There is a press conference tonight (7/22/09) 8pm on Health Insurance Reform. The White House says:

If you already have health insurance: reform will provide you with more security and stability. It will limit your own out of pocket costs and prevent your insurance company from dropping your coverage if you get too sick. You'll also have affordable insurance options if you lose or change your job. And it will cover preventive care like check-ups and mammograms that save lives and money.

If you don't have health insurance: you will finally have guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care, and you can choose the plan that best suits your family's needs. And no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.

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Might be worth watching.

An investment tip: if the health care legislation is passed in anything like its current format, buy stock in funeral homes and gurney manufacturers.

Right on Gene!!!!!! What seems to be proposed, and for the life of me, I cant figure out what they really intend to do...but it's health scare, not health care. And whatever it is, doesnt seem to view the older folks with much esteem.

Hells-Bells, I think I'll light up another cigarette...if smoking doesnt get me, the government will!!!!!!!!! I used to think Medicare was a farce...but it's looking pretty good right now.

I just wish we in the formerly good old USA, could just have one honest debate on an issue without politics and agenda entering the fray. If I seem angry, maybe it's because I am.

Bob's post is of legitimate interest to this forum, as I'm sure the press conference was, though I was unable to watch it. Since many, or most of us, are sole proprietors, I think this is a topic we need to consider seriously. Keeping politics out of it is a good idea.

I am fortunate in that my wife's job offers excellent benefits to her and her family. If I had to buy my own as an individual payer, not only would monthly premiums be tripled, but office visits would be far more expensive, as would prescriptions and tests.

It's evident that what we have now keeps many people from ANY kind of health care. Is it working or you? What do you all do for health care?

The other day I watched the movie Sicko from Michael Moore. Very shocking from an European point of view. I didn´t know that´s so bad to get ill in the USA.

Gregor

I think this is a topic we need to consider seriously. Keeping politics out of it is a good idea.
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I totally agree as every problem with health care in this country can be traced to politics.
When my aunt in the UK died of cervical cancer while waiting for someone to decide that it was her turn to be treated, I was shocked from an American point of view.

I meant keeping politics out of this discussion if at all possible.

Yes, please keep the politics out of the discussion as much as possible.

I recently had to seek my own individual insurance (as a sole proprietor).
My choices were pay a rediculously high premium, or settle for very basic coverage.

I settled for very basic coverage. No dental, no eyeglass coverage, high deductibles. The company is called Cinergy. I'm actully about to call them today, as they did not cover my first doctor visit here in FL.

Having had triple bypass open heart surgery I have to take prescriptions the rest of my life. I also have to have regular checkups, as it's always a challenge to balance the meds. My meds cost a couple hundred bucks a month out of pocket (above what is covered).

Point being, my coverage is bare minimum and is not even considered "Health Care" coverage, but rather a ... Limited Medical Benefit Plan.

I was hoping NAMM and/or the PTG might be able to offer some sort of group coverage, but they don't.

Dave, I really did know what you meant and I appologize for altering your intended meaning to make my point.
As the opening thread (which is clearly political) stood for over a day with no responses, is it not curious that as soon as a skeptical response is posted that the plea to omit politics from the discussion happens?
Piano World, I will do my best to keep politics out of this discussion but I am a bit confused as to how to do this - enter the point that Dave helped me make.
This administration is proposing sweeping socialist style changes to health care and the two should be separated from each other, in the House, Senate, White House, our daily lives and on this forum - IMHO.
In addition, my first response was an investment tip - very a-political.

Gene:

Investment tip? Since it is unsustainable in the long term, it is a Ponzi scheme!

The same percentage of all people will die whether or not the medical system is changed, 100%. I tend to discount investment advice from anyone who ignores the obvious.

Ok, I know I'm the one who asked to keep politics out of this discussion.

But... It's hard to ignore the fact that health care in this country will likely be effected (good or bad) by what our government does, so...

From the White House:
"Health insurance reform is a complex issue and many of you have questions about what it means for you and your family. To help get you the answers you need, White House Health Reform Director, Nancy-Ann DeParle, is holding a live video chat through Facebook and WhiteHouse.gov. Join the chat today at 3pm ET."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Politics aside, the reason health care costs more, is because they can do more. Exotic cancer treatments, organ transplants, super premature baby care, and joint replacements are not cheap. Sure, things can be made more efficient, but patching up old and abused bodies costs money. The baby boomer generation (which includes me) has set the “me first” moral standard in this country, to the point where abortion is politically correct. I expect that the final answer for reducing costs will be a similar response from generation X: euthanasia and we deserve it. In the short run, another viable solution for both health care and social security is to get more money into the system from young, health citizens through immigration.

Well for once I agree with Tooner completely, except for the euthanasia part. Scary isnt it Tooner???

It is very hard to keep politics out of this discussion because the issue is politically driven in my opinion. I too, pay very high premiums with a high deductible. I would love a lower costs for better insurance, but I dont see it happening without driving taxes through the roof. We will pay for it one way or another, evenutally. Again look, I repeat, look at Medicare. The government is doing a real fine job with that *sarcasm.*

Sorry if I sound too political, but this is a sore spot for all of us. I'm interested to know what those here would propose? So far I havent heard a really good government idea.

'Nice idea in theory, but who's going to pay for it? I was looking for some rich neighbors who could fund my policy, but they are all broke, and so is the very government that will be managing the program. Howzat gonna' work?