If we got Single Payer health care, what would change in your life?

[kster]

Last night at a campfire after a long and heated debate about health insurance, with all the same talking points. I asked this question, and oh man did the conversation do a 180.

I started by stating that I would hire a few people and expand my business, my wife said she would quit her job and get a less demanding job or maybe work in my business. My daughter, part time college student, wouldn't have to worry about losing benefits when she student teaches to complete her masters degree in elementary education. Future son in law, temporarily laid off, would like to start his own business with full health care he'd be able to.

Another guy said I would retire immediately, this is the same guy that was saying during the first part of the debate that Canadians had to wait to get care. After listening to what would change in everyone elses life, and seeing the possibility of retirement now asks "how does Canada do health care"? lol



If we got Single Payer today, what would change in your life?

[Cassandra]

1. I could buy the equipment I need to expand my business...

and take a vacation. I could also stop worrying about being endlessly gouged by BCBS.

[W_HAMILTON]

2. I would be free to work where I choose.

I won't be tied to a job because of my healthcare.

I won't be worried about switching jobs in the future because I know that my plan will be the same regardless.

I won't have to worry about my family members that have no health insurance, and have no hope of getting health insurance anytime soon.

It would take a lot of stress out of my life.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Well, I am on MaineCare (Medicaid) now, but I would expect additional care such as for

my eyes and teeth that I am not currently receiving now.

And I would feel a sigh of relief that the rest of my family could have the same good care without digging deeper into their pockets than they could afford to, like hey have to do now.

[Maine-ah]

46. we got dropped from MC in April.

hubbie made too much money last year due to overtime from moving the store to a different location. This year he is back to normal hours. I picked up some half assed insuranced through where I work for 70 bucks a week that covers all of us. Dog forbid if anything catastrophic should happen though.

If we had UHC, I might be able to figure out what's been causing my headaches. That would make me a very happy person.

[GreenPartyVoter]

47. We've been dropped before too, but once our income went back down they re-enrolled us. Any chance

that could be in the cards for you? (I seriously don't work because we don't dare make too much money and get us kicked off of MC again. I'm not healthy enough to hold down a job that would give me good coverage anyway. *sigh*)

[murray hill farm]

4. I am retired...

and have soc. sec. and medicre. So, probably not too much for me. but...it would change the lives of so many of my family and friends and neighbors...and for millions of my fellow americans that I hope with all of my being that it is included in the final bill and that it becomes law. It is probably one of the most important events that will occur in my lifetime and in my opinion, it must occur.

[mdmc]

5. America could compete in the global economy

I could afford to get the therapy that I need.

[bemildred]

6. I'd worry less about being bankrupted if I get sick, mainly. nt

[Minimus]

7. I could stop paying $437 a month for COBRA and relax just a little

about being unemployed.

I wouldn't have to worry about getting a full-time job with benefits. I could take a part-time job if necessary without worrying about how I would pay for insurance.

[dysfunctional press]

8. i'm disabled and on medicare- so not too much...

[slipslidingaway]

9. knr - not very much at the moment, except to know that others will

be able to receive the care they need.

[Warpy]

10. I could stop being terrified all the time

for the first time in 22 years.

[UpInArms]

20. that was what I thought - but the difference was only in years

17 for me.

Fear of losing everything if anyone in my family becomes seriously ill or injured.

[ejpoeta]

11. I wouldn't have to worry so much about the cost of our insurance going up again.

And I wouldn't worry so much about trying to afford to go to my therapist that I haven't seen since April, right after my dad died, because they expect me to pay $50 a visit.... now mind you, I am eight months pregnant and haven't taken my anti depressant that whole time and the therapist was the only thing I had to try to stay on top of this. And now I feel myself spiraling and there isn't much I can do about it. I could be happy about a new baby coming instead of worrying about how much this is going to cost us since we had to switch insurance in january (before I found out I was pregnant) and we have Cigna and have deductibles and stuff.

[murielm99]

12. My husband could retire.

I have a preexisting condition. I can't get insurance until I am Medicare eligible.

He deserves his retirement. He won't take it if it bankrupts us.

[readmoreoften]

13. My partner would be able to get a better job and he'd stop paying 1/4 of his small salary

towards insurance. He would be able to get proper health care, since no one treats his condition in my city (he is FTM) and his insurance does not cover physicians across the state even though hormone therapy is covered. He needs to see an endocrinologist, but is instead can only get care from (and pay out the wazoo for) an LPN.

[parasim]

14. Such a great question!

I am going to ask my cousins, who I have been arguing with a lot lately on this healthcare stuff. (They're Palin fans... nuff said.)

I'm going to pose that question to them. Should be interesting.

[tavalon]

15. I would leave my job at a hospital that is soul killing and go try out a few of the others

See, all the hospitals are unionized up here and so seniority really counts if they start closing hospitals or contracting nursing staff (hard to believe, but ineffectual middle management suckups often think firing nurses saves money, when in the long term it is hugely costly, but if they weren't MMs, they might be able to think better). So, I have a few years seniority in this soul killing hospital with my employer provided lousy insurance, so if I pursue my dream of finding a less soul killing employer, then I will be at the bottom of the seniority rung when middle management attacks.

[stray cat]

16. I would pay at least 10,000 more a year for health care - at least initially

[UpInArms]

21. huh?

[nyhuskyfan]

17. Peace Of Mind

Just the feeling that I could take another job, or become self-employed without worrying about benefits. Or when health problems do come up, being able to worry only about what's wrong and not whether it could be something that could break me financially.

Our system now let's you down when you need it most. When you're laid off or between jobs, you already feel stressed, no need to add stress about benefits on top of it. Or you get turned down for pre-existing conditions when you really need the care.

[Oregone]

36. This is huge

I moved and have it, but before I was worried about a catastrohpic problem every time I went on a trip in a car. Being healthy, I rarely go to the doctor anyway (but its nice to not have to pay a fortune when I do). In the meantime, there is a massive absence of stress due to the health situation and what could happen

[B Calm]

18. I could retire and thus open my job to a young person!

[WeDidIt]

19. I would look fora different job

I work in a job I despise because I fear losing health care.

[JanMichael]

22. My wife wouldn't have to take/keep jobs she hates just to get it.

It isn't right that I'm fully covered and she isn't.

[kenny blankenship]

23. I wouldn't have to tunnel under the Canadian border!

My nails could grow back.

[Mystayya]

24. I could go see a doctor

I could get back on anti-depressants that I badly need. I could get my teeth fixed instead of just waiting for them to stop hurting as I slowly lose them. What I would give to smile again without covering my mouth. I could think about having the second back surgery I need.

[Captain Hilts]

25. I would be able to have medical care! nt

[2Design]

26. I would get a physical, glasses, and have my foot looked at n/t

[janet118]

27. I would have way less stress in my life . . .

and that, in itself, would make me healthier.

Right now, I have over two thousand dollars in medical bills and I still haven't reached my deductible. I work for my husband and we can't afford anything but the minimal insurance coverage. It was for tests and specialists because I mentioned a small symptom to my optometrist. They didn't find anything wrong which is good, but . . . Lesson: don't mention any problems to primary care physicians.

My husband just had his gall bladder removed. He probably reached his deductible - which we will have to pay. It's been a bad year economically and now all these extra expenses. We are just hanging on. As I listen to bits and pieces of the various bills under consideration, I am beginning to think that people like us will still be left out in the cold.

What kind of country is this?

[Kaleko]

28. Send this thread to Obama, Sebelius and everyone else who needs to be moved.

[Martin Eden]

29. It would give me freedon to pursue other career options

I don't have any plans at this moment to work at something other than my current job, which is pretty decent and provides me with BCBS insurance ... but if I wanted to start my own business the prospect of purchasing insurance as a 51 year old male would give me great pause.

[fascisthunter]

30. I'd get to keep more of my pay check

[Jkid]

31. I'll plan to get every medical appointment done for on week.

Medical, dental, and vision. And I would not need to spend any money.

[JustAnotherGen]

32. I'm starting

an Online Women's Magazine - launching it on January 7, 2010. Having an option means I can quit once it begins to turn a profit - and I believe it will very quickly. Not having an option? I will have to wait longer - wait to take it to the next level. . . delaying my ability to hire others full time who I can offer money to buy into the single payer system.

I also have a chronic hereditary disease - so no single payer will likely mean I will never have health insurance again when I leave my job.

[alfredo]

33. I have single payer, VA. I'm healthier now. I get tests and care when I need it,

not when I think I can afford it.

[Odin2005]

34. I get healthcare via the State of Minnesota (I'm disabled), so not much will change for me.

[RC]

35. How does Canada do Health Care?

Canada Health Act

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/cha-lcs/overview-apercu-eng.php

[DearAbby]

37. I would enjoy life as it should be

instead of praying like hell, my husband or I don't get in an accident or horribly ill. It would give both of us peace of mind.

[eridani]

38. I'd get to keep my doctor

None of the proposed bills will allow that, as they all keep insurance companies with their fucking preferred provider lists in the game, and there will be no public option until 2013.

[nightrain]

39. less time wasted on calling insurance companies to verify exclusions and benefits, easier billing,

better access to my practitioners

[comtec]

40. I could move back from Holland

Mind you there are one or two other things keeping me here now, but as long as I'm married to my wife health care is the M A J O R reason for not living in California.

She's diabetic and must have insulin to live. Her insulin pump costs 5000€ and MUST be replaced every two years. we have two in teh house at all times so she has a spare in case the first one fails - and it does.

Our insurance is about 100e a month each. mine is less than her's, and her's is more, but it averages out to 100 each.

We never worry about her insulin, her pump, her testing supplies, it's all covered by her insurance.

I'm pretty low maintenance usually. my colchicine for my gout is like 20e for 3 months (had to pay once) and I watch what I eat, exercise, etc.

The doctor is rather lazy and that gets our ire about health CARE here quite a lot, but that aside medical is NOT something we worry about, ever - at least as far as the cost.

The netherlands has a kind of half-assed hybrid system. IIRC there isnt' a gov-run system par say, but the industry is regulated to an inch of their lives. They are told how much profit they are allowed to make, and what their CEO's can make, and what they can charge.

They recently won teh right to have 3 levels of care (and to charge for each differently) the low level is basics - seeing your doctor and any medicine he deems necessary (being Calvinists, REAL Calvinists medicine is literally WHAT you need - and pain is ok) emergencies, etc.
tier 2 covers some non-medically necessary procedures. My wife jokes that if her shrink agree's she can get a boob job paid. I think she plays this card every so often just so I'll assure her that her chest is adequate for me and that I love her for WHO she is not HOW she looks.
Tier 3 pretty much covers everything.

the difference per month between tier 1 and 3 is around 100e. I could be wrong but I think the costs were like 80, 100, 150. it may have gone up a bit since then.

Oh yeah pre-existing conditions no longer exist. if you have one (like diabetes) you have to buy the top tier - which is affordable.

if you CAN NOT afford medical (rare but low-end work does not always cover the medical - my company pays 100 a month extra for me) the government pays it for you.

It is literally illegal for you NOT to have insurance here, and if you don't you MUST apply for the government to pay it for you. imho it should not be illegal, but you'd have to be stupid not to allow to gov to pay if you are that poor. but whatever. uitkering (welfare - generic term) and the low-income protection laws are very good here. if you are that poor, you are not destitute, and homeless. Yes there are homeless but these are rare cases. (another rant, but by someone more informed on the topic will have to give it)

so... if we had universal in the US it would make returning home (something I desperately want lately) feasible. but not until then

[comtec]

42. Oh yeah I WAS on single-payer when I was in Contra Costa Country

In california you have county care.
When you are really poor you get it free, if you have a small to medium income you buy into it.

BEST

COVERAGE

EVER!

I had to call early, and wait sometimes to see the dr.. but I was never turned away, and I felt like I was actually in control of my health.

There are clinics all over teh bay area I could goto and I got my meds! (Gout is a horrible condition when inflamed. The pain is terrible and debilitating. the medicine is very cheap, but only available by prescription. Once under control it is easy to manage but getting there...)

When I was back on my feet I practically BEGGED to be allowed to buy into the system. It really is that good. I didn't care about the waiting, I didn't care about the eeaarrrlllyyyy morning calls to get a Dr. Appt that NIGHT, all I cared was that I was covered, totally, completely. Prescriptions were limited to 30 days (my doc somehow always made sure I got a 100-pill bottle tho) and absolutely NOTHING non-necessary was performable.

but once you make over a certain amount you can't get in at all, sadly.
When I was under Blue Cross (in 98) on their next-to-gold ppo plan I payed more and got about the same service, except the co-pay was slowly whittling away at my income (actually rather low then. the plan wasn't too expensive tho).
The next year they eliminated the plan i was on, and replaced it with a LESSER plan, for the same amount, and literally no way to buy back up to the plan I had before.

The evil has been around for quite some time.

[Norwood]

41. I could go to optometrist and get my eyes looked at

- My sight started to go downhill a few years ago and I haven't been able to get them checked.

- I could go to the dentist again to fix a couple teeth that are bothering me

- I could find a good physician and get a physical

[comtec]

43. Any JC's in your area?

usually a Junior college or dental school is happy to have people walk in for free cleanings (or low cost) to give students practice?

[annabanana]

44. I could stop worrying about my (now) uninsured son.

He aged out the family plan, is looking hard for work, and has asthma. I fear for him every time he leaves the house.

[loyalkydem]

45. As someone

whose dream it is to start his own production company, I would gladly hire people and happily tell them that health insurance is available through public option or if they want to go through private insurance that route. I'd be able to sleep at night.

[LeftishBrit]

48. Being British I have it. But the thought of how it would change if I didn't have it horrifies me...

especially as I have a 'pre-existing condition', and so do some of my family members.

I own a book called "Can We Afford the Doctor?", a book of reminiscences by elderly British people about health care before the NHS was founded. It's quite a shocker to see how people went without necessary treatments for lack of money - and even more shocking to realize that such a situation can still exist in a developed country.

I hope that soon you can all have what I have.

Sometimes we take health care for granted here. We must all be alert to preserve it, and support those in the world who are still fighting for it.

[Orsino]

49. I could focus my efforts on the world's other great problems. n/t

[kster]

50. Mad as Hell Doctors... Hit the Road For Single Payer Health Care!

http://www.madashelldoctors.com/

This thread was fun to watch Thanks for all the responses I hope this thread moves people. :)

[quiller4]

51. Little or nothing.