Is the US HC system finally toast?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole fiasco solidly proves we need universal healthcare.

It's not that easy in the US to set up, it's just not. It's a HUGE country with a lot of unhealthy people to start with. I could give you 50 reasons why it's near impossible. I'm not suggesting HC reform isn't needed or that I'm opposed to universal healthcare - it's just that the reality of putting in one in the US today is a pipe dream. It would never work.

Our entire lifestyle and beliefs profoundly differ from countries with successful existing universal HC systems. I'm not sure what would work.

This is a huge part of our problem in this country.... people hate change. If something is not perfect (and nothing is), someone will loudly protest it and nothing of substance ever happens.

Like everything, we will wait until it's a massive problem that must be addressed and then "solve" it. That's what will happen with Social Security.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole fiasco solidly proves we need universal healthcare.

It's not that easy in the US to set up, it's just not. It's a HUGE country with a lot of unhealthy people to start with. I could give you 50 reasons why it's near impossible. I'm not suggesting HC reform isn't needed or that I'm opposed to universal healthcare - it's just that the reality of putting in one in the US today is a pipe dream. It would never work.

Our entire lifestyle and beliefs profoundly differ from countries with successful existing universal HC systems. I'm not sure what would work.

Thta's true and one reason why universal health care is not a great starting place.

However, implementing a single payer system would be much easier and much less disruptive. And would largley reduce costs while freeing up doctors to doctor instead of arguing with insurance companies about whether something is medically necessary.

[Anonymous]

I've seen an unprecedented number of people say they are going to have to forgo health insurance this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen an unprecedented number of people say they are going to have to forgo health insurance this year.

Right because healthcare is increasingly only for the rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Been reading a lot of stories recently on various social media platforms on the horror stories so many Americans are currently facing with respect to HC. Besides the loss of subsidies for Obamacare, so many people are now saying their HC insurance during this new round of open season is at the breaking point where it is completely unaffordable. Many people saying they now have to shell out $2000-3000 per month for coverage for their family with their *employer* plans. And that's for garbage HC plans that still require $6, 7, 10k deductibles before their insurance will pay anything. So many people are now basically saying they plan to go uninsured because HC plans are a massive ripoff and they can't afford it. They plan to pay out of pocket for what they can, but if they hit an emergency, many have said in these stories they have zero intention of paying now because it isn't affordable. They don't care if they get hits to their credit, because it isnt like they can afford $500-600k homes and $50k cars anyway.

So is HC in America finally toast? What happens when the vast majority of Americans simply decide to stop paying the outrageous costs and risk can no longer be pooled for insurance plans because huge numbers of people can't afford it anymore? The entire system for insurance will collapse. Costs keep going up, which makes fewer amd fewer people able to afford it, which causes even more people to drop causing prices to escalate even more. It is a circular problem out of control.

HC in the US may finally be over as we know it, and it feels a lot different this time.

I wish. But we are a country that allows Kindergarteners to be slaughtered in their classrooms with no change in policy. So why would the US suddenly care about HC that would help people live healthier (and more debt free) lives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole fiasco solidly proves we need universal healthcare.

It's not that easy in the US to set up, it's just not. It's a HUGE country with a lot of unhealthy people to start with. I could give you 50 reasons why it's near impossible. I'm not suggesting HC reform isn't needed or that I'm opposed to universal healthcare - it's just that the reality of putting in one in the US today is a pipe dream. It would never work.

Our entire lifestyle and beliefs profoundly differ from countries with successful existing universal HC systems. I'm not sure what would work.

Thta's true and one reason why universal health care is not a great starting place.

However, implementing a single payer system would be much easier and much less disruptive. And would largley reduce costs while freeing up doctors to doctor instead of arguing with insurance companies about whether something is medically necessary.

How would single payer reduce costs? The provider accepts whatever govt dictates? For all providers providing the same services?

Does the govt now argue whether something is medically necessary or not?

[Anonymous]

After Republicans refused to extend ACA subsidies, 4 Michigan insurers are dropping out of the ACA marketplace altogether. That’s 200,000 Michiganders who just lost their plans.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2025/11/12/michigan-insurers-dropping-obamacare-costs-triple/87131259007/

We will see a lot more of this in the coming weeks.

[Anonymous]

The reason it's unlikely to happen is not because it's too complicated or challenging compared to other countries, it's because of the powerful lobby of providers, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole fiasco solidly proves we need universal healthcare.

It's not that easy in the US to set up, it's just not. It's a HUGE country with a lot of unhealthy people to start with. I could give you 50 reasons why it's near impossible. I'm not suggesting HC reform isn't needed or that I'm opposed to universal healthcare - it's just that the reality of putting in one in the US today is a pipe dream. It would never work.

Our entire lifestyle and beliefs profoundly differ from countries with successful existing universal HC systems. I'm not sure what would work.

Thta's true and one reason why universal health care is not a great starting place.

However, implementing a single payer system would be much easier and much less disruptive. And would largley reduce costs while freeing up doctors to doctor instead of arguing with insurance companies about whether something is medically necessary.

How would single payer reduce costs? The provider accepts whatever govt dictates? For all providers providing the same services?

Does the govt now argue whether something is medically necessary or not?

Right off the top is the money that insurance companies use for huge salaries, bonuses, private planes, shareholder retreats, profit, etc. Add on to that there is no need for broad marketing and advertising. Basic savings from having economies of scale.

As for care, Medicare already does that. And do you really want someone whose bonus is related to your claims being denied and approval for medical treatment rejected deciding whether or not you need something? Remember, your loss is their gain.

[Anonymous]

Even with good insurance choices are getting worse. The biggest hospital system near me stopped taking BCBS, all plans included plans through employers. It’s not sustainable in terms of cost or actual access.

[Anonymous]

People have to be more responsible and save their money to cover paying for health insurance and out of pocket expenses. ACA plans are still pretty reasonable and there are good plans available to most people for $500 to $1,000 per person per month, even without subsidies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have to be more responsible and save their money to cover paying for health insurance and out of pocket expenses. ACA plans are still pretty reasonable and there are good plans available to most people for $500 to $1,000 per person per month, even without subsidies.

It is way worse than “people have to…save their money.”

It’s complicated if you have terrible medical issues. My friend has a child whose existence depends on a specific formula brand. It is only covered from one medical supply company. That company does not carry the brand right now. So she buys it from Amazon-no health insurance coverage. Again, it’s covered by her insurance, but the system is convoluted.
$6k per month if she went without insurance coverage.
$500 per month on Amazon
Would be free if the supplier and coverage lined up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have to be more responsible and save their money to cover paying for health insurance and out of pocket expenses. ACA plans are still pretty reasonable and there are good plans available to most people for $500 to $1,000 per person per month, even without subsidies.

So along with high housing costs, out of control grocery costs, and high utility bills, people need to save more money. Americans are tapped out, sir! There isn’t money left over to save. Don’t you understand this?! This is why people are angry. All those productivity gains that the American worker achieved was rewarded with payouts to CEOs and shareholders. The workers’ wage gains are stagnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have to be more responsible and save their money to cover paying for health insurance and out of pocket expenses. ACA plans are still pretty reasonable and there are good plans available to most people for $500 to $1,000 per person per month, even without subsidies.

Those are crap plans with high deductibles and huge out-of-pocket caps. And to be reasonably prudent, you should have twice the out-of-pocket cap saved and ready to spend. So that's like 20,000 ready to spend. Why? What happens if you start getting treated for cancer in December? The OOP resets January 1 so you are on the hook again for your OOP.

[Anonymous]

I am fine with my health insurance, its just part of my pay package when considering a job. If they have more expensive health insurance then I ask for more money or weigh it against another job offer