use this again) sex change operations.

cheri1122 · Jan 10, 2007

Greg, those sex change operations really bug you, don't they? LOL

I don't know how much of a problem that is - when I had medical insurance, Blue Cross wouldn't pay for any procedure that wasn't considered "medically necessary", and I suffered many years of dysmenorrhea [euphemistically called 'female trouble'] because they wouldn't pay for an outpatient surgery that 'was not of proven benefit'. In other words, it only helped in 80% of the cases.
Does insurance now pay for elective surgery?

greg334 · Jan 10, 2007

Cheri,
I use that as an example because I have seen it covered by BCBS wisconsin and illinios when I did claims troubleshooting. The idea that elective surgery like that and the cosmetic surgery too needs to be covered is a problem when you look at the operations of the insurance system.

As for your case, I understand completely - my wife has had simular fights getting things covered. She works with a girl who has been getting nail therapy for discolored finger nails at $200 a visit (one visit a week) which is covered but my wife has to pay out of pocket for the things like what you went through.

As I said the states may make this all work because they really regulate the insurance industry, not the feds. The funny thing I heard today is that the fed want to make it possible for pooled purchases of health care, which I think every state should force the insurance companies to allow this.

Also speaking of Arnold and health care, it seems that a lot of people are upset with the fact that he also includes invaders under this plan. I guess we lost our country when we allow people to collect social security after working here 18 months (when you or I can't) and when we provide them health care.

Black Sheep · Jan 10, 2007

Very few, if any insurance companies will cover elective surgeries like lasik eye surgery, face lifts, liposuction, or any other type of cosmetic repairs. The exception would of course be those operations related to burn victims or the like. The main culprit in the rising cost of health care is the federal government. The more rules and regulations they impose, the more expensive it becomes for health care providers and insurers to do business. If you'll recall, health care costs really started to go up when Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law. As hospitals are required to admit and provide health care for all patients regardless of whether or not these patients (including illegal immigrants) have the means to pay, their charges have to go up for the patients and their insurance companies that are able to pay for their services.

However, in my humble opinion prescription drugs are another case entirely. There's no way these drug companies can justify the prices they charge, such as the $360.00 they wanted for a month's supply of Nexium. Wait until the Medicare prescription plan starts having its effect - they'll be advertising easy financing terms like car loans.

RichM · Jan 10, 2007

I think one of the major issues is simply litigation. We all have Attorneys baraging us with commercials on TV all day long.Sure Doctors and Hospitals make mistakes but huge verdicts for a minor mishaps are ludricous. Malpractice insurance rates especially for surgeons and obstetericans are huge. My wife has a cousin whose husband was in terrible shape. One night he was rushed to a hospital which refused to operate as his condition was so grave. So his wife took him to another hospital where they did the operation and he passed away 3 days later. Well his wife got bombarded with letters and phone calls from Attorneys wanting to sue the hospital. Unfortunately she did and received some compensation which was totally unwaranted. I havn't spoken to her since.