It can't go on. It must stop. Health care is making us sick.

I wrote about last year. We returned to the U.S. and had to get health insurance. There are three of us, myself, my partner and our daughter. We are in our 40's. Our daughter is 4. I have a 'pre-existing' condition of life-long hypertension (discovered when I was 18, thin and athletic :).

Our health insurance through the HMO we started in early 2002 was 428 a month.

Well, it has now officially doubled. The annual dreaded letter came from the HMO yesterday.

Our insurance will now cost 877 a month. That is a 21% increase over last year and a doubling in 5 years. We've had no health issues (other than medication for my hypertension), nothing new, no diseases, no emergency rooms, no nothing. Their letter said the increase was "normal operating cost increases."  They say that every year.

(there is a poll.. please take it... how much has your health insurance gone up in the last 5 years?)

That's 10,524 dollars a year if you don't want do the quick math.

Lets just say that is a HUGE hunk out of our income.

My company doesn't yet cover health insurance, but at this rate, what small business will ever be able to? I am over the proverbial barrel (not like a pre-existing condition will enamour insurance providers to offer us good insurance).

So, today I did a quick calculation.

If this rate continues, in 2020 our health insurance bill will be approximately 7,000 dollars.. a MONTH.  You know, that's 84,000 dollars a year.

At that point we'll be hard pressed to eat, have a roof over our heads or well.. anything.

There might be some point in the near future we'll have to move back to Germany (see why here: http://www.dailykos.com/... ). Not because of the political system here, not because we fear a gay-bashing environment, no, because eventually we won't be able to afford health care here at all.

Though I expect my income to rise over the years, if it doesn't rise drastically, we are are in for a problem.

Even then, if somehow we get rich or eventually have health insurance covered, we (as in the nation) are still in for a problem.

Can it it continue like this?!  

•  Really, are we the only ones seeing

  this rise and wondering when it will be we can't do this any more?

  by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:37:41 PM PDT

  •  health insurance

    just got insurance, after a while without it. So can't note an increase.

    There's a typo in your diary just after the fold. You say the annual cost is 20,524. Should be 10,524? (877x12?)

    I'm worried about insurance costs as well. The situation has to change. It's just insane.

    by astraea on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:45:03 PM PDT

    •  oops, thanks... still a huge chunk :D /nt

      by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:46:56 PM PDT

      •  definitely a huge chunk!! n/t

        by astraea on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:51:33 PM PDT

  •  Don't want to seem pessimistic, but...

    consider the 3 billion people on this planet who live on the equivalent of $1 a day or less, without health care, without land.  This is just by way of answering your question "Can it continue like this?"  It can.  To quote an old blues song, "Things could be worse, or they could go on bein' just the same."

    My own Blue Cross health insurance premium, just for myself, has been running $542 / month, just over tripled in 5 years (a real kick in the checkbook when I turned 60).  (I'm lucky enough now that my domestic partner has a policy at work that she can include me on, so I'll be able to drop the premiums to around $170 a month to compensate for her premium increase).

    I sympathize with your plight, and I don't want to seem unsympathetic.  The reality is, if the corporations maintain their stranglehold on government in this country (and extend it in Europe) we will all suffer this and they'll double up again in another three years.  It's a fight, and they have the guns on their side.

    by Jim Hill on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:56:11 PM PDT

    •  I actually don't want sympathy...

      It's the country I'm worried about.

      THe cost hurts me, but we we'll manage.

      But seeing it I wonder if our country can manage.

      by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:03:47 PM PDT

•  I am getting a divorce and

  to have Cobra coverage just for myself will be over 500 dollars a month.  But I'm scared to go without it.  Something has got to give.

  by godislove on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:40:38 PM PDT

  •  i know.. we would be scared to go without it too.

    if there was just one major  accident or illness, it'd send us into poverty.

    But this might send a lot of people into poverty by a thousand small annual cuts.

    by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:43:31 PM PDT

    •  poverty

      if there was just one major accident or illness, it'd send us into poverty

      When my dad became eligible for Medicare some time ago the insurance company dumped my mom at the same time, so she's been paying huge amounts out-of-pocket (with a $5000 deductible to make it "affordable"). She can't wait to be old enough for Medicare.

      She thought about just skipping it, she was so tired of paying those huge bills every month, but then she remembered that any simple car accident or a slip on the ice on the front step could make them lose their entire savings and more, everything, in an instant.

      by astraea on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:50:10 PM PDT

    •  It is scary

      But from now on, I'm mostly going to the local Community Health Clinic. I've sent my foreign students    here -- it's good. Charge you based on your income.

      I dunno. About 15 years ago I had my appendix out, and the state picked up the bill. I dunno how possible that is now, one hears horror stories. It was possible to own one house, and have a little bit in savings, and still have the state pay the bill for an operation.

      I'd say people who do have to go insurance-less, should maybe keep signifant assets in someone else's name, if there's enough trust.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:45:28 PM PDT

  •  So am I . . .

    And the soon-to-be-X is wanting me to subsidize her COBRA while she looks for a job.  It's tricky -- it's expensive for anybody.

    by Mr White on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:55:29 PM PDT

  •  I talk to everyone in every situation that I

    possibly can about this now.

    At dentist? Ask them to please vote for universal health care. If the postal person says someone is out sick, I say I don't have health ins, and would appreciate it if they would vote for universal coverage if they have a chance.

    I think putting a real face on a real person may help. I also think that not just forking over the dough at the doc or dentist, but talking about it may make them consider it in a different way. I'm just another cog in their day if I'm silent. If I speak up... well, different.

    I had a physical and it cost $500. Burned me up.

    by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:39:47 PM PDT

•  Mine hasn't changed

  in over 10 years - $517.03 per quarter for a family of 3.

  However, it's only major medical coverage (doesn't cover office visits, meds, anything done outside of a hospital or clinic), it has a $2000 deductible per person, an 80% copay (on the first $5000 only, I believe), and an upper limit on coverage per person ($250,000, I think).

  We've had a couple coverable expenses - some tests my wife had (done in a hospital, but as an outpatient), and cataract surgery on both eyes for me (done in a clinic, but as an outpatient). My wife had $5000 in tests last year (all negative as to any problem) which we had to pay out of pocket, along with all other medical bills.

  Fortunately we a) are healthy and don't spend more than maybe $1000 per year - usually less - on medical care;  b) we've been able to afford what isn't covered and c) we've been lucky - it's a real gamble.

  I wouldn't necessarily recommend our plan to others.

  by badger on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:48:33 PM PDT

•  I have insurance

  Shared cost with the employer.  But I feel like we are some kind of privileged nobles or something because I know friends and family who don't have insurance or could be wiped out financially due to serious injury or illness(just serious, not catastrophic).

  I hate thinking of taking care of my health as An Expense.  It should be a feel good thing as in - I love myself, therefore I want to take care of myself.  Not - I love myself and I wonder how much it will cost to see a doctor, or if I can put it off or why women have more preventative medical expenses than men.

  by Fabian on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:49:04 PM PDT

  •  I like you am in the privledged boat

    Hubby is part of a union and they have negotiated good medical coverage. We pay under $200 a month for insurance that has a copay for office visits for our family of six. When my husband was with Danaher we were paying a little more than that I think it was $300 a month which was also fairly reasonable. When I worked at Walmart it was about $500 a month for copay insurance and considering after 3 years I made under $9.00 an hour it was no way something we could afford.

    by cwaltz on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:01:20 PM PDT

  •  part of the problem...

    is that it's still a problem for people in your situation.

    Many companies have very generous health benefits for their employers, but of course it is rising for them too.

    So it either cuts into the bottom line, cuts into wages or cuts into benefits.. or all of the above. Not a good scenario.

    I feel the hurt every year, I think a lot of Americans don't see it so directly, but it's still there.

    by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:01:45 PM PDT

•  Sen. Wyden (D-Oregon) heard him on C-San this a.m

  and he has it pegged and planned on healthcare!

  FANTASTIC LEGISLATION!

  by early knox hoffman on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:07:05 PM PDT

  •  Before you get too excited....

    about Wyden's deal, check out nyceve's diary from earlier today: http://www.dailykos.com/...

    and DrSteveB's diary also from earlier today:
    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Hope I got the linkies right--I'm a computer dummy!

    by Appalachian Annie on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 06:01:35 PM PDT

•  The new insurance sponsored

  by Wyden is $12,000 for someone earning $72,000 for two years, then it is $12,000 for $60,000 with your employee paying 25% of the $12,000.

  It would seem if a person was healthy they would be better off to invest that money and just make up their mind to take herbs and vites and stay healthy.  You can get accident insurance separately.

  They are pricing themselves out of business.

  We didn't have healthcare until about the last 75 years or so.  We had penicillian and doctors that could set bones and deliver babies.  People did just fine.

  by relentless on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:14:52 PM PDT

  •  I forgot to say

    that the insurance is deductible on federal taxes, if it passes.

    by relentless on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:16:30 PM PDT

  •  well, actually no

    "People did just fine."

    The life expectency was a hell of a lot lower 75 years ago.
    Infant mortality was much higher 75 years ago.
    Small pox, Flu, etc was much more prevalent.
    People were much less healthy.

    They didn't do very well 75 years ago.

    by wclathe on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:18:41 PM PDT

    •  I didn't say not to be immunized

      and not to take penicillan.  

      by relentless on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:27:44 PM PDT

  •  The first successful treatment with

    penicillin was only 62 years ago.

    by deathsinger on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:30:13 PM PDT

  •  "People did just fine"?????????

    What alternative universe do you live in?  Because the history that I've read said that the chances of dying in childbirth were very high, and infectious disease killed a huge percentage of the population annually, and about half of all children died before age 5.

    I don't want to go back to the days when "cancer" was a death sentence.  

    by Dar Nirron on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:48:07 PM PDT

  •  People died sooner

    Of many diseases not a big deal now.

    People died of 'failure of the internal organs' -- because no one knew what the hell they died of.

    by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:48:54 PM PDT

    •  People know how they feel

      If you feel like your internal organs are failing by all means get insurance.

      I am just saying, we should have the choice of buying insurance  or not.  

      Personally, I would rather invest my money and take my chances.  

      by relentless on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 02:33:41 AM PDT

      •  good luck with that /nt

        by wclathe on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 04:53:40 PM PDT

•  C-span.org link to Sen. Wyden for serious minded

  and the great alternative legislation if passed will change this country!

  http://www.c-span.org/...

  see #2 and click it where it says:
  Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
  Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) discusses his proposal to provide health care coverage for all Americans and how Democrats will address other health care issues including the Medicare prescription drug program and health care costs and tax deductions. The Senator introduced his Healthy Americans Act yesterday. He is also a member of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and other health care issues.
  click on his name in red and Realplayer replays the program

  by early knox hoffman on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:35:01 PM PDT

  •  Hello, again....

    Nyceve has another excellent diary appearing at the top of the rec list today, specifically mentioning the whole Wyden plan vs. those plans by (more senior members of House/Senate) Conyers and Kennedy, for example:

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Yes, why IS it that we're hearing so much of the Wyden plan, rather than the Medicare for All plan ala Conyers, which is a little more seasoned (has been kicking around awhile longer) instead???  Hmmmm....could it just be that a good many of our CongressCritters don't REALLY work for those measures that are in OUR best interests?!

    I agree, on the surface of things, the Wyden plan SEEMS to represent a significant step forward from the old, but looks can be deceiving....

    by Appalachian Annie on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 10:29:37 AM PDT

•  I finally dropped the insurance on myself

  I just keep it on the kids now. Wonder how many other "middle income" folks have done the same?

  by tonyahky on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 06:03:54 PM PDT

  •  20% ya figure?

    by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:35:52 PM PDT

•  In many ways the cost has risen:

  premiums higher, regular deductible higher, added deductibles for hospital which have also been raised, instituted formulary for drugs and then raised co-pays and limited drugs, changed list of doctors requiring our changing doctors.

  Has salary risen in similar proportion, so that employee "benefit" is comparable?  Of course not.

  by ladybug53 on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 06:42:27 PM PDT

•  Healthcare in America...

  is a travesty of justice.  Just more punishment for the great sin of not being filthy rich.

  We all deserve so much better.  We deserve what congress gives themselves - NOT what they do to us!

  Iraq Moratorium

  by One Pissed Off Liberal on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 06:43:51 PM PDT

•  You have to pay those bonuses

  for the health insurance execs somehow......

  Truth be - look at the percentage of "healthcare costs" actually paid to health care providers - doctors, hospitals, etc...... and the amount spent on "overhead" - eg insurance company clerks, insurance processing personnel in hospitals and doctor's offices, etc.

  I swear that our pediatrician's office has as many people processing insurance company paperwork as it has nurses and technicians.....

  compare that to my pediatrician with one nurse/receptionist - who we paid directly and got reimbursed for

  I got a three inch thick stack of paper from the hospital after my mother's stay (and death).

  by xrepub on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 08:00:14 PM PDT

•  16 of 67 votes no Insurance = 24%

  How about that?

  Yeah, includes me.

  by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:35:21 PM PDT

•  If no insurance, ask if have discounted rates

  for the uninsured. My doc tipped me off to do that, and now I do. It's good.

  Part of spreading the word, and ALSO saves money. Most places will give you at least 10%, or one that will can be found.

  In Puget Sound area, PacMed gives a 30% discount for cash (credit card) payment. I'm not kidding. And you know why? Because of my doc. He started the program there. Good guy.

  The thing is, they save that much in costs, and the Insurance companies don't pay them full price anyway.

  by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:42:21 PM PDT

•  OMG, just read your diary about Ger. health care

  Holey buckets. Read it, folks.

  Sorry about all your side effects, BTW.

  by AllisonInSeattle on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 09:54:08 PM PDT