Dying For Insurance: Private Policies are only Free-Market until you sign

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Dying For Insurance: Private Policies are only Free-Market until you sign - Use it and Lose it

Private Policies are only Free-Market until you sign - Use it and Lose it

Name another industry, other than Medical Insurance that charges you, the customer, for their services and then treats you as if they are doing you a favor for supplying it. Do you have other options? There are always other companies. Unfortunately, only if you have not used those services for anything that does not indicate future problems (pre-existing conditions). If so, you will be told, as I was, "I know you may be frustrated, but don't cancel. You won't be able to get coverage." So much for free enterprise. Larger Group Policies have much more clout because of buying power, but when you leave, you may not be able to get coverage on your own.
Normally, I am in favor of a free-market economy. If someone makes a "great, new something" and it costs a lot, there will be someone else who will improve upon it and sell it cheaper. Competition is what makes this country great. If we want to buy more than is available, the price goes up. If there is an oversupply, the price will come down. This is why price controls in the 1970's were such a disaster; people used it as a way to pass on costs without regard to demand.
Competition works so well because of strong anti-trust laws which protect us from anyone from having an unfair monopoly on a product or service or allows for collusion between companies on price. Two industries are exempt from those Federal anti-trust laws: Baseball and Insurance. There are reasons for this, but a little foggy for me and I will ignore the major impact that baseball has on some in the population.
For now, the major question that we all need to answer is, "Is reasonable medical insurance and care a Right, a Privilege or only for those who can afford it?" The answer is very elusive, because of the costs involved, how much medical care is covered, what is the individual's responsibility and what can we afford as a nation.
Many of us may agree that some level of care should be covered because it is the right thing to do. But, getting a consensus is difficult. As much as possible, I have attempted to ignore any political leanings I may have to allow me to look at both sides of the issue and be open to reasonable suggestions. My next post will take a look at both parties and the division that is causing the current Health Care crisis.

Of one thing I am sure. As much as I do not want Government control, we need rules and regulations to guarantee the future of the health care system and to improve upon the way we cover illnesses. We are already paying too much for too little because of those who are unable to pay. Also,we need to find someway of training and attracting health care professionals. If anyone who reads this would like to contribute, if you email your comments to me I would be happy to post on the blog. Or, you may click on the comments button for shorter responses.
Next post....political "talking points." I will attempt to offend both parties.
Stay healthy.
TVP
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