Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0 (Post 3395454)

I don’t have first had experience of government insurance. I work for a hospital and am on private insurance that is an EPO (half way between a HMO and PPO). I have been under-insured and uninsured in my life. I’ve had bad experiences with private insurance and not being insured.

I obviously see the benefits from healthcare expansion through the ACA first hand from patients. I deal with the VA hospital and clinics, as well as, medical and medicare and medicaid insurance. I have family using different types of insurance from government, medicare and private. I know of bad experiences, but I don’t know their overall opinion.

I see waste from restrictions like VA patients need to be transferred to the VA for admition, so they get two bills now. I see the same for HMO/capitated patients that have to be transferred and double charged.

These types of anecdotal stories really aren’t guaranteed to be representative. I’d like to think my experiences aren’t bias and would reflect most experiences, but I can’t guarantee that, which is why we rely on other metrics. I probably have thousands of stories from patients, so there is a lot to share. In general, I see that coverage is an obstacle for receiving the best care, and insurance causes a lot of waste, while passing the buck to patients with higher premiums or refusing to pay for something.

Because I work for a Catholic hospital system, my insurance reflects their values, so even though most insurance companies would jump at the opportunity to pay for an abortion or pay for a vasectomy, they don’t allow it. In fact, if it wasn’t for the ACA mandating they pay for birth control, we would have to pay that out of pocket. That wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it highlights the issues. Per diem employees get 15% extra pay to offset the lack of healthcare and lack of other benefits, but full time employees either accept the healthcare plan, or they get nothing, so if I wanted to get on my wife’s insurance then I wouldn’t get 15% and the hospital gets to pocket the premiums they don’t have to pay for me. Odd because I would rather have the cash or have taxes taken than feel like I’m getting less contributions than my coworkers just because I chose her plan. Because of that, we have a problem maintaining full time staff and maintaining staffing levels. I’m regressing and ranting.

The system needs improvements.

Originally Posted by Dadhawk (Post 3395462)

Frankly I don't trust the surveys to mean much. I'm a good example. I've been on some form of health insurance for 40 years. During that time, my use of the system has been only for routine care as I've never had a major health event. So, for the most part I am satisfied with the insurance I have because it has always covered my needs.

The problem is, my opinion shouldn't matter because why would I have a bad opinion of the system?

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman (Post 3395474)

Lol another thread gone off topic

Originally Posted by ZDan (Post 3395490)

Another thing to consider: you may be thrilled with your employer-provided insurance, but if you get sick enough to lose your job, guess what...

They will gladly take your money for years and decades, but if something really serious happens you are selectively removed, as most employers will just let people go if they are too sick to produce for them.

Originally Posted by Tomm (Post 3395488)

I’m aware of you feel about, I just want to know how someone who has actually enrolled in ACA feels ab their service.

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0 (Post 3395491)

To recap, California mandating EVs => statements about California having too many regulations => conversation about the benefits of more regulations versus less regulations => focusing on one category—healthcare.

Healthcare is one of those subjects that radiates with everyone. It affects everyone. It is a subject that is harder to apply normal economic/capitalistic principles. If I say I have a pill that can save your life then what is that worth to you? It is harder than quantifying a car or phone or TV. It is harder to quantify than the price for a hair cut, for an Uber ride or to have someone install a turbo kit on your car. If radiation could save your wife from cancer then what is that worth to you? If your child needs an emergency appendectomy for a ruptured appendix then what is that worth to you? If you have a hard time pricing out these items then congratulations you or whoever reading this is human. That is why healthcare is different. People will pay anything to have more time alive and with their loved ones and for their health, when it matters like this. This is why everyone has a vested interest in this conversation, and why we can’t treat it like any other industry. Healthcare at the hospital level and all the way to the pharmaceutical level requires a different approach.

FWIW, the EV mandate is likely not necessary or going to happen, but it may encourage more development, investment and planning, which may accelerate us getting there even faster. I think we might get there through public interest that fast without the mandate, assuming there are the already planned investments in green utilities to support such a transition. In another 5-10 years, EVs will be cheaper and just be a better vehicle for the masses. The enthusiasts aside of course, but even some of them will change their tune.

Originally Posted by Tomm (Post 3395487)

It’s not that I don’t trust Gallup it’s that I don’t believe it is an accurate representation of the truth. Go visit of a VA hospital and tell me that 78% of that lobby is happy with their service.

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0 (Post 3395493)

Do you mean do people like their version of Kaiser or Blue Cross insurance through the ACA market in terms of coverage, deductibles and premiums?

Some states didn't set up their own exchanges. Some insurance providers wanted the ACA to fail. Some state’s governors didn’t support the ACA. California set up their exchanges:



https://www.healthinsurance.org/cali...ance-exchange/

The ACA was suppose to be the start—not some final solution. Single-payer is likely the final solution, but even if that is a state decision like California might do, states were suppose to adapt the programs to their specific markets. We see the difference in states that went all in. More have coverage. Outcomes are better. Costs are more controlled.

Originally Posted by Tomm (Post 3395492)

A lot of big companies have medical leave buckets that are employee donation oriented which require a certain number of hours of leave to be donated to be a member in case something like this happens. Kind of like insurance for leave. It’s a cool new thing.

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0 (Post 3395495)

You are confusing VA insurance with VA medical services.

Originally Posted by ZDan (Post 3395497)

That most people don't have access to...

Originally Posted by Tomm (Post 3395500)

. . . Social security disability . . .

. . . Unemployment . . .

There are options.

Originally Posted by Tomm (Post 3395496)

Honestly, I’m just looking for anyone that enrolled, at all. I’m not picky. I’m hesitant to listen to rationales until after I hear from someone who had it and heard their opinions.