Dave wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:35:32 -0700, said:
A completely irrational approach to building a healthcare
network, but there you have it. And that's why we're here.
My point precisely, whether you choose to point the finger at unions,
guvmint or employers.
Hmmmm...didn't notice anyone arguing with the fact the current system is
screwed up.
The
for-profit intermediary approach (insurance) merely exacerbates the problem.
This is your second mistake.
Uhmmm, sure, read on.
Our present system is not insurance, at least
not in the usual sense of that word. An insurance system has each insured
pay a small amount because a few of the total number of insureds, the
identities of whom cannot be established in advance, will incur a
catastrophic loss.
Yes, this is exactly the way the current system works. The key is
"loss", and size of the premium determines where the "catastrophic" line
is placed. Normal, preventive, medical care is paid merely as a *hedge*
against greater catastrophic losses that would be expected (based on
actuarial calculation) from lack of such care. With a marketing aspect
thrown in as well naturally.
A quick check of Merriam Webster:
Main Entry:
health insurance
Function:
noun
Date:
1901
: insurance against loss through illness of the insured; especially :
insurance providing ***compensation*** for medical expenses emphasis added
Common usage for over a century. Insurance does not always mean total
indemnification against any loss.
In an insurance system each of us would bear the normal,
regular and recurring costs of medical treatment, and only large
expenditures would be paid by third parties. The present system is a
prepayment system, not an insurance system. If you're "insured" under the
present system, when was the last time you had to pay out of pocket the
entire cost of a routine doctor's visit?
Would you be making as many visits
if somebody else wasn't picking up nearly all of the tab?
With very few exceptions, my copays cover the entire cost of the visit.
And being self employed, I pay all my own premiums as well - a
princely sum indeed.
Would your neighbor?
Doubtful. What's your point?
Keith Hughes