re: #217 celticdragon

Has it occurred to you that your problems with private insurance might arise from the fact that the insurance market is already highly regulated by the government?

First problem: The employer-based system, created by tax incentives. The actual consumer’s choice of insurance is restricted to whatever plan(s) his/her employer chooses to make available. If you get bad service, you can’t take your business elsewhere unless you have the money to pay the whole premium yourself on the private market. The market would look very different if there were an income tax insurance premium credit offered directly to individuals (instead of the credit going through the employer, with premiums not counted in individual income).

Second problem: You are forbidden by law to purchase your health insurance plan based in a state where you do not reside. This also reduces competition. (Plus, it makes getting health care when traveling even more difficult, expensive, and scary than it otherwise would be, because you are obtaining out-of-plan care.)

I have another question: I thought Medicare was for the elderly. How did you end up with your family eligible for it? Or do you mean Medicaid?