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.
We just had friends visiting from France who also commented about their socialized health care. They also have free higher ed. The catch? The country is in debt. But we are as well...
ReplyDeleteI knwo, we're all going broke regardless of our healthcare system. Thats not good. humm...
Delete1. Usually all of this debate begins as to whether health care is a basic human right or a service you pay for?
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Let’s get to the root of the issue. I think health care is a right. I believe humans were created in God's image, thus giving each person intrinsic value and worth. This is why I’m pro-life and this is why I believe health care is a right not a luxury only for those with enough money to buy health insurance. I find it a bit odd that many of my bible-believing, God-fearing friends don’t believe this way. It seems the compassionate and God-honoring perspective. I’m sure though there is something I’m not considering. I have heard that it hands the government too much control, and I am leery of that…especially when there appears to be very little concern for the lives of unborn babies. I’m not sure I trust a government who does not value life to run my health care, but I don’t’ want people dying because they can’t see a doctor.
DeleteHeather, I think we have to be careful what we define as a "right." I define a right, as does the Declaration of Independence, as something given to me by God (not by government) that cannot be taken from me (by government or any other entity). It's government's job to protect these God-granted rights, but that does not mean government bestows these rights. Remember that anything the government gives is something that the government can take away. Government does not bestow rights, and therefore, cannot take them away.
DeleteYou say that you believe health care is a right. I agree, in that I have a right to secure health care for myself (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) without the interference of government or anybody else. But if my "right" to something is dependent upon taking it from someone else (a doctor), all of the sudden, my "right" makes someone else my slave. A "right" should not infringe on anybody else's freedom. Another example. I have a right to bear arms. Does that mean I can rightfully take a weapon from my neighbor? Or does it mean that the government can take it from my neighbor and compensate my neighbor for the weapon (using my neighbor's money) in order for me to have it? I say neither.
I also believe that ALL life has divine worth, but if I were to use that as my basis for why a certain commodity is a "right," then that's a pretty slippery slope. For instance, I view water as one of the most basic life-sustaining commodities on earth. Much more basic than health care (if I go without fluids for roughly three days, I will die). Do I have a right to water? Yes, in the sense that I have the right to secure it for myself. But does a right to water mean that the government must secure it for me? Does my right to water mean that I can take it from someone else? It doesn't. I don't have the right to take someone else's property. In that vein of thought, I don't have a right to take from the doctor (or hospital or specialist, etc.) that which is their personal property (their services, knowledge, etc.). The moment I have a right to what someone else has, it makes whoever holds that commodity a slave to the takers. And what about THEIR rights to liberty?
In my opinion, health care is a responsibility. I have the responsibility to take care of myself, just as I have the responsibility to feed, clothe, shelter, and water myself for the sake of my own health. I also have a responsibility to "be my brother's keeper," as a Christian. That responsibility falls on my shoulders, not government's. It is not the role of government to be charitable. It's government's responsibility to protect my rights so that I can fulfill God's commands to be charitable.
I agree. Very wise thoughts. I guess I what I meant was I believe it is morally right to provide healthcare. People who need help should be able to get it. If the help is withheld because of money I believe that is morally wrong. Now, I don't necessarily think socialized medicine is the best way to accomplish this. I agree with Christians taking care of one another and being charitable and certainly non-profits do manange money and resources far better than any government. But this Biblical concept doesnt seem to be applied to well...I guess I'd like to see how it can be done better.
DeleteFirst, all of the $$$ you have spent is tax deductible; so, just keep the bills. Secondly, the cost of the ATV should be added to the medical bills because you are going to have to get it fixed, too. We are very happy that Mark is alright. Remember this, it is just money. Don't you remember all of those cars - Cookie?
ReplyDeleteYes mom, but I also remember they were cars I helped buy, and none of them were close to what we’re getting ready to pay..and what does that have to do with healthcare??!?!! (I also repaired them with money $ too!!) Grrr…cars!!
DeleteAnyway, I guess my thought is that there has to be a better way. Insurance is pointless. It’s a racket that has caused prices to skyrocket. Again, if I could just pay what the hospitals have agreed to pay the insurance companies, I could cancel my policy. Something is wrong with that! Don’t’ you agree!
Australia has socialised healthcare, it costs nothing to see a doctor 24/7- at the emergency room or at a GP's Office. Specialists are a different story, although the waiting list to get socialised specialist care is as long as a piece of string. Occasionally, a specialist will charge you via the socialised system so you get it for free, or sometimes they will use the socialised (Medicare) system to subsidise part of the payment so you don't have to pay as much.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is very aware and interested in the US health system, as he thinks we will go the same way. We have health insurance, and most people have it, the deductible is usually less than a $1000. It used to be optional to have health insurance, and in a way it still is, but they now have 'an incentive' to have health insurance rather than not, as you will now be charged extra tax if you don't have insurance. The free socialised system is still open to everyone, as long as you're prepared to wait for your surgery, you will get your operation and post op health care for free. People still complain though- don't think a lot of people realise how lucky we are:)
I have friends that have had babies privately as it is called (which means private hospital covered via health insurance), and other friends that have had babies in a public hospital using medicare. My friend who gave birth and stayed in a private hospital and paid via her health insurance did get a private room, but it costs a bomb. Everything she had to pay for- the doctors, nurses, pedatric care, medications etc- absolutely everything. She paid it in her insurance premiums, deductible etc. A mutual friend of ours gave birth to twins in a public hospital with all expenses covered under medicare- both twins were breach and had a medical team just dedicated to them. She had the same OBGYN, the same care- well better because her twins were premmies. The only difference was she had to share a hospital room with two other ladies. It cost her nothing- not a penny, everything was covered including all the medication for the twins, post op care- the whole lot. My friend who went private and paid via her health insurance and deduction was fuming!
That’s interesting. I've never heard of allowing people to keep insurance or enroll in the "socialized" plan. That’s a thought. Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate your story. My first thought was that the public hospitals weren't as good, but I guess not!!! Thats great! This would allow people to carry insurance if they so desired. thanks again!!
DeleteI don't know anything about how insurance of medical care works in the states, since we live in India and have for the last five years. But I can tell you that here, there is no health care system, socialized, or insurance or otherwise. There are doctors and hospitals everywhere, pharmacies everywhere. And almost all the doctors we see at the private hospital here in our small city have degrees hanging on the wall from the US or UK. And we pay about $10 to see them. That's the whole fee. Then we drive to the private pharmacy owned by one little guy and get our antibiotics and vitamins that they prescribed for less than $5. You don't need insurance or socialized government controlled health care when everyone is charging reasonable prices. These doctors are doing fine, and even village people can manage to see them if they need to. And many doctors here offer certain timings for people with a BPL (Below Poverty Line) card to come for free.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that when the AIDS epidemic was reaching its climax in Africa, the American drug companies producing the anti-virals for HIV/AIDS were able to secure a global patent on it, and held that patent for 20 years? They didn't allow anyone else in the WORLD to produce those drugs, and charged over $15,000 per year per person for treatment. Finally, in some court somewhere, Cipla pharmacies in India were able to get permission to reproduce (or re-create their own version) of these anti-virals to treat HIV/AIDS. How much did they charge for a years treatment? Less than $300. But, it was already too late for millions of people in Africa who could not afford the $15,000 demanded by US drug companies.
There is something deeply wrong with healthcare in the US. That's all I know.
WOW! I really appreciate your insight Megan. I had no idea how healthcare in India worked, so its intersting that its jsut "free enterprise" Yes, soemthing is VERY wrong with our healthcare...I think it may be greed...imagine that!! Thanks for your perspective. I had never thought about a "system" that was just independent. Thanks so much!
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