Comments on: Baby Steps to Healthcare Reform http://thefragens.com/blog/2009/10/baby-steps-to-healthcare-reform/ My time out of the operating room. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:31:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andy http://thefragens.com/blog/2009/10/baby-steps-to-healthcare-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Andy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:42:49 +0000 http://thefragens.com/blog/?p=632#comment-1042 <p>Noah, welcome to the discussion. While, yes, sometimes I do agree that the method in which Congress passes laws does seem to resemble magic, usually dark magic; as opposed to the simple mandates in Article 1. But I think you misunderstand my simple proposal. It's only supposed to be a start.</p> <p>I make no proposal mandating the purchase of health insurance. But the simple truth is that if my first 2 points were adopted, health insurance rates would go down. Yes, they would go down even lower if it were mandated that every person purchase health insurance but I don't think that's Constitutional. Congress can't pass a law requiring someone to buy something. However, they could pass a tax that could then be spent for those purposes.</p> <p>Besides, I don't think that even with the inability to drop someone for pre-existing conditions that you would be able to purchase insurance for the same rate as a healthy, non-smoking 20 year old if you have developed some horrendous disease or cancer, nor should you. This is <strong>still</strong> a capitalist system.</p> <p>Insurance costs will still be more for the obese, diabetic smoker. Shouldn't they be?</p> Noah, welcome to the discussion. While, yes, sometimes I do agree that the method in which Congress passes laws does seem to resemble magic, usually dark magic; as opposed to the simple mandates in Article 1. But I think you misunderstand my simple proposal. It’s only supposed to be a start.

I make no proposal mandating the purchase of health insurance. But the simple truth is that if my first 2 points were adopted, health insurance rates would go down. Yes, they would go down even lower if it were mandated that every person purchase health insurance but I don’t think that’s Constitutional. Congress can’t pass a law requiring someone to buy something. However, they could pass a tax that could then be spent for those purposes.

Besides, I don’t think that even with the inability to drop someone for pre-existing conditions that you would be able to purchase insurance for the same rate as a healthy, non-smoking 20 year old if you have developed some horrendous disease or cancer, nor should you. This is still a capitalist system.

Insurance costs will still be more for the obese, diabetic smoker. Shouldn’t they be?

]]> By: Noah Abrahamson http://thefragens.com/blog/2009/10/baby-steps-to-healthcare-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-1041 Noah Abrahamson Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:47:40 +0000 http://thefragens.com/blog/?p=632#comment-1041 <p>Let's look at item number one. Let's say the magical wand of government regulation passed over the free market of healthcare and eliminated pre-existing conditions are a qualification for dropping coverage. Presto! Sounds great.</p> <p>How does your one paragraph policy deal with end users who decide to save a bundle by forgoing insurance until they get a diagnosis? If every insurance company out there will take me when I'm sick, why would I pay while I'm healthy?</p> Let’s look at item number one. Let’s say the magical wand of government regulation passed over the free market of healthcare and eliminated pre-existing conditions are a qualification for dropping coverage. Presto! Sounds great.

How does your one paragraph policy deal with end users who decide to save a bundle by forgoing insurance until they get a diagnosis? If every insurance company out there will take me when I’m sick, why would I pay while I’m healthy?

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