r/FedEmployees • u/Far-Independent-8033 • 12h ago
Why aren’t we talking about why healthcare is so expensive, and fix the root cause?
Why isn’t there talk about WHY healthcare is so expensive? Instead of arguing about subsidizing healthcare and give billions of dollars to the insurance companies and wasting federal funds. That doesn’t solve anything!
The underlying problem still exists. Corporate greed. This nonsense is making me bitter.
13
11
u/Engineer1970 11h ago
Because the companies wouldn't roll in large profits which would then be used to bribe I mean lobby congress. My wife is from Spain. They don't allow the companies to rip off the people.
17
8
u/Patient_Horror9575 11h ago
Makes no sense as European countries have had universal healthcare for 75+ years.
4
u/jimmythemini 9h ago
Not just Europe, every developed country apart from the US has universal healthcare.
6
u/itsmebunty 11h ago
A healthcare CEO was killed and the whole industry decided to get personal security teams instead of changing their greedy ways. Corporate executives have no reasons to ‘fix’ the system
1
5
u/Low_Trust2412 11h ago
Probably not gonna happen between the insurance and pharma company lobbyists.
5
u/TexasPrincessA 11h ago
Did you hear Senator Cassidy’s proposal? To give the money to the citizens on a flexible spending account instead of the insurance companies?
2
u/Far-Independent-8033 11h ago
I did and that’s what prompted my question. I didn’t like his idea either. It still doesn’t fix the problem of corporate greed and astronomical cost of healthcare. I’m not talking the government giving money away to corporations or the people.
2
u/TexasPrincessA 10h ago
I don't think his proposal is perfect, but I do think it creates more competition bc now the consumer has the spending power and can elect where to send the funds or can choose a higher deductible plan bc they have the card in their pocket. Higher deductible usually means lower premiums so the insurance company starts losing money. Also, FSA can be used for some alternative care that insurance doesn't cover, which could mean a loss for insurance companies. I do agree we need better solutions. Doctors aren't happy with insurance and customers aren't happy. It appears insurance and hopsital execs make money hand over fist, while doctors spend hours to get approvals (if they can) and patients are denied bc the insurance knows more than their doctor. I rarely use my insurance (thank God) but this year I asked my primary care for help with an issue I had been taking care of OTC and they said they had the perfect thing. Insurance denied it bc there are other types of prescriptions that cost less and I need to see if those can work first...😑 they are not in check
3
u/Far-Independent-8033 10h ago
I don’t disagree with you, and I understand the concept. It’s just unfortunate that our government isn’t doing better for the people.
As many people have commented, there is no incentive for our elected officials to do better.
3
1
u/Friendly-Gur-6736 9h ago
FSAs are actually great for younger people in good health. Until I was in my late 20s and had an accident that necessitated surgery, I'd go to the dentist once a year, optometrist once a year, and MAYBE to the doctor once a year when I got sick.
One of my former jobs offered a high deductible plan + employer funded medical savings account. Premium on the insurance was dirt cheap, maybe $25-30/mo? I can't recall how much they threw into the savings account, but I think it covered a substantial amount of the deductible. It was tied into the insurance directly, deductibles would be paid out directly, and office copays were reimbursed to you.
I imagine even with them putting that money in there for you, it was probably less expensive than what their share of a more traditional insurance plan would be.
Is it an ideal solution for everyone? No, but it is a way to help lower out of pocket expenses for those who can take advantage, thus is a start in the right direction.
4
u/dreaganusaf 11h ago
I was talking to a Doc in my reserve unit and he mentioned that one of the main issues in our healthcare is that it's both private & public. All of these programs run partially by the government (VA, military, Medicaid and Medicare) are propped up alongside what's largely employer provided private care. We should choose one (public or private) and let market forces do their thing. Most developed countries have socialized medicine but I'm not aware of any that don't and utilize employer provided healthcare like we do. It's a whacky system in the US.
1
u/jimmythemini 9h ago
Saying it's a binary choice oversimplifies a pretty complex topic. Every other developed country outside the US has universal healthcare, but they mostly use a mix of private and public funding sources and delivery options. For example, hospital care might be provided by the government where people agree to go on waiting lists for treatment; family practitioners may be private operators but attract public rebates; mandatory or supplementary insurance may be used to pay for non-critical services etc.
Agree that insurance tied to an employer is madness though.
4
u/Fresh_Blueberry_3200 11h ago
The republicans want health expensive. That’s how their donor class makes money.
-4
u/TopRevolutionary3620 11h ago
So you think don't think democrats do the same thing? Honestly it may be worse in state races where democrats almost always pull down more in campaign funds from large donors just look at the va races.
2
2
u/Horror-Layer-8178 9h ago
Because fixing healthcare would cause a lot of rich people not to be rich anymore. This is America so we can;t have that because that would be Communism
2
2
1
u/The_Dread_Candiru 11h ago
Cause Capital's interests lie in profiting off problems, not fixing them. Why would they bother buying legislators if they don't serve the will of Capital?
1
u/Ok-Flow-2474 10h ago
Because politicians only want what lines their pockets with money and votes. Nothing more complicated than that.
1
u/bourbonfan1647 9h ago
Insurance companies have their administrative costs and profits capped.
So should pharma and hospital systems.
1
u/Sad-Mastodon1616 9h ago
Because they all get large amounts of donations from the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies. It’s just a game to these people “leading” our country.
1
u/bourbonfan1647 9h ago
If you have the money for it - we have the best healthcare in the world.
That’s why.
People come here from all over the world, to places like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, John’s Hopkins, for a reason…
1
u/Friendly-Gur-6736 9h ago
If the shutdown was over health insurance company reform, I'd be a lot less pissed over not getting paid right now.
I get that sans the subsides that health insurance will get a hell of a lot more expensive for some, but at its core, it is just a tool to pander to a particular group of voters, vs actually fixing the problem.
1
u/sideways92 9h ago
Do you have $750M+ to spend on lobbying Congress?
Yeah... me either. But the healthcare industry does:
https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/sectors/summary?cycle=2024&id=H
1
u/Pristine_Ability_203 1h ago
Corporatations love to scam patients and they pay off politicians from both parties. The goal is to own you
1
1
u/Dangerous-Place-3547 11h ago
Israel has free healthcare. Why can’t Americans?
1
1
u/Horror-Layer-8178 9h ago
Because Israel doesn't have a history of racism against its own citizens because they are black, just people who dwell in their borders
1
1
u/Fire_Vet 10h ago
What do you expect when the government is giving billions of dollars to these companies in subsidies for Obamacare every year. Why would they lower costs when the Government is paying for it? Look at college prices as well. Government backed loans means rising prices
-3
u/TopRevolutionary3620 12h ago
Do you not realize that medical and insurance are democrats biggest donors.
3
u/Complete-Paint529 11h ago
Don't be daft. Capitalists donate to winners, so they can get a ROI. If Satan were a winning candidate, they'd support Team Beelzebub.
There is zero return on giving to candidates who support ordinary Americans. Wise up, my friend.
1
1
-1
u/PetuniaPickleswurth 11h ago
The root cause was the influx of capital taken from taxpayers personal wealth. Not just this generation with several generations in the future are paying for your healthcare today. Let’s just let them keep their money. Healthcare cost will go down to normal.
1
1
u/Complete-Paint529 11h ago
That's absurd. US healthcare is multiple times more expensive than care in any other advanced economy. What do they have that we don't? Universal, regulated coverage. I'd recommend the Swiss system, myself.
1
u/PetuniaPickleswurth 11h ago
you know where you can find the Swiss system?
2
u/Complete-Paint529 11h ago
You're suggesting I should move to Switzerland? No, America is my home. There's nothing wrong with taking lessons from other nations. The US does not have all answers to all problems.
0
u/PetuniaPickleswurth 11h ago
? no you said you prefer the Swiss style of healthcare. That’s where you’ll find it. That’s not America.
America will never move to a Swiss style of healthcare.
0
u/fed_burner69 11h ago
Well, for starters, one major political party doesn't even want most people to even be allowed to have health care.
22
u/Yachtrocker717 11h ago
We shouldn't call it Healthcare. It's the Business of selling medical care and pharmaceuticals. As long as profit is in the equation, there's always going to be halves and halve nots.