Cost disability insurance

I know that a handicapped adult can receive disability insurance, but what about parents who are prevented from working due to caring for a special needs child?? I am trying to get him enrolled in the county special education program, but as anyone who has dealt with the districts knows that it is a nightmare, especially in this economy. Every time I have tried to work, even part time, I have had to quit immediately because I cannot get care for my child, he has been kicked out of every single day care program in the area except for the private special education school, but I can't send him there anymore, it is very very expensive. He is supposed to have his IEP completed as soon as he gets an official "diagnosis" but unfortunately every time I take him for his psych exams/evaluations, I have to pay them a $70 copay and I cannot do it every week, and psych exams take a very long time even if you do go every week. The only place nearby that will do it at no cost has a 6 month waiting list and I do not know what to do for income in the meantime. Are there any financial assistance programs specifically designed to assist parents who are full time caregivers for handicapped children?

I have been dating a guy for fifteen months. We moved in together in January and agreed to split the cost for common expenses (rent, utilities, and internet service). In February, my boyfriend announced that he could not pay his half of the expenses because he had used the money to pay old debts that had nothing to do with me. I ended up paying the entire amount to keep a roof over our heads, but this left me almost broke. He had agreed to cover the rest of the expenses for the month in exchange for this, but he paid almost nothing all month, and I ended up spending the rest of my money and borrowing more to make ends meet. In March he announced that he had spent his money again to pay other debts, so he could not cover his half of the Internet bill. I agreed to pay that. What he failed to tell me is that he had not been paying his half of the bill for the last two months . Yesterday, our service was canceled. The bill was way more than I had expected to pay, and frankly, I could not afford it. I told him so, and he flew into a rage, cursing me out, calling me names, and throwing his jacket around the room in a tantrum. At some points I felt threatened by his behavior because it was all directed at me, as if I am to blame for his failure to pay his half of the bill. Finally, I agreed to pay it even though it would put me further behind financially, but then he refused to let me pay it because I dared to confront him (again) about his repeated failure to pay his half of the expenses and his expectation that I cover them instead. He went out and borrowed money to pay the bill, then insulted me a few more times for "making him get even further into debt." He has not been speaking to me at all for the last 24 hours. On top of all this, I am suffering from some serious health problems that need medical treatment. I cannot afford to pay for my medical treatment when he fails to pay his half of the expenses. I have told him this, but he always responds by sneering at my health condition, belittling me for being unable to work, and otherwise hurting my feelings. A few days ago, I collapsed in the kitchen when my heart went into an irregular beat called atrial fibrillation. I was unconscious for a few minutes. When I woke up, I realized that it was my heart because it has happened before. I told my boyfriend to call an ambulance and he balked at my request. "There is nothing wrong with you!" he retorted. "I checked your pulse and you're fine!" I told him that my heart was not beating right, that I could feel my chest burning inside, and that I needed help or I could die. He continued to refuse to call one while I lay on the floor. A friend happened to come over at that moment, and my boyfriend called an ambulance only because my friend told him to do it because I looked so pale. Sure enough, it was my heart. I had to go to the hospital for treatment, but my boyfriend refused to come with me to the hospital. I ended up hitching a ride home when I was released because I had no money for a cab and my boyfriend claimed that he had no money to pay for one, either. My boyfriend seemed so nice before I moved in with him, but now he is acting like a totally different person. He wants all of my money and then some, he makes fun of me for not being able to work, and he hurls insults and contempt at me when I tell him that I have lupus and cannot work because of how sick I get when it flares up. I feel afraid around him now, like he is going to start hitting me if I do not fork over all of my money and act like nothing is wrong with that. I have to buy medical insurance with what little money I get from disability, yet he only sneers at me when I tell him that. "I would take care of you!" he says. "You just don't trust me. You're paranoid!" But how could I trust him to help me when he is acting this way? I am so confused. I cannot sleep and this stress is making me even sicker. He knows that I will get sick if I do not rest enough, yet he blares the stereo at full volume whenever I am in bed. Is this domestic abuse? Or am I wrong not to hand him all of my money "until he is caught up" and then trust him to take care of things? What should I do? Thank you all for your advice. I am going to start making plans to get out of here. I absolutely will not stay in this situation now that I know for sure that this is domestic abuse. Thank you again!

Why is Obama ignoring the fact that the greatest health care concern facing America really is the fact that untold millions of people need or will be needing long term care which at the moment costs upward of $ 12,000 per month per person & health care insurance + medicare coverage only allow for the first 90 days of this long term care ? After health care insurance + Medicare ( which is for those on disability as well as for seniors ) long term care benefits expire after the first 90 days, the resident is required to pay privately for their long term care and once their life savings are depleted ( which frequently happens rapidly at a cost of $ 10,000- $12,000 per month ) then Medicaid ( not Medicare ) kicks in costing Federal/State Government $ 10,000-$12,000 per month every month for every long term care resident. Why is Obama failing to address this increasing need for long term care which, through Medicaid, is becoming the greatest, single, ever increasing expense for federal/state government after long term care has already bankrupted the long term care resident ? ruth - You are wrong. First of all many people ( not all of whom are seniors ) in long term care facilities require more skilled medical/nursing care than can be provided at home. Secondly, how many people do you know who, regardless of their age, have sufficient assets ( with no ongoing earned income ) enabling them to pay $ 12,000 monthly for years ? At an annual cost of $ 144,000 in 3 years time that would amount to over $ 500,000 What happens after these monies are depleted ? Who is supposed to pay for these long term care costs? We are not talking about whether granny should get a hip replacement at 79 ; we are talking about how to pay for grannys $ 144,000 + annual Nursing Home bill for the next 10 years ? gws35 -While I agree with a lot of what you say the fact is that millions that already need or will be needing long term care don't have long term care insurance or disability insurance and they still need long term care and.........that is exactly what Obama has failed to address......... PATRICK - Thanks for the insightful & brilliant answer. BTW - You can add the disabled ( alcoholic, mentally ill, etc. ) who also wind up in long term care facilities.

I work part time,i am physically disabled ,my husb is unemployable,rejected from disability, i have very bad health condition and need health insurance to continue dr.care....How can i get affordable health insurance that won't cost me a fortune? I have gone to the DPA and i was rejected by them. I suffer with depression/(diagnosed bi-polar) ,,disc disease,IBS....i must obtain medical Insurance to continue treatment in order to continue working...how can i get help?

I will lose medicaid when my parents pass on. My dad refuses to setup a special trust fund, and i'd rather own and manage the properties myself. my medicine costs are maybe $1675 or so out of pocket, and have been on $674 medicaid the past 15+ years due to my disability. I want to know the best insurance finder websites out there *that are honest* that is going to save me the most money, and will take me despite my medicine and health condition. i have a pre-existing condition of schizophrenia. i also have some physical health issues. i dont believe medicaid buy in will work for me once i am no longer eligible for it, nor do i know its costs. i had done research on that some time ago. thank you also do i want a lower or higher or mid deductible ? my psychiatric nurse costs $85 and i'd like an insurance that'd pay 50% of that, and the most important thing is i get my meds as cheap as possible, if i'm putting too much into the insurance, it may as well be said "i'm paying for my meds out of pocket" with the costs of homeowner insurance, my goal is to save money. thank you

no they are real grants that can get money6 to help disability people as I need 1500 to get straighten out fix my vehichle get cought up on bills light bill phone bill insurance and got good credit but am at point that they cannot loan me any money due to me have to have a certain p-ercentage left before they can loan you the money please4 somebody help me I even can pay the 125 month till the 1500 is payed and the interest to but the laws will not mlet them loan over so much percentage of your check i draw 708 month my vehichle has tore up and it cost 1200 to fix it and in real trouble if donr figure out what to do ,fast I lose everthoing without be able fix it and lose all my credit if cant get fixed and then lose my ability to get a loan no family to help nobody turn to thought hope so bad some body no what i doi to get it cant make it over weekkk longer before loss the vehichle and then lose my credit ability to borrow money and only ndraw 708 month and if lose that have no way to0 even pay any bills my rent gas bill light bill grocried noway to get to dr no mway to do nothoing so pleaese mean more than words could say i ned some help so bad.

I have a physical job and became pregnant and thus disabled. I was approved for Short Term Disability and it will end in April. After April I will need to apply for LTD and pay for COBRA. Here are my two issues. 1.I currently still have health insurance through my work. I also had a secondary health insurance through my husbands work. He was laidoff last week. He now qualifies for a discounted Cobra premium. Because I have health insurance through my job, I would not qualify for the discounted Cobra under my husbands health insurance. I would like to quit my job, so that my health insurance will end and I can qualify under my husbands discounted Cobra. If my math is correct, it will cost us $1000 less if I completely quit, stop STD, and stop my health insurance and go with my husbands health insurance with the discounted Cobra. I'll have to make a call to the Dept of Labor to see if this is even possible. 2. If I quit my job now, without going back to work, will I have to payback any of the STD benefits that I have recieved so far? As things are right now, I'm pretty sure I could continue to qualify and get approved for disability insurance until I have my baby in July, if that makes any difference. I was under my husband's insurance at the time he was laid off. I also have my own health insurance through my employer. My husband qualifies for the Cobra discount because he was laid off before February 28, 2010 which is the last day that someone can qualify. Also, my employer decided that I was disabled. I did not refuse work. I had a dr.'s note stating that I couldn't repetivitely lift over 20lbs. Even though includes only about 10% of my job description, my boss told me that "my remaining shifts had been cancelled and that they were unable to work me due to my restrictions" and they recommended that I file for STD. They didn't want to accomodate me at all on this small request.

well im 9 weeks and 1 day.. okay this is going to be TMI so sorry.. but i woke up this morning and seen a like 2 drops of brown discharge but when i wipe (i know tmi) i see nothing.. but as i was laying in the bed i felt a little sharp pain on my right side but that was only when i layed a certain way.. then about 2 hrs later i notice when everytime i threw up i felt pain also on my lower tummy.. and then i used the restroom again and i seen brown discharge and also one white tissue (well i think thats what it is) it was thick and it stretched now that freaked me OUT!!! im going to the doctor but its not for a u/s its so he can put me on disability because my morning sickness is really bad.. and if i ask for a u/s it will cost because i dont have insurance right now.. so has any women experienced this? im not spotting alot and i only have that pain when i stretch sometimes not all the times.. but that tissue was weird and i am around the time i was suppose to start my period so u think that is what it is? o and i also had a ultrasound 3 days ago and the baby was fine heartbeat and all.. would u just pay for another ultra sound?

i emailed someone who is supposed to be helping me, but is just playing games that i expect to become homeless, run out of food, and die because of my situation which i was seeking help for (physical disability causing financial hardship) but not getting it... he reported me for being suicidal... i was taken involunatarilly to the hospital where they took a look at what i said (I brought the email with me) walked out and called me a cab and sent me home.......with a $2000 bill.. I'm too sick to take him to court...i am mostly homebound due to the physical disability. I have insurance that covers a portion and am not eligible for charity care..I can't afford my out of pocket cost Would this be considered a crime--like making a false police report--the cops were pissed they were eating lunch at the time...an ambulance was tied up, etc a mental health screener came to authorizer teh involunatary treatment--she REFUSED to read the email and just took his word for it... i confronted the person involved afterward and got him to admit on tape that he was just playing games and had no intention from the beginning of helping me like he said he would..

Today I was informed my Doctor will no longer see me due to owing them nearly $700.00 Unless I pay in full. I am middle aged disabled man living in MO. I almost always make a payment of $2 a visit, I know this is not much but with all my illness they have me seeing a, Pulmonoligist, Pain Specialtist, Allergy Specialtist, Cartic specialtist, Urolagist, ENT Specialtist, I have been sent to 5 different surgeons I ow money too. I owe money to probley 8-10 hospitals at least, Also there is several Ambulance bills. I am on 20 medications. My Disability is $530 a month and my wife makes $8 a hour and usally averages 35 hours. We have to Make our House payment, Insurance, Food, Gas for her to get to work. This leaves us with very little extra cash left to buy Kids cloths, School cost, laundry soap etc etc. So paying $2 to each medical place can be a burden and were told it is not good enough. Local Ambulance has stoped accepting my $10 a month and are threating to get judgement to withdraw 250.00 out of our account each month. I can't help it that I am sick. We don't have cable TV, Heck we don't even have heat this year due to our furnace quiting us. We have been told we don't qualify for food stamps.... I am sure there is other people that have simular stories if you have found a possible solution I need to know what to do. Thanks

I went on disability due to my pregnancy.. I guess all employers are different

My mother is 55 and unemployed. She does not have a disability. She has several pre-existing conditions. I don't think she is going to find a job any time soon. She has about $20k saved, but she is going through it quickly because of living costs and medical expenses. I predict she'll have nothing in 18 months to 2 years. She was recently on Adult Basic's waiting list for low-cost insurance, but the costs have been raised and she can no longer afford it. Currently she has no insurance, which is dangerous for her and my family. I haven't found many answers for what to do for her. Any thoughts? Thank you.

I work for a company whom after a year offered me health care. Now I'm on temporary disability and paying my own health insurance. Its expensive. My girlfriend is a college professor with a master's degree in Psychology. She was a full time employee at a local college and was recently (2 years ago) dropped to an adjunct because the college did not want to pay health insurance. In my job, i realized that it costs more money to employee 3 part timers without health care than one full time employee who health care options. Now, I don't follow politics alot because I don't have much faith in our government, but I raise a question : Why can't thegovernmentt offer incentives or tax breaks for employers who offer health benefits to their employees? In my opinion this would increase fulll time employment plus help with health care. Ibelievee that many companies would take advantage of this and even seek more 40+ hours in their employees and therefore the employees would make more money, stimulate the economy and the health costs would be less. As stated before, its just curiosity. But am I on to something?

A friend worked only 11 weeks during early 2009 earning just over ten grand. She then had a serious knee operation and went onto puny company funded 710 dollars a month short term disability for 6 months. finally, she got some unemployment payments for a few months. This was in NY State. Of course, she had a lot of out of pocket med costs for MD visits, tests, physical therapy, travel, phone, other medical payments which total up, plus some other deductibles if she files the long form with miscellaneous deductions... in NY. How does all this figure on both Federal tax returns as well as NY State tax dept. returns? Does the unemployment insurance count as regular income dollar for dollar....what about the short term disability payments? Any Special things and forms to do/use?

A Disability insurance company charges so much for a policy, lets about 1300 a year. Now lets say someone pays into this policy for about 15 years. Now this person becomes disabled, and despite many doctors saying she is disabled, the company refuses to pay out the policy, only doing so under legal action. Now they give this person a lawyer and sue social security for current and past benefits. These past benefits come in a lump sum that is paid to the insured person, who has to pay taxes on it, yet the insurance company demands every sent of that money be paid to them. I have read that insurance law mandates that only so much money can be made when paying out a policy. Actually receiving the benefits in this case would cost the person several thousand in taxes, that they no longer have the money to pay with. I have read about unfair contract law, is this covered? Does this violate insurance law? What are the rights of this person? And who the hell to I contact to get it brought to public knowledge (like the news) that insurance companies can receive checks of 30k directly from the government, and never lose a single penny, even in their worst case scenario??

My husband has had diabetes since he was very young. He has been layed off work for over a year now and I am also unemployed. Our only income are his unemployment checks. He has no insurance and we cannot regularly afford insulin (he needs 2 vials a month), test strips, syringes or doctors visits and his health is rapidly deteriorating. We applyed for medi-cal but they said he makes too much on unemployment and gave us a share of cost. He is constantly looking for a job but the only ones he can get call backs for dont pay more than unemployment and wont pay the bills, he is getting sicker. My question is, will my husband qualify for Social Security Disability or Social Security Insurance based on his type 1 diabetes? And if a person does qualify, does SSD or SSI cover medical needs? We are young and invision so much better for ourselves than a life on social security but we have to do something to make it through this rough economy and lack of health care.

I'm thinking of applying for a work visa for canada and was wondering generally, how expensive is health insurance? Obviously i'm not expecting quotes but after 22 years on the NHS paying for health cover is totally new to me and i have no idea as to how much these things can cost. Oh and im a healthy 22year old male w/ no allergies, medical conditions or disabilities. Thanks

The following personnel information about the Marshal Fire Department for the fiscal year that begins January 1, 200X, is to be used. Employee Grade__Number in Grade__Salary______ Chief------------------------- 1--------------- $105,000 Shift Commander-------- 3----------------- 70,000 Firefighter 1--------------- 12--------------- 39,000 Firefighter 2--------------- 26--------------- 30,000 Clerical (part-time)------- 3--------------- 15,000 The city is part of the federal Social Security system. For 200X, the city and the employee each pay Social Security payroll taxes of 6.2 percent of all salary paid up to $90,000 per employee to finance federal retirement and disability insurance and 1.45 percent of all salary paid to finance Medicare. The city pays a portion of the cost of health insurance for each full-time employee, an amount equal to $180 per month. Employees on the payroll after June 30, 200X, regardless of hiring date, are part of a new pension system financed by a city payment of 20 percent of the employee’s salary and employee payment of 5 percent of the employee’s salary on pay received after that date. Payments up to that date were made by state appropriations from state tobacco tax revenue. Full-time employees received an allowance for uniforms of $750 per year. Estimate the city’s full cost of the fire department labor during 200X fiscal year, assuming no change in staffing. Separate that cost into salary and fringe benefit components.

Do they need to latch onto momma pig government and their surrogate pig momma when they need a job? They need a job with insurance, dental, life ins, a car, disability, maternity leave, drug dependency protection, a union so I don't have to make up my own mind? Then they abuse all those privileges by not caring about the cost and misuse of the benefits as if it is their right.

My father is a general contractor and has his own small business. He was recently at a job, slipped on some ice in the driveway, and broke his ankle. He's now out of work for 6 to 8 weeks. I know that when one of his crew members got injured, they filed a claim with workman's comp. Our health insurance (Cobra) is covering the cost of surgery and everything else medical, but I want to know if he's going to be able to get unemployment or disability or anything while he's unable to work. If it's relevant we live in Idaho and my mother was recently laid off.

I am a volunteer firefighter and am going back to school. I work for myself so i'm on my wifes health insurance which is costing us upwards of $500 a month. Are there any companies that offer individual health insurance plans for volunteer firefighters that wouldnt cost us an arm and a leg? I know there are a ton of disability type insurances but I havent found any for just regular health insurance to cover doctors and prescription insurances and stuff. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I work part time,i am physically disabled ,my husb is unemployable,rejected from disability, i have very bad health condition and need health insurance to continue dr.care....How can i get affordable health insurance that won't cost me a fortune? I have gone to the DPA and i was rejected by them. I suffer with depression/(diagnosed bi-polar) ,,disc disease,IBS....i must obtain medical Insurance to continue treatment in order to continue working...how can i get help?

My brother lives in an older home that he inherited and owns outright. It has 2 extra bedrooms. He is struggling to make ends meet on his benefits, and would like to rent out the extra rooms. If he reduces his actual cost of living by accepting rent and shared utility funds, would SS reduce his benefits? (The rental income would be below maximum allowable earnings, so we are not concerned on that point). Thank you, it's a nice thought, but everything he does is monitored. This is the reason I'm asking here before going to SS. Thanks folks, I really appreciate your answers, but the question is not about the income. It's below the allowable limit and will not be an issue. We are not concerned about this. The question is about whether his SSDI will change based on the change in his actual monthly cost of living, due to the change in living arrangements. His living expenses will decrease - will this cause his benefits to decrease?

i live in a 2nd floor condo apparently, my pipe leaked and caused my down stairs neighbor's ceiling to fall. i assumed i was responsible and hired a pro to fix it. She and her adult son ADMITTED ( to the pro) they heard the pipe dripping and did NOTHING about it. I have previously been told by a lawyer that a victim must take mitigating action to prevent loss when possible. The neighbor is 80ish. the son is 60ish she has at least 300k in real estate and a pension and SS from her deceased husband (he was a police officer. she owns 2 homes free and clear. i am severely disabled and heavily in debt as a result of my disability. due to the fact that she and her son did not notify me the pipe was dripping...are they at fault for teh damage. this is an OWNED propert--not a rental--there is no landlord involved and the cost is about 250--less than the insurance deductible--- i had no indication the pipe was bad A LAWER WILL NOT WASTE HIS TIME OVER A SMALL CLAIMS COURT CASE...anyone who says a laywer will give people 15 free minutes for anything is misinformed---and NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION in violatioin of the CGs sayiing go to teh HOMEOWNERS POLICY is not an answer and shows you did not read teh question--they have nothing to do with it---it is below the deductible and have no stake in it and even if i did submit to myt insurance--it would make mpremiums go up--not a smart move the woman is homebound--and the son lives with her and is retired and is tehr most of teh time--they did know long before the ceiling fell---enough time for me to have the pipe fixed before teh ceiling was damaged it was leaking for a long time--not just the day the ceiling fell it was a slow drip

I have a mild form of autism. As you can tell, I am literate; what may not be immediately evident is that I am in excellent physical condition (I've been employed in a shipping hub for the past four years, moving packages that sometimes weigh as much as people), and the worst health problems I encounter are bicycle accidents, and the cuts and burns that most people have to endure in life. And yet, because I have autism, health insurance companies won't touch me. And they never say why. I can own a home (and a rental property), I can trade stock on margins (I don't, but I can), I can hold a job, and I can even occasionally get... ahem, a date. And yet, for an individual health/disability plan, I'm locked out. Why? I don't want a list of alternatives (including the state plan, which would cost most of what I make each month), and I don't want anything boiling down to "because they just don't." What is the real reason that autistics are barred from health insurance coverage, regardless of our health, employment, home ownership, or marital status? What is the REAL reason? While that answer makes sense... it's just so boring. If only autism actually were dangerous... at least then I'd know why I'm going to have to pay cash for my health care when I retire.

Ok I will start from the beginning. Two months ago I was with my step-mom in her car and we were both smoking. I droped my cig and it burnt a hole in her seat. Needless to say I felt horrible and said that I would pay for the damage. The messed up thing is I had a perscription for chantix and when I went to get it filled they told me that it was $145 just for the starter pack and then I needed to keep taking it for 3 months. Well my insurance did not cover this med so I was upset and said that it was cheeper to just keep smoking. Then the very next day I burnt the hole in the seat! Which cost me $165. Obviously I am upset about how stupid I was but anyway... I only owe her another $50 dollars and it is paid off. I couldn't just pay all of it up front because I am on disability and most of my money goes to rent, and all the other bills included in a place to live. What upsets me is that her and my dad have MONEY and I sit here crying trying to figure out how I am going to come up with $700 dollars for heating oil and how I am going to get presents for my daughter for christmas. Yet she is so worried about this $50 dollars. I know I messed up and I need to pay her and on Dec. 3 when I get my check she will get her money. Thing is 2 wks ago she went to the pharmacy and picked up my Seroquel medicine and now she absolutely refuses to give them to me unitl I pay her that $50. I don't know what to do I am bipolar and haven't taken any meds in two wks. I thought I was ok until tonight the dog ran off (again) and I flipped about an hour later when he came back I smacked his butt and screamed at him, this is something I NEVER do. I couldn't go out and look for the dog because it was 1am and my daughter was upstairs sleeping so obviously I can't leave the house. Needless to say he will be put on an outside leash for now on in the middle of the night when he needs to go potty! There I go off track again! Anyway my step mom LOVES seroquel she takes it to put her to sleep. She would always ask me for some. Well I am worried that she is not even going to give me the bottle once I pay her. My persciption has 3 more refills on it and there are I think 75 pills in a bottle. So if she dosen't give it back she is going to continue getting my meds. My insurance covers it I only pay 3 dollars and it is over $200 med. I hope you guys can understand what I have written, my thoughts are going a million a minute and it is hard to concentrate so I am sorry if you didn't understand this! But if any of you did can you please give me some advice? By the way talking to my dad about this isn't an option I just met these ppl about a yr ago and my dad barely says hi let alone have a conversation with me!

If the Healthcare Bill Becomes Law, Will Any Private Company Write Policies? If your answer is "Yes, private companies would still write health insurance policies", then please tell me, "Why would they?" Once the rules change so that companies writing new policies have to write them for all applicants including those with pre-existing illness and disability, is that really insurance? Isn't that just harnessing up the shareholders of the corporation to pay the ongoing costs of the applicant with an existing illness of disability? Why would the shareholders to that? What would be in their heads? What would their business model be? Maybe something like "Oh yes, we get to pay the costs of this applicant's illness or disability, and look how much money we will be able to give to help that applicant. Then we can fail to breakeven, and become bankrupt and see our shares go to zero value, oh that would be fun, how wonderful!" When I got my MBA, I never saw a company with a business model like that. AIG may have had that, but they weren't doing it on purpose. Keep in mind that after the rules change, the old policies can stay in place. The old "book" of existing contracts can become the entire insurance business of the corporation. As long as they don't write new policies, they don't have to take all comers and insure people with pre-existing illness or pre-existing disability. They don't have to go into the charitable payment for sick people business, which doesn't seem a very smart business model for a profit seeking corporation. Ceasing writing new health insurance won't put these companies out of business, but continuing to do so surely will. So, they will apply their talents to other forms of risk-related trading. The Cap and Trade Bill, if it is enacted into law will create a vast market for pollution permissions. These will be actively bought and sold by firms that have experience in forward projection of financial values -- like health insurance companies. It's an Enron style business. Then there's also fire insurance, liability, flood, inability to work insurance, long-term care, all sorts of elements in the risk projection business that could be smoothly integrated into their business models to replace writing new health insurance policies, and would be. So the public option would become the only option for persons seeking health insurance who don't already have a policy. How would that work? That's the Bad Business Model company, and it would work by massive draws on the Federal Treasury until the moment when Congress realizes that it made a huge mistake, and that the Federal government is bankrupt because of operating a business that is well and truly not sensible. When would that happen? It would only take about two years for the Congress to figure this out. What would they do? They would have to close down the public option companies. So what then? Then nobody can get health insurance from any source. You mean the private corporations would not get back into that business? Right, I don't think they would. Once burned, twice shy. So with no health insurance, would healthcare costs be lower for the average American family? They might be, as long as nobody in that family got sick. But the number of bankrupt families due to unexpected health problems would go up dramatically. Would this be better than what we have right now? No, it would not be better. Is there a good reason to enact the Healthcare Bill? No, there's no good reason to do that.

If the Healthcare Bill Becomes Law, Will Any Private Company Write Policies? If your answer is "Yes, private companies would still write health insurance policies", then please tell me, "Why would they?" Once the rules change so that companies writing new policies have to write them for all applicants including those with pre-existing illness and disability, is that really insurance? Isn't that just harnessing up the shareholders of the corporation to pay the ongoing costs of the applicant with an existing illness of disability? Why would the shareholders to that? What would be in their heads? What would their business model be? Maybe something like "Oh yes, we get to pay the costs of this applicant's illness or disability, and look how much money we will be able to give to help that applicant. Then we can fail to breakeven, and become bankrupt and see our shares go to zero value, oh that would be fun, how wonderful!" When I got my MBA, I never saw a company with a business model like that. AIG may have had that, but they weren't doing it on purpose. Keep in mind that after the rules change, the old policies can stay in place. The old "book" of existing contracts can become the entire insurance business of the corporation. As long as they don't write new policies, they don't have to take all comers and insure people with pre-existing illness or pre-existing disability. They don't have to go into the charitable payment for sick people business, which doesn't seem a very smart business model for a profit seeking corporation. Ceasing writing new health insurance won't put these companies out of business, but continuing to do so surely will. So, they will apply their talents to other forms of risk-related trading. The Cap and Trade Bill, if it is enacted into law will create a vast market for pollution permissions. These will be actively bought and sold by firms that have experience in forward projection of financial values -- like health insurance companies. It's an Enron style business. Then there's also fire insurance, liability, flood, inability to work insurance, long-term care, all sorts of elements in the risk projection business that could be smoothly integrated into their business models to replace writing new health insurance policies, and would be. So the public option would become the only option for persons seeking health insurance who don't already have a policy. How would that work? That's the Bad Business Model company, and it would work by massive draws on the Federal Treasury until the moment when Congress realizes that it made a huge mistake, and that the Federal government is bankrupt because of operating a business that is well and truly not sensible. When would that happen? It would only take about two years for the Congress to figure this out. What would they do? They would have to close down the public option companies. So what then? Then nobody can get health insurance from any source. You mean the private corporations would not get back into that business? Right, I don't think they would. Once burned, twice shy. So with no health insurance, would healthcare costs be lower for the average American family? They might be, as long as nobody in that family got sick. But the number of bankrupt families due to unexpected health problems would go up dramatically. Would this be better than what we have right now? No, it would not be better. Is there a good reason to enact the Healthcare Bill? No, there's no good reason to do that.

If your answer is "Yes, private companies would still write health insurance policies", then please tell me, "Why would they?" Once the rules change so that companies writing new policies have to write them for all applicants including those with pre-existing illness and disability, is that really insurance? Isn't that just harnessing up the shareholders of the corporation to pay the ongoing costs of the applicant with an existing illness of disability? Why would the shareholders to that? What would be in their heads? What would their business model be? Maybe something like "Oh yes, we get to pay the costs of this applicant's illness or disability, and look how much money we will be able to give to help that applicant. Then we can fail to breakeven, and become bankrupt and see our shares go to zero value, oh that would be fun, how wonderful!" When I got my MBA, I never saw a company with a business model like that. AIG may have had that, but they weren't doing it on purpose. Keep in mind that after the rules change, the old policies can stay in place. The old "book" of existing contracts can become the entire insurance business of the corporation. As long as they don't write new policies, they don't have to take all comers and insure people with pre-existing illness or pre-existing disability. They don't have to go into the charitable payment for sick people business, which doesn't seem a very smart business model for a profit seeking corporation. Ceasing writing new health insurance won't put these companies out of business, but continuing to do so surely will. So, they will apply their talents to other forms of risk-related trading. The Cap and Trade Bill, if it is enacted into law will create a vast market for pollution permissions. These will be actively bought and sold by firms that have experience in forward projection of financial values -- like health insurance companies. It's an Enron style business. Then there's also fire insurance, liability, flood, inability to work insurance, long-term care, all sorts of elements in the risk projection business that could be smoothly integrated into their business models to replace writing new health insurance policies, and would be. So the public option would become the only option for persons seeking health insurance who don't already have a policy. How would that work? That's the Bad Business Model company, and it would work by massive draws on the Federal Treasury until the moment when Congress realizes that it made a huge mistake, and that the Federal government is bankrupt because of operating a business that is well and truly not sensible. When would that happen? It would only take about two years for the Congress to figure this out. What would they do? They would have to close down the public option companies. So what then? Then nobody can get health insurance from any source. You mean the private corporations would not get back into that business? Right, I don't think they would. Once burned, twice shy. So with no health insurance, would healthcare costs be lower for the average American family? They might be, as long as nobody in that family got sick. But the number of bankrupt families due to unexpected health problems would go up dramatically. Would this be better than what we have right now? No, it would not be better. Is there a good reason to enact the Healthcare Bill? No, there's no good reason to do that. TO ACERMILL: NO PRIVATE CORPORATION IS IN THE "RISK SPREADING BUSINESS". THAT IS A SOCIALLY BENEFICIAL BUT INCIDENTAL BYPRODUCT OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE BUSINESS WHICH IS LIKE ALL OTHER BUSINESSES DONE FOR PROFIT (NOT FOR RISK SPREADING). YOUR EXCELLENT AND WELL-INFORMED RESPONSE IS NOT DISPOSATIVE OF THE ISSUE I RAISED. WHY WOULD IT NOT BE MORE PROFITABLE TO SIMPLY KEEP THEIR CURRENT BOOK, AND MOVE INTO OTHER SECTORS OF THE INSURANCE OR RISK FINANCE BUSINESS? I SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY HARD PUT TO PAY THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS. IF THOSE GET RAISED UP (AS YOU ADMIT THEY WILL) THE CUSTOMERS WILL LEAVE. POLICIES THAT ARE REALLY HARD TO SELL ARE NOT A BASIS FOR THE MOST PROFITABLE BUSINESS THOSE COMPANIES COULD BE IN. LIKE WATER THEY WILL FIND THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE WHICH I THINK WOULD BE CESSATION OF NEW POLICY WRITING AND RE-SHAPING THEIR BUSINESS MODEL TO SERVE OTHER MORE PROFITABLE SECTORS. AS TO THE LENGTH ISSUE -- SORRY ABOUT THAT -- IT'S NOT TWITTABLE

I'm just curious about this sudden rush for this something, anything..after all these years.The Obama administration wants to take billions of dollars out of the Medicare program -from seniors & those w/disabilities- in order to finance this; Secondly, they want to cut the payments to Medicare doctors & specialist who treat them -the result of that will surely be that more of these fine professionals will simply cease taking Medicare patients altogether. Thirdly, a government system will put all or most insurance companies out of business. Fourthly, whatever happened to government setting price controls on Pharmaceuticals so that Americans don't have to pay the highest price in the world for their drugs? It is a fact that we pay more for them than ANY other country in the world for drugs -what happened? What happened is that the Obama admin made 'a deal' w/the Pharmaceutical Industry so that they would 'embrace' their healthcare plan -no matter what, in exchange for the government not asking to bargain for lower prices. There are many Americans perhaps 10yrs or more so before retirement losing their jobs, or simply not being hired because there are younger people willing to work for a lot less -where do these people go for healthcare? I think it's far better for the government to work in INCREMENTAL stages for a healthcare system, seeking a broad consensus for the nation -not a few ultra-Liberal political hacks & some of their looniest ideas brought to fruition, at the taxpayer's expense. As well, I think everyone surely knows that a National Healthcare Systerm will assure illegal-aliens, people who don't belong here in the first place -a new program to leach off of- costing the taxpayer even more as their numbers keep exploding -if denied it, they will take it to the courts & it will be tied up in legal battle for years. These are all good reason against a government-run healtplan & NOT to rush anything into place; YES we need healthcare reform, I disagree that we need a government-run system for EVERYBODY. 'Sweet Emotion' -I think it's quite obvious that you don't know what you're talking about -but that wouldn't be a first for a Liberal..

It is for $1,600 from doctor & counseling bills from last year, last year I was sexually harrassed by a supervisor at my job, he got fired & so the company said they had no other responsibility to assist me, I got about 1 month disability pay of 60%, even though I was off work for 3 months, the disability insurance co said the other 2 months I was off was medically unnecessary. My parents bailed me out, I'm still paying them back now. I literally come home with $5 - 10 extra money per 2 week pay period. The doctors office wouldn't take small payments & are now suing me, my medical insurance I believe would pick up the cost over my $500 deductible, but I have to pay that $500 first. I have other unpaid debt, maybe total of 3,000, not enough that I would consider bankruptcy. If your a crooked finance consolidation company I'm not interested. If anyone else has ideas or solutions let me know I can't imagine that when people 100's of thousands in debt over stupid crap they buy with credit cards that my credit would be that messed up from doctors bills, Is there anyone out their with more intelligent ideas? Thank you pixie, that was just the kind of answer I was looking for & that is what I will do!

18,000 deaths blamed on lack of insurance By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — More than 18,000 adults in the USA die each year because they are uninsured and can't get proper health care, researchers report in a landmark study released Tuesday. The 193-page report, "Care Without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late," examines the plight of 30 million — one in seven — working-age Americans whose employers don't provide insurance and who don't qualify for government medical care. About 10 million children lack insurance; elderly Americans are covered by Medicare. It is the second in a planned series of six reports by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) examining the impact of the nation's fragmented health system. The IOM is a non-profit organization of experts that advises Congress on health issues. Overall, the researchers say, 18,314 people die in the USA each year because they lack preventive services, a timely diagnosis or appropriate care. The estimated death toll includes about 1,400 people with high blood pressure, 400 to 600 with breast cancer and 1,500 diagnosed with HIV. "Our purpose is simply to deliver the facts, and the facts are unequivocal," says Reed Tuckson, an author of the report and vice president for consumer health at UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, Minn. Among the study's findings is a comparison of the uninsured with the insured: Uninsured people with colon or breast cancer face a 50% higher risk of death. Uninsured trauma victims are less likely to be admitted to the hospital, receive the full range of needed services, and are 37% more likely to die of their injuries. About 25% of adult diabetics without insurance for a year or more went without a checkup for two years. That boosts their risk of death, blindness and amputations resulting from poor circulation. Being uninsured also magnifies the risk of death and disability for chronically sick and mentally ill patients, poor people and minorities, who disproportionately lack access to medical care, the landmark study states. "The report documents the immense consequence of having 40 million uninsured people out there," says Ray Werntz, a consumer health expert with the Employee Benefit Research Institute. "We need to elevate the problem in the national conscience." Calculating the cost in human suffering, he says, "is one way to get there."

I have Group Health Insurance through my employer, a large university. I am under 65 and on long-term disability. The insurance is a high-deductible plan. The deductible is $1400 and the out-of-pocket max is $3000. Once the deductible is met, the insurance pays 80% of costs. I am considering signing up for Medicare Part D to help with my prescription costs until I reach my Group Health Insurance plan's out-of-pocket max. My Group Health Insurance will be primary and Medicare will be secondary. I understand from taking in massive quantities of reading on medicare.gov that this means my claims are subject to MSP laws. I have not been able to determine what, specifically, these MSP laws entail. 1. How will Medicare calculate its payments? 2. How will Medicare calculate the beginning of the "donut hole"? I work best with examples, so let's say that I sign up for a fictitious, simplified Medicare Part D plan that has a $0 deductible and a $30 copayment on every single medication. We'll pretend every drug is on the plan's formulary, there are no quantity limits, and that both Medicare and the Group Health Insurance pay on the basis of retail cost (there are no negotiated discounts). I fill a prescription in January, before I have met my Group Health Insurance (GHI) plan's deductible. The retail cost of the drug is $100. $100 (retail cost) - $0 (GHI payment) - $30 (copayment) = $70 paid by Medicare. Right? Assume I fill $1300 in additional prescriptions in January, thus meeting the GHI $1400 deductible ($100 + $1300). $1400 is also applied toward the "Donut Hole" in January. In February, I fill another $100 prescription. $100 (retail cost) - $80 (GHI payment) = $20. Method 1: Medicare would have paid $70 had I not had the GHI. Therefore, they will pay $70 or the amount left, whichever is less. They pay $20, and my responsibility is $0. Method 2: GHI has already paid more than Medicare would have paid. In effect, my GHI has met Medicare's "obligation," so Medicare pays $0. My responsibility is $20. Which method does Medicare use to calculate its payment? And how much "progress" did I make toward the "Donut Hole" as a result of this transaction--$100 (full cost of prescription), or $20 (amount left after GHI pays its share)?

It came to my attention that it would be possible to house everyone who needs a home in America. All the homeless, all the low income, everyone could live in decent, crime free housing in the form of condominiums. In the 60s, they had the same idea and built the projects. However, we could change the rules. Recreate these condos and make them modern and then give away free housing for everyone who wants it in exchange for a commitment. We would require the owner guard the condo where we live against property crime. We would require they check up on the elderly and disabled and go shopping for them. We would require they learn to fix and then fix simple plumbing and electrical problems.. We would require they do bi-annual painting of all interiors and exteriors. In exchange, all housing would be free. We give prisoners free housing don't we? The cost to build these condos is minimal, maybe $7,000 per unit if done en-mass. Drywall is dirt CHEAP and that is 90 percent of the material in a house or condo!!! How do I know? I am a licensed property adjuster and deal with this stuff every day. The owner would be responsible for insurance, condo fee and local property taxes. Since the condo is worth $7,000 these fees should be minimal and could be paid for by a part time job working just a few hours a week. Those who couldn't work could pay due to disability could pay with their government subsidies. This would also pay for regular security guards (bouncers) of each condo to take care of anyone who didn't belong. What happens if they do not abide by the rules? There would be a condo board and they would get kicked out. It would definitely be in their best interest to cooperate. We can do this.

With medical costs taking a greater and greater percentage of our incomes, when will the breaking point come? With more and more people going uninsured, whether by choice or because the cost for insurance is out of reach, how can our government survive? Since our laws prohibit turning away emergency care for anybody who walks through the hospital doors, someone has to end up paying those bills. Many people are struggling to merely pay their mortgages or rent, let alone save cash for that $50,000-$100,000 hospital bill that comes in the mail after some accident or extended hospital stays. The uninsured might often find that it's easier to declare bankruptcy, kicking the burden right back to the American taxpayer. And for the uninsured with jobs, sure, if a judgment is placed against them, the medical bills can be garnished from their wages. (Exceptions are: North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania) But then legal costs pile on top of medical costs and large medical bills will still go unpaid. That does not even include the costs of deferring care for disease. People who are diagnosed with serious illnesses can end up being disabled because they are not getting the care they need or perhaps don't even know they have a serious illness until it is symptomatic because they do not get routine checkups. Once they're on disability, we will be paying even more than we would have if they had been able to get preventative and necessary care. It seems to me that our money would be better spent to keep people healthy, working, and paying taxes than it would be to let their medical conditions deteriorate to the point of disability. IF we did not already have laws stating that hospitals must render care, that people can shift their debt to the government through bankruptcy, or that people can collect disability and welfare, our current system might be sustainable. But unless these policies are reversed, how will our country sustain itself with our current system? Memphis--insurance companies are profitable only by collecting more in premiums than they pay in claims. It's the UNprofitable people who are getting kicked back to the taxpayers. That is unsustainable and is, in effect, subsidizing the health care industry. The government is already heavily involved in paying for these problems, but it's the insurance companies that are receiving payments from health care. The Dark Knight--increasing revenue is the only way to pay for increasing expenses. With our current system, tax increases are inevitable. Omega57--although I'm not sure if the proposed bills would make things worse, a single payer (Medicare for all ) system seems more logical to me. It is a political hot potato, just like deportation for illegal immigrants was 30-40 years ago when it actually would have been a viable option, but it seems much more straightforward than what is happening right now.

My husband and I were in a car accident back in March of this year that ended up with him having severe problems with his arm. At first the Insurance Company wouldn't pay for his medical treatment until we got a lawyer about a week after the the accident. Since then, my husband has been going to the Dr and even had surgery back in August. The Drs took him out of work back in April which resulted in him loosing his job and medical benefits. The Dr still will not release him to back to work even telling him that his injuries may not ever allow him to go back (which means he will go on disability) Yesterday my husband went to see the lawyer and he was told that his PIP is all used up and the lawyer doesn't feel that it is worth him going to court because it will cost us more money. He asked my husband to sign a form saying that the he was giving the lawyer pemission to not go to court and that was it. My husband signed the paper and the lawyer said that he would have a check for xxx amount of money within 2 weeks and that all of his earlier medical bills will be paid. This is what I need help with.... Its not the money that we may/ may not get from the insurance company that matters. This is about my husband who is still going through medical treatment for an injury caused by the accident and him losing his job with the possiblity of never going back to work. I don't know what to do at this point. Do I fire our current lawyer and if I do that do I owe him money from taking the case for the last few months or do I just walk away with whatever the insurance is willing to pay my husband? He currently has no insurance and I could put him on my work insurance but then he may run into pre-existing problems. Can someone please help me with advise on what to do? Or, if you are a lawyer, what are my options? We live in Portland, Oregon. Thank you for any advise.

My husband is on Social Security Disability for a refractory seizure disorder. He receives free medical care and medicine through the Cherokee Nation (he is a Cherokee citizen). He is on the hospital portion of Medicare. He receives better care through the Cherokee Nation (example: $12,000 lithotripsy all paid for through the Cherokee Nation, among lots of other things) than he ever did when he was under my private insurance which costs $700 a month addition to cover just him. Will this new health care reform (if it passes) affect him in any way? Will he be required to purchase insurance? (My point is this would be counterproductive since he already receives free medical care anyway.)

Okay. Currently I receive disability and want to start a very very small business. I will have only two or three clients and will not be expanding. My potential clients require that I have insurance. So, where do I start? How do I get a license and how much will it cost? How do I pay taxes on my income? What is the minimal required insurance? Are there any agencies that help with start up cost? Any information is greatly appreciated!

After waiting for about 2 1/2 yrs. for a hearing with an A.L.J. In a Social security disability Insurance case. My day in court finally arrived on 09-24-09. Having hired an attorney approx. 2 yrs ago,for the agreed amount of 25% or $ 5300.00, the lesser of the two.On the morn of 09-24-09 right before going in the court, this attorney that was sent there by my lawyer, said, I need you to sign these 2 papers. Not having my reading glasses and being quite nervous, I ask him what it was, and if it has any thing to do with costing me more money. He said No, that it was only to okay him to be there with me instead of the lawyer I hired. A couple days later I called this lawyer, and asked him for copies of what I had signed. You guessed it, one paper said that I agreed to pay them 700.00 more dollars than the original amount of $5300.00, And Expenses. I feel liked they have Duped me into signing this paper. Had I not signed, I'm told that they would had to settle for the agreed upon price. What can I do to put a stop to being ripped off ? I have worked all of my life, and now due to a serious illness I have been with out a pay check for over 2 1/2 yrs. Can they cheat me out of what I believe is my money?

I am currently employeed working in a field that I do not necessarily want to have a career in. (AR-accounting) As a career choice, I was looking into an analyst/associate area. I the opportunity to work as an analyst but as a contract worker. Health and disability insurance is provided at no cost to me and there are also pretax programs for transportation and retirement plans. What should I do? Is it better to take the contract work that will give me more experience as an analyst or stay where I am now? (I have been unable to find an analyst position due to the fact that I am a recent college grad and have no experience.) Please help! Do adults really work at jobs they do not like? I've been working at jobs I do not particulary like to put myself through school so yes I know that feeling. I didn't say I didn't like it, I said I don't believe I have a career in it. Thanks! For those who answered the questions seriously, thank you for your answers. I feel better informed to make the right decision. For those who didn't don't bother answer if you feel the need to be sarcastic. Yes I know people work at jobs they don't like. I've worked at many different jobs to put myself through school. None of them were that enjoyable. Please read people's entire question before answering or just don't answer at all. Thanks.

well, this is kind of a long story, I"ll try to make it as short as possible. Me and my husband moved in to help my parents, my dad was terminally ill. It worked out until I lost my job, we were an hour away from both our jobs. We got my dad's disability check for 3 months to help us with bills. When he passed it stopped. the week after he passed my mom allowed her brother and wife and 5 kids move in with us..(something my dad would've had a cow over!) in the meantime, me and my husband are trying to make living this far out work, on his income. Ended up we had to file bankruptcy. After a month of my uncle and his family living with us, not paying nothing. they leave adn the same day, I left and drove 5 hours to get my sister from prison (her own stupidity, stealing) they move in with us, the next day she goes in to the hospital to have her baby. So Now, Her, her husband and two kids are living with us. Meanwhile the jacked up bills we are getting from the month before are rolling in. We had to pretty much put everyone on the same plan, (car insurance, phones, cable and so on) with tripled, because we now have three vehicles instead of one, we have two more phones to pay for, my mom to take care of all by ourselves. While my sister was here, they never helped around the house, financially or anything. Her husband does not like My husband because of the Three previous times the lived with us and did pretty much the same thing and he told them about it, but it doesn't seem to matter. Money is extremely tight now that we have everyone out, trying to pay a 1000$ power bill, we are trying to pay my dad's funeral, (no help from siblings) pay to keep up my mom (in which she doesn't appreciate, now i know where my sis gets it from), trying to get ready for our new baby (in less then two months) It's getting financially impossible to do it, it's putting a strain on our marriage. The catch THIS time is, My sister had to be put in the hospital because she had a severe sinus infection and her eye was poking out of her head, well they had to do a couple surgery's to get the infection out, they had to fracture her eye bone to put her eye back in to place. Now she is getting to come back home, but she can't be alone with her kids, from all her medicines she is taking. Her husband had to turned down three diff jobs because he has no baby sitter. (but, he has a history of not working and lieing and so on) So the catch is they live with us for a month and watch her kids and take care of her. so they can save money agian to move back out..because he hadn't worked, noone to watch the kids. they have already got help from everyone else and screwed them, now no one wants to help them. My mom is laying the guilt trip on me and my husband, about her being sick and really needs our help. I understand all this, I want to help her I really do. My husband isn't as giving because of previous times, but she is my sister and she needs help. but if we allow them to move in Again we'll be further behind when the baby gets here, am I being selfish for wanting to have stuff for my new baby? because of the strain of bills, we hadn't been able to buy anything extra. We can't get any gov't help, my husband makes like 200$ to much for pretty much any help. there aren't any places around our area to help and the places that are close we aren't in they're county. We just bearly have enough for toilet paper, soap, washing powders. plus my mom is trying to get on disability and she has no income, her medicines and doc's visits cost money. plus gas getting there. I don't see how we are gonna make it, but I don't want anything to happen to my sister?!?! that was mentioned, but seems as if she believes she got it from the room they were staying in. they also said they had moved out to soon, but they were just in a hurry to leave. my dad always said she talked in circles, I'm starting to believe him..lol..whatever you suggest isn't good enough or there is a reason why it can't go that way

Just think about this for a minute. The extremes on both sides are blurring the healthcare issue to keep everyone confused and fighting in hopes of getting their party agendas through, but are no citizens looking at these topics with an unbiased eye? This is, first off, not about the non-working poor. People who are on welfare have 100% government paid healthcare through Medicaid. It's not insurance as affects the rest of the population. They pay nothing for the policy and there are no copayments, etc. That's fallacy #1. This isn't about people who don't work. The other group who doesn't work are people on Social Security, through either retirement or disability. They are covered under a government sponsored health insurance to which they contribute called Medicare. This is more like traditional insurance in that they pay a premium and have copays for medical services, prescriptions, etc. The government is already involved in health insurance through these 2 programs that focus on the non-working in our society. This is supposed to be aimed at the working poor. It would be insurance of the more traditional type where the government would negotiate a large scale insurance policy (like it did with Medicare) to take advantage of the savings. Individual policies can run to thousands of dollars a month, which most working people can't afford. Many employers no longer offer healthcare as a benefit or negotiate a contract collectively for their employees to lower the costs somewhat, but then pass the entireity of the policy costs onto the employee making it, many times, cost prohibitive. This is, more and more, going to become the case since there are too many people competing for too few jobs so employers are now in the position of not having to woo personnel. The economy is such that it's the employer's market. So we have the working poor who are living paycheck to paycheck, maybe working more than one job, and still not able to afford health care. What happens when someone gets very ill? They go to the doctors or leave it until it's really bad, since they don't have the money, and end up in the hospital with enormous bills. These bills are extra enormous since doctors and hospitals charge out of pocket people substantially higher rates than insured people. Insurance companies negotiate contractual fees with providers in their network and will only pay up to a certain amount for services. In some cases it's astounding the differences. One practice I worked in had a difference of over $4,000 for insured vs. uninsured. So you don't have the money for the doc, no insurance, and now you have a huge medical bill. Bankruptcy has been rewritten so that it's not really an option anymore (not that it helped the providers substantially anyway as there usually isn't much to take and divide) so the providers spend a fortune on collections and writing off debt, which they then pass along to the next person in line, ie. you. Now providers are not uninanimously against this. Many have embraced it because there is a stipulation for mandatory coverage. This means they will be dealing with far less in bad debt and can at least be assured of getting paid the insurance portion. Where the rub for them comes in is those negotiated contractual fees. Looking at Medicare as their example of government negotiated insurance, they are scared. The rates for Medicare are substantially lower than any private insurance. Can they still make a living? Absolutely. They take Medicare because, if they don't, they will have a smaller pool of patients to take. Some opt out, but if this is national, they will be even harder pressed to turn their noses up at it. Medical costs are the highest in the country out of the entire world. Medical inflation is rampant and, unlike most things in a free market, you can't always decide to just not purchase. Medical inflation has consistently outstripped regular inflation every year for the last 20 years. That means that the devices they use and the labor they purchase, the ground and construction of facilities, has not increased enough to justify their increase in price. Pharmaceutical companies stand to make more because most people are opting generics over the name brand prescriptions (some of which are several hundred dollars per treatment or month, for long term meds) and having insurance means that when the new meds come out, before generic are legally allowed (to protect R&D and keep companies encouraged to continue finding new meds) they will be allowed to charge their assinine prices and have people submit because they are paying $60 instead of $20. Much easier than the "it might work" generic at $50 OOP to $400 for the "this is the ticket" name brand. The scariest part of this whole plan for the working poor is what are these "mandatory" rates going to be? Are they going to be equally unaffordable? Now you are violating the law if you don't I understand it

I live in Florida right now and she receives SSI. She also receives Medicaid because of this. There is a cap on how much we can make a month. My husband has a job interview tomorrow and is afraid to go because if he gets the job it will put us over the limit. We want to better ourselves but don't know what to do. I've tryed getting her private insurance but I've been told no one will take her because of her preexisting condition. I've tryed putting her on my group insurance at work and it will cost me $600 a month not to mention all the co pays and cost for her supplies that she has to have on a daily basis. So are there any states that are better than others? Do any of you have any suggestions? Thanks

I noticed my old friends in the USA are having a big debate about healthcare, getting a better service for all and at a better price. From some press reports I have read Some of you do not like to look a gift horse in the mouth? maybe you work for insurance companies I suspect! This is why I KNOW that Americans are being scammed and ripped off by the Government, Health insurance and the hospitals. I am from Uk but spent 7 years there in San Diego, Houston and Phoenix and I needed treatment 3 times for various things. On all 3 occasions I was charged a small fortune ($2000) for menial medical work, (a stitch in my lip and check pulse, most of the time I spent waiting to be seen, (hours). When I told them I had no medical insurance they reduced it to $300. Case 2 Blood tests ($940) but if I paid cash $130, Sharps Hospital San diego. Houston local doctors remove a boil on my back $260 but for cash $45. Dentists San diego all treatment less than half price just for having a $50 family discount ticket.(not insurance). I saved thousands off that ticket. Wife had a baby, $10,000, but we had no insurance so we paid $250, (some local tax on tobacco and booze paid the rest. I have heard some say health care in USA is far superior to the free one we have here in uk, WELL IT FRANKLY IS NOT, you have lawsuits over there in USA that prove that healthcare in UK is just as good as USA and its almost free here. True, non urgent things may require an appointment a few weeks forward but anything urgent is dealt with quickly. The ambulance service arrive within minutes of being called and they don't carry invoices or calculators for $2000 taxi ride to hospital! I think you should back your president, get almost free healthcare for all, get better pricing and everyone who works pays a little extra tax just as we do here in Europe, we call it National Insurance contributions, its about 5% of your capped earnings/wages, this covers not only health care but also sickness benefits, retirement pension, dental, optical, unemployment / disability benefit, child and workers tax credits Nobody is ever excluded and there is no CoPay either, They fix you no questions asked, a very comforting thought. Whoever heard of an insurance policy where you go to hospital and have to pay half the f***** bill as well? In the American System the employer pays insurance the employees pay too and then there is copay fees to pay too? who is getting all this money? where the heck is it going? at the prices they charge there should be no copay. For you die hards there is BUPA health insurance that UK has too but that is cheap, a fraction of the USA cost. OK Americans let me know your thoughts do you want an almost free healthcare for all in the USA, similar to UK? if you don't prove to me why your rip off system is better? your system benefits the rich and the scammer hospitals and insurance companies. SUPPORT YOUR PRESIDENT Arctic here is what a working person pays in the UK who earns 30k per year uk pounds Employer's NI 220.60 ($352.96) Employee's NI189.58 ($303.32 Employee Tax330.84 ($529.34) Total All Tax 741.02 Total Net Income1,752.75 ($2804.40) So for $303.00 per month he is covered for all health costs entirely as well as dental, optical. This also covers retirement Pension currently 65 pounds per week ($104), sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, working tax credit and child tax credit, disability benefit. Our NHS get huge discounts off the drug companies and there is an NHS low cost rate for all Health service professionals, this is why health costs are so much cheaper here. Because USA system is dissected based on thousands of insurance company claims it is just a mire of administration and opportunities for these hospitals to overcharge. Why do you think drugs and medical care are so much cheaper elsewhere in the world? your politicians take bribes from these

I noticed my old friends in the USA are having a big debate about healthcare, getting a better service for all and at a better price. From some press reports I have read Some of you do not like to look a gift horse in the mouth? maybe you work for insurance companies I suspect! This is why I KNOW that Americans are being scammed and ripped off by the Government, Health insurance and the hospitals. I am from Uk but spent 7 years there in San Diego, Houston and Phoenix and I needed treatment 3 times for various things. On all 3 occasions I was charged a small fortune ($2000) for menial medical work, (a stitch in my lip and check pulse, most of the time I spent waiting to be seen, (hours). When I told them I had no medical insurance they reduced it to $300. Case 2 Blood tests ($940) but if I paid cash $130, Sharps Hospital San diego. Houston local doctors remove a boil on my back $260 but for cash $45. Dentists San diego all treatment less than half price just for having a $50 family discount ticket.(not insurance). I saved thousands off that ticket. Wife had a baby, $10,000, but we had no insurance so we paid $250, (some local tax on tobacco and booze paid the rest. I have heard some say health care in USA is far superior to the free one we have here in uk, WELL IT FRANKLY IS NOT, you have lawsuits over there in USA that prove that healthcare in UK is just as good as USA and its almost free here. True, non urgent things may require an appointment a few weeks forward but anything urgent is dealt with quickly. The ambulance service arrive within minutes of being called and they don't carry invoices or calculators for $2000 taxi ride to hospital! I think you should back your president, get almost free healthcare for all, get better pricing and everyone who works pays a little extra tax just as we do here in Europe, we call it National Insurance contributions, its about 5% of your capped earnings/wages, this covers not only health care but also sickness benefits, retirement pension, dental, optical, unemployment / disability benefit, child and workers tax credits Nobody is ever excluded and there is no CoPay either, They fix you no questions asked, a very comforting thought. Whoever heard of an insurance policy where you go to hospital and have to pay half the f***** bill as well? In the American System the employer pays insurance the employees pay too and then there is copay fees to pay too? who is getting all this money? where the heck is it going? at the prices they charge there should be no copay. For you die hards there is BUPA health insurance that UK has too but that is cheap, a fraction of the USA cost. OK Americans let me know your thoughts do you want an almost free healthcare for all in the USA, similar to UK? if you don't prove to me why your rip off system is better? your system benefits the rich and the scammer hospitals and insurance companies. SUPPORT YOUR PRESIDENT 1, I have seen the good/bad of both systems, pity your USA system leaves tens of millions of people without health care. 2People do work hard there but the pay is peanuts low income can't afford healthcare. 3 Thats not my point (off topic) 4 Your taxes will not be raised, it will be cheaper as you won't be paying rip off prices to health insurance. 5Medicare is not the quality of Uk Health care and you know it. so don't compare. 6Just go to sharp hospitals in San diego and ask for their form for people with no insurance a look at the price difference, you who pay health insurance are feeding the suckers on the vine that always will ant more and more.. 7Your health is the governments business as its costing the USA taxpayer $billions anyway in medicare etc. 8 UK health care is superior to USA fools fail to learn from forefathers. 9 Brainwash, ? sounds like health insurance and hospital companies paying millions to politicians, that is brainwashing. but you gys just suck it all up here is what a working person pays in the UK who earns 30k per year uk pounds Employer's NI 220.60 ($352.96) Employee's NI189.58 ($303.32 Employee Tax330.84 ($529.34) Total All Tax 741.02 Total Net Income1,752.75 ($2804.40) So for $303.00 per month he is covered for all health costs entirely as well as dental, optical. This also covers retirement Pension currently 65 pounds per week ($104), sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, working tax credit and child tax credit, disability benefit. Our NHS get huge discounts off the drug companies and there is an NHS low cost rate for all Health service professionals, this is why health costs are so much cheaper here. Because USA system is dissected based on thousands of insurance company claims it is just a mire of administration and opportunities for these hospitals to overcharge. Why do you think drugs and medical care are so much cheaper elsewhere in the world? your politicians take bribes from these What happens there does affect me as I am returning to live there permanently next year. Y

I work part time,i am physically disabled ,my husb is unemployable,rejected from disability, i have very bad health condition and need health insurance to continue dr.care....How can i get affordable health insurance that won't cost me a fortune? I have gone to the DPA and i was rejected by them. I suffer with depression/(diagnosed bi-polar) ,,disc disease,IBS....i must obtain medical Insurance to continue treatment in order to continue working...how can i get help?

He is paying his former employer (he's 59) for his health insurance and it costs almost 600 bucks a month....does anyone know of any agency he should apply for health insurance that is more affordable? from my understanding, he doesn't qualify for medicare until being disabled 24 months which is a long time from now.

Aptly called the Patients' Choice Act, it provides a path to universal coverage by redirecting current subsidies for health insurance to individuals. It also provides a new safety net that guarantees access to insurance for those with pre-existing conditions. The nexus of their plan is redirecting the $300 billion annual tax subsidy for employment-based health insurance to individuals in the form of refundable, advanceable tax credits. Families would get $5,700 a year and individuals $2,300 to buy insurance and invest in Health Savings Accounts. Low-income Americans would get a supplemental debit card of up to $5,000 to help them purchase insurance and pay out-of-pocket costs. They would have an incentive to spend wisely since up to one-fourth of any unspent money in the accounts could be rolled over to the next year. The combination of the refundable tax credit and debit card gives lower-income Americans a way out of the Medicaid ghetto so they can have the dignity of private insurance. States could provide one-stop insurance shopping through new Health Care Exchanges rather than giving the federal government control, as most Democratic plans would do. And it frees up Medicaid money and provides added resources to the states to target additional help to those with disabilities and low incomes. It also calls for auto-enrollment to expand insurance coverage: People will have many options and opportunities to select insurance, but if they don't make an active choice they can be automatically enrolled in private policies financed by the tax credit. Who will control the system? Doctors and patients, or politicians and regulators? That's the crux of this year's health-care debate. This is the GOP plan: More Coverage, Less Cost without Government Intrusion into our decision making http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124277551107536875.html PS. This was put out in the middle May, 2009.

My wife became very ill with Fibromyalgia and Multiple Sclerosis in July, 2008. The company she worked for terminated her employment in October, 2008. She is still unable to work and an application with SSI is pending, probably months from approval. The company she worked for had a group Long Term Disability policy. We did not elect for COBRA as the health insurance premium was cost-prohibitive. Is it too late for her to file a claim on that LTD policy? Or must one still be employed to be eligible for benefits?

Right now in the United States, reforming health care is a challenge because Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on how to get all Americans coverage at an affordable price. While Democrats want a government run program that you would find in Europe, Republicans believe that health insurance should be more affordable so that everyone can afford it. As an American citizen, how would you like to see health care reformed in the United States? Here are five ways I believe health care can be reformed in the United States for all Americans; 1) The government should focus on getting insurance to the 50 million plus Americans who are either uninsured or under-insured coverage instead of a one size fits all program that everyone has. The Americans who need the insurance the most are the poor, the elderly, college students and graduates and the unemployed. 2) Americans who have a disability should have to pay half the price for insurance because it cost most to get the coverage you need. 3) All health insurance companies should accept you as a client no matter if you have a preexisting condition. One of the reasons why Americans cannot get insurance is because some places that do not want to take you as a client since you have a condition that will cost them an arm, a leg and two feet. 4) You should not have to pay an emergency room fee if you end up in the emergency room. After all, our taxpayer dollars pay to keep emergency rooms opened and we should not have to pay more to go to the emergency room and pay more for the coverage or treatment we need. 5) You should not have to pay if you end up in the hospital and you are not at fault. This includes the following scenarios; a) If you get beaten up on the street and you end up in the hospital, you end up paying the bill, not the person who beat you up. b) If an animal attacks you and you end up in the hospital, you end up paying the bill. c) You get in an automobile accident and end up in a coma, when you get out of the hospital, you end up paying the hospital bill, not the driver who hit you. I would also like to add that I do not agree with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party on the issue of health care reform. I do not agree with the Democrats because they believe the U.S. needs a one size fits all program for all Americans. I do not agree with Republicns because no matter how affordable you make insurance, Americans still cannot afford it because of pre-existing conditions.