Some of the bullshit in that Tennessean article is laughable. Not the information provided per-say, but the quotes from the health and financial experts are laughable. They're saying that people aren't prepared for this shift in financial responsibilities as insured patients have been forced to shoulder more of the health costs with the high deductibles tied to health care plans. They suggest saving some money on the side for health care plans, $2000 a year to start. Despite this, the article acknowledges that 2/3 or more of the country has $1000 or less in the bank and a lot of people live paycheck to paycheck as it is. So, how are they going to come up with $2000 out of thin air each year? A lot of people don't spend their money constantly on stupid stuff, maybe a luxury now and then, but they often have $1000 or less in the bank for a reason. If they think people are going to start saving and this trend will go away, they've got another thing coming. They acknowledge that only 30% pay their complete bill, and another 10% are paying a small portion, while the rest pay nothing. Those that are stretching it to pay are having to forego necessities like heat to make ends meet. So, are they expecting the 2/3 not paying to do the same? Or, can we come to terms with the fact Health Care is broken?
The average person is paying $300 a month or more for a family on a health plan. That's just their individual contribution, their employer pays far more. Despite this, I'm supposed to pay $2000+out of pocket each year before the insurance company pitches in? What the hell is insurance doing for me unless I lose an arm? What it boils down to is I'm paying/contributing for high risk patients with greater medical bills, right? Don't give me that crap. Hospital billing is out of control as it is, they're as bad or worse than federal contract jobs. The NICU wanted to charge $40,000+ to me when my insurance company wouldn't pay after my son spent a week there...mostly caused by the fuck ups at the hospital. I've got news for them, I was never going to pay that $40,000 and I never will. There's no way it cost that hospital $40,000 in services/materials in reality for 7 days of bullshit. When you add up the hours of the nurse, the doctor's fee, the medicine, use of the machines, etc, it still doesn't add up to the $40,000 in reality. It's a bunch of trumped up nonsense.
In short, I'm not going to buy this bullshit. Hospitals are getting their money, they're not struggling here. Every few years they're adding a new wing or building to the health care network here in Dayton. Insurance companies are getting their cash too. They want to say "Oh well, them's the breaks, start saving better?" Nope, this can't continue. You can't squeeze the blood from a stone. Forcing 2/3 of the insured to file for bankruptcy isn't any kind of solution.
