fatbrit

Fatbrit likes ellipsis!

neil

You do realise that there will come a time when insurance companies will take into account your smoking/drinking history when deciding what they will pay for when you become sick? When they get to a point when it is possible for them to monitor your lifestyle easily this would be a logical step for them.

ugacrew

Some deny coverage all together due to pre-existing conditions.

Tracym

The fear is not of the cost.

The fear is of rationing, and/or loss of quality.

simongb

BritguyTN, I agree with you. Gay marriage is a civil right. In a country that supposedly prides itself on equality and justice for all, apparently gay people do not count. Bush and the rest of his fascist junta have used gay rights as a divisive issue for their own political gains. The fact is that the majority of US voters are sheep that have knee jerk reactions to 'hot button issues' rather than thinking them through to a logical conclusion. Most civilised countries in the world have gay civil unions of some sort and that the US does not says a lot about civil rights in this country. Unless you are straight, white and republican there are not many 'civil rights' for you!

Tracym

We're idiots in that area.

If two grown-ups want to civilly commit to each other, that's their business.

BritGuyTN

edited for accuracy

marriedtothemod

a bit like the current system then?

Elvira

LOL.......... you took the words out of my mouth...

Steerpike

Absolutely correct.

I do hope the poster who said "if the goverment is in charge of my health then that gives them reason to tell me what to eat Drink Smoke etc etc ... it would be like moving back in with my mom and dad " realises that this is exactly the case today with the private insurance companies.

As long as you are eligible for group insurance, they cannot deny you coverage. But the minute you apply for insurance as an individual, they require you to disclose your past history, both of medical problems, and 'lifestyle'. There are well documented cases of people being denied coverage due to a past history of smoking. Think you can lie? When they finally open you up and see the scar tissue in your lungs, they will take steps to invalidate your insurance claiming you lied on your application. This is NOT a good country to smoke in!

I would personaly welcome insurance that gave penalties for bad lifestyles, benefits for good lifestyles. Smoke, bungee-jump - pay more! However - I think it is wrong beyond words that they can deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions, conditions you had no control over. A close friend recently went through the whole breast cancer thing; she came through it well, thank goodness, and was incredibly well looked after - consultations, options, 2nd, 3rd opinions, etc - but if she were to lose her job and have to get private insurance as an individual, she could definitely be turned down, which is inhuman and barbaric.

Xebedee

Yes. There is also the fear of universal (socialised) healthcare because the average American simply does not understand it. Then there is the strange concept that there is a loss in personal freedom because the fed govt. has taken over that part of peoples' lives.

simongb

It is absolutely insane that the US does not have some kind of universal health care. When politicians call it 'socialised' medicine it makes my blood boil. So, we have 'socialised' education then? How about our 'socialised' police force? Again, we have a knee jerk reaction from the electorate and they vote against anyone supporting national health. As if healthcare for all will lead to the destruction of the nation? The other argument I hear is, 'we have 20 MRI machines in Baltimore alone and they only have 20 in the whole of Canada!'. Ok, what's the point in having all those machines when not everyone gets to use them??? Sometimes (more than not lately) I feel like I am going insane here and then I come on the forum and you guys remind me thet I am normal! British! Thanks!

neil

I think we should privatise the police - everyone has to pay insurance and when you need the police for whatever reason you have to get pre-approval from your insurance company. Then we should do the same for the fire service.

lapin_windstar

Isn't that how it used to be in many places in the US and that's why they're called Springfield Fire Co?

Tracym

In many cases, the fire department is volunteer.