Healthcare for children S Chip

[m3racer]

BTW if Canada and Europe have such lousy health care, how come they have longer average life spans than Americans?

Because they don't eat themselves into morbid obesity like Americans.

[kimiko]

I was pretty riled up when I heard that the bill was vetoed, but after reading the changes made, I'm glad that it was vetoed.

[Exile]

HAHAHAHA...you're unhappy with your HMO? You better get used to it if socialized medicine actually happens in the states.

Which is exactly my point. If free enterprise medical care is so wonderful, whether through HMO or individual coverage AND IS NOT FREE, then service should be better than government sponsored healthcare, right?

Well guess what: It isn't.

[Exile]

Because they don't eat themselves into morbid obesity like Americans.

Right. And every time there's a movement to ban or regulate harmful ingredients that contribute to this epidemic as New York City is trying to do with trans fats, the restaurant lobby goes ballistic.

[m3racer]

Which is exactly my point. If free enterprise medical care is so wonderful, whether through HMO or individual coverage AND IS NOT FREE, then service should be better than government sponsored healthcare, right?

Well guess what: It isn't.

You've completely missed the boat on this one. HMO=krappy health insurance that's probably comparable to socialized medicine. Go get yourself a PPO and than post comments regarding the above topic.

[Exile]

You've completely missed the boat on this one. HMO=krappy health insurance that's probably comparable to socialized medicine. Go get yourself a PPO and than post comments regarding the above topic.

Your remark is this week's winner of the "Let them eat cake" award. Not everyone is well-off enough to afford a PPO.

Since I've missed the boat, will you take me for a cruise on your yacht?

[m3racer]

Your remark is this week's winner of the "Let them eat cake" award. Not everyone is well-off enough to afford a PPO.

Since I've missed the boat, will you take me for a cruise on your yacht?

The fact is in the US you have several choices regarding your insurance provider. Health care is not cheap. I think we can all agree on that. Heaping everyone into a socialized system does not make any sense because you think it may be an upgrade to your present situation. The quality of care is subpar in HMO's according to you. I do not know your financial situation nor is it any of my business. I am merely stating the obvious. PPO's are better than HMO's in many ways. As I stated earlier, the medical health care system in the US is screwed up in sooo many ways. There will never be a quick solution to this. If you really want to vent, go look up how much the ex-chairman of United healthcare made a couple of years ago. It's ludicrous. Unfortunately, hospitals are here to make $$$ just like every other business.

[m3racer]

Since I've missed the boat, will you take me for a cruise on your yacht?

LOL.....

[banditfist]

I don't really have an opinion on the program. On the surface it sounds great....but what I didn't see are the cuts to other programs or the increase in taxes to pay for it.
Oh wait, right! We just go further into debt for yet another entitlement. Just lump it in there with the other $51 trillion. Go go fiat currency!

[Aleta]

The last that I heard on the radio was that families making up to $80,000. could qualify for schip. Sure wish I could get rid of my now increased $1,432.00 a month payment. One of the reasons we can't get another car right now is because of the health insurance payments. There are those who can pay, but they choose to spend their childrens's health insurance money on expensive items and vacations.

Someone said here that the government will introduce this a little at a time. I think that when Walmart starting offering $4. meds, that that was a tip off. I don't know how many of you are aware of CVS and other stores starting to open up clinics onsite. This is very typical in Latin communities and really does do a good job. They did a big writeup on these Latin clinics and how well-run they were and that it should be something that we should consider.

[cschin4]

Bills like this are designed to make you look like you are "against children" if you don't vote for it. Sorry folks, but healthcare is not free, nor will it be when the govt controls it. They will tell you where you can go, what you can have done, and who can do it when they own the purse. Right now you have some choices but soon you will have none. Doctors who aren't fee for service will have no incentive to work any harder than they have to when owned by the govt. Ditto the nurses or anyone else. Instead of steak, you will be entitled to hamburger. Of course, the congress has already exempted itself from such programs. Ask yourself why.

[Scanner]

Somebody asked me for a reference on Medicare efficiency. This is not a direct reference but here is one:

Making Health Care Affordable for All Americans

Administrative expenses are now the fastest-rising component of national health expenditures. In 2002, the nation spent $105 billion on private insurance and public administrative expenses, up 16.2 percent from 2001. Private insurance administrative costs are particularly high—12.8 percent of total private insurance outlays, compared with 3.0 percent for Medicare.

It would appear Medicare is 4X as efficient as private pay.

However, that being said. . .the average claim from a Medicare patient is much higher so it's naturally going to appear to be smaller percentage-wise.

I think even accounting for this, Medicare is still more efficient than Blue Cross.

Again. . .I know to say this is akin to committing sacrarelidge to the Conservatives here but there is truth in this. You can't make the argument:

"Oh, big gov't is soooooooo inefficient."

That's Rush-speak (Rush Limbaugh) and not based on fact.

If you drive over a major bridge from Philadelphia to NJ, half of the high cost billboards are Health Insurance carriers and the other half is casinos.

That stuff ain't cheap folks and it produces much non-healthcare related cost to your private insurance plan.

[PrincessPerky]

Just a mostly side note...before I had kids I had no complaints about the health care system..I also never really needed it. (actually before I had my second kid, the 5K baby. no complications just 5K to catch)

I know many adults who have no concerns with their current health care provider..they also have no major health issues...surprisingly many folk are not sick enough for a Dr, and therefor have no complaints about one or about the health system....

If I were going to listen to 'folk' I would rather a large poll, and maybe some well chosen statistics than to 'this girl I know'. (of course being libertarian you know what the statistics I would choose would show....)

[sonj]

Am I mistaken in thinking that the CHIP Program is for Children?

My husband has a decent paying job, too bad his employer feels it necessary for him to pay 100% for our children who can't provide for themselves yet insurance.

Me as a adult I want to find a job that will cover my family for less then $800 a month. My insurance through his company is almost half of that $800 total. Recently being let go, I have lost my insurance, so once again will have to join my husbands.

I also agree all those people who are MILKING the system for every dime, dollar and benefit they can should have to take Pee Tests to get benefits and if this included Medical for children well let me stand in line, I have nothing to hide. I am only looking for medical for my kids so I don't have to put off taking them to the doctor when I don't have any extra money. This is about my kids not me. I will (or my husband will) gladly pay the monthly premium they have as long as it is less then $300 a month for my children.


Unfortunately, we are the working class living pay check to pay check, and I am thinking of trying to get my children on the CHIP program. We make considerably less then the 42,000 a year.

[Aleta]

No, this is not just for children? It covers kids I think up to 21, but I will check.