Monopoly machine
Published Sunday, September 14, 2008
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If an insurance company owns other carriers, and they all own hospitals, HMOs, clinics, rehabilitation units, etc., how will you be affected?
One Alaskan recently told of his dad. He was treated and insurance covered a serious condition. Then he was referred to a surgeon in one hospital. He was hit with “all expenses denied.” It seems he was in hospital “A” but would have been covered had he had the surgery at hospital “B.”
A friend in another state went to an emergency room via ambulance. With 17 broken bones and more, she was not attended to or even given anything for pain. She was told to wait until the insurance company doctor got there. He never arrived. Hours of agony forced her to go elsewhere. (Workman’s compensation claimants are apt to be “dumped.”) The report said she left against medical advice so she would not be covered.
Is anyone thinking yet?
A friend was sent back to work on a broken leg. No x-ray was taken. The clinic he was sent to is owned by his carrier. The leg never healed, but he can’t prove it broke at work. Smooth!
Let’s go see the movie “Sicko” again and ponder: If the carriers own the providers and actually pay a claim (occasionally) they are just paying themselves.
Would this explain the fact that so many refuse to treat those on Medicare? Or that adjusters have immunity when they do medical harm? No!
Mergers, trusts, privatization, deregulation — monopolies — are a scream. We need another trust-busting Teddy Roosevelt (but he would have to start with the oil cartels).
Nationalization anyone?
Community Discussion
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NO!
Agreed....No
I'll pass, but thanks.
When dealing with doctors, hospitals, insurance company's, you have to be ever vigilante, question, question, question, demand, demand, demand. Because they will screw you when they they can. I know during an emergency that might be the further-est thing in your mind. But it is a necessity.
Michael Moore...now there is a name you can trust!
Bassett Army Hospital is a good example of a Federal government health care program. The other nationalized health care program is the Indian Health Service. So there are examples of Federal government run health care programs right here in good old Fairbanks.
Considering this State"s Medicaid bill is one of the largest, if not the largest State budget item, this State is already paying for a large piece of health care cost.
In Alaska you just might find that the Federal and State government is one of the largest carriers of health care expenses.
there are problems indeed. but anything michael moore has got would be like shooting yourself in the head to fix a sprained ankle. anytime you mention that name you immediately lose any credibility with me and my ears turn off. next topic.......
Yea, because competition has worked so well...
ditto brassmonkey. I hate our health care system, it needs a huge overhaul, or just be destroyed and start over.
when did the american people decide to quit being responsiable for their own well being. if you think socialized medicine is so great why do canadians go to the usa for urgent health care. we do not need another goverment agency doing nothing and taking more money. get smart and watch your own problems and fix them yourself, do not depend on big brother. get your own healthcare and police it or suffer the results. where is it written that all people are entitled to free and unlimited health care. there is no free lunch and people need to stand up and take care of their own problems, do not be sucked into beleiving that goverment will fix it.
You are so right mcgilla!!
You don't like big corporations and their corruption driving medical prices up and quality down. So the answer is to hand it to the biggest and most corrupt conglomeration of corporations (the "government")?
How about keeping government out of our lives and having a true free market system to allow clinics and hospitals with reasonable prices to operate. Whether I pay out of pocket or you steal my money, I still end up paying. I just end up paying more when government is involved and the quality is worse. Keep the criminal government out of my life.
What conditions will I have to abide by to get this national health care? Will I have to take new, dangerous and unproven vaccines, like HPV? The Texas governor tried this, after he was paid off by Merck? Will I have to hand in my guns? Will I have to get mandated drug testing once a month? Will I have to get the new medical ID chips implanted in my arm? I'll take care of myself, thanks.
Nationalising will not fix the problems you speak about. Competition has resulted in the current system.
Here in Fairbanks we have a CO OP Non-Profit hospital owned by Banner?!?! We cannot bring in competition because of the CON (the irony of that acronym...)
Health Insurance is like any other INSURANCE in the country. It is a government sanctioned racket. You are required to have it but they are not required to pay. That is the problem that needs to be fixed.
The only thing the Gov should do is require that insurance companies pay any claims (legitimate not fraud) that are filed. No skirting payment.
Can you say."Hillary"
Are you nuts, lady?
mcgilla-"get smart and watch your own problems and fix them yourself." Does that mean I should perform my own open heart surgery? Should I stay awake while performing the procedure, or is anesthesia an option? I do believe that the constitution says we are "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life"....it's the first one. If I need medical care to stay alive, then I am guaranteed it by the constitution. I know that's a stretch, but to say we shouldn't be guaranteed health care in the supposed wealthiest country in the world is pretty ridiculous. I'd say health and safety are the two biggest things the government should be providing to its citizens. Followed closely by education.
Insurance, is insane
If I were not lucky enough to have had great insurance under my father (who's boss gave us a lot of yelling due to rising premiums) AND medicaid, I would be dead right now.
I don't know what the answer is, but our current system is not it~
P3T-
Just a quick correction to your post. FMH is truly community owned. The building and the equipment there in are bought and paid for by the foundation. Banner Health system is paid to manage FMH. Now, here comes the tricky part. Why is it more cost effective to have FMH managed by an out of state entity rather than have it managed by an instate entity?
Good question. It has to due with the purchasing power of Banner Health Systems. Banner Health Systems commands such a large block of purchasing power that all of those items that the hospital needs to operate (no pun intended) like medicines or hardware (like plates to put in your leg if you need it) or medical syringes come at a reduced cost that FMH can provide the care they do at the cost they do. Now, Banner Health /FMH is a "Not For Profit" entity, not a Non-Profit.
P3T--
Since when was health/medical insurance "required"? The last time I looked in the Alaska Statutes, automobile liability coverage was the only mandatory insurance coverage.
thank you h2os. No one is forcing you to carry a particular insurance company. If you want the freedom of a different choice, you could contact the hospital / clinic you want to go to and they will be more than happy to list off all of the insurance companies they are able to provide through.
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