Comments on: Blue Cross To Docs: Help Cancel Coverage

Calif. Health Insurer Sends Letters Asking Physicians To Report Pre-Existing Conditions

[Netterz]

Being forced into buying gov''t health care is WRONG. We are supposed to be in the land of the free, but in reality, the Gov''t is telling us how we are going to live, what we WILL spend our $ on, what we can be treated for and when. Talk to some people from Canada. Ask them how they enjoy the system that the Democrats want to force us into. Instead of a law that will cost Americans more, reign in the Pharma co''s, stop the frivolous lawsuits that are straining the system, Put a cap on the OBSENE charges that they have tacked on. The American people arent the problem, its the over charging that is the problem. The rich want to get richer, instead of doing what they are supposed to, which is heal. They could care LESS about the health and welfare of the people, but they DO care about there bank accounts. 50 yrs ago, when ppl took a lot LESS pills, needed doc''s a lot less, and visits to the hospital were even less. We have been made sick by everything around us, and fill us with more and more chemicals, so we have to depend on the system more and more. Vicious, expensive circle, I agree the Gov''t needs to handle it, but it isn''t by forcing insurance on every one, its the Big Corps they need to beat on, not the American people.

[wango2007-2009]

God bless you, southerndoc! Right on with govt/ non-profit heath care!

I just wish everyone would stop calling it "socialized medicine." That is what the predatory health insures and Wall Street people want us to call it so they can say it is a bad idea.

It should be known as "compassionate health care" or "humane health care." That''s what it really is.

[southerndoc]

As a physician, I am concerned about the HMO industry eliminating people with pre-existing conditions. It makes it impossible for them to get health insurance. Although insuring a person with a costly condition may be passed on to other HMO members, if that patient is treated as a charitable case in a hospital, the costs are moved to insured patients anyhow.

So why not insure them and avoid the patient suffering severe financial setback, including the possibility of bankruptcy.

HMO''s are more concerned with their PROFITS, not with their members. They could care less about the health of their members unless it affects their profits.

The more I hear of stories like this, the more I am convinced that the only solution is to abolish HMO''s and private insurance and move to a single payer system where the government or a NON-PROFIT organization acts as the insurer. This is a drastic change in mindset compared to a year ago.

Yes, you heard it right... a physician who supports a socialized health system. I think we owe it to the people to eliminate the profitability of the healthcare system. We need a system that puts patients, not profits, first and foremost.

[hendermt1]

I am extremely concerned about the attempt of BCBS of CA to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Chronic illness is, well, chronic. Myself I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder at 46. To lead a "normal" life I have adjusted my life style exersising, eating well and using breathing techniques to level out my moods. But treatment takes more than that -- prescription medication, psycological therapy, psychiatrist vists. Three years ago my illness progressed to the stage that I was considered by Soc. Sec. to be Disabled. As I have been doing better, I hope to go back to work sometime this year. Should I be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, it would be devistating. And, sadly, it makes one wonder if it might be more prudent to continue to stay on Soc. Sec. What a sad world we live in.

[bluporcelain]

I know that some doctors ARE doing this with regard to the Blue Cross Blue Shield. IT happened to me and after it was all said and done I had No coverage and as an only resort had to use walk in clincs for my heart medications. They are Blue alright! from lack of blood in their veins.

[wango2007-2009]

I''''ll agree with you on that point then! :) Here''''s to universal health care!!! 8-)
Posted by IRLiberal

----------------------

I actually thought we were in agreement from the beginning. I started out agreeing with you! Sometimes words get in the way of good communication. 8)

[wango2007-2009]

However, garnishing people''''s wages for health care is not a solution

-----------------

notopennshut ... don''t know if you noticed or not, but they are already garnishing our wages in the form of taxes. They just need to spend it wisely, like on health care instead of war.

No one should be forced to buy health insurance as some propose. Health care should be free to all U.S. citizens even if taxes need to be raised to cover it.

Every American should be able to go to a doctor, a hospital or get a prescription without any extra cost. It should be a benefit people and families get by being taxpayers.

[irliberal]

Posted by Wango2007 at 06:22 PM

I''ll agree with you on that point then! :) Here''s to universal health care!!! 8-)

[notopennshut]

Health care is a requirement for everyone. However, garnishing people''s wages for health care is not a solution when someone has to choose between food, shelter and health care, the care is the last on the list until and unless it is an emergency at that moment. Making health care affordable is the way to go, and for that you need more than just a "living wage". You can have health care, but it won''t do any good if you die of starvation and homelessness when your wages are garnished for health care. The costs of care is going up so fast and so much that even those who have insurance are slowly being "costed-out". We have to look at the other causes of the problem, rather than just blame it on one factor.

[wango2007-2009]

Posted by IRLiberal - Err, that should have read Obama and Hillary are FOR universal health care and the republicans are NOT. Need to pay attention to what I''''m typing. :)

----------------

Well, I think Hillbilly wants more people covered than Osama Obama, and that old cranky McCain wants business as usual.

Thus, we have differing views by all, so it is not a Liberal v. Conservative thing.

My point was that health care SHOULD NOT be a Liberal v. Conservative thing. Universal health care for all, regardless of age, disease or income should be a right of all US citizens and paid out of taxes. It should be one of the "fruits" of capitalism.

I means, if America is supposed to be so good (not!) and rich, it should take care of the health of its own citizens and not allow them to be victims of predatory insurance companies, right?

I just think that making it a "Liberal v. Conservative" issue is pointless. Health care is bigger than that--it is a human issue that touches all regardless of politics.

[rowdytexan2]

BC/BS has been almost totally useless to me off and on since 1963. Currently I am having to travel 271 miles to see a cardio doctor because they will not move my coverage to this county as I listed my permanent address when I took out the policy with my retirement package!

They''re TOTAL CROOKS!

[uscitizenvet]

I''ve had BC/BS insurance for over 40 years and "never" had a problem with them. I''m currently on Medicare with a BC/BS supplement and still continue to get excellent service. If a person "LIES" on their insurance application, why shouldn''t they be dropped? If you lie on any kind of application, you should not get the same service as the honest people!

[irliberal]

Err, that should have read Obama and Hillary are FOR universal health care and the republicans are NOT. Need to pay attention to what I''m typing. :)

[irliberal]

I am a Conservative, and I couldn''''t agree with you more. Healthcare is NOT a liberal v. Conservative matter. Providing universal healthcare though taxes is a legitimate function of goverment.


Posted by Wango2007 at 05:51 PM

Well... since Obama and Hillary and the republican candidates are NOT, that kind of makes it a conservative vs liberal issue don''t you think?

Regardless of how you think of it in the vaults of your own mind, it is a necessary thing, at least on that we agree.

[toolmangler-2009]

In 2004 I had a compete physical including an EKG and stress test, the very next weekend I had a severe heart attack and arrested twice in the ER. If I had been a customer of Blue Cross I would have been denied coverage because of a "pre-existing condition". I was told this by a former Rep of Blue Cross. improving profit margin is one thing, robbing sick people is another. If you wish to improve your profit margin, do it by pre-treating dangerous conditions before trouble developes. It is well known that bad teeth causes bad health, Bad eyes and ears promote dangerous living habits Like stepping into unseen traffic or any number of other things that could happen. Fix them. A 200 dollar pair of Glasses is less expensive than $50,000 for a hospital stay, and a prosthetic limb to replace the one sheared off in an accident. (pay me now, or PAY me later)

[wango2007-2009]

IRLiberal - A fine example of a capitalist system of health coverage that Hillary proposes to fix.

This profit grubbing and money grabbing and disregard for doctor-patient confidentiality are all results of the current private health care for-profit industry.

Time for a change.
-------------------

I am a Conservative, and I couldn''t agree with you more. Healthcare is NOT a liberal v. Conservative matter. Providing universal healthcare though taxes is a legitimate function of goverment.

[wango2007-2009]

rf35- That is not evil, it is capitalism.

-----------------

That just means Capitalism is a killing machine, whether they''re are making weapons to kill in places like Iraq or killing people here at home as the result of the profiteering Health Insurance industry.

America is a sick, sick country. We are totally corrupt if we have come to the place where we can say, "That is not evil, it is capitalism" as if our horrible system was okay.

[irliberal]

A fine example of a capitalist system of health coverage that Hillary proposes to fix.

This profit grubbing and money grabbing and disregard for doctor-patient confidentiality are all results of the current private health care for-profit industry.

Time for a change.

[byeneocons]

Blue Cross is taking an amoral approach to rising costs. Perhaps they should look more closely at their CEO''s salaries and bonuses, or the fact hospitals can charge patients up to fifty dollars for an aspirin. Playing witch hunt with applicants is not the answer, and doctors are not about to risk lawsuits by narcing on patients.

[iceman_1960]

Do what you can to stay healthy, also.

Exercise, eat right, don"t have any bad health habits like smoking.

Better you don"t need to throw yourself on the tender mercy of these sharks in the first place.

You can improve the odds.