How many of you have Health Insurance?

[Jstpssng]

I have it now through the company I work for, and kick in a small portion. When I was self-employed I had it when I could afford it; about 1 1/2 years over a ten year period. Back then I only had major medical, with a $5000 deductible. I'm lucky enough to not go to the doctor often, so that was more than I needed.

 

[PineRidge]

I have been self-employed most of my life. When I met my wife, Rose she was also self employed. Between the two of us our Health Insurance costs us $1580.00 a month.

That may seem like quite a nut to chew until you figure that one test (MRI) that was required for throat cancer that I had a few years back cost $17K alone and that didn't even touch the radiation treatments that went on for weeks.

I don't know anyone that can afford to be self-insured. Sooner or later it will catch up with you big-time.

 

[Highbeam]

I went to school and then went to work in the private industry and then the public industry. Both places paid/pay the full premiums. I am responsible for copays and occasional nickel and dimes. That is the way it always has been for me and my parents and my wife's parents and pretty much anyone I know. I feel fortunate and thankful but at the same time I intentionally invested time and money into education to gain employment of this nature and so I do not feel lucky to be here. I did purchase my own life insurance policies since the little tikes came along.

 

[Alan L.]

Health insurance costs are terrible, but I don't see how you can do without. I don't know what the solution is. They have the socialized medicine in Canada, but since they don't need the defense budget we have (who do you think is providing the bulk of the defense for this hemisphere?) they can afford it. How good it is I don't know but have heard there are waiting periods for various procedures that you don't experience here. Also, such a system might not attract the best doctors because their earnings is capped. I would imagine some of our Canadian friends on here could enlighten us.

If there was a reasonable way to have that here I would be all for it, but I don't see how. Right now I am paying through the nose for good HMO coverage, and it just keeps going up.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A nurse never left my side the entire time. My eyes were flushed out twice . I was given an IV and a sedative to calm me down and restore my breathing . A Doctor, who spoke 4 languages and trained in the U.S. treated me . The service was as good or better than any hospital in the States . When was the last time a pretty nurse held your hand for 4 hours ??? The total bill ??? It was $1.25 total !!! )</font>

So what do you think the nurse and doctor were paid? What about the admitting staff or the grounds keepers?

Of course they don't have the overhead of an entire department just for insurance and another department for lawyers and another for accountants.

Cliff

 

[ToadHill]

I worked for a large electrical manufacturing company for 16 years until they closed the local plant. I then went to work for one of the major health insurance companys. They didn't pay as well as the manufacturing company but they gave their employees a great health plan. I retired several years ago and I still have the plan at a cost of less then $100 per month with dental, and $5 co-pay drug coverage. I'm one of the very lucky ones.

 

[ronjhall]

I do.
My wife and I have insurance thorough my companies retirement plan. It includes hospital care, $15 deductible for doctor office visits, prescription plan and Dental. Cost us about $6000 per year to keep plan. I live in the middle of the Auto industry. Retires from the big three pay very little toward their health care. When my plan is compared to theirs I am playing way to much. But when compared to other retirement plans we are doing good.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have health insurance, dental and vision provided by the company I work for. We were just informed that all of this will still be provided next year ('06) without us needing to pay a portion. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tc35dforme]

<font color="blue"> What is wrong with our Goverment when they can allow the fleecing of the general population by the medical field and insurance company's ??? </font>

What's wrong, is that a portion of the population who may not have responsibility for paying their own way, use the medical system excessively and improperly. The ER at many larger medical facilities is packed with folks who shouldn't be there...they have minor issues or a head-cold.

Also, many patients who require huge cost care are there by choice...by this I mean drug abusers, drinkers, and smokers....My wife treats them every day !!!!

Moderators....if I crossed the line....do your thing !!!

 

[sneaky_pete]

I've got it for my whole family; I'm self-employed so I pay it all myself (well my corporation does - still my money, but at least it's untaxed dollars). Premiums are going up January 1st from $1,100/month to $1,500/month, and we had no claims at all last year except for a couple of routine visits to the doctor's office.

But I have no complaints with our health care system - it's still the best in the world. Anyone in favor of socialized medicine should try living in Great Britain for a while. OK, that's not a very practical suggestion, but my experience living there for three years was that the standard of care was much lower than most people in the U.S. are accustomed to or would be willing to put up with. There are several British ex-pats here like East Texas Frank, and maybe they have a different opinion. I just don't see how the federal government could do a better job than private industry.