203 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 78 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 1/21/10

"I Don't Want to Pay for Somebody Else's Health Care"

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   6 comments
Author 78
Editor

Richard Wise
Message Richard Wise
Become a Fan
  (4 fans)

One of the criticisms of the health care bills passed by the House and Senate is that people who already have health insurance may have to pay for coverage provided to the uninsured. "I don't want to pay for somebody else's health care" is a common complaint.

This complaint resonated with some Massachusetts voters in the weeks before Tuesday's special election. Massachusetts already has a state-mandated health insurance program (Health Connector) and those voters saw themselves having to pay for the uninsured in their own and in other states.

The "I don't want to pay for somebody else's health care" mantra tells me these people do not understand much about the bills approved in Congress.

They also do not understand much about insurance.

People who say, "I don't want to pay for somebody else's health care" will be surprised to learn: you already do. That's because it's insurance, and that's the way insurance works.

Here is a specific example from an unnamed (but real)New England couple, both in their early 60s and in generally good health.

The couple's total health care bill was $15,975 in 2008. Their insurance premiums were $14,575 (84% paid by an employer) and they paid $1,400 in co-pays themselves.

Where did all that money go? Here's an accounting.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Richard Wise Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Rick Wise is an industrial psychologist and retired management consultant. For 15 years, he was managing director of ValueNet International, Inc. Before starting ValueNet, Rick was director, corporate training and, later, director, corporate (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

HOW TO AVOID THE UNION

WILL GOP REBUT OBAMA'S EDUCATION SPEECH?

"I Don't Want to Pay for Somebody Else's Health Care"

A Conservative's "12 Days of Christmas"

Reconsidering Iraq: What If We Had Been Greeted as Liberators?

FairTax: Too Good To Be True?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend