Dying For Insurance: The Politicians have left town - Half-truths are worse than fiction

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The Politicians have left town - Half-truths are worse than fiction

Republicans: nearly 80% are satisfied with the quality of their health care
Democrats: 85% feel that the health care system needs to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt.
We would naturally assume that each are using different methods of polling, or someone isn't telling the truth. These numbers are actually pulled from the same poll using the same group's answers. The politicians are picking only the results that support their own agenda and nothing frustrates me more (except for mimes). If we believe only what we are told, we are as ignorant as our representatives believe. If both are the truth, how can we reach a reasonable solution? Since you asked, here are the real concerns of the American people.

One of the polls that has been quoted by both sides was conducted by the New York Times/CBS news . There is also a link for those that want to wade through 11 pages of questions and seemingly contradictory answers given by those who were contacted. From this and other polls, we can determine the real concerns of the American public.
For those in larger companies, working for the government or on Medicare, most are satisfied with their health care. For those with individual policies, the concern is with the cost of the insurance compared to an employer based system. The major concern for most people is the possibility of losing a job and not being able to obtain, or afford insurance. In addition, there is an added worry of being denied for existing conditions. Although the cost of insurance is an issue, it is overshadowed by denial of some procedures after they are completed which are the responsibility of the individual. This is why most medical bankruptcies occur. We want fewer unnecessary tests, but do not want any tests denied that are deemed necessary by our doctors. There is both a desire and a suspicion of a government single-payer option.
The dissatisfaction is not generally with the quality of health care; it is with health care insurance. The following is what our Representative needs to address to keep what works and correct what doesn't.

1, Eliminate denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. 2. Insurance companies must list diagnoses and tests that will be approved and the cost allowed for each procedure on their website. 3. Allow for small businesses and individuals to buy into a group (or exchange) to reduce premium costs to a level comparable to large companies. 4. We cannot reduce costs by cutting payments to health care providers without regard to reality. 5. If we really want to reduce costs through wellness, prevention and chronic diseases, the fees need to be increased to doctors for office visits. 6. A government option or subsidies are fine if based on means testing for those unable to afford coverage and would still allow competition in the private sector if controls are put in place for those companies. 7. Payment on outcome is not a viable option. Health care providers could not see those who are chronically ill, because of the likelihood of multiple visits. There must be a method of addressing unusual situations and adjusting care accordingly.

There are more changes, but this would be a good start. Although many individuals are healthy, they know that they will not always be that way are concerned about the unknown. We are worried that health care reform will reduce our ability to have needed testing and that care would be rationed. Our responsibilities are to know our medical conditions and understand the options and costs involved for treatment. Even with Electronic Medical Records, when one sees a new doctor, he/she may want to check out something that has been covered extensively by previous doctors.
WIll this save money? Maybe, but probably not. Although it will be cheaper than some of the options that are now being considered. According to the poll, most Americans are willing to pay a substantial amount of money to insure that their current coverage is maintained.

I don't even like some of these possibilities, but if I only listen to what I like, or those with whom I agree, nothing will change and we could lose what is working now. So, as you listen to the politicians, treat everything that is said as the email that is forwarded to you on urban legends. Check it out before accepting it as fact. We need some well intentioned, open-minded people to solve this very serious problem. Even I have found that, on a good day, I am right only 51% of the time.

TVP tvp@dyingforinsurance.com