March 21, 2010.

This date will go down in history as the “End of Health Care” as we know it.  The passage of this bill will drastically change our health care system.  Some believe it will be for the good and others believe we have lost our way
 

My goal here with this post is to share some info on what I forsee to come.  Usually we can predict the future by looking at the past.  So let me start there. 

"A Government Big Enough To Give You Everything Is Big Enough To Take It All Away"

In 1945 President Harry S. Truman became the first sitting president to officially endorse national health insurance.  It wasn’t until 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law.  The part B premium was $3.00 / month, today people going on Medicare Part B pay $110.00 / month. Plus they usually carry a supplement to cover the thousands of dollars that Medicare will not cover.  Example: You walk through a Hospital door and stay just 1 night, your cost $1100.00 with just Medicare.

 In 1984 I went full time into selling Individual Health Insurance.  My main focus has been in the Medicare Supplement market place.  Medicare is a Government Ran Health Insurance system that insures people over the age of 65 and people on Medicare disabilty. 

Over the past 26 years, there has been major changes to Medicare.  Threats that the system is going broke, somehow like magic the government always has a way to fix the trust fund.  How, by raising premiums, taxes and cutting benefits.  Every year the Medicare program has either raised the premium or raised the deductible or both.  Thus putting more of the responsibility back on the consumer.

Lets talk about the 32 million people that will now have to purchase health coverage BY LAW.  You may ask how with this effect me.  I have coverage, my employer provides it or you carry your own plan.  President Obama and Congress has stated that you can keep your plan.  You can keep your doctor.  You won’t be forced to change.  But wait! 

You will be able to keep your coverage as long as your coverage meets certain guidelines.  But you will NOT be able to change your coverage unless the PLAN meets the guidelines put in place by the government.  Remember the words “Qualified Plan”.  Mark my words, this will be the focus in 4 years when the benefits of this Health Bill goes into effect.  If you chose to make any changes to your current plan, will it meet the guidelines of the plans established by the government.  Example:  What qualifies a Health Plan to be a HSA? (Health Savings Account) Answer:  Rules established by the federal government.  Who determines how funds from the HSA (Savings Account) can be used?  Answer: Federal Government (IRS).  

Yes you will be able to keep your employer provided healthcare.  Questions is, will your employer continue provide it .  If it makes more economic sense to pay a Tax (Penalty) for not providing it. What would you do?  How many people do you think would pay a small penalty each year rather than pay a monthly premium.  Especially when the bill provides them the ability to obtain coverage without worry of a pre-existing condition.  I’m 46 and my medical file is probably under 10 pages in the entire chart.  Don’t think that thought hasn’t crossed my mind in the last few months.

Hows this going to effect our Health Care?

I read an article on the AP Wire last week that spoke of a doctor that became transparent on his income to his office.  He stated that with further cuts to Medicare, he may have to limit his practice.  The amount of money reimbursed for an office visit is so low that its hard to cover overhead.  Think back to when you could actually spend more than 5 to 10 minutes with the doctor.  The only revenue coming in to the office is the patients.  Than the government cuts there cost but does nothing about limiting the liabilty.

Last week I heard that 35% of doctors may limit or leave their practice.  At first I thought no way, than a friend of mine told me that his Heart doctor who is from India may return to India.  What incentive does he have to stay, than making a good income.  He can be a Heart doctor in India and be around more of his family.  When we lose this many doctors and the Government pays for peoples care.  Who gets in to see the doctor? 

I saw a piece on CNN Headline news this morning that spoke of the lady in Ohio that had Cancer and lost her coverage.  Not canceled because of the cancer but she didn’t pay the premium.  She was in fear she may lose her home.  The report said that the hospital was not going to put a lien on her home and that she was a GOOD canidate for Medicaid. (Low Income Government Health Care estab: 1965)  The truth is, if she qualified for medicaid she probably couldn’t afford much premium.  The guidelines are pretty tight!  But Did the President or Speaker Pelosi mention this?  NO WAY, they made her a poster person of why we need this Bill.  She already would have met the Medicaid Guidelines and available for Government Health Care. 

The real problem with this HealthCare Bill is that many people who CHOOSE not to carry coverage will now be Penalized or taxed for their decisions.  Yes, Pre-existing conditions is a problem for many people.  I personally carry a policiy that has a restriction rider for 10 years on a condition.  It’s my choice to be self employed and carry my own coverage instead of looking for other employment that would provide coverage.

I know you think I’m biased because I sale Health Insurance.   Wrong, remember I have been selling Supplemental plans to Government ran Health Insurance since 1984.  Insurance companies will always have something to sale.  The problem with providing coverage to everybody is that people have NO Incentive to take care of themselves.  Example: This Bill will remove the “Donut Hole” under Medicare Part D.  Question I have is, if people don’t need to worry about hitting a point with there medication where they pay the full cost, why use Generics.  Who cares what the cost is, my insurance will pay for it.  At least when people understood that they had other medications that may keep them from reaching the Donut Hole they would investigate it.  This is part of the problem that got us where we are today!

Remember everybody will start paying for this HealthCare Bill starting this year and NOBODY will be covered until 2014.  What can we do about this Bill, probably nothing!  Regardless of your politics, I would urge you to look at the representatives that voted for / against this Bill and ask yourself ONE questions.  Did they listen to YOUR voice or the people in your District?  Did they represent the very people that elected them to office?  Did they do the job they were sent to Washington DC to do?  If not!  Come Novemeber, vote them out.  Make your voice heard.

My focus with this Blog is not to tell anybody what to think but hope that I can inspire people to think and make informed decisions.