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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Abby on August 22, 2005, at 0:50:30
I was just wondering how many people here are from California. I wondered what Californians had heard about SB 840. Insurance coverage is a big issue for a lot of people with mental illness. If you lose a job, there's the awfulness of dealing with pre-existing conditions. COBRA and insurance changes are a real hassle. I would love to have seamless coverage not tied to my employment. I think I'd probably support the bill if I were a Californian.
Thoughts from those in the State?
Posted by gromit on August 22, 2005, at 21:12:47
In reply to California Single-payer bill, posted by Abby on August 22, 2005, at 0:50:30
> I was just wondering how many people here are from California. I wondered what Californians had heard about SB 840. Insurance coverage is a big issue for a lot of people with mental illness. If you lose a job, there's the awfulness of dealing with pre-existing conditions. COBRA and insurance changes are a real hassle. I would love to have seamless coverage not tied to my employment. I think I'd probably support the bill if I were a Californian.
>
> Thoughts from those in the State?First off, COBRA may be a hassle but it's a small step in the right direction. This is the first I'd heard of this bill. I didn't actually read the whole thing but reading an analysis these 2 things caught my eye.
2)Requires the Agency to be independent, generally not subject
to review by any other agency, and under the control of a new
Health Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner). Designates the
Agency as the single state agency with full power to supervise
every phase of the administration of CHIS.Not subject to review by another agency, don't like the smell of that at all. And geez, we already have an Insurance Commissioner, now we get a Health Insurance Commissioner as well?
3)Prohibits any health care service plan or health insurance
policy, except for CHIS, from being sold in California for
services provided by CHIS.Ok, deal breaker right there if I read it correctly. If the thing turns out to be **** then I can't even buy better coverage out of my own pocket? Everybody would have the same probably at best mediocre plan? It may be an attempt to shift some of the cost of insurance off employers and onto us, but I'm kind of cynical.
I have yet to read anything positive about healthcare in the UK or Canada on this board. In fact I know 2 different families who moved to the US mostly to get away from socialized medicine. It's hard to say what would happen, it could be reasonably well run and fair, it could also turn out to be like the DMV though. Now serving M-968...
Rick
Posted by Abby on August 27, 2005, at 4:38:29
In reply to Re: California Single-payer bill, posted by gromit on August 22, 2005, at 21:12:47
Rick,
Actually, I think that a lot of people prefer the Canadian system. France has a pretty good system too. Ours is the most expensive and is ranked 30th or so. I'm pretty sure that under CHIS you could pay cashfor services that aren't covered.
The goal of the plan is to make sure that everyone has coverage, to improve the lot of those who are now on Medicaid, to provide Seniors w/ a better prescription drug benefit etc.
I don't want to fight with anyone on this board, but tell me what you like about the current system. I see one that's hugely dysfunctional a mess of patchwork programs and with no guarantees of coverage for mental health. (If you're covered by your employer, check whether the plan is self-insured, cause if it is ERISA pre-emption means that state regulation of benefits is prohibited, and since the Federal government has declined to regulate in amy way, your employer-provided benefits are what they say---and they can change at any time.)
I'm not happy with the system we have now, but I'd like to know what you like about it, and why you don't think we could have radical reform and preserve the best features of our system.
Posted by gromit on August 28, 2005, at 10:48:28
In reply to Re: California Single-payer bill, posted by Abby on August 27, 2005, at 4:38:29
Hi Abby,
> Actually, I think that a lot of people prefer the Canadian system. France has a pretty good system too. Ours is the most expensive and is ranked 30th or so. I'm pretty sure that under CHIS you could pay cashfor services that aren't covered.
Well people usually don't go on the internet and proclaim how great their coverage, meds or whatever are. You're probably right. But why would I want to pay cash for services that are covered under my current plan?
> The goal of the plan is to make sure that everyone has coverage, to improve the lot of those who are now on Medicaid, to provide Seniors w/ a better prescription drug benefit etc.All good things that should be done.
> I don't want to fight with anyone on this board, but tell me what you like about the current system. I see one that's hugely dysfunctional a mess of patchwork programs and with no guarantees of coverage for mental health. (If you're covered by your employer, check whether the plan is self-insured, cause if it is ERISA pre-emption means that state regulation of benefits is prohibited, and since the Federal government has declined to regulate in amy way, your employer-provided benefits are what they say---and they can change at any time.)The current system is screwed up, but for the time being I have good coverage. No need for fighting, I can agree to disagree.
> I'm not happy with the system we have now, but I'd like to know what you like about it, and why you don't think we could have radical reform and preserve the best features of our system.Yeah, but from my reading it doesn't really preserve the best features. My problem is under this plan everyone would have CHIS, period. While that would be a big improvement for many it's likely it would mean less benefits for MY family. Why prohibit companies from selling possibly better insurance plans? If an employer wants to offer awesome benefits as an incentive why is that a bad thing? Why not help the people who could use help and leave the rest of us alone? That is what I see wrong with this bill.
I've been uninsured, under-insured, I've been to the county hospital many times, saw the county pdocs etc. The system sucks, no doubt about it. Raise taxes to pay for it, that's fine, just don't force me to participate when for once I have better options.
Rick
This is the end of the thread.
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