Donna's Thoughts on US Health Care
I can't help but think that one of biggest challenges facing us here in the US today is our health care system. As a family we have had access through Kaiser, Blue Cross, MediCal and Medicare (for Willie) at various times.
While working for Kaiser we had access to their HMO system of providers and facilities. Though when we first started with them there was a lot of negative press about Kaiser, we almost always without fail had good service. Yes, we did have some bad as well from time to time. I think most of that was caused by customer service issues with staff and physicians rather than with the HMO model itself.
Now we have access through Blue Cross. It has cost us more than Kaiser, but it has all-in-all been pretty easy to deal with and find providers for. Thankfully my employer pays for much of our policy because we would never be able to afford the $1000+ each month out-of-pocket just for the premium.
MediCal was an interesting experience. Growing up we always had health insurance. Once we moved to Siskiyou County we found ourselves, for only about a year, needing the help of MediCal. I have to say that time was very eye-opening for us!
Here in our county we only have a couple of providers that will accept MediCal. Because MediCal doesn't pay the providers well the providers are forced to book more appointment and treat more patients to make their living. I saw a doctor who I would not trust with my pet chicken... I have never felt more like I was being treated like the common street-animal than during that time. One of the "reforms" I would like to see is that all providers be required to accept both MediCal and Medicare. You should NOT have to go to a crappy clinic or a crappy doctor just because you have low-income!!!
Willie also has Medicare. It has seriously saved our butts for those times he has been in the hospital or needed medical equipment of some sort or another.
When you have good insurance you don't really think much about those who don't. I think this is one of the biggest hurdles to health care reform in our country - our elected officials and those in corporate power - have (and can afford) the best insurance. Why work to change it?
Why? For me that answer is clear - you shouldn't have to die or have serious lack of basic medical care because you are lower income. It just plain isn't right.
While working for Kaiser we had access to their HMO system of providers and facilities. Though when we first started with them there was a lot of negative press about Kaiser, we almost always without fail had good service. Yes, we did have some bad as well from time to time. I think most of that was caused by customer service issues with staff and physicians rather than with the HMO model itself.
Now we have access through Blue Cross. It has cost us more than Kaiser, but it has all-in-all been pretty easy to deal with and find providers for. Thankfully my employer pays for much of our policy because we would never be able to afford the $1000+ each month out-of-pocket just for the premium.
MediCal was an interesting experience. Growing up we always had health insurance. Once we moved to Siskiyou County we found ourselves, for only about a year, needing the help of MediCal. I have to say that time was very eye-opening for us!
Here in our county we only have a couple of providers that will accept MediCal. Because MediCal doesn't pay the providers well the providers are forced to book more appointment and treat more patients to make their living. I saw a doctor who I would not trust with my pet chicken... I have never felt more like I was being treated like the common street-animal than during that time. One of the "reforms" I would like to see is that all providers be required to accept both MediCal and Medicare. You should NOT have to go to a crappy clinic or a crappy doctor just because you have low-income!!!
Willie also has Medicare. It has seriously saved our butts for those times he has been in the hospital or needed medical equipment of some sort or another.
When you have good insurance you don't really think much about those who don't. I think this is one of the biggest hurdles to health care reform in our country - our elected officials and those in corporate power - have (and can afford) the best insurance. Why work to change it?
Why? For me that answer is clear - you shouldn't have to die or have serious lack of basic medical care because you are lower income. It just plain isn't right.
posted by The Frugal Place at 9:33 AM
1 Comments:
Donna - just curious. I agree that everyone has a right to high quality healthcare and I believe it is our responsibility as a society to see that care is provided on an equal basis to all. Now the sticky part - how do we pay for it? What is "low income"? Can everyone be low income? How long? Forever? Should we have a sliding scale fee based on income? How much should a doctor earn? A hospital? A insurance company? How much should an "average income" pay to support the care of all? A "high income"? A "low income"? Should some not pay at all? What solutions do you envision?
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