We aren't selling widgets here. We're talking health and welfare. I see no logical (or moral) reason that a member of a large group, be it a company or any organization, should receive a better price for insuring their family. How about one big "Risk Pool". We could call it "Us". Figure the risk exposure for everyone; young and old, pre-existing conditions or not, employee of General Electric or Bob's Appliance repair and average it. There ya go.
Why don't we simplify and standardize the medical system?
Can you read your medical statements and billings? OMG could you make this any more convoluted and inefficient? How about a nationwide plan A, B, and C. I want to go to the Doctor's office or the Hospital and say: "I have plan B" and they know what I'm saying. I want to go to the insurance company and say: "How much is your plan C ?" I want to be able to read the freakin bills so I know how much I owe, when I owe it, and whether or not I am getting screwed by some stupid billing error!
If "Research and Development" costs are what make our pharmaceuticals so expensive, then why don't we stop developing more?
With the exception of drugs to fight outbreaks of disease such as the flu or other potentially pandemic-type outbreaks, maybe we should just stop developing more drugs. When our drugs cost more than can be afforded then we should do something. They say that the R&D costs are responsible. Then just stop. I would rather live to a happy 80 then a broke, drug-assisted 85 anyways. I say this with a passive/aggressive smirk. We all know that the Drug Companies are hosing us. R&D costs are a scape-goat for their out-and-out financial extortion of the sick. Drugs cost less everywhere else. Drugs cost less for animals. This has got to stop. The drug companies can make stupid profits on elective drugs like Viagra, not heart medicine, or we don't need them.
That's it today.
I'm sick and tired.
Tim.
