On The Fence

[Pat Jewett]

I am still undecided on this whole medical insurance/citizen insurance debate. I read recently that there were 4396508 people who have lost their health insurance in the last 6 months. And that is not counting the millions who already go without. That seems like a big problem that needs some attention, but how much will these programs end up costing us? And can the government really run them efficiently? These are the issues I struggle with and look for answers too.

[abby0802]

Max, the reason it isn't happening here is that the health insurance industry has bought off our politicians and won't let it happen here. Also, our health care industry is a profit oriented business with the bean counters in charge.

Our family went to Switzerland to visit family friends; to this day I wish we had stayed..... the neutrality issue, health care issue, etc. Yes, it's more expensive in some ways, but they are such a practical people....

[Max Entropy]

I was a foreign national living in Switzerland when they reformed their health insurance system in 1996. Switzerland is a very expensive country to live or get sick in, so I was a bit concerned. I ended up choosing a private HMO plan based on advice from a local agency set up to counsel consumers about the costs and benefits of the available plans. Shortly after I signed up, another local agency began sending me money, a low-income subsidy for my premiums (I was a relatively impoverished graduate student), for which I did not even need to apply. It just happened. I received a bunch of examinations and several procedures from my HMO physician, and never received a bill or even a statement of charges. If it can happen that way there, why not here?

[abby0802]

I have health care through the military -- I pay an annual premium and use local civilian doctors and hospitals (to allow active duty to have first access to military facilities and doctors) -- I am completely satisfied with my health care --
private companies bid against one another to manage the care -- my annual premium is quite low as are my co-pays -- I've never had a hassle or problem with my doctors, hospitals, or with the provider in receiving care, and I've had some major (and I do mean major) surgeries....

I admit there have been some problems at army facilities (like the fiasco at Walter Reed) but the Tricare system works very well and it is government run....

If our country would adopt the system that the Swiss use, it would run quite well -- people can use private or public health options but the private industries are very regulated --