On Deck : Government Universal Health Care

[92bDad]

Mavdog,

we might actually be able to find a happy medium.

1) Keeping a portion of the system to be addressed by the private sector and basically through insurance as it is today.
2) Finding a way to enhance the availability to those who are uninsured and ensuring that one city/county or community is not overly burdened in supporting a hospital (Taxes from Dallas for patients from Ft. Worth)

Perhaps setting up some type of "ID" card where legal citizens can proove who they are and get care in a faility such as "Care Now" for the initial screening. If they are uninsured, they can still be seen and then referred to the local "Public" hospital...if the patient is unable to get there on their own, perhaps a connection with DART or an Ambulance can be made to pick up the patient and take them to this Public Hospital.

Those with Private Insurance would continue to do business as usual.

Facilities like a Care Now, can have two lobbies, one for private insurance and the other for Public Care. This would allow for equal 'Care' from the physician, but also allow for more effecient processing time for "Privately Insured" Patients.

In concept, I think we can find a compramise that works for the nearly everyone, so that they at the very least get the care they need and at the most, for those who have the resources, they can get the little perks that come with paying for it.

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

Mavdog,

we might actually be able to find a happy medium.

1) Keeping a portion of the system to be addressed by the private sector and basically through insurance as it is today.
2) Finding a way to enhance the availability to those who are uninsured and ensuring that one city/county or community is not overly burdened in supporting a hospital (Taxes from Dallas for patients from Ft. Worth)

Perhaps setting up some type of "ID" card where legal citizens can proove who they are and get care in a faility such as "Care Now" for the initial screening. If they are uninsured, they can still be seen and then referred to the local "Public" hospital...if the patient is unable to get there on their own, perhaps a connection with DART or an Ambulance can be made to pick up the patient and take them to this Public Hospital.

Those with Private Insurance would continue to do business as usual.

Facilities like a Care Now, can have two lobbies, one for private insurance and the other for Public Care. This would allow for equal 'Care' from the physician, but also allow for more effecient processing time for "Privately Insured" Patients.

In concept, I think we can find a compramise that works for the nearly everyone, so that they at the very least get the care they need and at the most, for those who have the resources, they can get the little perks that come with paying for it.

Should we just go ahead and tatoo a number/barcode on their hand or forehead, so we can tell exactly who they are, and if they have the cash, insurance, etc and to what place we should take them?

This way everyone gets what they want/deserve................

[92bDad]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Should we just go ahead and tatoo a number/barcode on their hand or forehead, so we can tell exactly who they are, and if they have the cash, insurance, etc and to what place we should take them?

This way everyone gets what they want/deserve................

Nope...the ID card would work fine, heck let it double as a Voter ID card while we are it.

It's like traveling, you have different levels of travlers, from the first time or casual vacationer going on thier one flight for the year to the frequent flyer who goes on say 10 flights a year, to the 'GOLD' traveler who catches some 25 or more flights...to the Platinum who goes upwards of 50 flights or more.

Each level has different perks...but everyone understands what it takes to get to the next level of perks, and if we are willing and have the means, we can get to that milestone.

Now obviously, we don't want "Frequent Patient" programs, after all the goal is to get everyone cured from the medical condition that ails them.

However there are different levels of 'Insured'

What I'm proposing is that the uninsured don't have to ONLY go to Parkland, but rather have some locations that are easier to get to...they may be within a block to a couple of miles away. Our family happens to use Care Now and Prima Care facilities, when needed. The do require payment/insurance upfront. So if someone doesn't have insurance, they have to pay a pretty hefty amount...or work their way over to a Parkland, which can be another hastle all to itself.

So if Tax dollars are covering the uninsured at Parkland, why not allow these funds to be available on an even more local level and allow people to go to a Care Now type of facility for the initial assessment.

This however would create a bit of a burden on the Care Now facility by adding an increased "Wait" time. As it is now, you can call in, set up an appointment and minimize your wait time...but you can still walk-up and wait.

My thought with two waiting rooms, is that if someone on the public troff, were waiting in the waiting room for 3-4 hours, but someone on the insurance system called in, then showed up and saw the docter with 15 minutes...well some folks could get a bit bent out of shape. Now the person who called may have called 6 hours earlier and scheduled an appointment, still it could create some hard feelings.

So the setting up of two waiting rooms is to the benefit of everyone. But hey its just an idea.

Maybe you have another idea on how to provide perks for those who pay for insurance. After all, this is still a bit of getting what you paid for.

Does anyone object to getting what you pay for?

So if someone is paying insurance and another is getting free care, should there not be some type of benefit to having and paying for insurance?

Overall, this provides for all citizens to be covered, and gives perks to those who have the option to pay and have insurance.

Obviously the big pink elephant becomes...what do you do with NON-Citizens? How do we show compassion to our fellow human, while protecting the pocket books of the nation?

If they are here legally, then treat them and send the bill back to their nation...if they here illegally, treat them, send them home and send the bill to their nation.

Again, everyone received medical care, while extended financial responsibility back to the nations of the individuals who visit America.

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

<snip>
Does anyone object to getting what you pay for?

(because I love the debate, I'll take this side right now)

The answer is essence is YES.

If my child needs a new heart, and I make 100K a year, and you tell me that it will run 500K and insurance won't cover it -- I still want the heart for my child.

I don't want to be told that I can't afford it, and my child will die. I don't want a doctor doing the surgery that graduated in the bottom 10th of his class. I want my child to be treated by the best there is, because I want them to survive.

Just because I was laid off, didn't get the promotion, wasn't born into money, or can't get insurance because of a pre-existing condition doesn't mean that I don't WANT the best available care for my child.

So yes, I have problem if my child is passed over for a heart because someone else has a little more money.

My child is worth more than Money.

[92bDad]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

(because I love the debate, I'll take this side right now)

The answer is essence is YES.

If my child needs a new heart, and I make 100K a year, and you tell me that it will run 500K and insurance won't cover it -- I still want the heart for my child.

I don't want to be told that I can't afford it, and my child will die. I don't want a doctor doing the surgery that graduated in the bottom 10th of his class. I want my child to be treated by the best there is, because I want them to survive.

Just because I was laid off, didn't get the promotion, wasn't born into money, or can't get insurance because of a pre-existing condition doesn't mean that I don't WANT the best available care for my child.

So yes, I have problem if my child is passed over for a heart because someone else has a little more money.

My child is worth more than Money.

People that have the need of "Heart Transplant" are put into a list to find a donor that matches. To my understanding the best people perform the surgery...I don't believe that this is where you get what you pay for, the perks come in the form of what some deem non-medical.

In other words, your wait time in the lobby is shortened, your room is perhaps a bit more comfortable (5 Star hotel versus 2 star hotel)...

Free Care, or Tax paid care, provide everyone with the opportunity to received care, period. My lot in life is what it is and if that only provided me with Tax paid care and it happened to be a doctor in the bottom 10% of his peers...but he did graduate and he does meet the standards, then so beit.

When I travel, I sit in coach...I would love to sit in 1st class, but guess what...I can't afford it, thus I adjust and sit in coach.

I drive cars that suffice, but they are not the best cars on the road, I would love to drive the best, but I cant afford it.

I live in a comfortable home...not the best around...heck I would love to have the house that Mark Cuban owns, but I can't afford it.

I would love to have the absolute BEST medical care, heck my own private doctor and staff...but I adjust based on what I can afford, I've been without insurance and with insurance, either way, I adjusted to what my means where at the time. That big time personal Medical Staff living in my home...I can't afford it.

We accept our lot in life, we strive to improve our lot, and I would imagine that for most of us here, we do our best to help others improve their lives...providing support for those in need.

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

People that have the need of "Heart Transplant" are put into a list to find a donor that matches. To my understanding the best people perform the surgery...I don't believe that this is where you get what you pay for, the perks come in the form of what some deem non-medical.

In other words, your wait time in the lobby is shortened, your room is perhaps a bit more comfortable (5 Star hotel versus 2 star hotel)...

Free Care, or Tax paid care, provide everyone with the opportunity to received care, period. My lot in life is what it is and if that only provided me with Tax paid care and it happened to be a doctor in the bottom 10% of his peers...but he did graduate and he does meet the standards, then so beit.

When I travel, I sit in coach...I would love to sit in 1st class, but guess what...I can't afford it, thus I adjust and sit in coach.

I drive cars that suffice, but they are not the best cars on the road, I would love to drive the best, but I cant afford it.

I live in a comfortable home...not the best around...heck I would love to have the house that Mark Cuban owns, but I can't afford it.

I would love to have the absolute BEST medical care, heck my own private doctor and staff...but I adjust based on what I can afford, I've been without insurance and with insurance, either way, I adjusted to what my means where at the time. That big time personal Medical Staff living in my home...I can't afford it.

We accept our lot in life, we strive to improve our lot, and I would imagine that for most of us here, we do our best to help others improve their lives...providing support for those in need.

But if this is the case, then nothing is broken. What you describe is what happens now. Why make any changes at all?

Do we all agree now that nothing is broken, and we have no need to fix healthcare?