I haven't posted for a long, long time, but I saw this, and just can't keep my mouth shut.

I do not believe in Universal Health Care. It's not that I don't believe that people shouldn't have access to doctors, hospitals, and the like, I simply don't believe that the Government should be in the business of providing health care to me and my family. That is MY job. Health care is NOT a right.

I do not dispute that insurance premiums are astronomical; nor do I dispute that there are millions of people who don't have access to adequate health care. But look at some of the reasons why health care is so expensive nowadays.

Health insurance companies - they are out to make a profit, pure and simple. And that's okay, because we live in a capitalistic society - that's how it's supposed to work. However, they are dictating to the doctors and hospitals what kinds of tests can be run, and how much they will reimburse for a visit, etc... That is a huge issue.

Malpractice insurance, in many cases, are forcing doctors and other health professionals out of practice. My midwife no longer performs hospital births because she couldn't afford the malpractice insurance. That is a travesty, because she had 30+ years of birthing babies, and is damn good at it. Why are malpractice premiums so high? Because people are suing for exhorbitant amounts of money when something goes wrong, and juries (you and me, folks) are awarding it to them. There is this whole "stick it to the man" mentality, that has gotten WAY out of hand.

Those are just two of the reasons.

I would like to see a pay as you go system, where prices are reasonable and fair. I would like to be able to opt out of my husband's employer-sponsored health insurance, set up and HSA, and pay for it myself. But I can't, because if an employer offers health insurance, you can't opt out AND set up an HSA.

OK. These are my rantings. I'm sure that more people than not do not agree with me, because most think that they are entitled to health care. We are not entitled to health care follks, and I, for one, want the Government less in my knickers than they are now - not more.

Crawling back under my rock...

Oh anniebananie, you should come out from under your rock more often!! You always have such well informed opinions...that usually I just happen to agree with (wonder if that's why I think they're so well informed? )