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Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Oeconomicus who wrote (11400)	7/14/2004 1:16:13 PM
From: Orcastraiter	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 90947

In Texas it's almost half... Texas led the list of states with the highest percentage of uninsured people at 43.4 percent. New Mexico was second with 42.4 percent and California followed with 37.1 percent. Or if you're hispanic or black it's "half" Hispanics, the nation's largest minority group, had the highest rate of uninsured at just under 60 percent. Nearly 43 percent of blacks under 65 were uninsured and almost 24 percent of whites. reuters.com And the number of uninsured is rising. This doesn't include the number of underinsured, or the folks that have catastrophic insurance with $5,000 or $10,000 dollar deductables. You can't call up the doctor when you're throat is swollen. While visiting Canadian friends I witnessed my friends daughter call her doctor and get an appointment that afternoon...she was feeling dizzy. When was the last time you made a doctor's appointment for a minor ailment like that? It isn't done in America. You take two aspirins and wait till tomorrow. Healthcare in this country is back loaded, addressing problems only after they have fully developed into serious conditions. Even when we had health insurance, much of the bill was not covered. Certain procedures and drugs...not covered. Having health insurance in this country does not mean that you'll have good health care. In fact it often means that you get second rate care, or no care at all...yet you pay through the nose for that. Orca

To: Oeconomicus who wrote (11400)	7/14/2004 1:50:57 PM
From: Orcastraiter	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 90947

Blue Cross in Washington...trying to change from a non-profit to a for profit corporation. When Blue Cross or Blue Shield companies go "for profit," the amount of their income they pay to doctors and hospitals drops from 85 percent to 75 percent. Where does the money go? Now Premera wants to participate in this high-stakes game, through conversion from its nonprofit status. According to witnesses at the insurance commissioner's hearing, Premera's executives are paid well above industry standards; Premera's CEO has already bumped his salary from $600,000 to $1.2 million over the past four years. If Premera "converts," especially if, and when, it merges with Anthem/Wellpoint, the executives will be eligible for even more spoils, including stock options over the next few years. seattletimes.nwsource.com Hey I have a great idea. Lets add toll booths to every freeway ramp and convert the interstate system to a for profit corporation! Orca