Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : BS Bar & Grill - Open 24 Hours A Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: KLP who wrote (1989)	11/3/2002 1:31:04 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6901

Sorry KLP - I was halfway through my coffee and still groggy. The questions she asked were fair questions. One of the problems we face with private health care is free riding. That's the strongest argument in favor of government health care, in my opinion -- it gets rid of free riders. On balance, I prefer privatized health care because there is a greater incentive to provide excellent health care for those who can afford it, which has a demonstrable tendency to improve the quality of care overall. When I came down with rheumatoid arthritis in 1998, after waiting a few painful months for my HMO GP to diagnose me, I learned there was a waiting list of about a year to see a rheumatologist. So I paid a few thousand out of my own pocket for a private rheumatologist and the necessary tests, and armed with the diagnosis and recommendations went back to my HMO. They were willing to treat me as per the recommendations, and now I just pay a $10 co-pay for visits and a $10 co-pay for medication. I take a great deal of comfort in the knowledge that whenever Kaiser balks, I can pay out of my own pocket for outside help. This may be the best way for people with chronic conditions.