Ok, so I NEVER, EVER post ANYTHING related to politics because
I just hate the entire political
realm. I mean, I get so frustrated I seriously
don’t want to vote half the time (I will vote!
I always do, but you get my irritation) but I’ve been super frustrated
about our insurance this year.
Let me describe: We
pay just under $600 in monthly premiums for two insurance plans (one for me and
one for Mark and the kids) I had surgery in June and the insurance company paid
some of it but most of it was “written off” while I paid the $2000 deductible. I
actually didn’t think that was too bad considering the surgery and care I
had. It was superior! But I still carried as much cost as the
insurance company when it was all said and done.
Mark wrecked his ATV (Don’t freak out mom…he’s ok!!!) and was taken by ambulance to the ER. He was there for 2 ½ hours, was given and IV,
had a CT scan and was sent home. He was
perfectly fine – well, he had a concussion and was really sore, but nothing
serious) That little visit cost $21,328.70.
Yes, that’s right - $21,328.70!!!
That’s about $7500 per hour!!! and
this doesn’t include the ambulance! The insurance
will most likely get to “write off” most of that while were stuck paying a
$5000 deductible.
So let’s do some math here:
We pay about $7,200 a year in monthly premiums, and also are paying at
least $7,000 in deductibles (this doesn’t include the 80/20 payments or co-pays
either so it WILL be more out of pocket costs for us) That’s a whopping $14,200
in insurance/medical that we will pay…and we’ll pay more once we play the 80/20
game with insurance.
Ok, before I post my thoughts, please know, I’m fiercely pro-life,
love God, vote republican…most of the time, go to church every Sunday, am a member
of a Baptist church, read the Bible, listen to Ravi Zacharias, Piper, and other
great preachers…even some with a Calvinistic/reformed bent…so I’m not some left-wing
liberal masquerading as a “conservative.”
Ok… so here’s my thoughts/questions
about socialized medicine:
First of all we already have a semi-socialized system. Medicare & Medicaid are socialized
medicine, so if you’re enjoying either program, you’re benefitting from
socialized medicine. We also allow
anyone who walks into an emergency room and get the care they need. It’s against the law to turn them away. This law was put into effect by Ronald Reagan,
a Republican, in 1986 and it is a form of socialized medicine only the government doesn’t
pay for it…I do! That’s why my bill is
$21,000!
Ok, so when I watch CNN I hear stories of people in the US
who can’t afford health care and can’t get the surgeries they need because they
have no insurance and no doctor will take them.
I believe this does happen. I
didn’t have insurance when I was first married and believe me, no doctors would
care for me or take me as a patient and they were VERY rude about it too. When I
watch Fox News I hear about the Canadians and how they’re turned away and dying
because they can’t get in to see a doctor.
I’m sure this happens too. So we
both have the same problem. Some people
aren’t covered and can’t get the care they need. I could, at this point, diverge and rant about
how our media (both CNN & Fox) are completely biased and promoting
propaganda to support their political bents, but I will refrain. I want the truth...not propaganda.
Here’s my complaint:
Insurance is running our healthcare.
They are getting VERY rich while I pay all the bills. The costs for the individual are
immense! I mean how do high monthly premiums
have to climb before our family can’t afford to have insurance? More and more Americans WILL be un-insured as
the costs skyrocket, so this is a serious problem. I don’t know that socialized medicine is the
answer but honestly, the Canadians, as a whole don’t seem to envy us Americans,
and most of them seem quite happy with their health care. (Despite what I’ve
been told repeatedly)
While in the Dominican Republic, the Canadians we spoke to
loved their healthcare and couldn’t believe what we paid for our
insurance! They were stunned! The Germans we spoke to raved about their
superior health care system and told us we were misled if we think our system
is better. Now, I don’t think these few
people represent ALL Canadians and Germans, but seriously...it wasn’t the
dismal view I’ve heard about. To be frank, Mark and I were quite surprised to
hear this viewpoint.
I read the following article written by Tim Challies. He is a preacher in the Toronto area. He is a solid, biblical, Calvinistic/reformed preacher,
who I love to read. He is everything my
dad loves; biblical, strong, to-the point, and passionate for God and His glory! And yet, listen to him reflect on Canadian
health care in the attached blog post.
It was quite eye-opening – especially the part about Americans crossing
the border into Canada to get health care…WOW!! I’ve never heard this
perspective on any network!
Anyway, read it and reflect.
It’s at least, a different perspective from someone who is Biblical in
his life and beliefs. Comments are
welcome. But please, make sure they’re
kind. I’m not looking for anger or
propaganda from the right or the left - Just
ideas and truth that I can mull over. Thanks
in advance for your kindness & patience.
Here’s the blog link – PLEASE READ
IT!!!!
