Quote:
Originally Posted by MonkeYMaideN
I read (erm… skimmed) as much as I could before having a total brain fart, but I don't think I found an answer to my two biggest concerns about the reform...
1.) Is it true that if you have a health problem and go to the doctor to seek assistance, they will possibly tell you that you have to wait for 2 months <-- (random number) until you can be seen because of the hundreds of people still waiting in line?
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In America now they can tell you that you cannot have the care you need. Your insurance company can tell you that your problem is not covered under the insurance plan you pay hundreds of dollars a month for out of pocket.
I don't think we have those kinds of line in the US, except for things like kidney and liver transplants, but that is true everywhere (except for countries like Iran where it is legal to sell unneeded organs, and there are no lines for kidneys and livers).
[quote=MonkeYMaideN;807382]
2.) Is it true that illegal aliens and those who can work but voluntarily choose not to and live off welfare will also be covered? If that’s so, I think it’s very unfair that people who do work hard are paying to care for people who are lazy and who don’t legally belong in the country in the first place. Does the reform have rules to prevent this?
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Illegal aliens cannot get welfare.
But you bring up a good point.
Legally hospitals cannot turn away a sick person, or a person who is dying. So what happens is that people without health insurance get sick, and they wait, and they wait, and they wait, and when they are really really sick they go to the Emergency Room. Then they get care, and default on their massively large bill.
So who pays for that? You and me.
Ever heard the phrase "a stitch in time saves nine"?
That means it is easier to deal with a problem at its beginning than at it's end. Easier mean cheaper.
Philosophically and legally, hospitals will never turn away sick (or pregnant) people. So no matter what we say we want, we have a form of universal health care. The problem is citizens and not the government is paying for it.
If everyone pays their fair share from the beginning it is fair enough. Instead someone like me, that pays for private health insurance (like every non-government employee in the US) has to pay higher rates every year to cover the higher health costs hospitals charge to cover the defaulted (non-paid for) charges.
In a country where everyone was covered, I wouldn't have to pay for those charges, and overall it would be less expensive for everyone.