OUR ECONOMY'S POOR HEALTHCARE

[BrittC]

CONCERN'S/THOUGHTS/IDEAS ON THIS SUBJECT? MY FEELING IS WE NEED TO GET SOME IDEAS OUT THEIR FOR OBAMA TO RECONIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ALL OUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE.. WE GET SICK AND THEN GET A $5600.00 BILL FROM THE HOSPITAL. WE ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY BILLS, PEOPLE LIVE SOMETIMES PENNIES TO PENNIES AND NOT EVEN PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK ANYMORE. KIDS GETTING SICK AND THE FIRST THING IS OK MONEY! HOW WILL I PAY FOR THIS?
EVERYONE NEEDS HEALTHCARE COVERAGE SOMEHOW, AND WHAT DO WE DO? i MYSELF HAVE OVER $16,000 IN HOSPITAL BILLS AND NOW GOING INTO COLLECTIONS AND GARNISHMENTS FROM MY CHECK.
WHAT CAN WE DO? YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR THOSE UNINSURED? iM INTERESTED IN EVERYONES THOUGHTS.....

[mlbevins]

I have major concerns about the proposals Congree is coming up with.  I think that it is great that they are trying to come up with a chance for everyone that wants health insurance can get it and hopefully at an affodalbe rate.  However, my concern is that the public option that they are putting forth will not be paid for solely from the premiums that people will be paying for it.  If that is the way that it will be funded then thats great, but we do not need anymore debt in this country.  As far as you medical bills, our local hospital is a non-profit hosptial and they have programs available to their patients to help with medical costs.  Have you checked to see if your hospital has any of these programs.  Also, you should be able to make payments on the account.  I know that policies are different at hospitals.

[cjobey99]

I am so frustrated with all the anger and ill-will conserning the Healtcare Debate.  I won't rant; well maybe a little.  My husband has Parkinsons' and although he has medicare, as his caregiver I have nothing.  I don't have any means to healtcare.  If nothing changes I really don't know what we are going to do. Thanks for listening.

[rcbrad]

Clearly, something needs to be done.  It have been overdue for decades.  The insurance company executives must be shaking in their boots with the proposed changes coming.  It has been distressing to see so many people that are angry, scared and ill informed about the issues.  I do not want to create a mountain of debt either, but something has to be done.  Your health is one of the most important things, if not the most important.  The public option or perhaps a co op is just one parts of all that is proposed.  People need access to affordable, quality health care and that is not happening today for the most part.  I have heard so many people say I am spending hundreds of dollars a month on health care insurance and then you try to get your needs covered and it is a battle with the insurance company for them to cover or pay the bills.  Sometimes the bills are not covered.  Many people are now wondering why am I paying all of these expensive premiums for if there are too many limitations and many/most of my bills/expenses are not covered or only partially covered?

[arms1977]

I wholeheartedly agree that something needs to be done with America's healthcare system. My husband is diabetic and has a thyroid condition, both for over 14 years. His employer does not offer him health insurance. If we were to get a individual or family plan for him we would be paying over $400 a month for over 2 years before he could benefit from it. We now pay almost $600 a month just for his medications. If we were to start paying $1000 a month for his needed medications and for him to have useless health insurance we would be living in our car!

Many of my neighbors are elderly. Most of them are dependant on medications for various ailments. A few are covered by medicaid, but most do not qualify. Month after month it breaks my heart to see them having to choose between paying for their medications and everyday necessities (like electricity and food!)

I am concerned about how the government will make healthcare affordable for everyone. Will the cost be determined by income? What do the politicians consider affordable, since most of them make 5x what we do every year. Why are they proposing fines for those that do not enroll in healthcare, if a person cannot afford healthcare how can they afford fines? Why are illegals even being considered for enrollment, let them become eligible when they become legal. Where is the money going to come from to kick start the program? Too many questions, if you ask me.

[hjh1974]

I think American's have been spoiled with Employer health care benefits.  When I was growing up, I don't think my parents were ever billed for anything and never saw the costs.  I'm sure we were all like that. 

I have my own personal health insurance and I also have insurance for my son (who is a Type I Diabetic).  It is a priority for me, so I make sure we are always covered.  I haven't had employee health insurance for a long time now.  Now that I see the bills and what I pay with my deductible, I am also much more careful about costs.  I question tests and procedures, as well as prescriptions. 

I'm not sure what the answer is in regards to health care.  The government has already been so involved (state and federal), it's hard to know what would be if they never were.  I don't think the government getting more involved will help though.  They just about destroy anything they get their hands on.  Medicare is broke, Social Security is broke, USPS is broke, etc.

[lynnc35]

We need the healthcare, I am only concerned about the public option, they need to fix this bill, before it is passed, and I do want it passed. I am worried that those who do pay for  healthcare now, will still receive it. I am being told it will be a waiting list for america, and any illegal can come in and get on that list. that will make it harder for citizens to get healthcare. I want the disadvantaged and elderly to have healthcare, why can't we do something for the poor, disadvantaged and elderly to have it, and make people prove citizenship to get it. sort of like the old medicade system, only adding some of the poor, even if they do not have children, just get proof. why should our tax dollars, pay for illegals, my biggest concern.

[foxylady81]

i am in the hospital all the time and i have sent my ideas to senter of my state so he can realy the message som how and i think the health care stinks but i also think obama's ideas are not going to work i think he needs to o in to detail on how the health care is going to work he just gives grim details and i think he needs to do a better job reaching the american people and that the president has a good idea he just needs to make it relistic because we all know his plan is a fantisy and that it wont work and also the more power we give he goverment the less the people have

[Rynet]

I wish we were more like Canada and Swedan.. Free healthcare for all..

[arms1977]

I wish we were more like Canada and Swedan.. Free healthcare for all..

AMEN! Then no one would have to choose between life sustaining medications and food! I worry a system like this would fail in the US though. I feel that people would take advantage like they do the welfare system.