25 Million Have Insurance, But Not Enough

On Top of 47 Million Americans with No Health Coverage, Underinsured Present a Strong Case for Reform

(CBS)  President Obama will be promoting health care reform this week in Virginia and North Carolina, and plans to keep the pressure on Congress during next month's recess. One argument for health care reform is that 47 million Americans are uninsured.

But not everyone knows that another 25 million are underinsured as CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports.

John Stewardson is up at dawn, working for the local 602 union in Washington, D.C. But by 11:30 a.m., he's home fixing lunch for his ailing wife Linda, a cancer survivor.

"I'm just going to have to take medicine for the rest of my life," she said.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor last summer, she's in remission. Now it's her family's financial health at stake. In March, their healthcare insurance capped-out at $150,000 of treatment, minimum coverage by industry standards.

The cost of treating cancer and its side effects demolished their life savings.

"It's like she fell out a cancer tree and hit every branch on the way down," John Stewardson said.

They owe more than $100,000 in medical bills.

Dr. Deepa Subramaniam is counseling more and more patients like Linda - forced to decide which treatments are worth the cost.

"I am trying to balance cost and effectiveness in her case," Subramaniam said. "You worry that somehow by choosing a treatment that is less expensive, that we are compromising the quality of the care."

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is leading the effort to push the affordable health choices act through the Senate. He supports a government insurance plan that eliminates lifetime and annual caps on all healthcare plans.

"The underinsured are a critical group," Dodd told Miller. "In some cases 53 percent don't know they're underinsured. So they either have a huge co-pay if the problem happens or the deductibles being so high they might as well not have insurance."

The Stewardsons were only offered one plan by the union - which left them uninsured after they reached the cap.

John calls his union and the Medicare offices every day, asking for supplemental coverage. He's had no luck so far.

Linda knows John's doing his best.

"He has to cook dinner, clean the house, get up and get me breakfast, help bathe me," she said.

She just wishes her healthcare was as dependable.

[johnatgmail]

I have been a member of a Trade Union- Steamfitters Local 602 in Washington, DC for about 19 years. Our members pay about $10,000 per year to the Local Union for medical insurance. All members pay the same and receive the same benefits. There is catastrophic protection, but it is not for the individual memeber. Once you exceed the $150,000 cap you become essentialy uninsured and all medical bills are forwarded to the member. The member is still required to make weekly payments for the insurance even if they are not entitled to receive services. Do not assume that just because you are a Union Member that will necessarily receive adaquate protection. I have been unable to find a supplementary policy and the only option would be a new policy independant of my existing. My Union does not permit me to opt out and get my own policy.

[mary-miami]

We need healthcare reform, so everyone has access to doctors,dentists and optometrists....Many people suffer illness without the benefit of a checkup.
Even if a person would have to wait six months for treatment, it's better than never getting treatment at all. Some people haven't been to a doctor in years...This is immoral. Quality of life is as important as life itself.

[Tennessean4healthcare]

I am glad to see this story after learning that the big, corporate owned fast food company that employs my daughter offers "health insurace" to their store employees that only covers up to $1,500 for out-patient and $7,500 for hospital costs. After you reach those annual limits, you have no coverage. The policy is offered by a major insuror and has co-pays and deductibles, as well. For a family, the premiums are around $100 mo. That's not very affordable for workers making near minimum wage. Yes, many of the employees are young and healthy, but we all know that good health can be wiped out in one accident. No matter how well you eat or how much you exercise, you can still get swine flu and wind up in the hospital. One day in the hospital would cripple these folks financially. This is how insurers are trying to fool the American people. They are saying we have covered most workers, but for many the coverage is crappy and doesn't really offer the catastrophic protections they need. The Republicans want to provide tax credits of up to $5,000/family to let people buy insurance. Yet, family coverage premiums for members of Congress are between $700-$1,200 a month, and the taxpayers covers 2/3. So their tax credit wouldn't even cover half of the cost of the policies they have. So what do you think would happen if a $5,000 tax credit were enacted? Every major insurer would come out with a $5,000 plan, but would it protect the policyholders or the shareholders? You know the answer to that.

[panhandlpete]

The best HEALTH INSURANCE is to practice healthy living, and that means do it from birth forward. We are 'what we eat', so the focus should not be on the cost of insurance, but rather our lifestyles. I personally do not want the government, or anyone else, mandating what I MUST eat or if I should refrain from drinking, smoking or whatever. BUT, it is my fear that we can get ready for just that whenever the government promotes preventive health care. We can look for controls to be placed on the vitamin and supplement industry as well, as they take $$$$ from the pharmaceutical companies.

All the baby boomers need to make their votes count as they will be the first ones to feel the ramifications of health reform as most of the cost 'cutting' savings will come from Medicare. HOW will this occur? No specific details have been given. Will the doctors' fees be cut or will there be a set of guidelines for 'end of life' treatment limiting care? So maybe we have to face the reality of death more openly, and say that once you reach retirement age, you are on your own....LIVE or DIE.

No one is addressing the ER problem of all those 'uninsured illegals' and 'uninsured citizens' who use the hospitals for all their medical needs. Will these folks really take the time to get a personal physician when they can acquire health insurance? Gonna take a lot of REFORM!!!!!

Let's see.....do I roll up my sleeve and be the first to take that swine flu shot.....the one that the WHO has said "stop counting" the number of people dying, as it is to difficult to ascertain a correct figure. DUH!

Your healthcare reform may mandate what you HAVE to do to be covered!

[imprisoncheney]

Healthcare is the ultimate mafia extortion scheme, if you think about it.

Who wouldn't empty out their wallets to save their own life . . . or the life/lives of their loved ones, hmmmmm?

See? The simplest ideas are always the "best" ones . . . especially when you're trying to scam people.

Motto of the industry: Never give the patient an even break!!

Haha. The joke's on us.

[erasmus111]

by tautomer July 26, 2009 9:30 PM EDT
"Right to Life does not mean that you have a right have your life extended on everyone else's dime.


See, now here's the thing. You are already paying for the people that don't have insurance. You are paying big bucks. Here, EVERYONE has health care, and because everyone is paying, it means we are paying a lot less per person for those that can't afford it. We are paying WAAAAAY less than you. Even with our taxes being a little higher.

[hower4]

Isn't it strange! The consensus is that the American system doesn't work when people need it most (i.e. when they're unemployed, poor or old). The consensus in Britain is that their system DOES work for the most disadvantaged in society and those who can afford it have insurance anyway......... and STILL most Americans don't want a similar system. WHY??????????????

[erasmus111]

No, I think the majority DO want it. But it doesn't seem to matter what the majority wants in the U.S.

Most Americans don't even know what the British/Canadian health care system is about. And they aren't the same. But the point is that they don't even know what it's about, but they just don't want anything to do with it. They will post comments on what they think it's about, but they are wrong. They have been brainwashed. The insurance companies, drug companies want to keep you in the dark, so they can keep making big bucks off you.

[hower4]

.... but surely if most Americans would like a British-type healthcare system then the politicians would be backing it? I thought politicians always did whatever makes them popular, or do American politicians do whatever might make them rich?

Americans know that when the federal government touches something, it turns to sh*t. The single greatest cause of corruption and white collar crime is federal government intervention into the U.S. micro-economy.

The healthcare scenario may go something like this. Dr. Fred is a politically connected crony who qualifies to be a doctor in the federal healthcare network. He sees patients and up-codes their illnesses so as to get more money. The fed does not do inspections and investigations as evidence by federal funding for child protections, adoptions and child support. He contributes heavily to the political party in charge.

Dr. Bill is not on the list of cronies and cannot participate in the federal network. His private, state-based insurance company will have to go out of business because only the fed is able to spray a gusher of money for healthcare; the private company cannot. So, Dr. Bill ends up leaving practice and all the patients go to Dr. Fred.

Dr. Fred is now in a position to recommend (or blackball) new doctors thereby developing a network of physicians who hear no evil and speak no evil. Eventually, the AMA is run by these doctors in a symbiosis to maintain the flow of the maximum amount of federal dollars through the system to the most connected physicians.

Free enterprise is stifled and reward for talent goes under. Political cronyism yields the dollar.

That's why Americans cannot have a federally created health care system. We are structured wrong for top-down directives.

[hower4]

I don't see how that can be the case. If it was, then the same kind of argument would apply to police officers, or firefighters, or garbage collectors, or any other essential services to the community.

[erasmus111]

by vitality4u July 27, 2009 4:20 AM EDT
It is the same in Australia and the UK. So why would the USA treat its citizens less fairly. Yes there are faults in the system. But I would still rather know if there was an emergency that we are all treated equally. My father had cancer 2 years ago. the treatment was amazing. He was flown down to the city for treatments and given priority treatment as he lived in the country. My stepfather just had a hip operation. Yes he had to wait 18months, total cost to him for operation $6.40. Yes no typo, $6.40. He paid his taxes all his working life. Supplied well for his family and bought his own house. Why should he loose it because he is getting old and needs support at the end of his life.


The U.S. has major corruption. It's basically owned by big CORRUPT corparations. It's all about the money. The people have lost control of their country. I'm beginning to think that they will not get it back.

Some think of our health care system as a "socialist" system. That word scares them. They have been brainwashed. They have a completely distorted view of our health care system.

[erasmus111]

sorry, "corparations" should be "corporations".

[abbe91]

"by tautomer July 26, 2009 9:30 PM EDT
Yes there is a "right to life". What it means is that nobody can deprive you of your life (something dems forget when it comes to Abortion). "Right to Life does not mean that you have a right have your life extended on everyone else's dime."

It's funny that you mention abortion in a debate about healthcare, since we have a worse infant mortality rate (I'm talking about the number of deaths among live births) than Cuba.

[incog-nito]

As an insurance company executive and a lifelong conservative, I am proud of our health care system, where you are covered as long as you're healthy enough to keep working (and your company offers you health insurance). Just make sure you don't get so sick that you have to stop working, because then you will no longer be covered by your employer (because you stopped working, get it?), just right at a time when you need your health coverage the most. I know, I know, this doesn't make any sense to people with common sense, but trust me, it makes perfect sense to our profit margin.

[erasmus111]

You're a cutie. : )

[erasmus111]

You're also full of crap. : )

[erasmus111]

by taebok July 26, 2009 8:54 PM EDT
by HowVeryFunny
-------------
Rowdy, just because you type in caps doesn't make anything you say true



It doesn't matter whether it's in caps or what it is, she never tells the truth.

[erasmus111]

by jgg00000008 July 26, 2009 8:40 PM EDT
Here's the deal:
If you are paying 10-$12,000/year, you no doubt have excellent coverage.
That provides you with your choice of the best health care you can get.
Under national healthcare, a beaurocrat will determine what you are eligible for based upon your age. You or your wife need a hip replacement? Right now you call the shots. When, where, and by whom.
Under national healthcare, you might be judged too old. If you smoke, the gov't can penalize you. If you're overweight, same thing. If the gov't wants a race of blue-eyed blondes they can even do that.



Here's the deal: You're an idiot.

In Canada, if you were a single person, it would cost you around $600 a year for health care. A married couple around $1,080 a year. And it would be excellent coverage. The same coverage that EVERYONE gets. And it means you are eligible for everything, no matter what your age. It covers xrays, bloodwork, tests, hospital stays, doctor and specialist visits.

My mom is over eighty and received a hip replacement. My uncle is over eighty and has received two hip replacements. It doesn't matter if you are over weight or smoke. Now if you were needing a kidney transplant and you were a heavy drinker, then that might be a problem.

There is no one telling you who you have to see, when you can see them, or anything else.

And your doctor doesn't need to consult with no insurance company or the government. What he/she says, goes.

Stick to what you know, will ya.

[vitality4u]

It is the same in Australia and the UK. So why would the USA treat its citizens less fairly. Yes there are faults in the system. But I would still rather know if there was an emergency that we are all treated equally. My father had cancer 2 years ago. the treatment was amazing. He was flown down to the city for treatments and given priority treatment as he lived in the country. My stepfather just had a hip operation. Yes he had to wait 18months, total cost to him for operation $6.40. Yes no typo, $6.40. He paid his taxes all his working life. Supplied well for his family and bought his own house. Why should he loose it because he is getting old and needs support at the end of his life.

[ramos1129]

It boils down to this. There are millions of adequately insured - the "haves" and millions of inadequately/uninsured - the "have nots".
The opponents of national insurance come from the Haves and they are very vocal about their opposition. The most radical of these are the Republican politicans in Congress, talk show hots such as Rush, Hannity and the like and ex-politicans such as Nwet. All of these opponents enjoy good family health insurance. They could care beans about the ones that do not.

[quidam56]

We thought my father had good insurance and was in a great hospital ( as per their ads on billboards, commercials and infomercials ) His care was rationed. He died. Sadly in TN & VA profit care is more important than patient care. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62
The status quo could learn a few things on efficiency and concerned, compassionate health care from Remote Area Medical ( RAM ), a non profit health care system that works. http://www.ram.org They were in Wise County, Virginia this weekend helping families who can't afford the luxury of seeing a doctor.
We must have health care reform now.

[vitality4u]

There is something very wrong with your system in the United States, where it is ok for you to to carry weapons that kill people, yet you cannot take care of your basic health needs. In Australia, so far our economy is doing ok, even with the large cost of healthcare. The next push here is f or prevention. for example stop putting junk in your body constantly. Just as everyone has a right to a roof over there head and food on the table, so everyone has a right to basic health care. It is time for all the money wasted on fear and oppression to be spent on caring for each other.

[erasmus111]

by vitality4u July 27, 2009 2:51 AM EDT
There is something very wrong with your system in the United States, where it is ok for you to to carry weapons that kill people, yet you cannot take care of your basic health needs.


Yes, there is something VERY wrong. There is NOTHING that comes before their guns. Some would rather die than give up their guns.

They are dying from lack of health care and they are dying because they are shooting each other.: ) Great life, huh?

[yarabie]

I understand this is what is going to happen with the health care bill. Unless it is specifically stated that the plan does not cover illegal aliens, they will be covered; paid for by you and me. We do not owe these criminals anything, much less health care. Take care of Americans! Please contact Nancy Pelosi and your state senators and tell them you are against this benefit for illegals.

[vitality4u]

If you start looking after others you may find there is less illness and destruction in your world

[tautomer]

Everyone agrees that our Health Care system needs improvement. What we don't want is Obama making it worse.

Until Obama comes up with a plan that is 1) cheaper for all 2) offers better quality care for all 3) is accessible to all and 4)raises taxes for NONE he hasn;t done that.

Obamacare will raise costs for many either through premiums or taxes,while delivering lower quality care for many.

[incog-nito]

As an insurance company executive and a lifelong conservative, I say let's not allow the government to ration your health care. Let's US do it for you. Trust me, when it comes time to meet our quarterly profit target, we'll ration the hell out of your health care. What's more, the free market dictates that we only insure people who are employed (and thus relatively healthy). If you're older and retired, then the free market dictates that you're high-risk and uninsurable, and that the government must then take over. I know it makes no sense to you, but trust me, it makes perfect sense to our bottom line.

[incog-nito]

As an insurance company executive and a lifelong conservative (of course), I disagree with President Obama's initiatives and believe everything is just fine the way it is. So what if millions of people are uninsured or underinsured? So what we make up excuses to routinely deny treatment to insured patients? So what if health care costs keep skyrocketing year after year? That's good for my line of business, you know. I need a bigger bonus this year. The few millions I got last year just wasn't enough.

[drivelphobe]

Before a poster jumps on me about the 25 million number, I read or heard today that out of the 47 million without insurance, 25 million are citizens. The estimated illegal number is 20-22 million. That leaves, for my purposes, a real uninsured number of approximately 25 million. Why should we ruin a system that is working for the 25 million who won't help themselves? If we have to, extend the classification of those eligible for Medicaid and monitor for abuse. Whatever we do, we cannot allow another dime for illegals. California is doomed because both houses have put the needs of illegals above the citizenry. Obama wants to do the same thing for the whole country.

[drivelphobe]

taebok..I am happy with my insurance as well. I pay my premiums and I can go to any physician or hospital I want to. Because I have insurance, I go to the front of the line as it should be. Would I like it if the premiums were lower? Yes, but I'd also pay more for the coverage. You sound like on of those who can't or won't work to get his coverage. Once again, the services of a physician who has paid dearly for his education, is not your right. You have to pay for it like anything else. You don't get it.

[drivelphobe]

taebok..mccain08nc is correct. LIberals are fighting for freebies from the backs of hardworking Americans. The 75% who are happy with their insurance are the same 75% that are gouged for tax money to pay for people like you and the hordes of illegals. Give it up. You don't stand a chance. Why don't you get a job and see how it feels to purchase your own insurance and get the medical care YOU have paid for instead of the handouts from the rest of us.