I will start off by stating that this is my opinion. My research is based on my life as a 50+ woman,wife, mother of six grown children, grandmother of six grandchildren, college graduate, 'Nam Era vet, African American born and raised in the south. I have travelled much of the eastern seaboard, living in New England and the Mid Atlantic. I have also lived in the Midwest. This is my first diary as I have decided to add my voice to the chorus of my fellow Americans that are concerned about health care.
I have read many of the diaries on health care reform. There is a lot of folks that believe single payer is the only answer. Others believe let's get what we can first which is more likely the public option.Both sides have numerated and quoted various sources of information to support their choice. Others, I am usually in this group, doesn't fully understand all of the details and wonder why the other two groups are screaming at each other. I would like to add another flavor if you will to both options.
Insurance is a legalized form of gambling in my opinion. The acturaies are paid to know the odds of having to pay out. So if you have a pre-existing condition you can't play. The insurance companies pick an choose who can 'bet on their health,their lives,their houses and their cars'.
Simply put, the insurance companies are playing the oldest game - three card monty or for the more sophisticated gambler - black jack. Go to Vegas or Atlantic City and see how much you really win. It's the same with the insurance companies in my humble opionion. The game is stacked up against you.
I know some will argue that you need health insurance. You see you are betting the insurance company that you will get sick ( your insurance premium) and the insurance has enough information about to take the bet that you won't get sick. Furthermore, they add in clauses that excludes most of the sickness that will probably befall you and your family. Nope, you need health care when you are sick. And the money to pay for it without being bent over for it.
My simple solution - stop playing the insurance game. Stop gambling away thousands a year. Stop giving the greedy corporate insurance folks your money so that they can tell you to go to hell when you file a claim. Just stop. I'm healthy and have never had anything other than six healthy child births. I'm betting there's a whole lot of us that are healthy. Tell the insurance companies where to go. Save your premiums and use them when you need to go to the dentist or doctor. For those folks that have serious illnesses and diseases , I'm sorry. You have got to keep dancing with the devil , just until the rest of us healthy folks send his greedy carcass to hell and deliver to you the health care you need.
No more health insurance. Stop gambling. Let's break the insurance companies - stop giving them your money. So that's my opinion, my simple solution, and my first diary for what it's worth.