Healthcare solutions?

I certainly don't want to ruffle any more feathers, but here's my take on the deal...

Yes, poor people need health care too. No argument there. Quite frankly, I don't want to pay for it. There is no way in hell I really want a good chunk of my tax dollars to pay for the poor. I'm sorry, but if I want to contribute to it, put a checkbox at the bottom of my tax return requesting I give 20 bucks to the government insurance option (more on that in a bit). This way, I can choose to be a good guy when I want to, not when the government says I must. The reason I don't want them playing with my tax dollars for government programs to pay for the poor is simple... there is no way in hell the government could provide the services necessary within budgetary concerns. Think about it. 400 dollar band aids.

We do need a solution that addresses the insurance racket greed. I mean, I pay 6k a year. I've had insurance for a long freaking time (with a gazillion providers). So say in 10 years, that's more than 50k I've paid to various companies when I've needed a total of about 120 bucks in actual doctor care. Sure, it cost like 600 dollars for that 120 dollars worth of work, but hey, I only had to pay them 35 dollars for the visit. How does THAT math add up, anyway? If I pay for 6k worth of coverage per year, I shouldn't have to pay a freaking CENT when I go for a checkup. What I'm saying here is I am for a government option to provide insurance. This will force competition, and may allow change in the system, along the lines for health insurance to become more like life or auto insurance, which can be taken with you from job to job, state to state. Competition increases, costs for the insurance companies will actually drop because the equity invested by a lifetime subscriber will translate into lower costs as the individual keeps his healthcare for ten years, not one or two, so if you don't "make claims", you're not costing them anything and over a long period the money you invest will become your 'healthcare retirement fund'. Lots of little things too, especially to lower overhead for the businesses, and a more complete ease of use for the client. Lots of win-win to be had around here, but people are stubborn. Myself included. I mean, I want my option to choose my insurer, just as much as my provider. I don't like my choices now as much as I would if I could watch funny Geico commercials about health insurance.

Oh, the death panel thing? I do think if we get to a single payer option that would be a very real possibility. If the government takes the competition out of health care, we're doomed. I don't care about the reality of healthcare for socialized medicine in the UK or Canada. We aren't the UK or Canada. I know the DMV reference is tired, but Americans can be incredibly lazy when they want to be. If we seriously take out the individual success achieved by becoming a doctor, which is a giant house in the suburbs apparently, who's going to want to be the healthcare providers? There will always be a calling for some, but I think a lot of the talent that is attracted by financial security will dry up if there is no drive to be the best doctor you can be. The really good doctors and surgeons should make a lot of money in my opinion, and I would be willing to subscribe to the insurance provider that has access to the best. Choice is the American way. I also wonder what happens to all the University hospitals... do they get absorbed into the system? How about the religiously affiliated? "I'm sorry, you can only be treated here if you're Catholic... separation of church and state and all..." Just wondering.

Tort reform is something that needs to be addressed as well, but I don't know enough about that to yap about it. Doctor Burke and I had a discussion on that very subject about 7 years ago, but I've had a lot of beer since then, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. I can imagine it would only be worse now. I'll leave that one up to the Doctors and the useless jerks up on the Hill.

It can be done. There can be a way to get everybody to get along on this issue, just not out of my pocket. Unless I want to of course. Paying for 47 million other people's insurance pisses me off since I still have a stupid co-pay, with more taxes to boot? Nope. Throw out this bill and get something hammered out that de-regulates and fixes, not changes a system that could work if just given the proper steerage.

This sucks.

Lots of chatter about what's going on in this country, so let's talk about some of it.

I hope the birther thing finally goes away. Enough. Congress unanimously passed a resolution stating Obama's birth proof is valid. That includes Republicans. Over. Done. Please. Thank you. I do wonder why he has chosen to keep his school work private... every other President hasn't had a problem with it, so that does concern me. Regardless, until the media (whole different issue) decides that the payday will be worth it, I think everyone can agree that they're not going to disparage "Rock Star" Obama. Thanks for the idea Geo, and overall that about sums up the media issue... if he can clean up this mess, he'll get a chance for a second album. If not, well, there's always being a one hit wonder. For all of our sakes, let's hope it's not 'The Chicken Dance'.

Is this healthcare stuff ugly or what? I believe it is possible to fix the current system by regulating the insurance industry instead of having government take it over. Healthcare is best left to private indusry because of the nature of competition in America. For those who claim that our healthcare is bad, then why does the rest of the world come here for the hard stuff? Seriously folks, would you go anywhere but here to get fixed? Didn't think so. Granted, there are solutions to specific problems that aren't legal here, but that'd be a different post. I was actually surprised when I found out coverage was over 75% of this country... figured it would be more like 60-67. Regardless, it isn't broken for me, so perhaps I'm resistant to change. I'm a single male, no kids. For me it isn't a big deal, but for those who don't have the ability to take care of family would have a different light on this. I'd take government healthcare in a second if I had a child to take care of. I do worry about the screamers and the freakshow media event this has become... I don't recall seeing this kind of a divide. It's like watching the South Park episode about the election, and how everybody is over the top. If (when?) the riots happen, I'm moving to Georgia... at least my friends down there are armed. As far as the promises go to institute the regulations to provide competition, let's hope it becomes competitive, and not just another plot by politicians to find another source of revenue. Worst case? Government insurance that is always juuuust a tad more expensive than what is already in place now. Everybody gets paid, and there are no changes except in the taxes we end up paying to pay for those who are on the government plan. Worst case. Yikes.

I had more, but then I had dinner, so I'm done here. I'll just go back to havin' a couple beers and hope when I wake up in the morning we haven't started shooting yet. Not enough ammo here for all these Democrats here in Jersey. Corzine first.

Roll one for Me, Mike... Not my responsibility... Duh...I hate going to the Doctor.

Howdy folks... sorry for not posting. With the Steeler's glorious victory, my weekends being tied up, and work acting like it's 1984 (the novel, not the year), it has been difficult to keep up with my blogging responsibility. My bad.

I'm also not in the mood to write right now, but I have to hit on a couple things.

Can South Carolina really do anything legally against Michael Phelps? I don't think so because he can say "I don't know if it really was Marijuana or not", and they can't prove it through a photo, and tests after the fact don't prove that there was dope in it at that point in time. So, Sheriff of South Carolina, stop being stupid toward a guy that brought 8 medals to our great country. Dickhead (Not you Michael. Smoke one for me)

I quit smoking at just the right time apparently.... 6 bucks a pack here in Jersey, before this new tax hits, so do yourself a favor and quit with me. It'll do you and your wallet a world of good. As for the kids, I'm sorry, but I shouldn't pay for your health care. I thought that's what parents were for, but that's why I'm not a fan of Democrats. "The program was designed to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid." So, if I have an okay job, but no health care, these kids get taken care of. Why you're out having children that you can't pay for is beyond me, but I guess that's why I don't have children. All of you that are ready to reply to this about "Single parent" this or "I got laid off" that, save it. I don't care about your whining, and you should've worn a condom. It's YOUR f*cking bundle of joy, YOU should pay for it, not me, unless I want to, not be forced to. Next thing I know they'll be raising taxes on beer to pay for Fido getting spayed. Asshole Democrats. Why are there still pot holes on the roads I drive on?

Bird remains in both engines of US Airways jet. Why is this news? Ya THINK???? Morons.

Okay, that's all for now. I have to go the Doctor tomorrow, so I'm in a bad mood. I guess the good news is I might have some time to work on my blog. See ya then.