Don't get sick outside of the usa !!

MoparsO, glad to hear you came through that ordeal and are still around to enjoy the hobby with the rest of us.

On another note, someone previously attributed (correctly) the reason for sky rocketing medical costs in America. Now, I know I'm gonna get my chops busted by some here, but what I'm about to share is valuable information for those stressing over long term health costs and the fear of bankruptcy.

We have a presidential nominee, who also happens to be a DR, and he's deliver over 1000 babies in the state of Texas. Texans love him so much, they've sent him back to Congress for ELEVEN consecutive elections.

What this candidate, and his son (he's also a DR) have done, is establish, in several locations around the nation, walk in clinics that require no insurance and NO paperwork, other than a simple patient form and receipts - because everything is paid for in cash. Now stick with me here.

These Dr's had identified that the majority of medical activity (and therefore expenses) are non-life-threatening or 'minor/routine' events that actually comprise 70-80 percent of all medical events, reflecting most bills that are filed in America today.

Understanding this, they identified the exhorbitant time and expense associated with processing the same volume of documentation (regulatory and insurance req's) for minor events, as one would for a major event, and set about piloting a solution.

Ron Paul's "cash and carry" clinics, for example, in the state of Ky, have a policy of not charging more than $75 for any walk-in patient that does not require "major" medical attention (major surgeries). It was established, primarily, to ensure indigent populations had access - knowing full well the ins groups could give a hoot about your 'means'. No money - tuff Shiite !

I apologize for not having my copy handy of Ron Paul's "The Revolution" to futher expound on this, but there's an entire chapter detailing his POC (proof of concept) in his book and it's been a huge success for the citizens that have access to them.

The problem: By accepting cash only, the insurance companies "coverage" is reduced to ONLY require customers to buy cover for the MAJOR events, which means Dr Paul would remove 70-80% of their profit margins by refusing to deal with them - unless the patient required major (expensive) therapies or surgery.

For the patients, by only having to purchase "enough" ensurance to cover major events, the direct effect would be a stunning reduction in insurance fees and premiums, as the insurance industry would have to start 'catering' to the customers and become competitive - instead of the gov't protected monopolies they enjoy today, which keeps their premiums ridiculously high.

From the regulatory (TORT) perspective, it eliminated large staffing requirements to process all the 'legalise' and documentation and replaced them with minimal staff that coordinates patients for the Dr's and simply hands you a receipt before leaving (that does not exceed $75 - it may be higher now given QE-1 and QE-2's effect on reducing our purchasing power through inflation, and what do you know - the same Dr's are trying to fix that problem as well !!!) and, because the clinics are engaged in mostly minor coverage, there's is a significant reduction in the required "protective insurance" coverage that Dr's are currently required to carry - and pass the cost on to you (us).

Is everyone beginning to see a 'bigger' picture here ? There are solutions other than Obummer care, which is nothing but a take-off of European healthcare and will KILL free market opportunities going forward. The Canadian and Euro systems are gov't controlled monopolies that inhibit creative solutions and competition. Simply put, it's rationing, and our Canadian brothers and sisters - if you're middle-age or beyond - know it...

Again, great discussion and, for those interested in a Physician's perspective on how to fix our healthcase systems in this, and other, countries, it's only ONE chapter in Dr Pauls book and I think most would find it very enlightening.

OK, now all you R's and D's can let me have it, but just remember, I've stated "policy" and the "person" is not what's being discussed here, so let's keep thing in the arena of "ideas" - not persons.

Southernman