I’m too overwhelmed to get into it but I totally want to say thanks for writing it and make out with you right now.

Britt, my point with the $1,000,000 cancer cure example is that part of the current problem is a sense of entitlement that we, the people, feel to receive any and all available medical care. Should there be any limit to that? As cold as it may sound, is there a point at which we decide that we’ve spent too much on one person?

The fundamental principle that allows any kind of insurance to function is that the cost of the insurance per person is higher than the expected benefit per person. But people often expect buying health insurance to save them money versus their expected health care costs. This is untenable.

So, thank you.

Darla: I think that Obama’s IDEAS are a step in the right direction for the dialogue.

Poppy: for ONE person? Wow.

whall: you don’t think eating is a right? Isn’t something required for “life” – such as food – a right? And by saying that, I am not suggesting that the gov’t is required to give people food.

The thing is, I don’t think that the government’s job is to make sure we get our “rights” – or to GIVE stuff to us. I think the government’s job is to make sure we CAN get them, that nothing is standing in our way – like discrimination, tyranny, etc.

The reality of the situation is that there are lots and lots of things standing in the way of people’s ability to live and pursue happiness when it comes to health care.

Amanda: “They are there for foreign affairs and defense.” That hasn’t been the case for a very, very long time.

For example, apparently the government is there to make sure that everyone knows marriage is between a man and a woman and not two men. Why are the same people battling against UHC not demanding the government stay out of THAT discusion?

Ren: I’m not sure I’m following the cure for cancer line…

Courtney: I was a mother with uninsured kids once – it is awful. Awful, awful, awful to weigh those options.

Ren: in reading your description, I think a lot of this comes down to a different view of the term “right”.

I don’t think the government’s job is to GIVE YOU things you have a right to.

Sue: that was one of the concerns I originally had, so I can understand that.

martymankins: I’m 100% with you on taking care of others. 100%

Also, I don’t think people understand what is being proposed to them in this election. NEITHER candidate is talking about Free healthcare. Not even Obama. Obama’s plan is about making sure that EVERYONE really does have the opportunity to get healthcare – either from an employer or a gov’t insurance like what is available to Congress.

Ty-man: you are a very, very smart man so I hesitate to say this – but have you really looked into the Obama idea?

I think your idea on tax credits for health insurance premiums is a great one. As well as the savings account idea.

I’m all for people coming up with a private solution. But I think in order to do that, a LOT of people in this country – mainly conservatives, although I hate to use that brush – need to realize that we are not talking about lazy people looking for a freebie. We’re way beyond that.

They need to see the people who are working and losing everything – who played by the rules and did everything right, and don’t have enough Starbucks to give up in the WORLD to make things right.

And also, can I just say, HOLY CRAP TY-MAN COMMENTED ON MY BLOG!!!!!!!

I see so many of our problems being a direct result of government’s (specifically Congress & lobbyists) inability to get beyond “what can we do now that will get me re-elected so I can stay in power and serve my ego and get out with my pension, before the Sh*t falls apart.” instead of what is best for the country and will not pass along a huge burden to another generation.

Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs were started under the guise that only the “rich” will pay for them. But over time, who would pay and what percentage increased again and again. This tax increase was not because of the current demands of the program, but the future obligations.

Where did the money go? They spent it! And then some. Adding on more and more debt (way more than the much talk about $10 Trillion) for a future generation to pay.

Well, our generation, in the next 10 years will be forced to pay back this debt to the baby boomers that will be retiring. We are already spending all the payroll taxes money as it comes in and each year the amount paid out will get bigger and bigger with less available for the “extra” program.

There is no way this country can afford yet another major entitlement program. As much as it would help so many people, we just can’t force more people to pay more for others.

What could be done is to give individuals the same tax breaks for buying health coverage as companies do. Companies can write off the premiums they pay for their employees, but as individuals buying our own policy we can only deduct medical expenses when they amount to more that 7.5% adjusted gross income. I call Bullshit.

Also, give people the choice to setup a medical savings account (like an IRA) but without the annual use-or-lose provisions so we could put away in a rainy-day fund to cover “life’s unforeseen events.”

Then health coverage could be more affordable for a family to buy a high-deductible policy, take charge of their medical treatment and not be on the government hand out.

Case in point, my small business offers health insurance (PPO 80/20) with premiums about $5,000 per person (spouse & kids add another 5K each) with the company picking up 65% of the tab. Year after year our premiums go up 14%. We are currently reviewing other policies and one that reduces premiums by 22% is a high deductible ($5K) policy before 100% coverage kicks in. That would make employee cost about $341 per month for an entire family (Mileage may vary).

If someone was truly in a bind, how many cell phones, cable TV, Starbucks, DSL, Blockbuster rentals, iTune’s songs… would it take to buy your own coverage?

Like Whall alluded to above (great post by the way) too many people who are given something for free will do nothing to help themselves. Just like Hawaii. Recently they had to cancel their universal child coverage because it was costing too much. People were dropping their coverage to get the free-be from the State.

Lets try to get a private solution first, before looking to Washington.

Sorry for the ramble.

On the issue of healthcare, I work full time and each year at open enrollment, we get to watch our coverage get worse and the bi-weekly portion each employee pays increases.

As Ren said he’s shocked by the monthly rates, I’ve spent the last 20 years watching the coverage get worse and the monthly fees and deductables go up. And I personally know at least 50 people that can tell a similar 20 years story. Is this a trend? I don’t know… maybe some of us are just getting fucked over and the rest are smart enough to find kick ass jobs where healthcare is a nice benefit.

I rarely get sick, so I could take the mindset and attitude that I really don’t giv a shit about anyone else. But that’s not me. I do care what happens to others. I’d like to associate and be part of a society that provides for others. To me, it’s pretty selfish to say, “Hey, don’t take any more of my money… if someone else gets sick, it’s their own fault for eating wrong and living in the city”

I don’t know much about taxes, with the exception of they are needed for survival (we aren’t exactly Lord of the Flies here in the US), but I would be comfortable knowing that in exchange for what comes out of my paycheck at work, is going to not only insure me but others, too. And I think that would be just one of the options, not something mandatory.

This stigma about “socialism” seems more fear induced than caring for others. Volunteer work as Wayne mentions is nice and admirable, but we need a lot of volunteers to make it work.

Will people be dropping their health care at work if it’s free from the government? I don’t think so. If it works for you, then it should stay that way. If it doesn’t, it would be nice to have another option. If you are 75, don’t work and have a limited income, it could very well be the only option of life or death.

Personally, I’d like to know how far a $5,000 taxable tax deduction will add to someone’s health care.

I personally think taking care of our own is a right that everyone deserves.

Again, I’m in no way saying that laziness is the current problem, just clarifying how strong a statement it is to declare something to be a right.

Healthcare is a right. Everybody should have access to basic healthcare.