Florida used to have this program. We do have a program for children, but not adults.
The 50 million uninsured touted by many is one of those statistics that must be looked at carefully. Does it include those who CHOOSE not to have insurance and who can pay for it? Yes it does. There are many young people who choose not to pay as little as $100.00 per month for a fairly comprehensive individual insurance plan.
The following data is from
NCPA
"Although it is common to think of the uninsured as having low incomes, many families who lack insurance are solidly middle class. And the largest increase in the number of uninsured in recent years has occurred among higher-income families:
* About one in seven uninsured persons lives in a family with an income between $50,000 and $75,000, and almost one in six earns more than $75,000.
* Further, between 1993 and 1999, the bulk of the increase in the number of uninsured was among the households earning more than $50,000.
* By contrast, in households earning less than $50,000 the number of uninsured decreased by about 5 percent."
These are people who willingly choose to live in $1200.00 apartments, $500.00 car payments, $100.00 cable tv, $100.00 cell phones, and fun money to go out every weekend drinking and having a good time. They are healthy and qualify for any plan, but do not want to pay for insurance since they feel they don't need it and if they get sick can pay $150.00 for a doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics, thus saving money. Then they get older and have a health issue and suddenly do not qualify for the insurance or if they qualify are charge a great deal more for the same plan.
There needs to be a system where competition exists to make the hospitals and doctors charge reasonable prices. As it is, most people cannot shop around when they are very ill or in an emergency. Those on insurance don't care what the real costs are because they will pay their deductible and co-pay regardless of the final bill. The bill they see from their insurance company may say as mine did $90,000.00 for various surgery and hospital treatment, when in reality the company only paid approximately $25,000.00. That $90,000.00 is what I would have had to pay had I NOT had insurance.
It's a shell game. I recommend everyone go to
Hospital Victims and see what the reality is with these "non-profit" hospitals. Then pick your state and and find your hospital on the list. Most are grossly overcharging in lab, radiology, etc.. Here is what my local hospital overcharges:
Capital Regional Medical Center (Tallahassee, FL)
charges 493% times its costs.
That is 422% times what Johns Hopkins charges!
under anscillary charges:
Anesthesiology
Mark-Up 3,896%
Costs $362,275
Charges $14,113,974
Look at that mark-up! This is for Anesthesiology! Something you need in an emergency. It cost the hospital $362,275 and yet they billed $14,113,974!!!
This is the sort of **** that is ruining the health care system. Radiology Associates has a monopoly on this service and overcharges for it.
Here is one more example from this hospital:
Laboratory
Mark-Up 1,181%
Costs $3,456,067
Charges $40,800,994
Lab work cost the hospital about three and a half million and yet they billed almost forty-one million!!! There are ways to fight this abuse, especially if you are uninsured.
Read on the site about how to
defend yourself. They will even review your bills and help you. The site says:
"Know Your Rights
Plan to Fight to Protect Your Assets:
The courts say hospitals can collect only what is reasonable. Yes, all patients are required to sign a commitment to pay whatever is charged for treatment. But the courts have consistently ruled that hospital charges must be REASONABLE.
What's a reasonable charge?
That depends on the procedure, any complications, and in what area of the country you are hospitalized. What Medicare pays is a benchmark. Insurance companies usually pay 5% to 10 % more than medicare, but not 3 to 4 times more! We can help you find out what is reasonable.
Don't let your credit be destroyed!
It's important for you to take action. Write the hospital and credit agencies. Collection agencies, working on behalf of hospitals, have ruined the credit of many uninsured families in attempting to collect unreasonable bills. Writing a simple letter can protect you and your credit. We've posted a letter that you should fill out and send to the hospital, collection agency, and national credit bureaus. Keep a copy for yourself."
This organization is fantastic, and more should avail themselves of it's services and information!