Sometimes I read stories about American healthcare and feel utterly sick

Re:Sometimes I read stories about American healthcare and fe... by Mz on Monday May 07, 2012 @04:24PM (#3940815)

I don't think it can be fixed. Insurance operates like Las Vegas, but minus the benefit of entertainment value. They have really smart math people (actuarials) help design things and the payments have to cover the costs of running the business plus the occasional large pay out. When the payouts get too big, they find excuses to deny more. That is how they make their money. They are not designed to take care of people. I really do not think they can be.

Example: My medical diagnosis is an automatic disqualifier for many of the policies my former employer sold. Working at the company did not change that. Why? Because there is no gamble involved. It is all down side. Someone like me is guaranteed to have high healthcare expenses. There is no hope of making money off me. So they don't bother to offer coverage.

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Re:Sometimes I read stories about American healthcare and fe... by sp332 on Monday May 07, 2012 @04:30PM (#3940838)

the payments have to cover the costs of running the business plus the occasional large pay out. When the payouts get too big, they find excuses to deny more.

How could it be different? How could any corporation or government operate differently?

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Re:Sometimes I read stories about American healthcare and fe... by Mz on Monday May 07, 2012 @04:39PM (#3940874)

For starters, by emphasizing more preventive care.

I did a paper on the topic some years ago. Unfortunately, I have to leave for an appointment. I would be happy to discuss it with you further if you are genuinely interested.

FWIW: I don't entirely disagree with you. I am not convinced that mandating universal healthcare would fix the US system. I just don't think your callous perspective on the topic is a real solution.

Catch you later.

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