Deseret News | Survey says medical debt is harming families

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Survey says medical debt is harming families

wallofvoodoo | 12:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Nah, the current system is working great. No need to change.

Anonymous | 12:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Going bankrupt is the American dream according to Republicans. Everyone should give it a try.

Anonymous | 12:59 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

"Going bankrupt is the American dream according to Republicans. Everyone should give it a try."

Donald Trump as gone bankrupt at least twice and you never saw him targeted by the conservative media because he was wealthy. It's only when people declare bankruptcy because of illness that conservatives seem to notice.

Comments continue below

Pagan | 1:07 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Let me be clear.

Every life is precious.

However, asking one person to pay 1 million dollars for a life-saving procedure is foolish.

That is where our country would come in. To try and ease the burden of out of control medical bills.

For those who say 'but I shouldn't HAVE to pay for little billys heart transplant.'

You should be the first to go through it.

Christian | 2:10 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

You are free to donate to the medical care of this woman with your money. Nobody is stopping you. Why do you wish to force me to pay? Giving is charitable and benevolent. Taking is stealing.

Anonymous | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I could complain like every else about pre existing conditions and high premiums (We spent 28% of our income of helathcare and we did have any big illness) 2 Things could easily change,
1.People who have to pay cash should get the same discount insurance companies do. Why does BCBS pay my dr $71 for my visit but if I pay cash I pay $155?
2.If you are uninsured there should be other options to the emergency room. My neighbor's son needed 4 stitches. They can't get insurance because of a medical condition. Instacare says they have to go to the hospital because they have no insurance. 4 stitches $997 at the hospital , 4 stiches at instacare $250. Why couldn't they just pay the $250? instead they pay $997, Christmas will be a little less this year.

Amen | 3:16 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

It is not the govenments job to provide health care.

Anonymous | 3:39 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Yes. CHANGE IS NEEDED NOW TO VALUE FAMILIES.

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE IN AMERICA.

I have a family here in America....

They are so good to me.....

RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS MAKE IT DIFFICULT....

to have families.

Fam’lies can be Happy....

When they are healthy!

That is why we need affordable healthcare,

so everyone can have families.

And avoid Bankruptcy.

Outrageous Healthcare bills are the #1 cause of bankruptcy and Utah is #1 state in Bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is a HUGE CAUSE of Divorce in America which includes UTAH, and it destroys families.

We should be Christlike and follow the parable of the good samaritan and provide quality healthcare to all families in America.

This will require change and will be worth it!

Doctor for change | 3:55 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

As a family practice physician who cares, I have seen as much as I can stand of our current health care situation. I do not know the solution, but here are a few facts/ideas.
1.In all of the developed countries, there are more medical breakthroughs than any other country bar none. That bieng said, our primary care outcomes repeatedly fall well below the avg.
2.Our population is more obese, stressed, has poor-no exercise habits, and we eat out most meals. Our population has lost it's accountability. The heart disease, diabetes II, strokes, are mostly conditions brought on by our lifestyle habits.
3. Why does an initial visit with a primary care provider cost ~200-400 dollars less than one with a specialist (when I send them all my notes/suggestions anyway)? Cost for specialists needs to come down.
4. Name one insurance company that is in financial trouble. (CEO's repeatedly make 10-100 million a year) Why do my premiums go up every year when the only claims I have had are for preventative care? We need to adjust the premiums.
5. Why does a surgical stainless screw cost 1000 dollars?

Pagan | 3:56 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

'Why do you wish to force me to pay? Giving is charitable and benevolent. Taking is stealing.'

Guess your not very caritable and benevolent then christan.

To Amen and 1st poster | 3:56 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

It may not be the governments job to provide healthcare, but even the government is feeling the pinch. We have gone from spending 12% of our government dollars on healthcare to 30% on healthcare programs. None of us can afford healthcare as it is now. How on earth does a person prepare for a $300,000 emergency? Who is to pay? We spend more on healthcare than any other nation on the planet and rank like 32nd or 33rd. I don't think we're getting our moneys worth. I don't have any solutions either.

Anonymous | 4:18 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Everything is just fine, no need for any improvements to the health insurance industry. They are paying the politicians good money to maintain the status quo, so why would we want change? I mean, why would we want affordable, reasonable, fair health care?

TO LIBERALS | 4:26 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

IF you all feel so strongly about helping those who can't afford an expensive operation,

then why don't you start a charity or charitable foundation to help those people,

(doing it this way is TRUE charity)

Demanding others to foot the bill by FORCE of government is not charitable nor benevolent.

re:to LIBERALS | 4:46 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

its a fact that Republicans(GOP) contribute to charity far than Democrats and by a wide margin.....asking the Democrats to do something new would mean they might actually have to embrace Hope and Change!

They are much happier carrying a sign stating

" HOPE you are RICH", because I need your change, and if you don't give it to me I will vote for people like Obama who will tax you for it....so either you can give it to me now or I will rob you later"!

When you put the beggars in charge, you end up with what you deserve.....VOTE EVERY DEM OUT OF OFFICE>>>SEND THEM A CLEAR MESSAGE.....GET A LIFE OF YOUR OWN AND STAY OUT OF MY WALLET!

G | 5:00 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Good article.

Janet | 5:09 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

My doc says we should have what England has -- "all the care you need, but not necessarily all the care you want." She is against tests and procedures (for rich, middle-class, or poor) if the results won't matter. Why replace a hip on a person whose COPD keeps him or her from going anywhere? Why do any treatments besides managing pain if a person is terminally ill? I admit we sometimes spend a great deal to postpone the inevitable, but I can't quite reconcile my emotions with her logic. I want the best care for myself and my family, but do I have a right to something my sister can't afford? My bro-in-law is self-employed and uninsured, though he has worked hard all his life, just never prospered. My sis is not well, and while I do think I'm my sister's keeper, my husband and I have a large family. We could better afford to pay more taxes than to pay my sister's medical bills. Clearly change is needed,and I think it's possible (somehow), but good discussion requires open minds!

Anonymous | 5:12 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I know some staunch Republicans that went bankrupt due to medical debt, they had health insurance. They don't talk much about their health insurance views anymore.

Anonymous | 5:13 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I am going to have a fun time in your wallets dudes and you can't stop it.

You already rip money out of my wallet for that senseless war in Iraq, so it is my turn to get something back from you.

Reform not socialism | 6:03 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

The House demonstrated their cowardice as well as their agenda to force a soicalized medicine systme upon us rather than address the variables that are causing health care expenses to rise in the US.

First, the ABA is too powerfull to allow for serious Tort reform, and too many of our legislators are former lawyers to allow this to happen.

Second, no one has the courage to honestly and objectively look at how illegal immigrants burden our health care system and drive costs up. Anything but putting our heads in the sand regarding this question is not PC, and therefore will not be resolved.

Third, no one is willing to look at how we can reduce the cost of going to medical school.

Fourth, no one is willing to take on the FDA and the big drug companies which work together to form the equivalent of OPEC or the Federal Reserve

USPS, Fannie and Freddie are prime examples of what happens when we have government trying to run a business, and no one wants to look at the fact that Canada can not sustain and pay for its current system nor can England.

Sterling | 6:42 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Regrettably, by this time next year, I doubt ANY REFORM will have taken place. Personally I blame Demos. MUCH MORE than Repubs. Demos. (Obama in particular) were elected by a wide enough margin that they shouldn't have been afraid of ANY suggestions the Repubs. made regarding healthcare reform. I don't understand why healthcare CAN'T be improved, in any way, shape, or form without making people mad. Dems, (Obama in particular)could have GREATLY INCREASED their popularity amongst Americans had they not been quite so exclusive with their arguments. Why no tort reform? Why do insurance companies get to have a voice? We already KNOW what they'll say! LOTS of blame to go around on healthcare!
Most important domestic issue of our lifetimes - reduced to a shouting match and political gamesmanship!! BOTH SIDES will LOSE!

Re, re:to LIBERALS | 7:10 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

| 4:46 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
its a fact that Republicans(GOP) contribute to charity far than Democrats and by a wide margin..

Where do you get this information? I would really like to know this fact that you referred to. I am a liberal and I contribute a lot of money every year out of my paycheck to the United Way. Your a bone head! I would suggest that you do some honest research, you may be unpleasantly surprised to find that this is not true.

To:Reform not socialism | 9:52 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Your rhetoric about socialism is old and out of point. What country is going and want to be socialist? That does not even scare my 11 year old son. Our present medical system needs reform BAD. The conservatives and Republicans are out of touch with reality. Their position of supporting the out of ethics politicians in their side are going to destroy our country. The riches and most powerful country on earth can't provide medical care for its own citizens. It is just a joke. By the way I have to leave you now because I have to go and figure out how to pay my medical bills. I have insurance and my family is mostly healthy but still we need medical care some times and YES I HAVE MEDICAL BILLS TO PAY. I used to get junk mail all the time. Now, It is MEDICAL BILLS.

Medical Darwinsim | 10:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Healthcare in the US is survival of the fitest. If you have wealth, two insurance plans in place for two spouses then your health care will be top notch. If your health and wallet are poor, you will die from undertreated or untreated disease.

Anonymous | 10:36 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

MOVIE COMING OUT ... DESTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY

Starring Selfish People (Senators, CEO's of Health Insurance companies and pharmaceuticals).

Point... Lets make money from families by continuing to raise healthcare costs on them and ignore voting for change in the Senate.

Get your seat folks now, because costs are going up!

10:01 | 11:15 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I don't know how anyone who is pro-family can be against health care reform.

All anti-big government health care tea-party protester types should put their money where their mouths are and opt OUT of medicare for themselves or their elderly parents or Medicaide for their kids.

How bout this:

EVERYONE pays a fixed % of their income for medical costs. Let's say 10% b/c it's easy. Its taken out of your paycheck, SS check, pension check ect. It all goes into a pot to pay for individual private insurance plans that are regulated by the government. If you are a poor old granny who lives off SS, then you pay your % and then the "pot" pays the rest. Most people would come out even or pay a little more for a number of years, but then use the "pot" money when a big expense come up. Some people would always pay more than they used, but it would not be a larger % of their income than anyone else had to pay.

Nothing will change until ALL American's are on the same plan. All big government plans - like Medicare or all private plans.

insane | 12:28 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Republicans who are fighting the Healthcare reform will change when one of their family members end up very ill and their medical bills mount. Then after they are declared medically unfit to have private insurance, they will privately become closet democrats.

Hmm | 5:16 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009

So is all other debt.

Medical fraud. | 6:08 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009

The whole medical care situation in america is medical theft and fraud by both sides of the system. Insurance can deny coverage and medical care can overcharge, overbill, and legally take charge of your life and choices.

In my opinion, if a hospital or care center is so willing to care at no cost then they should also be liable for some of that care and cost. If a person gets sick or gets other diseases while under their care then they are liable and cannot bill insurance or individuals for the additional care.

In for-profit care facilities the care giver and what patients are being charged is never disclosed to either. Doctors and specialist don't know what their services cost to patients, all they know is their salary.

It is ridiculous what hospitals charge for devices they use. A stent, a piece of coiled wire, very commonly used in veins and arteries cost $6,000+ each, and doesn't include installing them.

We may have a more expansive health care system, but to get these services cost you your life and assets. No one lives forever and at any cost mentality is destructive.

I would rather | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009

spend tax dollars here at home for health care than some irrational overseas military expedition. The societal costs of the two wars with long term care associated with the veterans will be beyond belief. And it's a price we must pay. So much talk about the cost of universal health care. Can we at least agree to discuss the moral aspects of whether universal health care is the right thing to do. The wars are wrong, not because of their cost but because they are wrong. Not even the health insurance companies think universal health care is wrong--they just want their take.

Reform yes | 11:57 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Address the causes of high medical bills before you scrap the current system for something even worse.

1. Tort reform - the high cost of medical malpractice insurance is probably the biggest single cause of high medical costs. It drives doctors out of business and raises everyone's costs. Set up separate medical courts, limit pain and suffering awards, etc.

2. Introduce more competition - right now every state has a cartel where only 2-5 companies control the entire market for that state. Allow policies to be sold across state lines, and allow more flexibility in what's in a policy. A single guy doesn't want infertility coverage.

3. Allow any group to buy group coverage (small business associations, churches etc.). Disconnect coverage from employment, and make it tax deductible for everyone. Or give people a tax credit of X amount.

4. Address misuse of emergency rooms. If you're going to force free care regardless of ability to pay, then you need to have cheaper facilities for non-critical care, so that real emergencies get taken care of in a timely way.

BullDawg | 2:16 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

A lot of interesting comments - some good - some stink - but like noses, we all have one. I am thinking that the real answer to many if not most of our problems can be centered around one group of individuals - ATTORNEYS. Put a muzzle on them, tie their hands, send them to Gitmo, whatever. High malpractice - cause? Docs that make a mistake or lawyers that know the more they sue and collect on the case, regardless of the "fault" or reason for the unfortunate mishap, they stand to collect 40 to 60% of the total. Set a law and they must be paid by the hour at their "normal industry standard billing rate". Settle the case out of court and get a bonus.

Problems with politicians? Eliminate those that are attorneys and we have most likely reduced a good share of them too. The list can go on and on of problem situations in many of our lives and you just might be able to focus back to the influence of an attorney.

They are like vultures soaring, waiting for carrion to feast on - that's us - we are the carrion being fed upon.

DC | 3:26 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

I am on the band wagon.My child required about 7 months of inpatient care. I was able to qualify for financial assistance. However, the last round of bills that amounted $4300.00 was reduced to $250. Thats the good news, the "OH" news when I call to make payment arrangements is there is an additional $40 per invoice. This brings my $250 bill back up to $640.I think we can see that the major Hospital organizations will find a way to stay afloat. Meanwhile, I will still find a way to make payments.

Reform Must Come | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

Lets have all the politicians pay for it since they can not seem to do their job and actually come up with a solution to health care problem.
Actually....For the next vote we need to have on the ballot that all health carre benefits are taken away from the politicians until they come up with a solution that everyone can live with,then they will finally care!

Best insurance plan ever | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009

Now here is an ideal insurance plan:

Work part time. mostly from home. We'll even let you sell your time spent in our employ, and we'll let you have all the free meals, Jazz tickets, etc., that you want. PLUS you can cut any side deals that you wish. We will give you and your family an incredibly generous health care plan at a significantly subsidized rate. If you work for us, part time, for 4 years, we'll let you stay on our plan for as long as you live, and we'll subsidize you in the future and guarantee that you will be insurable.

Sound too good to be true? Its not. It is the health care quietly given, not to state employees, but to any state representative or senator. You elect them, they benefit for life. Don't worry about the deductibles, either. Some lobbyist will pick those up for you.

Think it will change? Think the Legislature will cut this quiet and powerful benefit in the midst of budget shortfalls? No way, they will just shift funding from the disabled, the poor, public employees, and education.

Frank | 5:03 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009

Tort reform won't cut costs. Malpractice insurance is sky high and tied to company profits. It has no correlation to costs of claims. Take away the insurance industry's anti-trust exemption and solve that one.

Odd isn't it that most "Tea Party" GOP demonstrators are on Medicare? Ask a few of them how they'd like to just buy health insurance on the open market with a tax deduction instead and you'll see how self-serving their views are. We don't call it socialism with roads, fire & police. Isn't healthcare equally important?

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