General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: These two things have devastated our culture and we have descended into madness. [View all]sinkingfeeling
(51,485 posts)for myself and my son until 1993. When we lived in Rochester, MN, my primary source was the Mayo Clinic. I had two surgeries there. Zero bills to me.
All drugs were covered under the plan and I also paid nothing for my ultraviolet treatments. I don't remember there being a cap.
In 1993, we started with a copay to doctors and a small deductible. It went south from there.
I've been on an IBM pension since I retired and they give me $3000 a year to cover premiums, co-pays, etc. It's my choice, so I use it for dental insurance, to recover my monthly $170 for Medicare, and long term care insurance.
Yes, I realize a lot of people did not have the same, but I also paid nothing when I worked for the state. Most large corporations, government, and union shops did provide free insurance to employees back then. It was a different world, where employers valued their employees more than stockholders and their own bank accounts.