US ambassador killed over a film

[LochnarITB]

They wouldn't have had to worry about medical costs whatsoever.

I can't express how sad this makes me for Shoju, myself and our country. I am living within our system and am of the opinion that ObamaCare has not gone far enough. I believe that our system is going to, sooner or later, crash and burn and we will finally adopt a universal care system modeled on our socially aware neighbors to the north.

My story. I have been living with multiple issues for 15+ years. I'm in a doctor's office at least weekly, have been in the hospital at least 3-4 times in that period and even spent 10 months in acute care in a nursing home. Even with insurance, in that time I burned through tens of thousands of dollars meant to be working toward retirement. As I was unable to work, I eventually was forced to go onto Social Security Disability which qualified me for medicare. Even with medicare, I need to have additional insurance to cover what medicare wouldn't. I have a good plan which, along with medicare and extra help for low income, covers almost everything except co-pays on prescriptions (I take a pharmacy so they are still $1-200/month). Even so, the cost of Medicare, supplemental insurance and co-pays eats 40+% of my fixed SSD income. I then have to pay rent and groceries and all the odd day to day expenses on top of that (actually part of the reason WoW had to finally go ). My SSD is more than many other folks on Social Security. I just don't know how they survive. I certainly understand when I hear of folks having to choose between medication and food.

The expenses that are such a hardship for folks is a game between the medical providers and insurance providers. The medical providers bill the insurance company. The insurance company negotiates down what portion is actually required. The medical provider increases its pricing the next round. The insurance company again negotiates. The medical provider increases pricing. On and on. I see supplies charged 20 to 30 and more times prices I could get the exact same things myself. I see charges of several hundred, even thousands, for 15-30 minutes of office time. I've talked to providers about it and they readily admit to the game but it goes on. Further evidence of the game is that people that inform them before service that they are without insurance are billed at a lower rate than is a billing to insurance. Even those bills are inflated because of the game.

Both medical and insurance providers need to be reined in. I have very little belief that either of our main presidential candidates will be able to do so. Although I see a slight possibility in one over the other, my voice doesn't even matter in trying to back them as I am not in a swing state. I hope those of you who are in swing states get it right. I am anxious to get through this election and on to 2013 to see what comes. I feel that jobs and the deficit are huge problems for country. However, I feel healthcare is the biggest crisis and in most need of correction. Much of our country does not realize the scope of the crisis. It has only marginally affected them. They have not been hit hard by the need but I guarantee that they, or someone close to them, will find themselves in that position and they will wish for better than what they get.