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I think the free market is working great, just fabulous actually.
That's what the Insurance (and Banking) executives are saying.
What is a free market price? The price the market is willing to pay, right?
So if everyone continues to pay stupidly high prices for insurance, irrationally so - do we blame the free market (opportunists) or ourselves for buying the snake oil?
I will never understand how hardworking people just hand over their hourly wages for so much junk (including crap insurance policies) without any thought. Walmart's entire business model is based on this assumption of human behavior.
These days I'm trying to take a hard look in the mirror. To look to my own pocketbook for the choices we've been expecting politicians to make - every dollar I spend is taking sides, it's time I tried finding out which side I'm paying for.
Health Insurance Company Raises Premiums On Its Own Employees
What is a free market price? The price the market is willing to pay, right?
So if everyone continues to pay stupidly high prices for insurance, irrationally so - do we blame the free market (opportunists) or ourselves for buying the snake oil?
I will never understand how hardworking people just hand over their hourly wages for so much junk (including crap insurance policies) without any thought. Walmart's entire business model is based on this assumption of human behavior.
These days I'm trying to take a hard look in the mirror. To look to my own pocketbook for the choices we've been expecting politicians to make - every dollar I spend is taking sides, it's time I tried finding out which side I'm paying for.
Health Insurance Company Raises Premiums On Its Own Employees
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Yup. You begin to understand why the insurance companies are so excited by the subsidies they stand a good chance of receiving if
'healthcare reform" is passed with mandates, but no strong public option. If that happens, the dollars in your pocket will have all ready taken sides with the status quo.
October 6, 2009 2:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
I see one major flaw in your post:
I "must" purchase various necessities for the welfare of me and my family such as housing clothing, heat, food, etc.. I can "choose" to buy entertainment, cable television, etc.. Trust me...The average family CAN NOT survive a catastrophic illness, during these times, without insurance. In my experience, after a serious illness, one does not negotiate costs with a health provider! If you "do" find a provider that you can afford, all "previous ailments" are precluded. In my case one, of the preclusions was hay fever!
October 6, 2009 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are right chuck, therein lies the immorality.
Healthcare for profit = war for profit. The incentives to do what's "right" are reversed when the profit motive is introduced.
What I was trying to say is that if enough people stop purchasing insurance (or healthcare) the demand for shitty service or insurance is reduced.
Revolution is not without its sacrifices. I am in the same boat. On an average year we only spend about $1500 for various minor illnesses or injuries - but have to pay out $800 a month for catastrophic insurance with a high deductible because my youngest son has epilepsy. One seizure can thrust us into thousands of dollars of debt literally overnight. It is immoral to charge me such high premiums for an affliction that fully 10% of the human race suffers from.
October 18, 2009 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink