Healthcare+Basics

8/09 = **Healthcare Basics** =

STUFF GOING ON NOW

Uninsured 2007: 48 Million Americans, 14.8% of population 6.8 million children uninsured by race: 10.4% of whites, 15.9% blacks, 32.1% of hispanics

Those that ARE covered: Insured by: private insurance companies Pay for by: premiums mostly from employers of full-time workers (part-time population not covered), or individual plans Cash Flow: individual --> insurance co --> hospitals

Pre-existing Conditions: Insurance companies can deny coverage for anyone who has a pre-existing medical condition. This is neccessary for the insurance company so people don't just buy insurance after they notice they are sick.

Effect - Prevents previously injured and sick people from being able to get coverage. Pregnancy is also considered a pre-existing condition.

EXISTING GOVERNMENT RUN (*gasp*) INSURANCE PROGRAMS Medicare: All citizens 65 and over are covered by Medicare provided for free by the federal government. Paid for by: taxes How many Covered: 40 million Cash Flow: taxpayers --> government --> hospitals

Medicaid: Coverage for low income or disabled citizens Paid for by: taxes Cash flow: taxpayers --> government --> hospitals

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): Federal government provides help to low-income families to get insurance for children Cash flow: taxpayers --> government --> hospitals

VA Veterans Affairs Health Coverage: All veterans receive health care coverage

Mandated Emergency Care: All Hospitals are mandated to give emergency care to patients even if they can't pay. Paid for by: NO ONE, hospitals have to pay, and some hospitals have to close because of this

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:

Public Option: Insured by: federal insurance plan (can keep private insurance) Paid for by: premiums from individuals to the fed (not taxes) Cash Flow: individual --> government --> hospitals

Single Payer (aka Medicare For All; Socialized Medicine) Insured by: federal government pays all medical costs of all citizens Paid for by: higher taxes, but no one pays premiums Cash Flow: individual --> government --> hospitals

No Pre-Existing Condition Denials Government could forbid insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre exist. cond. This would allow more people to be covered but insurance companies would increase premiums

Mandated Coverage: Government could mandate that everyone get covered, and help people who are unable to pay. We mandate that cars get insured, why not people? Insurance companies love mandates because it allows them to increase prices and people still have to pay.