Originally posted by SOB
and...? What did having health care coverage get you that you wouldn't have gotten otherwise? That's a serious question, not a smartass remark...believe it or not.
my cousin was in a bike accident in the late 80's. she had health insurance but no proof of it when she hit the emergency room(out of state and didn't have the card with her).
the ER was going to take off her legs as the reconstructive surgery was too expensive for someone without med insurance. they are only required to stabilize your condition so you don't die.
it required a large and loud altercation at the hospital to stall them while someone in her hometown was located who could break into her house, find the insurance card, and fax it to the hospital.
she walks fine now. had she not had insurance she'd be a double amputee.
if there is any way you can get it, you need insurance. most of the time you seem to be just throwing good money after bad, but get an unexpected illness or injury and it could save your life (or at least how you get around in this life).
think how much a big-ticket illness or injury can cost. how many people have to pay in more than they take out in order to that to balance out? a lot.
the math is fairly simple. if the insurance companies didn't have enough people paying in above their benefit level to cover those who need major coverage (plus a nice chunk of change for profit and administrative costs), they wouldn't be in business.
thats why we need a gov't health plan. health care should be driven by service and need, not profit.
