AHIP launches campaign for universal health care

URDRWHO · 07-29-2008, 01:35 PM

IFAwebnews.com | AHIP launches campaign for universal health care

AHIP launches campaign for universal health care

In yet another call for universal health care, America’s Health Insurance Plans recently launched a grassroots and education initiative to build support for what it calls “workable health care reform.”

AHIP, a national trade organization representing nearly 1,300 companies who provide health benefits to more than 200 million Americans, is calling for universal health care that would meet “core principles shared by the American people: coverage, affordability, quality, value, choice and portability.”

AHIP’s Campaign for an American Solution is one of many recent pushes for universal health care by associations and legislators.

healthagent · 07-29-2008, 01:39 PM

Can we do this before or after Social Security and Medicare crashes and burns?

URDRWHO · 07-29-2008, 02:23 PM

They'll do it all at once...one big, big economic fire.

Originally Posted by healthagent

Can we do this before or after Social Security and Medicare crashes and burns?

healthagent · 07-29-2008, 02:28 PM

While we're at it, I'd like food at a copay. My wife just hit the grocery store and it was like $80. It would have been nice to pay a $10 copay for all that food.

I'd also like the gov't to offset my car insurance. I see a lot of people declined for life insurance. I'd also like that to be GI and covered by the gov't.

In fact, if the gov't would simply pay for everything I'd be sitting pretty.

JMO Fan · 07-29-2008, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by healthagent

While we're at it, I'd like food at a copay. My wife just hit the grocery store and it was like $80. It would have been nice to pay a $10 copay for all that food.

I'd also like the gov't to offset my car insurance. I see a lot of people declined for life insurance. I'd also like that to be GI and covered by the gov't.

In fact, if the gov't would simply pay for everything I'd be sitting pretty.

Are you Obama Guy?

TXINSURANCE · 07-29-2008, 02:55 PM

“core principles shared by the American people: coverage, affordability, quality, value, choice and portability.”

They left out NO COMMISSIONS which is the ultimate goal.

moonlightandmargaritas · 07-29-2008, 02:58 PM

Just a concerted effort by the insurance companies to attempt not to get legislated on.

I fear it's too late.

healthagent · 07-29-2008, 03:37 PM

Can I have a dream?

GI coverage, offset by slightly raised taxes and some fiscal responsibility from the gov't.

Take my commish down to 10% and I'm as happy as a clam. I'm not for people getting a free ride but people willing to pay for coverage should have it made available.

It's broken in this country when we have some absurd concept that employers are responsible for coverage. What? Are they responsible for my auto and homeowners too?

We need individual ownership of policies. Cobra is a complete joke. Company group needs to end - no more tying coverage to to the job.

somarco · 07-29-2008, 03:54 PM

The American Cancer Society is also in the thick of things.

InsureBlog: All the Usual Suspects

Creating universal, cradle to grave coverage is not a problem.

Paying for it is.

healthagent · 07-29-2008, 04:09 PM

We're not tackling anything until we get a handle on the general state of health in America - which is a worldwide embarrassment.

JMO Fan · 07-29-2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by healthagent

We're not tackling anything until we get a handle on the general state of health in America - which is a worldwide embarrassment.

It's not from a lack of health care or coverage. It's because we're rich enough to eat/drink/smoke ourselves sick, and free to do so. I agree, employers shouldn't have to pay for it.

If tobacco & alcohol taxes had to pay the extra Medicare costs, much of its deficit would disappear. If trial lawyers' torts didn't give them a piece of malpractice punitive damages, silly suits would cease. If individuals had to buy their own coverage (at least HDHP/HSA), they'd behave more responsibly.

healthagent · 07-29-2008, 05:08 PM

Price transparency is the next step. Let lab facilities compete. I need a MRI? Fine - where's the listing along with prices of MRI's in my area.

Can we get prices? Sure: Treatment and Cost at MinuteClinic

My son has an ear infection - how much is it gonna cost? $59.

Go see my doctor. How much is it gonna cost? Who knows - I guess I'll get the bill in about 3 weeks.

That system needs to go bye bye. With price transparency we get competition. With competition we get price controls.

Hospitals are the biggest hurdle. Have an operation and what's it gonna cost? $4,000 or $40,000?

That's BS.