Do Republicans Understand Insurance?

If Republicans do not rein in insurers and get that industry under control, we will all suffer.

I thought David Frum’s recognizing the foolish approach the GOP has taken of recent years was refreshing.  I left the party after 50 years having been a Goldwater, semi-right-wing Law Enforcement Agent because I could see the direction they were heading many years ago would lead to exactly where they are now.

They won't listen to you Frum, not yet, but eventually they will because if healthcare reform doesn't explode in the Democrats’ face and I doubt it will early on, how on earth will the GOP be able to knock the extension of coverage for children out of school and the abolishing of Pre-Existing Condition clauses?

I speak from the viewpoint of a 38 year Group Insurance Specialist still with one reasonably large, for Florida, client with 150 employees that year after year has been slammed with double digit rate increases.  I also have a  1-person group plan for a client-friend, age 63, that this year has been increased to $1,800 per month for one person.  His wife, just turning 65, simply dropped coverage and is now on Medicare for somewhere in the $100-120 range depending upon her claimed income.  How on earth can anyone afford medical coverage once they pass 55?

The solution is Medicare for anyone wishing to join followed by an increase in Medicare premiums, across the board, with higher income persons paying a larger portion but everyone else paying more than today's inadequate premium.  Seriously, how can we expect Medicare to be solvent at the standard $96.40 per month, cover so extensively while private insurers would be charging $1,000+ per month for anyone over 55?

My wife suffered a 2007 broken neck in a serious head-on collision with the person at fault carrying the minimum Insurance of $25,000.  Our own plan carried an 'underinsured' benefit that paid $100,000.  Now, picture my wife's first few days of intensive care followed by five more weeks of Intensive care plus seven months in a 'Halo' device to keep her head positioned properly, along with ancillary care, and expect Medicare to remain solvent?  By the way, some of the Medicare increase needs to go to physicians’ fees.  Some!

We also need more Cleveland Clinic approaches with a Not For Profit structure with good physicians making good incomes but within reason.

If we do not reign in insurers and get this under control, with better than the plan passed last night, we will all suffer. The Republicans should acknowledge they can't 'repeal' this and then make the stand they will make it better and stop listening to the fringe crowd, the Freedom Works, Sarah/Bachman crowd and get back to reality. The Independents will slowly drift back to the Democrats unless this takes place and good for them because it will be a cold day in hell before I ever vote Republican again...until they really work for We The People and not stand out as Corporatists.

They can't hide anymore, not with today's vast communications.  They will be revealed as strictly out there for the 'big boys' unless they turn things around.  It takes time but they will be found out.