TexasCHLforum.com

marksiwel wrote:So, everyone here is happy with their insurance and have never been screwed over or denied a claim by their insurance company?

I can only speak for myself, but to answer your question...YES, I'm very happy with my current insurance. Could it be better? Certainly. The healthcare and insurance industries need reform. But that's not what you're asking. So, yes, I'm happy with my insurance. I pay for half of it, and my employer pays the other half, and it's not cheap, but it's good. Dealing with the insurance company on issues has been, allbeit rare, challenging. It's not utopia, but it is light years better than my personal experiences dealing with ANY gooberment entity (USPS, DPS, IRS, etc.).

Regarding issues with my insurance company...when I have had a problem getting an issue resolved, my employer leans on them and gets it resolved. Why, because my employer represents volume, and me and my employer paid for certain services with certain expectations. It's called capitalism.

TRY THAT WITH THE GOOBERMENT!!! That's a challenge!

ChuckW wrote:I certainly did not suggest that some bureaucrat or senator make make medical decisions. And, my whole previous statement was meant to indicate that the doctor who stands to gain the most ordering expensive options is the among the worst to rely on. What is needed is some independent unbiased backup help available to patients. Sort of an immediately available second opinion.

I somewhat see the point that you are trying to make, but I don't completely agree with you. Any time I have had medical treatment, including back surgery, I have been the one that makes the final decision of what treatment I receive. Not the doctor. Now, that doctor that I have chosen to advise me is specially trained in his field, to make compelling recommendations and/or offer specific advice. I respect that training, and trust his/her advice, but he/she is human, and can mis-diagnose a problem. If I'm not completely comfortable with what I'm being told, I am currently free to seek a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions. It is certain that gooberment-run healthcare will not allow that freedom.

Further, the finest medical doctors are practicing medicine right now. Whatever their motivation for practicing...be it financial gain, passion, charity...the best of the best are practicing medicine today. Go ask how many of those best of the best doctors how long they are going to practice medicine under federal-bureaucratic terms, and I bet the answer is shocking. I have asked some, including my very well-respected orthopaedic surgeon, and some say they'll likely continue practice with great reservations, one said he wasn't sure, and one said he will retire very early and enjoy life.

The point I'm trying to make is this...federal bureaucracy will drive the best of the best out of practice, and that will ultimately hurt all of us. The best doctors teach the rest.

Dudley wrote:Why are you surprised? Higher costs are common when a government nationalizes any industry.

I'm not surprised. It was my attempt at sarcasm. I have been expecting healthcare costs to shoot to the stratosphere, and someone has to pay for it.

The debate for the Dem healthcare bill hits the senate floor today. The CBO announced this morning, that the Dem healthcare bill will raise insurance premiums...WHAT??? Didn't see that coming!!

It will be interesting to see how many Dem politicians start jumping ship. The Repubs are unanimously against it.