[StBernard] Socialized Medicine's Front Door

[Westley Annis]

How many people choose not to have health insurance because it doesn't make
economic sense?

Twelve years ago I dropped the health insurance for myself and my daughter
because it didn't make sense financially. The monthly premium was around
$300 plus I had a $500 out-of-pocket deductible before they pay even one
cent.

I had to laugh when discussing this over the phone with the insurance hag
from Chicago over the phone.  She was a "professional" in the business for
years and had never seen an insurance policy that was any different.

I told her in my limited ten years of work experience, I had never seen
anything so lopsided as what she was selling.  

Needless to say, I cancelled that policy once I found out how much it
wouldn't cover.  It was far cheaper to just pay the doctor bills myself.

Westley

-----Original Message-----
Meeting Behinds Closed Doors and Making Agreements is never good for any
true Democracy.
 
What type of Health Care Coverage would these children really receive under
SCHIP and why would some States (New York, New Jersey) receive a higher
percentage of poverty criteria to enroll. I'm wondering if these families
are making choices NOT to spend their income on Health Care, and instead
choosing to purchase nonessentials.  I'm not referring to families who truly
need to chose between weekly groceries and healthcare; but rather those that
are living beyond their means and choosing not to have insurance coverage
for their children. 

My children are eligible for Medicare because they are dependent survivors
and as such receive Social Security Insurance Death Benefits.  However, we
still have Private Insurance because, in my opinion, there was not only a
lack of services through that public health program, but there was also a
discrimination by private pediatricians regarding services and appointment
scheduling for children covered by Medicare. I have no experience with the
Medicaid System.

While it is always better to have access to healthcare, especially for
children, I'm wondering if it is more of a choice of how these families are
spending AND if any increase in enrollment in this system (due to these
changes) is NEEDED to financially supplement the SCHIP healthcare system. 

SJK