There's nobody more bureaucratic than insurance companies

[Joanne98]

Run time: 02:17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrgD4-ieDMY   Posted on YouTube: January 19, 2011 By YouTube Member: ThinkProgress2 Views on YouTube: 20   Posted on DU: January 19, 2011 By DU Member: Joanne98 Views on DU: 780

 

YAY!

[lobodons]

1. Finally!!!

I have always thought one of the biggest issues involved was that the #1 priority for health insurance companies is profit which is a result of NOT providing Health Care.

[Lars77]

2. I've explained this over and over again to my American friends

I'm Norwegian, living in Germany. In order to get access to healthcare here in Germany, i have to do the following.

Go on the internet
Type in my social security number and a pin code that comes with my tax return form
One week later i get my European Health Care card in the mail.



This entitles me to public healthcare all over the European Union, equal to the standard of the country i'm in (I edited some text here, i thought it also covered private hospitals. Oh well).

This card is all i need to show to get a medical check up or see a specialist about whatever ailes me. I don't have to get pre-approval, i don't sign anything binding, and if i pay something it is a small premium for use of equipment or whatever, nothing big.

I will not get a letter from the government about it afterwards either.


The beurocrats are employed by the health care companies, because they have to scrutinize every case to see if they can get out of it without paying somehow. In a public, single payer system everyone are covered, and the beurocrats are reduntant.

[Joanne98]

7. We're sooooo JEALOUS!

But we're happy for you!

:)

[Lars77]

8. Wasn't meant to brag :)

I'm just so frustrated with the system you guys have, it could be soooo much better. When i travel to the US i see people walking the streets who just really should be treated for something, it's the only place in the west you see people who are obviously suffering from something out in public. I am also worried that we are going in the same direction, maybe not with the insurance model, but every time there's a financial crisis or percieved crisis or there might BE a crisis, the shock doctrine kicks into effect, and the further dismantling of the European states kick into motion.

[Uncle Joe]

3. I agree with Congressman Miller's take on the for profit "health" insurance bureaucracy but

I don't believe the opposition is real.

The for profit "health" insurance corporations are tickled pink at having government enforced captured clientele and the Republicans are putting up opposition for show.

Thanks for the thread, Joanne.

[brewens]

4. The question is,do you want to deal with a bureaucracy designed

to deny health care to maximize profits, or a bureaucracy created to provide health care? The later could be pretty inefficient and wasteful and we'd still be way ahead of where we are.

[midnight]

5. I look forward to hearing big shifts in how things are done from this sunny state...

[avaistheone1]

6. Other than maybe a bank.