Do you have insurance? Is it good/bad/meh? Do you support the current HCR legislation?

[CreekDog]

I'll start:

I have good insurance at affordable rates and I've been a supporter most of the time.

[NJmaverick]

1. Right now I have pretty good insurance and I support the reform bill

[Saturday]

2. I have a private policy with BC/BS.

It's an HMO. It's reasonably good coverage. It costs me $471 per month for 1 person. I turn 65 this year and will go on Medicare.

[polichick]

3. I have good insurance at affordable rates and I'm a supporter of single payer...

...based on the idea that good health care should be a right in a country as wealthy as ours.

I support the current bill because there are some good things in it - and a win using reconciliation will help us pass an energy/climate bill.

[cutlassmama]

29. ditto

[Schema Thing]

4. I don't. I could afford insurance that would be essentially worthless

I support any of the bills being considered. They aren't perfect, but will allow me to buy insurance that will have real value.

[elocs]

5. Medicaid via Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus for qualifying adults without children.

It's been good for me. Yes I do support the current HCR legislation. If we get nothing now it won't be touched again for another 10 years or more. This legislation, although not perfect, will be a starting point and will help more people than are helped now and will save more lives. If the life saved or helped by this legislation is somebody you know or love, then it might not so easily be sneered at. The sneering now usually comes from those who already have adequate health care.

[Lifelong Protester]

6. I have excellent insurance and I will NOT REST until everyone does

IT IS A RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE!! We have to start somewhere, and I see this round of HCR as that, a START.

[Hansel]

40. Ditto for me.

I belong to a co-op. Their big on wellness and education. I have never had an issue with it and love their approach to comprehensive health care.

I want everyone to have access to this level of care and this bill is a start. I have been reading it and I have to say it's a far cry from the monster that some on this board having been painting it as. Not perfect but it has a lot of good things in it.

[HughMoran]

7. I have good Cobra and CANNOT AFFORD to buy the insurance offered in my small company

We could hire more, better people if the insurance situation didn't SUCK so much for small businesses - it's 3X HIGHER that when I worked for a large company. Anybody who thinks $36,000 for a decent family coverage insurance plan is reasonable needs to come to my house so I can cripple you and let you fend for yourself in this environment :mad:

[Jennicut]

8. I have okay insurance from Cigna. I support the HCR legislation.

Cigna has been decent in copays but have been pricks about wanting to cover certain meds that I have needed for my diabetes. Screw them.

[frazzled]

13. No problems from Cigna so far; I support HCR as well

Cigna has been a lot better than the Harvard Pilgrim health insurance we had in Massachusetts (pre-health care reform there; though I doubt it would have affected it).

We haven't had anything super-major to claim from Cigna yet, so I'll reserve judgment. But at least we can get in to see a doctor or specialist without a three-month wait; and all our testing and visits, etc. have been covered.

[Jennicut]

34. For Dr.'s visits, Cigna has been fine.

For approving meds I needed...they gave me a hard time. I think if you are generally healthy they are good. If you have some extra issues, they will harass you a bit.

[jenmito]

48. I have Cigna and they cover all my prescriptions (which would cost about $30,000 a year) as well

as everything else I need, including a power wheelchair with standing capabilities along with all the other "bells and whistles." That alone was worth over $20,000. So no complaints, and I'm for passing this bill.

I can see any dr. I want, but the co-pay increases every year. For in-network, they cover 90%, though, and out-of-network, they only cover 50% now. But I can't complain with all I've gotten so far.

[Jennicut]

52. Good to hear. I wish they had not given me such a hard time with covering some of my meds

but at least others have had better experiences.

[denimgirly]

9. I'm Canadian: LOVE IT! (Free Universal Coverage) - I wish it was even stronger.

It doesn't cover everything, however, and so we Canadians only wish it to be even more "universal in coverage" but for what it is, it is miles better than the American insurance giveaway that will be imposed shortly under this embarrassing reform effort.

[bluethruandthru]

10. My insurance is fine...but my daughter is about to graduate from

college..at which point she can't be covered on my policy any more. She's a Type 1 (juvenile) diabetic. I'm petrified of what will happen if she doesn't immediately find a full time job with health care benefits. She has a pre-existing condition..and she will not benefit from the type of coverage with a huge deductible since the day to day costs of her disease are very high..but taking good care of herself (which costs alot) is what keeps her from losing limbs, eyesight, kidneys, etc. I'm not sure what she's supposed to do if full time work isn't available right away.

[CreekDog]

16. Curious if you support the current legislation

as i understand it, it will allow your daughter to remain covered by your plan until age 26 --and this part of the legislation phases in quickly.

[bluethruandthru]

36. While I'm a huge supporter of Single Payer,

I'm willing to take smaller steps if it's unattainable now. However, I'm absolutely against mandates unless there is a public option/medicare buy in.

[still_one]

24. If your daughter is graduating, check with the school if they offer insurance coverage for students

without pre-existing condition discrimination

Sometimes it is through the alumni association

That is what we did with my daughter.

That was UCLA, and California University, not a private one.

Also, theortically, I think the new HCR bill allows people less than 26 to either stay on their parents plan, or get their own coverage without pre-existing conditions

[Jennicut]

32. I understand your worry. I am a Type 1 diabetic as well

but didn't find out until recently. It was more LADA diabetes, late onset type 1. I hope this HCR passes because your children can stay on later. The thing is, if something like diabetes is not constantly tightly controlled, it will cost us all more in the long run because the costs of taking care of someone with kidney issues, etc. is more then just providing insulin and test strips every month. Also, check with your local endocrinologists. Mine at the Uconn Health Center in Farmington, CT provide samples of insulin and test strips.

[bluethruandthru]

38. You're right...the control of this disease is critical.

The cost of test strips is astronomical for an insulin-dependant diabetic. In order to save money, many diabetics don't check their glucose levels as often as they should, which lead to out of control levels and complications.
No wonder diabetes and it's complications cost this country so much money. So many Americans can't afford to properly care for themselves. Very sad that our country can't do better by all our citizens.

[Jennicut]

41. Oh, believe me, I write this and am down to 3 strips. I have a great husband who cares

about my health and together we scrape together the over $150 a month to pay for my insulin, needles, strips, lancets, etc. Plus, I was just put on lipitor as my cholesterol is a bit high. Cigna was not happy about it and gave me a hard time but my Dr. fought for me to get it covered. Every 3 months I have to go to my endocrinologist, so copay time. It is crazy.
Without insurance, strips can be $100 for 50 strips. Thankfully, I have Cigna through my husband. Not perfect but it is something.

[bluethruandthru]

42. Dealing with a disease like this forces you to live in fear...

constantly worrying about losing your coverage. I know it's also that way with many other conditions. When I saw "Sicko"...it opened my eyes to what life could be like without the constant worry about health insurance.
Whenever I meet someone who is anti single payer...I ask them to imagine how different their life..or their children's lives would be if they never had to worry about health insurance/doctor bills/hospital bills/prescription costs/co-pays. They would be free to leave a job they were staying in just for the insurance. They could work 2 or 3 part time jobs if that worked better for them. They wouldn't have to save up to get a mammogram or colonoscopy.
Just imagine.....
:)

[Jennicut]

44. Yup, I live in fear all the time that my husband might lose his job and there goes the insurance.

[abluelady]

11. My Insurance is Okay

I pay a lot for it. I'm a proponent of single payer. I do not think the HCR bill is enough, but I believe we have to start somewhere, and hopefully can add to it over the years.

[DefenseLawyer]

12. I'm self employed, I have good insurance that costs an obscene amount of money

Married, 3 kids, no health problems, no history, no claims, still went up about 40% this year. It's to the point where it's not only not easily affordable, but it's so much that a person can realistically self insure for the kind of money I'm paying in premiums. I'm leaning toward moving to catastrophic only and paying as I go. It's a bitch. I don't support the Heath Insurance Company Stimulus Act of 2010.

[dmallind]

14. Yes meh and yes but would prefer better in that order

On this issue I'm quite a leftist. While I know single payer would be a tough sell once the attack machins started on it, I still think we would have been better at least starting from that idea. The current proposal is better than what we have, but less than we should have been able to get.

[subterranean]

15. I don't have health insurance.

I support the current legislation only because it's better than the status quo. If the choice is between the current bill and doing nothing for 10 more years, I'll take the current bill (with amendments). It will help some people like bluethruandthru above.

[Turbineguy]

17. I have insurance

so I can pretend I'm protected.

[prolesunited]

18. Lost it after COBRA expired

and can't get it because of multiple pre-existing conditions.

Passage of this bill would be of immediate help for me.

I am in favor of some type of single payer or Medicare-for-all plan, but support passage of any measure we can get because it moves the dialog forward.

I will not side with the GOP and Tea Party in chants of "kill the bill." The fact that the GOP continues to warn Dems makes me certain that there is something of benefit to both the public and the Dems in moving forward.

[zipplewrath]

19. Cadillac plan

I'm in a cadillac plan, I'm pretty sure anyway, the company won't expose what its costs are. I'm not a particular supporter of the current reform. It doesn't appear to do very much for folks that already don't have health care. Our costs have been going up every year. Our plan just created one of these "donut holes" in our plan so it will be more expensive this year than in the past (and yes, the donut hole counts towards the cadillac costs). My primary concern has been getting the cost of CARE under control. All this bill does is address the cost of health insurance. We're all going to be in serious trouble in about 10 years, at which point we'll get the GOP solution.

[tabbycat31]

20. I have no insurance

and I think this plan is good but not great. I try not to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. It's a step in the right direction.

[Uzybone]

21. Yes I have Health Insurance

Yes the rates are very affordable for me and my coverage is very good compared to whats out there. I support the current legislation (I'd prefer a single payer system) because there are too many who are not in my situation and need help ASAP.

[Oregone]

22. When I lived in the US, I was uninsured. And I still wouldn't of supported the bill

On a *policy* level, its crap.

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. I have tolerably good insurance, and I supported HCR until they eliminated

the public option. I'd prefer single-payer, but am willing to compromise for a strong public option that will effect real changes and hold down costs without enriching for-profit insurance companies.

My insurance was better before the company moved from non-profit to for-profit. Deductibles went up, co-pays went up - just a coincidence, I'm sure.

[rox63]

25. Crappy health insurance here :(

Since I went back to school for a career change, I just have the insurance that is offered through the (public) college, which basically only kicks in when you are sick. Doesn't cover any preventative care, checkups, prescriptions, etc.

I will be graduating in May, and my top priority at that time will be to get a full-time job with benefits as soon as possible.

As for the current HCR legislation, I do support it because it is better than the status-quo. I would much prefer either a strong public option or single-payer. But we can start with this and try to make it better over time.

[damntexdem]

26. I have insurance that is good comparatively, but actually lousy.

Really bad compared to former coverage -- from the same BC/BS.

BC/BS has become more and more BS.

We need single-payer. We should already have a plan with a public option. But they damn well better pass something with some reforms in it.

[tishaLA]

27. My insurance is very good. How long it will last is another question.

[old mark]

28. Very good PA state supported insurance, BUT - the rate went up over 150%

per month this month.
I DO support the current bill - I believe considering the trash we have in congress-from both parties-that this is THE BEST we realistically can expect, and it will be a huge first step. It is mostly not a good plan, but it is an improvement over our existing "NO PLAN" and it breaks the ice. Once these cowards in congress see it can be done, there will be many bills to amend and add to this first reform package and if we can get more of the assholes-again of both parties-out of congress over the next few elections we actually may have REAL health care for all in our lifetime.

Obama's point that Teddy Roosevelt proposed health care for Americans was well made - we have been talking about this for over 100 years and at least we have finally done SOMETHING!!!!

mark

[jefferson_dem]

30. I'm on a decent Humana PPO plan.

I want all Americans to have access to the best possible health care options. As such, I support reforms that will streer us in that direction.

[handmade34]

31. I am boycotting insurance companies

hope I don't get sick

I support any reform

[Phx_Dem]

33. I have good insurance. Cost is affordable, but I would like

guarantees that I can't get dropped if I get seriously ill. Otherwise, I'm good, and I support HCR 100%.

We have a PPO thru Aetna, and pay $232/mo for two adults in the age range of 40-50. Doctor vists cost $30 each (which the amount of our co-pay). Rxs are $20 each.

We just switched to Aetna this year after United HealthCare raised our rates aboug 20%. It was approx. $100+ per month more than what we're currently paying, plus they increased the co-pay to $40 + 20% of total costs of doctor visits.

I work for a very large financial services company that offers 4-5 plans including PPOs, HMOs and HSAs, and pays a good portion of our healthcare benefits.

[Gormy Cuss]

35. I have what is considered good insurance because it's group coverage.

Affordable? It's affordable in terms of out-of-pocket premium costs. Not very affordable if we ever had a major illness however because of the co-pays and coverage limits.

I haven't supported the current HCR legislation because it's not single payer. Will it be better than status quo? Sure, just because many people who are currently locked out of any coverage will be able to get insurance. It's unfortunate that this legislation is geared only toward expanding the current vehicle, private insurance, rather than encompassing broader choice. I'd like to see inclusion of an experimental design to test a true public option such as Medicare for all. That would at least attempt to understand whether a single payer would cost more or less.

[BlueIdaho]

37. Yes - Good - Hell Yes...

[4lbs]

39. I'm on California's MRMIP health insurance program, mainly for people with

pre-existing medical conditions.

Before going on it, I was already denied by 4 different health insurance providers because of that pre-existing condition. In addition, I had gone 3 years without health insurance before stumbling upon the MRMIP program.

Joy of joys, I get to pay $400 monthly, just for myself, for 70% coverage, $2000 deductibles, and $50 co-pays.

All of which were 25% to 50% increases from the previous year.

Thus, if I go in for a medical procedure that costs $50,000, I'll pay the first $2000. The remaining $48,000 the insurance covers 70% of that. I pay the other 30%, or $14,400. Therefore, a total cost to me of $16,400. That MRMIP insurance covers the other $33,600.

My previous insurance before I got sick 10 years ago, covered 95% of all my costs, had just a $250 deductible, and was only $150 monthly.

So, yes, I do support the current legislation. Elimination of the pre-existing condition is a major selling point. Especially since insurance companies now are making nearly everything a pre-existing condition to justify dropping coverage, raising rates, or limiting coverage.

[DFLforever]

43. I'm covered through Medicare and supplemental insurance.

The coverage is good but then I don't have any serious illness

I set it up to duplicate as far as possible the insurance I had via my past employer (I buy the supplemental through the same company as well as the prescription drug insurance Medicare D requires me to purchase).

I support the HCR bill. Like many on DU, I'd like to see the insurance companies driven out of business, but short of that, I think it's time to start regulating them, as this bill does.

I also think it unconscionable that 31 million Americans lack health coverage and HCR begins to rectify that.

[yowzayowzayowza]

45. Yes, bad, yes. n/t

[Whisp]

46. it's only good if you can use it when you need it.

I hope that is the case for you and all who say they are happy with their insurance.

[depakid]

47. We've got what you could have had (or been moving toward)

Highly regulated, affordable private insurance without monster deductibles, copays and limits- PLUS a robust public option.

And as a society, we pay about half of what America is dinged for every year.

[cmd]

49. Adequate, but has significantly increased in cost - Yes on HCR!

[southernyankeebelle]

50. My husband and I have Tricare Primary which is a socialized government health

insurance. What I pay in a year my son pays in a month just for himself and his daughter. $400.00 per month on a cooks wages. He makes less than $20,000 a year. I don't know how people can keep paying this kind of money. His policy is terrible, down right terrible. I have been fighting for him and his friends and all others who don't have it.

[madamesilverspurs]

51. I've had Medicare since age 44

because there was no public option.

-

[JoeyT]

53. No, but I need it, and no.

I still have yet to see how the new legislation will prevent companies arbitrarily refusing to pay for things or canceling insurance over a typo.

[Puglover]

54. I had to retire because of insurance.

Union busting Delta was the surviving carrier of the NWA/Delta merger. NWA has always paid of you insurance premium from when you retire starting at age 55 to medicare. As of 12/31/09 that expired under Unionbusting Delta and if you were'nt off of the payroll you lost the deal. It was a HUGE financial consideration plus my job went to Atlanta from Minneapolis. So yes, I have insurance but no job.

I think as riddled with bullshit as it is the current HCR needs to pass.

[kjackson227]

55. I have good insurance, but...

prescriptions are relatively high, so if it weren't for my FSA, I wouldn't be as satisfied. But, I will be taking a very early retirement, and to convert my group insurance to individual will be a monster. Also, I'm very much in favor of the HCR bill because 31 more million people and also those with pre-existing conditions will be able to get health care.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

56. I do not support the current bill.

I have several prexisting conditions that have kept me from having insurance when not provided by an employer. I currently have Kaiser coverage, though the co-pays are sometimes a bit much for me and one surgery I was looking at was too expensive for me to have.

I have also experienced healthcare through San Francisco's system for low income people. It was some of the best treatment I have ever gotten, and it included mental heath care and prescription medications.

And that is why I am 100% against this bill.

I have seen both health "care" worlds and I am here to tell you one is vastly superior and more egalitarian than the other.

[vaberella]

57. I don't have insurance and I support this bill. n/t