NLIC.org

John Said:

Conservatives high health insurance premiums subsidize no-low income now; is this socialized medicine?

We Answered:

There is an appalling lack of understanding of what is "socialized" medicine, and what is in fact a "single payer" system.

"Socialized" medicine, by definition, is government owned and controlled health care facilities, run by doctors and health care providers who are paid directly by the government. This is not what Obama is proposing, and exists in countries like Cuba and China, but rarely in Western democracies.

What is being proposed is a "single payer" system, which is an alternative insurance policy that is administered by the government and subsidized by the taxpayer. This already exists in the U.S. via Medicare, Medicaid and the federal plan already offered to U.S. federal employees.

There are A LOT of proposals out there on both sides. The best solution comes by not injecting hyperbolic language into the discussion. Currently, what is being hashed out in Congress is expanding Medicare/federal health insurance, and/or having non-profit insurance, and/or co-op insurance, in tandem with some serious cost reduction proposals (tort reform, improving health IT, etc). But SOCIALIZED MEDICINE is not, by definition, being proposed or on the table.

Deanna Said:

Is higher health insurance premiums for smokers unfair?

We Answered:

The fact that the smokers are charged higher is justified since :
1) Smoking is an addiction and it also affects the health of those around you.
2) Statistical data has shown that smoking does not improve the health under any circumstances but just spoils your health.
Now considering obesity this is already taken as a consideration factor in the premium rating in life insurance but as far as health is considered obesity has not yet said to be the only cause for heart attack and type 2 diabetes but it is one of the factor and this is probably the reason the health insurance companies do not have direct higher premium related to this. However, when evaluating the application, there is certainly higher rates based on weight which is inbuilt in the rating and so not known to all.
Thanks.

Ashley Said:

how many people with high insurance PREMIUMs are waiting for that Health Care Reform to pass?

We Answered:

It would depend on what one would consider "high".

Most would still pay for private insurance to bypass the poorer quality, longer waits and government control.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for reform, by the current measures before congress have some severe flaws and poor mechanisms to accomplish the task efficiently.

Morris Said:

Tort Litigation and High Insurance premiums?

We Answered:

its one of the bigger reasons for it whether the suit is defended or just a settlement is made it still costs insurance companies billions

Roberto Said:

Why should my insurance premiums have to be so high when it's others who are irresponsible?

We Answered:

Oh be nice, you old cow. When I try to explain healthy living or heath care to my retarded uncle-in-law, he turns red and starts flapping his hands about screaming, "liar liar!". He has touretts as well, BTW. Better to just do-the-right-thing and take care of him until he dies at an earlier than usual age.

edit: my Uncle has an answers account under the pseudoname "Mrs. C" or something. He loves to yall at people in the politics section.

Viola Said:

why do drivers have to pay high insurance premiums?

We Answered:

If a mo-ped hits you and it is at fault, you can sue them...Just get a police report and lots of photos.