There is no question that affordable health care is one of the most important issues facing America today. In the richest country in the history of the world many, many families (poor and middle class) cannot affod medical insurance. They live in constant fear the on any given day someting might happen that can completely wipe them out. It's just not right. My family is own that every year we agonize over the cost and wonder if we can afford to continue the coverage we have.

I think that govenrment needs to take a hard look at the entire medical and insurance industry and realize that much of America is held hostage by thir accepted busines practices. Medical billing is one of the most messed up systems that cause confusion and often overpayments that in turn drive up insurance rates. No one can understand these bills nor can many of us spend hours talking to machines on the phone trying to work out these bills. The insurance industry is catching on to this game and instead of fighting for the customers are joining the fraud because they find it cheaper to pay than to spend the time to find out if the bills are legit. After all the poor schmuck that has been paying the premiums is ultimately respponsible to the medical providers. Insurance and medical industry cracks the bubbly and toast to another year of record profits.

When are you going to tell the whole story? When are you going to hold your guests to telling the truth?

Guppy stated that if you got insurance from your employer, it wasn't taxed, but if you paid your own, you paid 100% tax. This is an outright lie. You paid 100% of the cost of your insurance. That is not a tax. A tax is a different thing.

Geyman mentions that 10% of the sickest people consume 72% of the healthcare. What he doesn't mention is that the US taxpayer pays for these people already--through Medicare (old sick people) and Medicaid (poor sick people). If you spread the costs the US taxpayer already pays over the lower cost of insuring healthy people--the ones the health insurance industry makes their money on--the cost per person would drop significantly, saving everyone money.

Private insurance companies are not about delivering health care. They are about delivering profits to their shareholders. Their shareholders, by the way, are the average worker's pension funds, 401Ks, and mutual funds--not imaginary rich people.

The use of terms like "socialized medicine," and examples of Canada, et al, where health care is "rationed," are used as scare tactics to protect insurance company profits. The US is not going throw away MRI machines if we go to single payer. We have already developed the infrastructure to support a single payer system.

Now get out there and tell the WHOLE story instead of just scratching the surface!

I currently have medical coverage. But my company has promised to outsource our jobs and lay us all off. The problem for me will be healthcare. I came down with a health problem. Finding healthcoverage with an existing health problem is going to be very expensive if not impossible for me. And I earn an income. I am going to need government assistance to get health insurance, because I am too much of a health risk. I currently pay 100% of my mental health bills, because my healthcoverage does not cover mental health. And I pay $180 a month for medications. I need health coverage for regular health - like broken bones. But my existing health problems will prevent this in the future. I am going to need government intervention just to get basic healthcare coverage. I see myself joining the ranks of the people without health coverage - without choice.

I became disabled with MS and unable to work full-time a little more than 2 years ago. SSDI was denied, I am currently on appeal. Thankfully my mother was able to pay COBRA for the 18 months alloted time period so I could retain group health coverage and my MS drugs. Fortunately the law states COBRA's exhaustion meant I am guareenteed private health care plan of my choice -- which my mother is now paying at $500 month for Lifewise comprehensive plan. Imagine our shock at learning NO private healthplan pays for MS self-injectables (or cancer)which have been proven to delay progession. The cost for these specialty drugs, in my case Copaxone, ranges over $1500 a month. This is way beyond her means -- and of course mine. The end result is that I am not able to afford the MS drugs that can help me. This is outrageous! IF EVERYone could afford healthcare coverage -- including illegal residents who put a burden on the healthcare system by receiving free hosptial care -- perhaps All who need it will have access to Multiple Sclerosis or cancer or whatever specialty drugs are prescribed by his or her doctors.
To the woman interviewed on the show that stated affordable private insurance for catastrophic was all that was needed -- I KNOW she'll sing a different tune when a chronic disease strikes her or a family member. No one wants to lose a job or a home under such tragic -- and expensive -- circumstance.

The problem we have with the healthcare insurance system is that we have a special needs son who qualifies for Medicaid coupons from the state. This seems like it should be a good thing, except that when you try to find a doctor in your area that accepts Medicaid coupons, nobody is accepting Medicaid. We think that all doctors should be required to take on a certain percentage of active Medicaid/Medicare patients, say 10-15%. Then, if the doctor has met his/her quota for Medicaid patients, he/she can refuse additional Medicaid patients. This way, the burdon of accepting low Medicaid/Medicare payments would be spread around amongst all the doctors in the area. Medicaid/Medicare patients, then, would have a choice of more accessible doctors closer to where they live, and thus receive better healthcare coverage.

1. Insurance companies need universal forms.
2. I have experienced health care in other countries as a non-medical Rotaplast volunteer and as a victim of a fall in Bolivia where a plastic surgeon stitched me up with a nurse and doctor at my side. Total cost: less than $500 and I had to fight with my insurance company for the $60.00 check they sent. U.S. price, probably $5000.00. Many of these professionals are educated or have practiced in the USA.
3. My friend has relatives in Alberta, Canada and tells me their care is excellent, better than ours.
4. We belong to a dental plan, not insurance, that offers fixed low prices for listed procedures. Two dentists in our area honor it. Teeth cleaning costs $44.00; this is almost as inexpensive as in Mexico. No insurance forms necessary; just pay the day of service.
5. Buying prescription drugs from other countries is still less costly than using Medicare Part D and you never have to pay the higher monthly coverage to stay out of that "donut hole".
6. Now that I'm on Medicare, I still have the same doctor. My Part B and supplemental cost less each month than my single payer HSA plan did and I have no co-payments for office visits and hospital so I'm actually better off.
7. Our systems are bogged down in paperwork and trying to get out of paying claims. Just keep it simple.

When all in Congress receive the same benefits as each citizen receives ie: Social Security, Medicare, medical options, etc. there will be changes that benefit all of us. They are excluded from these benefits because the government covers them or they are allowed to pay for the benefits.

Robert:

I usually enjoy your show. But I just caught the start of the health care segment and I have to say that the owner of the painting company who said something about having six employees and that trying to get insurance for them for a year would cost $60,000-$80,000. THAT IS JUST A LIE.

Why does Robert allow that on the air -- edit it out and use real numbers

go to ehealthinsurance.com and look it up

Decent health insurance cost about $200-$300/month/employee that works out ($250 x 12 months x six employees) to $18,000 a year NOT $60,000 to $80,000 a year

If you a doing a serious show, please use math to back up the claims

Stop adding the the endless misinformation and get back to looking at the issue in a reasonable manner.

I'd like to hear RObert's response to how he lets such distortions on the air.

The countries England, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, Sweden, Northway, Finland, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, Candada. All have longer life spans than the United States.Their combined population is over 400 million.

United States is only 300 million.

All these countries with the exception of the United States have universal Health coverage.

Therefore we should also have universal heath care for everyone.

Bill Jury

During the broadcast I heard it suggested that Canada’s socialized medicine system was, in some ways, better than what’s available in the U.S. Having experienced both systems first hand, it makes my blood boil when I hear this. Although Canada’s health care is “free”, it is not uncommon for one to wait months to see a specialist. Spending hours in a waiting room is also quite common, appointment or not. The quality of the physicians is also significantly worse. The young and talented all go south where they can make better than twice the money, as the Canadian government heavily regulates how much doctors can make.

I do agree the U.S. system needs some adjustments, but you’re fooling yourself if you think Canada’s system is better.

Don’t blindly accept life span statistics and assume that all these other countries have better health care. The U.S. has a lot of obese people, which categorically will be less healthy and will have much shorter life spans. This is a cultural lifestyle problem in the U.S., and not necessarily a reflection of health care system shortcomings.

The Medicaid and Medicare programs, not to mention the private HMO's and employer's insurance companies, could save millions of dollars, if not hundreds of millions, if they would step up and proactively treat patients as soon as possible.

Instead, they deny medical coverage to the disabled and chronically ill, until these people become so ill they require insanely expensive bypass surgery or organ transplants to save their lives.

In other words, they'll pay $350,000 for a triple bypass, while refusing to cover $2500-5000 in tests, treatments and proper lifestyle education programs that could help people get well and get back to work.

Insane.

There are so many who trash socialized medical care. While it may not be perfect it's certainly better than having people do without. I'm 59 yrs old, self employed (and not making that much), have no medical OR dental and have no way to pay for it unless I don't pay my rent or utilities. Is that reasonable?

Thanks for providing access to debates on important topics (we watch on a regular basis). The segment on healthcare hit home with us and is important to all. As Guppy spoke, warning sirens went off and I went to his website to see if I could find out who was paying his salary. No clues. I have some idea of the doctors point of view .... have nothing to gauge Guppy with (other than his rude behavior ... the choking and laughing sounds came through when the doctor was speaking). It would be very helpful to know whose opinion the Guppy's of the world are spewing. After spending my adult life being manipulated by politicians, "policy centers", and advertising I have found it wise to be able to unwind the spin. Robert, you could certainly help by letting us know who is really talking in these debates.

As a Canadian, I have never had any problems seeing a doctor. Never pay !!

Don't listen to the spin the right wing are telling you.The wait list are far and few between.

It's just scare tactics by lobbyists so they can make more money.

It is said of our democracy
that it is the worst form
of government save all others.

Can we say the same of our
healthcare system?

If not then maybe there's something we can stand to
learn from how others provide healthcare.

If as has been said of
justice it's should not
be the numbers affected
but the merits of each case, then by that standard
of measurement there's no
possible improvement to
be suggested which can
withstand such scrutiny.

We will never have a please
all perfect system, all
too often we are deluded
into letting the perfect
be the enemy of the good.

And the good is in the
eyes of MANY beholders.
And subject to many
definitions.

One good pandemic will
resolve our problems.

We will then either see our way fit to a greater good
born of necessity or we
will let the preferences of
class, ethnicity, and profit tear us a new one.

The current system fails.

The last thing you want is your healthcare tied to your employer, just as you don't want your retirement in employer stock (remember enron, united, etc). The problem is when you get sick, you can't work and you loose your job and you loose your insurance.

There is nothing wrong with government health, government fire departments, government schools, government libraries etc,

Things that everyone needs are best done by govt or govt regulated monopolies.

The logical thing to do would be to open medicare to everyone . Insurance companies keep 10% of revenue for their profit. Medicare runs on 1.5% We already have the bureaucracy

Everyone needs health insurance since you can not opt out of getting sick or injured and should have basic medicare and if they want to buy more let them

This newly retired 60yo millionaire (30+ yrs in healthcare) has been turned down by insurance co's for any coverage. I could pay $7,500+/yr.for 18 months & then go to wash. state basic coverage until Medicare at age 65. That million dollars may all be spent out of pocket & then bankruptcy if I experience a catasrophe. This is a healthcare system?!!!!

I'd like to know whose payroll Guppy is on. His constant snickering while the other gentleman spoke was not appreciated. For the thousands of folks whose employers don't provide coverage, and who make too much for Basic Health but not enough to pay individual plan premiums, this really isn't funny at all.

Government run health care is NOT the way to go:

* Legislation passed this year in Olympia to set up a "Partnership" so goverment could help some small businesses purchase health care will actually increase the cost of health care for small businesses in two ways. We don't need higher costs.
* My sister in-law has been a health care provider for years. Really sick people from Canada, the U.K. and other parts of the world with government run health care systems continually come to the U.S. to get their treatment for serious health conditions because their government run health care programs fail to deliver.
* My brother in-law is from the U.K. and his parents remained living there. His father had a long history of heart problems and was under treatment. He was having problems and sought an appointment to see his doctor. He had to wait several weeks. His funeral was on the date of his doctor's appointment. Government run health care systems ration health care services to the detriment of the people it provides care for.

Yes, things can be done to make Washington's health care system more affordable like not require people to buy coverage they don't want through mandates, and get government to let private market competition truly work instead of over regulating as they are now.

Amazing how the doctor on King 5's Up Front said he wanted a single payer government run health care insurance system but they do not want a government run health care delivery system where the government regulates the delivery of health care services. The docs want the delivery system to stay private. If its good for the goose, its good for the gander. You can't have it both ways docs. If you want those you treat to be in a government run health care system, then get ready for the government to run your practices.

I am a registered nurse, I have worked here for 16 yrs and previously worked in Canada. I would welcome a universal health care system here. I don't think most Americans realize how much health care the government ( tax payers) already pay for. The millions of uninsured show up in the Emergency room far more ill than the average because they are turned away from doctors offices if they can't pay,hospital emergency rooms are mandated to care for them. The cost is written off and those with insurance pay more to make up the difference. People with insurance have co-pays, they usually are more responsible about tests and treatments. They usually try to leave the hospital as soon as possible. People on government insurance( welfare, illegal immigrants etc.) seem to get everything they need without any worry about paying anything. My hubby had minor day surgery last year and we had to pay almost $ 1500 above what our insurance paid. My family in Canada laugh at the fear mongering that politicians throw out about universal health care. Yes some might wait for elective procedures in large metropolitan areas, but here in the US I have to wait 3 months for a yearly check-up. People in Canada and Britain don't loose their savings and homes over health care bills. There has to be a better system for the richest country in the world. what we have now is just too costly and burdensome for everyone but the very rich and the very poor.

"Health" care, Health?—In my opinion, we do no have 'Health care' here in the USA.
We simply have disease oriented care, and it is not satisfying. That is the problem.

Therefore, the question, is do we want, "Health Care" in the USA?
If we do, that means acknowledging more than allopathic medicine. It includes a conscious diversity of philosophies on health and healing and a desire to inspire individuals to truly live in healthy ways. Quality of health, quality of life, quality of care by healthy care providers.
For example, as in European countries, Health care in the USA then would include at a minimum the field of Homeopathy.

Here is an opportunity for all of us working together to truly define and implement
"Health care" in this great country.

In my opinion there are a few steps that need to be implemented to control insurance costs. All of these controls have to be set by the Federal Government
1. Set limits to monetary compensation for malpractice suits.
The only one winning these cases are the lawyers.
2. Set limit to annual rates for malpractice and health insurance. Making isurance affordable for everyone.
3. Make it mandatory for everyone to have health insurance. Thus the reasoning of setting premium limits.
4. Make it mandatory for employers to pay portion of insurance for all employees, including part-time employees. Too many businesses are cheating their employees by hiring only part-time or intermittent employees, I feel intentionally to keep from having to pay any benefits.
When everyone has to be insured and employers have to foot a large amount of the bill pressure will come to force government to put a control on premiums.
Right now two groups are benefitting from health insurance, lawyers and CEO's. All types of insurance are out of control, but health insurance is the worst. None of them care about you, just the almighty dollar.
Government should make all insurance companies become Non profit organizations, just kidding, but really maybe that is something to look into. I don't mind a CEO making a couple hundred thousand a year if his program is working, customers are getting kickbacks because business didn't cost as much as expected, insurance claims are handled quickly and efficiently, and patients are comfortable with their coverage. If these don't exist then the CEO should be paid about twenty five thousand and forced to buy his own insurance policy.

Your insurance company representative presented the ridiculous and self-serving arguments that one has come to expect from the special interest groups that increasingly seem to run this country. Mr. Mak, all those issues you mentioned are connected by the common thread of special interest.
We have the oil companies for Iraq, insurance and chemical companies for healthcare, labor uniuons for immigration and education,and unethical politicians casting the votes that count. I ALWAYS vote, and it ALWAYS irritates me. Loree

I doubt that there will be any significant change in the US health care system, ever.

And, I doubt that the Canadian publically funded system will be able to weather the ongoing onslaught from insurance companies and physician's associations, who all want Canada to open up to "two-tier" system (private and public), which everyone agrees would be the first step in gutting the public system. In the US, the private medical insurance companies are making too much profit, and will lobby behind the scenes to ensure that nothing will threaten it.

But if you want to truly understand the issues in the US system, look at the Canadian system and ask: who wants to change the Canadian system? and, who likes the system just as it is?

In Canada, the lobbyists for change are the doctors organisations (notably the specialists), the insurance companies, private industry and their right-wing apologists who stand for "more profit" and "less taxes". The insurance companies want a slice of the health care pie, and we can predict confidently that when they get their slice the quality of care for the poor will go down and the costs for the poor will go up.

Who likes the system as it currently stands? The common people, the poor and the middle class, who all LOVE and cherish the Canadian system. It's far from perfect, but it is extremely valuable. We fought hard for it and it became federal law and the common people DO NOT want it changed. It's not hard to undersand why. One of the worst things to happen in the life of an ordinary person is to be diagnosed with a serious illness. That, in itself, is extremely stressful. Who would want the extra burden of trying to figure out how to pay for the necessary care? At least, in the Canadian system with it's mandate that everyone is automatically entitled to health care, you can rely on pre-paid ambulance service, doctor's care, nursing care, hospital care, diagnostic care, out-patient clinics, medicine, etc. being there for you. It's available to EVERYONE.

You don't have to worry about it, ever! It is already there for you, regardless of your income. There are no "exclusions" and you cannot be denied. The burden for the cost of all of it has been shared equally across the entire country. So, it unifies the country as well. The cost is covered by taxes and relatively small monthly premiums (for example, in BC a family pays $108 per month for all coverage, less if your income is low). You cannot ever be denied service, you cannot lose it if you lose your job, or move to a different city, or switch jobs, or get old, or get sick. This is a terrific boon to everyone, but especially those in the lower economic classes in Canada, and it vastly improves the quality of life for those people. But, of course, it costs a lot of money, paid for through taxation, which is high in Canada compared to the US (I have lived and worked in both countries). The majority of Canadians are willing to pay higher taxes in the knowledge that everyone, including themselves, is entitled to a minimum level of care.

Understandably, the wealthy seek to reduce taxes, and reduce the "theft" of their income through taxation to support the poor.

It is a class war, with the insurance lobby pumping more propaganda everyday. The wealthy class has always had the upper hand, except for a few minor losses (universal medicare being one of the worst), and they simply want to maintain their dominant position.

I have written to politicians many times suggesting healthcare suggestions, such as; a portion of Income taxes used toward healthcare for all US Citizens. I have suggested the refurbishing of all disused Military facilities, towards hospitals, and clinics for the poor to receive healthcare. Also separating Catastrophic and Preventitive healthcare for all citizens, but no one has ever considered any of these. Perhaps they are not the best suggestions, but it strikes me no one is listening to any of "We The People". Come election time I think changes should be made. Perhaps then the politicians will get the message.

"As a Canadian"

First off jerk, this isn't Canada so shut you damned pie hole.

Second off, I will not pay another God damned tax to go into another socialist style coffer so the bastards in Washington can pick it clean. National socialist health care in America will be a financial disaster. Not a penny of my money to a lazy good for nothing welfare case, screw you!

"People in Canada and Britain don't loose their savings and homes over health care bills."

No, they just get raped in the butt with taxes.