Open Thread


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  1. CH;

    Aren’t you glad that the resident “robo-Republican” is back?;-)

    Ah come on, you’re distorting my argument!! I’m only advocating that insurance rates be tied to what people CAN control in their life, as is done in all other (functioning insurance markets). If you try to buy life insurance (which is pretty cheap), the companies certainly WILL ask you if you smoke, and charge accordingly.

    Many companies thatself-insure health insurance (mine included) are going to the system I just proposed. If you smoke, you are charged a higher premium. If you have high-blood pressure and are overweight, you are charged a higher rate. If you decide to quit smoking and/or lose some weight, your premium is decreased.

    What is so wrong with this system?

  2. CG_ups;

    I don’t think we are in disagreement on what needs to be done. Again, I’m all in favor of regulations that would provide for basic, preventative medical care. We could argue about whether it should be done via private insurance or government clinics. However, that is NOT what is being proposed, and I suggest that you look into the details.

    Again, take a look at the exisiting government programs: medicaid and medicare. Is there any responsibility in these systems? If someone is overweight and diabetic (a common ocurrence amont the poor, and one of the leading drivers of costs today), is there any incentive provided for them to take charge of their health? Does the system tie their premiums to their health practices? Not at all.

    This poor state of regulation also applies to the private insurance market. Currently private insurance policies (as opposed to company-rpovided insurance) is regulated state-by-state, and many of these “frill” benefits ARE manadated by law. NYS mandates that insurance cover many types of benefits,such as Viagra. It mandates only ONE type of policy,with ONE level of benfits paid, and ONE rate for all, regardless of lifestyle choices.

  3. THL, yes I saw that, but thank you very much. I’ve been dying to see that film for a long time. It scored an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Only problem is it’s only playing in the West Village at 6:30pm and I’m not sure I can make it at that time.

  4. “Does it mean lifestyle drugs like Viagra should be covered? How about elective surgery, per Michael Jackson? Does it mean unlimited in-vitro fertilization attempts (as NYS now mandates)?”

    Viagra – yes, to the extent that being sexual is not a lifestyle but a normality for adults humans.

    elective surgery – depdns – is it to remove a colon fro someone suffering from colonitis on sterodis, or is it to have a nose job?

    “unlimited in-vitro fertilization attempts” why not?

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