Author Topic: Do you think the healthcare system is broken? (Read 6842 times)

30-30man · « **on:** July 10, 2007, 07:58:19 AM »

With the recent speech by the president on healthcare and the recent movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore, I was wondering what you guys think of our current healthcare system. I don't think there is any doubt that it is overpriced and unaffordable to a lot of people. How many poor doctors do you know? I think most of you will agree that it needs an overhaul. Anyways, what's your thoughts?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2007, 08:13:14 AM »

lets fix the insurance and legal system first !
you are not suppose to be able to take frivolous law suits to court , but we do !
now look at insurance , the patient has to have health insurance , then the doctor has to have malpractice insurance , which makes the patients insurance go up more to cover doctor cost ! drug companies insurance cost are thru. the roof ! with health care follow the money ! its insurance money !
i often wonder what happens when the same insurer has written the policy for all involved in a case , when its settled do they have a victory party or cry ?
if you have a few minutes look at hospitals and compare them to insurance home offices , see which is more elaborate !
or cost effective !
i also find it odd they are on both sides of the equation !
and last i can take my truck to anyone i wish to repair it the insurance has to accept it , but my body they can tell me where to go and what treatment they will pay for ! GO FIGURE !

Savage .250 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2007, 09:08:13 AM »

30-30man:
If you were retired you`d know the answer to that question.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2007, 09:12:52 AM »

Ok don't know any poor Doctors , but do ya want bottom feeders poking around in your boiler room or brain ?

PA-Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2007, 09:29:00 AM »

If there was one uniform paperwork and billing system we could save millions. Currently each insurance company has its own billing codes and DRs have to spend hours making certain that they are using the correct codes for that company. Multiply that by 100s of insurance firms. One national coding and billing system would be great!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2007, 09:48:11 AM »

that might have merit ! but it would have to come from the doctors !

30-30man · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2007, 11:22:52 AM »

I am semi retired and currently am not on medicare yet. I still pay my share and lately I've payed with my wallet and my heart. If the medical system was working there would not be hospitals turning away patients because they can't afford care. I have a little girl at my church that developed a brain tumor and has left her paralyzed. She can't even speak. The doctors say she has a 50% chance of living through the operation to remove the tumor. She is 7 years-old and was in the Sunday school class my wife teaches. She was full of life and a joy to see before this happened. He father was self-employed (roofer) and could not afford the $600 a month he was quoated to insure his family. The family finally found a hospital that would work with them but it was in another state. They have to borrow $15,000 up front before they will even treat her and could be responsible for over $275,000. Our church along with the community has raised the ransom our medical system has put on her life. It just sickens me that a little girl's life depends on her parent's credit.

Dee · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2007, 11:40:28 AM »

Quote from: 30-30man on July 10, 2007, 07:58:19 AM

With the recent speech by the president on healthcare and the recent movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore, I was wondering what you guys think of our current healthcare system. I don't think there is any doubt that it is overpriced and unaffordable to a lot of people. How many poor doctors do you know? I think most of you will agree that it needs an overhaul. Anyways, what's your thoughts?

I do not think there is anything wrong with our present health care system. Just ask ANY ILLEGAL ALIEN, and he will tell you it works fine, and it's FREE. Just go to the EMERGENCY ROOM, any time day or night and tell them you have no money or insurance, but that you are suffering from a cold, and they will treat you, FREE.

That my friend is why our health insurance, and hospital and doctor costs are thru the roof. I don't blame the doctors and hospitals for making a good living on an expensive investment such as medical school. Sure they sometimes over-do the cost, but most of the time they are RECOVERING THE LOSS, for my above described ER scene, which I have PERSONALLY witnessed NUMEROUS TIMES.

superjay01 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2007, 02:43:24 PM »

There is two reason that malpractice insurance is high. 1. Doctors make mistakes, and when the make a mistake their insurance goes up. 2. During the mid to late 90's the insurance companies made a lot of money in the stock market. They are no longer making that money in the stock market today, so they have to make it up somehow. Are there lawsuits that shouldn't be there? You bet, but if the insurance companies would not settle these cases and take them to court I think that they would stop.
99,000 people are killed because of mistakes of some kind that happen in a hospital setting. That is just the people that die not the people who have had the wrong arm or leg cut, given the wrong med etc, etc. A lot of the reason that these mistakes happen is because the health care system is not based on the patient it is based on the hospitals and insurance companies profit. Much like wal-mart, hospitals and insurance companies want to make more money every year. This means less staff, less training. Which isn't good for patient care. The answer isn't socialized medicine either. The answer is simple a non-profit health care system.

Dee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2007, 02:59:02 PM »

Actually superjay, I believe the number is closer to 110,000 killed by doctor's mistakes. The stat was from the ama, and was used in a pro-gun adverstisment, while being compared to accidental gun-shot fatalities.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2007, 03:27:23 PM »

It ain't perfect no doubt. I guess we'll all have to go to Cuba to get that great medical care that communist traitor Michael Moore is talking about.

He's a treasonous bas.....d.

As far as seeing the movie, I wouldn't watch it if I were paid to watch it.

Talk about communist leftest........He's my idea of one.

Micheal Moore should move to Cuba if he likes it so much!

powderman · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2007, 04:25:32 PM »

I'm still paying on my medical bills from bypass surgery in 2003. Illegals don't have to pay, the poor get a medical card. Guess I'm what is referred to as the working poor. POWDERMAN.

Dee · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2007, 04:27:39 PM »

Stop complaining powderman, them poor damm mex's deserve free medical. They're just trying to better themselves. And they are.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2007, 05:18:57 PM »

Lawsuits are the problem!

Hooker · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2007, 05:51:13 PM »

I'll bet that each one of us could come up with some way to cut health care cost. And collectively they would amount to a hefty sum.
But I'm afraid it would only mean increased profit margins for insurance companies and health care providers and not much savings for us. Or am I being a synic

Pat

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2007, 02:32:17 AM »

lets not forget , Doctors "practice " medicine , bury their mistakes !

magooch · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2007, 02:54:33 AM »

First, the survey doesn't offer enough choices. Our health care system isn't perfect and it isn't the same all over. There are many reasons that health care has become so expensive. I remember when people didn't go in for by-pass surgery, they just died. I remember when people who had bad knees, and hips, just suffered and quit walking. People who got serious diseases, just suffered terribly and died without any hope.

We've come to expect that doctors and medicine can fix just about anything. Well, that comes at a price. You can play around with how health care is paid for and how much liability that doctors and hospitals have to deal with, but in the end it's still going to be costly for a system that is expected to be able to perform the medical miracles of today. Or, we can go to a socialized system where everyone is equally covered and everyone can expect at least a band-aid and an aspirin.

30-30man · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2007, 03:45:13 AM »

Isn't medicare socialized medicine????Why does private insurance cost $600+ a month to insure a family? It is driven by profit making organizations that are in the business of making money not helping you live any longer. If you add the amounts we pay for premiums and deductibles for private insurance without ever getting anything in return, it amounts to many thousands of dollars per family. My total would be about $5000 a year alone. We have socialized telephone, electrical, and water services, why not health care? It seems that the ones who are against it are the ones who are not sick, have never had a sick family member, or have never seen someone having to declare bankrupcy because they are sick. Our president wants to promote more health savings accounts, this shows how much he is out of what the average American goes through. Most working poor or even the middle class have a hard enough time just getting by. I don't think anyone is owed free health care but it should be handled differently. Why are we #37 in the world for health care systems? What we have now is not working and is inflated without controls.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2007, 04:51:34 AM »

Wahl, next time you need some medical care, go to a lawyer to get it. If Michael Moore said Mother Teresa was a nice lady, I wouldn't believe the lying SOB.
Here in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, the freeloaders on Medicaid were suing the doctors to such an extent the doctors couldn't get insurance. What with the settlements to just get the bottom feeders and their slimey lawyer off their back, suing a doctor in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, Motto: "it's free. the gov'ment's payin' fer it.", is next best thing to winning the lottery.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:24:43 AM »

socialized telephone , where ? I'm on a well ! electrical , you can choose our provider in some areas !
the interstate system is somewhat socialized , wouldn't health care look good with all them pot holes in it !
if you believe in soc. med. take a trip to Canada , drive in about 40 miles , turn around and drive out , count the signs tat offer health care to the traveler , the Canadians i know tell me that its best to buy the insurance then visit the USA and go to the doctor if you feel like you really have something !
Lets talk about immigration , this country was built on the backs of self reliant men and women , where in the world did all these cry baby socialist come from , the Mexican thing ain't the only problem !
and yes i have had to watch more than i would like in my family live with the medical cards they were Dealt , but so far none have blamed others for their problems ! or felt they were owed a free ride !

Ranger J · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:55:43 AM »

When my doctor can't decide which medication I need to have but instead some pencil pusher in an office one thousand miles a way can say no, I don't need that medication but one somewhat similar that costs the insurance company five dollars a bottle less….

RJ

superjay01 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2007, 11:40:26 AM »

At least we can all agree that something needs done with the health care system. Is Mr. Moore's movie leftest, no more than Rush Limbaugh is conservative. Besides they both have one thing in common, they say things to make money. I have worked in the health care system since I was 16, currently 27, much like Mr. Limbaugh and Mr. Moore hospitals and insurance companies like to make money. Until that changes we are going to have a broken health care system. The one thing that I do applaud Mr Moore for is for bring this issue up because you may love him or hate him his movie has you talking about the health care system which is good.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2007, 02:04:22 PM »

Excuse me, just what in the Hell is wrong with making money? This is gonna surprise a lots of folks but a hospital is a business. You walk into a tailor and tell him you want to get some new clothes cause yours are worn out and you used your money for something else, guess what's gonna happen. Same deal at the butcher, the baker, the candle stick maker. They are buzzzz nis isssses. To make money. Just like liquor stores and houses of ill repute. If they don't make money, they got to close the doors. Then you get to scream 'cause you ain't got a hospital in your town no more.
And doctors expect a return on the mega hours and bucks they spent to get to be doctors. How many bricklayers do you know that work for free?
And the little old lady in the insurance office with the eye shade and the sleeve guards that is vetting what you and the doctors and the hospitals are doing, we --by that I mean we and the doctors and the hospitals-- kinda did that to ourselves. Anyone that can't bring to mind several cases of, shall we say, white collar, abuse, let me know and I'll cite you a few.
Anyone that thinks Michael Moore is providing a public service, that he is not a fat, sloven, commie that appeals to a certain type of people that are too stupid to think for themselves needs to do a little more research. He makes Rosy look decent by comparison.

30-30man · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2007, 02:23:16 PM »

I'm no Michael Moore fan and have never seen any of his movies. I did see him on CNN though but don't know enough about him to have an opinion. What I do know is the present system doesn't work.

It's not a free ride, it is the sinful way we put money before life. Many of us are only one illness away from declaring bankruptcy. I'm sorry but I don't see how profit and business should come before life. Socialized services are a part of America and have been for a long time. Social Security, Medicare etc... We are not talking plastic surgery or fake you know....We are talking about removing brain tumors from a seven year-old girl whose family is not on Medicaid because they are not at the poverty level and can't afford health insurance.

Do you think she is wanting a free ride. No, she just wants to live. We are talking about life and the right to have a life threatening procedure performed without holding a family for ransom. We are talking about not having to declare bankrupcy because you get sick. We are talikng about taking care of all Americans not because it is their right, but because it is the right thing to do. I'm as American as anyone but why do we rank 37 in 201 countries if our present system is working?

Why does all of Europe have better care? I spent many years in Germany during the cold war/military service/ and I never heard anyone complaining about not being able to be seen by a doctor. I never heard about anyone asking for donations because they couldn't afford a surgery they so desperately needed just to live. You can not go into a convienience store in my area without seeing a money jar because someone needs an operation or their child was burned etc.Some say it is taxes but I believe it is something different. I know the taxes are greater in other countries, but are they really? When you fiqure in all the premiums we pay out every year and never make a claim, it adds up. Should we put a monetary cost on saving someone's life? No but we are allowing our present system to do just that. If I had to wait an extra day at my doctor's office or pay a little more in taxes and skip the health insurance premiums to allow everyone who needs care get it, I'd do it in a heartbeat.....I hate the current system..

1marty · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2007, 04:31:28 PM »

We are the only non-third world country in the world which doesn't provide universal healthcare. The politicians who get big bucks from the insurance companies and doctors have convinced us we are better off with no system of healthcare. Unless we work for a large corporation or are on public assistance you have no healthcare or the cost is bleeding you dry.

powderman · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2007, 04:56:16 PM »

My walmart insurance is worthless unless I'm hospitolised with a bad injury or illness. With a $500 deductible seeing a dr is pretty well out of the question, unless I get really bad hurt or sick. I don't have the answer, but I'd like to see medical care available to all that need it, there's surely a way to do that, just don't know what it is. I've heard horror stories about socialized meds in Canada. Waiting months or years for an operation. The way it is now, only the rich, or those with medical cards get the help they need. Maybe I could change my last name to Nelsonita and say, no speak english. POWDERMAN. $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

magooch · « **Reply #26 on:** July 12, 2007, 04:08:19 AM »

Have no fear, "Hillary Care" might be just around the corner. By then I'll be on Medicare and hoping that the doctors and hospitals will still accept Medicare patients. From what I hear, a lot of doctors are refusing Medicare patients, because the government system (Medicare) won't pay what the doctors want. My wife is already on Medicare and has a supplemental insurance that works pretty well.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** July 12, 2007, 10:41:24 AM »

beemanbeme , then they should not be NON PROFIT with regard to the tax code ! Or STATE supported ETC, ETC.
And doctors do make good $$$$$$$$$$$ , how much should they make ?

30-30man · « **Reply #28 on:** July 12, 2007, 11:52:05 AM »

I blame everyone from the pharmaceutical companies, insurance carriers, and even the doctors. They all have a hand in ruining our healthcare system. The doctors cry about malpractice insurance expenses and lawsuits. Well, I agree this needs fixing too but so does their greed. How many of us make $35,000 a month 12 months a year? My wife use to work at a bank. Everytime I think about it, it makes me want to throw up knowing that there are families suffering because of greed.

superjay01 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 12, 2007, 02:44:25 PM »

beemanbeme

There is nothing wrong with making money, but there is a HUGE problem with making money at the expensive of other peoples health. Hospitals do not have to be a for profit organization to run. In fact the hospitals that are non profit give some of the best care in the united states. They also rank as some of the best health care facilities to work at. I feel that doctor should get paid well because of the sacrifices that they have made to become a doctor. I work at a non profit hospital and they have some of the best care around simple because they are a not for profit hospital.

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What do you think of the healthcare system?

Author Topic: Do you think the healthcare system is broken? (Read 6842 times)