[Rob Hood]

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2008/7/8/rants-453.html

Was listening to some newsradio today - many analysts are painting a bleak picture. Heard that Hummer and Saab were going to be let go, maybe more. I've already seen where Chevy is not sponsoring several NASCAR races next year.

Rick Wagoner is supposed to deliver an announcement tomorrow morning at 0830 EST. Should be worth listening to.

This post has been edited by Rob Hood: Jul 15 2008, 05:59 AM

[00 Trans Ram]

Mark - you've hit the nail on the head in a few posts. First, the healthcare industry IS resistant to change. From top-to-bottom, any change is viewed with skepticism. Look at our health care records - most are still on a paper system, with little or no computer backups.

Also, the current system is geared towards caring for people having catastrophic events, rather than preventing them in the first place. However, I'm not so sure that the system is to blame here. As a community-based health system, it is in our charter that we must provide healthcare to the citizens of our county (actually, they're parishes down here). Therefore, we must take Medicaid and Medicare when a patient comes to see us at a clinic for a checkup. The problem is that, as a percentage, those with health insurance make up the vast majority of those that receieve preventative care. This is despite the fact that they make up a smaller percentage of the population.

The conclusion is that those who pay for health coverage are more apt to take advantage of preventative medicine and are more involved. Conversely, those to whom coverage is given do not appreciate it, don't worry about the costs of it, and therefore don't use it wisely.

The answer is not universal healthcare - the answer is mandatory healthcare insurance!

We know that the minority of people with health insurance pay such high premiums because they are paying some of the costs of the majority of people with Medicare, Medicaid, or nothing. But, if everyone were forced to have health insurance, then the prices for that insurance would go down. Basically, instead of you paying for your share plus some, you'd just pay for your share.

At that point, private business people, those that fall in the gaps - everyone - would be able to afford it. As for thsoe who absolutely would not be able to afford it (unemployed, disabled, etc.), the premiums would be paid by the government, which is where their monthly checks come from anyway. But, this pool of people would be vastly reduced than it is today.

Here's another scenario about univeral government healthcare. We all know that preventative care is cheaper than reactive care. So, now that the government is controlling your healthcare, they can tell you when and where to go for a checkup. Not only that, but once the doctor prescribes a drug or course of action, they can require you to do that. And, if you don't, they may inforce criminal penalties.

I'm not being melodramatic, either. Look at Japan. Every year all men and women must participate in a physical exam. If the men's waists measure more than 36 inches, they must follow a diet and exercise program. During a follow-up visit later that year, they get re-measured. If they fail again, they are fined!

I don't think that kind of system is what America is all about. If people want to eat fast-food, not exercise and die young, that's their American right. I'm not saying I won't try to encourage them not to do so. But, I don't think that forcing people, by law, to adhere to a 2000 calorie-per-day diet is what America stands for.

BTW - for Julie, Mark and whoever else. If you have to go to the hospital for some reason, and you don't have insurance, these things can help you out. First of all, review the bill meticulously - there are often errors. Secondly, talk with the billing dept about getting the rates discounted. You'll read stories about how insurance companies don't pay the same rates for services that individuals are charged. Well, that's true - they buy in bulk, so they get discounts. But, you can ask for some discounts too. All they can say is no. Thirdly, ask what kind of "forgiveness" program they have. Hosptials often provide free care as part of their tax-exempt or charity status. Ask them if you qualify for any of that. Finally, they will set you up on some payment system to pay the bill over time.

The simple fact that you are willing to work with them to pay tells them that they may expect some money from you. And, they'd rather have some than none - which is what they usually get.