More of the Same

Under the title of "Recissions" of the PPCA page 14, we learn that an insurance company may not just drop you because you have an illness, unless you commit fraud, for example.  That's a good thing.  But I don't think that can be done now.  Yes, home and auto insurance companies do that, but not health insurance companies.

Continuing on that same page, I am noticing a re-occurring theme in the the PPACA.  On pg 14 of the document I am reading ( listed in my second post), in Sec 2713 titled "Coverage of Preventive Health Services", we are basically covered for what the government considers baseline preventative health care.  For women it's screening such as mammograms and for kids it's vaccinations,for example.  Sorry, men it doesn't mention you here, except maybe in a blanket statement about immunizations, which could be for anyone.  Where it's more of the same, is when it establishes the "United States Preventive Services Task Force".  Here we ago again.  The government will have another agency determining the basic preventive care.  And again, the "Secretary" is going to establish interval. 

In my opinion, the reason people did not like going to government run, government assisted, medical facilities is because there was a stigma attached to them that the level of care was going to be basic at best.  And, of course depending on the facility, you might get sub par care.  This might be especially true if you were an indigent patient.  You may have gotten excellent care and beg to differ.  But I am just speaking to my opinion of the overall public view.

Well for those of you who agree with that assessment of government run medical facilities, guess where we're heading?  To all medical facilities, or should I say treatment, being government run in a sense.  Because if you are wanting more than the basic, government recommended preventive care, you'll have to pay for it out of your pocket.  It makes sense to me that this will affect the middle income families the most.  If you are poor and never had insurance before, you'll be covered as far as basic minimums go.  And if you are wealthy, you can buy whatever treatment you want.  But if you are that family who depends on your health insurance to get the most healthcare out of your hard earned dollar, you may see less coverage for more money. 

So yes, at the bottom of the page the PPACA does say that it's not going to regulate whether or not insurance companies provide MORE than this.  "Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a plan or issuer from providing coverage for services in addition to those recommended by United States Preventive Services Task Force or to deny coverage for services that are not recommended by such Task Force."  But my guess is that the minimum standard will become THE standard.  The economics just don't make sense for insurance companies otherwise.  But hey, you insurance gurus out there...what do you think?  Please do comment about what insurance company projections are.  I read just today that many medical facilities are planning budget cutbacks, including jobs and hours to brace themselves for the lower revenues and higher costs of healthcare. 

But what bothers me most is this:  How many government committees are we going to have weighing in on covered treatment and services?  So far in the first page I've read, we have the Secretary, the US Preventive Services Task Force, in addition to the already formed CDC.  And we've just begun.  And who do you think is going to pay for this?  I don't think they're volunteers and I'm not sure I would want the opinion of a volunteer affecting my healthcare either. The answer is YOU! ME!  All taxpayers will pay for additional agencies required to tell us what medical treatments we can have.

I read a couple of articles about how the very wealthy such as the Waltons of Walmart fame position their wealth to avoid taxation.  Don't get me wrong.  I believe in capitalism.  I believe they have a right to protect their earnings.  But so do I, and so do you.  I'm starting to understand the theory that middle class citizens bear the brunt of over taxation.  And this healthcare plan will be no exception!

I know I'm slow writing this, but I can only digest so much of this information before I get crazy!  In the past few days I've been waffling in my resolve because I have wondered like some of you may have, "who am I to be writing this blog?".  I only have one follower and one comment and that's a family member! But as I said from the beginning, I'm researching this information for myself.  I am sharing what I learn with you, along with my thoughts on the matter.  If it helps me understand, it's worth it.  If it helps you understand in ordinary terms, then I will consider it a triumph. So feel free to follow, share, comment, or just check in occasionally.

I will continue to write because I have an opinion of my own and I'm going to share it!

J