We need a bi-partisan approach to healthcare and insurance reform, but after hearing both sides, it doesn't seem as if anyone has a firm grasp of the realities of wading through the mire of insurance coverage.
After listening to Mitt Romney's comments this morning on the news shows, it is obvious that neither he nor the Democrats have made the distinction between large company group policies, union policies and individuals who are left the scraps.
He said that the need for government to get involved is unnecessary since we can already change policies if we do not agree with the decisions of the insurance companies. Basically, he believes that competition can work very well now and the insurance company will shake in fear at the prospect of someone changing to another company. In reality, there are those in the industry right now that would love to find a way to eliminate those who have private policies if they have the gall to turn in a claim.

From my experience, insurance companies will cover more, charge less and be more accommodating to a larger group of people than those who do not have the buying power. Procedures that are rejected for individual policies will be covered under the larger group policies for fear of losing that larger group of paying customers. For those with individual policies, they do not have any option of changing carriers because they now have pre-existing conditions. There cannot be competitions if one is not allowed any other options. When people are being dropped due to losing a job or a having a condition that may cause expense later, some government regulation must be enacted.

Democrats do not want to address the staggering costs of the entitlement programs, tort reform and declining pay for services. Republicans do not want to realize that the insurance industry has caused many of the inequities of the current system and are focusing their efforts entirely on costs. If both sides continue holding their hands over their ears when someone disagrees with any part of the plan they prefer, we are in danger of either financial ruin or continuing the myriad of varying costs, coverage and greed by some parties...maybe even making things worse.

TVP                  tvp@dyingforinsurance.com