Health care/insurance

[MU82]

With my 1-year anniversary as a Medicare recipient approaching, I got a letter from the health insurer that runs the Medicare supplement plan I use, informing me that my monthly premium will be going up by 28% next year. Twenty-eight percent! And not just for me; that will be the cost for everyone on this plan, which is typical for the industry.

I shopped around, but was able to find only a couple of slightly less-expensive plans. That hike will be in addition to the pending monthly increase for what all Medicare Part B recipients will have to pay.

It got me thinking about how brutal it is out there in the health-care and health-insurance realm.

Large employers are raising employees' share of insurance costs while reducing benefits and increasing deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. According to Marsh's annual survey of employer-sponsored health plans, total cost per employee will rise by 8.2% on average in 2027, the highest increase since 2003. Small businesses have been dropping coverage altogether for years.

Self-employed people and early retirees got a major hit this year when enhanced ACA subsidies ended. As a result, millions upon millions dropped insurance completely.

America is the only developed nation that doesn't regard decent health care as a basic human right, so the situation figures to only get worse as U.S. society ages.

I feel very fortunate that my wife and I are in a place financially that we'll be OK, and I think the same is true for our adult kids and their families. But it's sad thinking about those who are being crushed by these costs - and by the no-win health-care choices they face.

[Uncle Rico]

With my 1-year anniversary as a Medicare recipient approaching, I got a letter from the health insurer that runs the Medicare supplement plan I use, informing me that my monthly premium will be going up by 28% next year. Twenty-eight percent! And not just for me; that will be the cost for everyone on this plan, which is typical for the industry.

I shopped around, but was able to find only a couple of slightly less-expensive plans. That hike will be in addition to the pending monthly increase for what all Medicare Part B recipients will have to pay.

It got me thinking about how brutal it is out there in the health-care and health-insurance realm.

Large employers are raising employees' share of insurance costs while reducing benefits and increasing deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. According to Marsh's annual survey of employer-sponsored health plans, total cost per employee will rise by 8.2% on average in 2027, the highest increase since 2003. Small businesses have been dropping coverage altogether for years.

Self-employed people and early retirees got a major hit this year when enhanced ACA subsidies ended. As a result, millions upon millions dropped insurance completely.

America is the only developed nation that doesn't regard decent health care as a basic human right, so the situation figures to only get worse as U.S. society ages.

I feel very fortunate that my wife and I are in a place financially that we'll be OK, and I think the same is true for our adult kids and their families. But it's sad thinking about those who are being crushed by these costs - and by the no-win health-care choices they face.

Stay on the job longer

[Hards Alumni]

In 2025, total United States healthcare spending reached $5.7 trillion, which accounts for 18.4% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this amounts to roughly $16,500 per person

We spend trillions of dollars to cover 92% of Americans with poorer outcomes that most comparable OECD nations.

Meanwhile, Health insurance companies decline paid for benefits, deny coverage, and increase prices every single year.  All while making $54B in profits last year (not to mention the 1.7T in revenue).

We spend more, and get less... all while companies enrich themselves.

This country needs medicare for all at a bare minimum.

[Uncle Rico]

In 2025, total United States healthcare spending reached $5.7 trillion, which accounts for 18.4% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this amounts to roughly $16,500 per person

We spend trillions of dollars to cover 92% of Americans with poorer outcomes that most comparable OECD nations.

Meanwhile, Health insurance companies decline paid for benefits, deny coverage, and increase prices every single year.  All while making $54B in profits last year (not to mention the 1.7T in revenue).

We spend more, and get less... all while companies enrich themselves.

This country needs medicare for all at a bare minimum.

Ok, Pol Pot

[Jockey]

Christians love taking health insurance away from people who need it.

[jesmu84]

Christians love taking health insurance away from people who need it.

What was the deductible for jesus to heal?

[Uncle Rico]

What was the deductible for jesus to heal?

Last I checked, Jesus didn't need health insurance.

Check mate, libtards

[MU82]

In 2025, total United States healthcare spending reached $5.7 trillion, which accounts for 18.4% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this amounts to roughly $16,500 per person

We spend trillions of dollars to cover 92% of Americans with poorer outcomes that most comparable OECD nations.

Meanwhile, Health insurance companies decline paid for benefits, deny coverage, and increase prices every single year.  All while making $54B in profits last year (not to mention the 1.7T in revenue).

We spend more, and get less... all while companies enrich themselves.

This country needs medicare for all at a bare minimum.

Yup yup yup.

We as a country have farmed out medications and insurance to huge, publicly traded corporations whose first responsibility is to their shareholders. Meanwhile, massive hospital systems have usurped (Muggsy's favorite word, but actually used correctly) doctors' practices and small clinics. Most are "non-profit," but they sure don't feel that way to patients.

It's a mess, filled with bureaucracy, inconsistency, incompetence and fraud. All the while, Americans suffer.

We should be able to do better, but it's hard to believe we ever will.

[tower912]

Bishop's patoral letter:  Social Justice for All (1986) advocated for a single payer system from a moral and social teaching perspective.  Studied it for 1/2 a semester.   
Then, the American church pulled support for Hillary-care, as it included contraception.

The arguments for universal health care goes back to FDR.  He probably had the best chance of implementing it, if he had included it in his depression-era reforms.   Missed opportunity. 

I have wanted universal health care since taking the theology class in the 80's.  I spent a lot of years listening to patients say they couldn't afford a trip to the ER, despite their bullet hole or obviously broken bone.

A case can and should be made for it from an economic competitiveness perspective.  All that money being wasted on sub optimal outcomes and bureaucracy for profit.  While imperfect systems in every other industrial nation in the world keep their citizenry from having to choose between medicines/medical bills and food. 

I won't believe it until it happens, but the pendulum swing away from this dys-Trump-ian crap storm could be enough to get a plan through.

[Jockey]

Bishop's patoral letter:  Social Justice for All (1986) advocated for a single payer system from a moral and social teaching perspective.  Studied it for 1/2 a semester.   
Then, the American church pulled support for Hillary-care, as it included contraception.

The arguments for universal health care goes back to FDR.  He probably had the best chance of implementing it, if he had included it in his depression-era reforms.   Missed opportunity. 

I have wanted universal health care since taking the theology class in the 80's.  I spent a lot of years listening to patients say they couldn't afford a trip to the ER, despite their bullet hole or obviously broken bone.

A case can and should be made for it from an economic competitiveness perspective.  All that money being wasted on sub optimal outcomes and bureaucracy for profit.  While imperfect systems in every other industrial nation in the world keep their citizenry from having to choose between medicines/medical bills and food. 

I won't believe it until it happens, but the pendulum swing away from this dys-Trump-ian crap storm could be enough to get a plan through.

Tree hugger mumbo jumbo. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Bishop's patoral letter:  Social Justice for All (1986) advocated for a single payer system from a moral and social teaching perspective.  Studied it for 1/2 a semester.   
Then, the American church pulled support for Hillary-care, as it included contraception.

The arguments for universal health care goes back to FDR.  He probably had the best chance of implementing it, if he had included it in his depression-era reforms.   Missed opportunity. 

I have wanted universal health care since taking the theology class in the 80's.  I spent a lot of years listening to patients say they couldn't afford a trip to the ER, despite their bullet hole or obviously broken bone.

A case can and should be made for it from an economic competitiveness perspective.  All that money being wasted on sub optimal outcomes and bureaucracy for profit.  While imperfect systems in every other industrial nation in the world keep their citizenry from having to choose between medicines/medical bills and food. 

I won't believe it until it happens, but the pendulum swing away from this dys-Trump-ian crap storm could be enough to get a plan through.

I love the optimism Tower!

[pbiflyer]

One of many reasons why I'm retiring in Spain.
About $2000 a year for complete health insurance.
Y vino tinto y jamon.

[jesmu84]

Bishop's patoral letter:  Social Justice for All (1986) advocated for a single payer system from a moral and social teaching perspective.  Studied it for 1/2 a semester.   
Then, the American church pulled support for Hillary-care, as it included contraception.

The arguments for universal health care goes back to FDR.  He probably had the best chance of implementing it, if he had included it in his depression-era reforms.   Missed opportunity. 

I have wanted universal health care since taking the theology class in the 80's.  I spent a lot of years listening to patients say they couldn't afford a trip to the ER, despite their bullet hole or obviously broken bone.

A case can and should be made for it from an economic competitiveness perspective.  All that money being wasted on sub optimal outcomes and bureaucracy for profit.  While imperfect systems in every other industrial nation in the world keep their citizenry from having to choose between medicines/medical bills and food. 

I won't believe it until it happens, but the pendulum swing away from this dys-Trump-ian crap storm could be enough to get a plan through.

That's it. That's the only reason we're in this situation

[Warriors4ever]

If one were putting together a health care system, one would never put together the one we have. It's unconscionable.

[Uncle Rico]

If one were putting together a health care system, one would never put together the one we have. It's unconscionable.

If Muggsy's heroes, the billionaires worked to fix healthcare instead of being anti-Semitic online, that would be nice

[MU82]

One of many reasons why I'm retiring in Spain.
About $2000 a year for complete health insurance.
Y vino tinto y jamon.

Americans opposed to universal health care say that our system really is better than those in countries with universal health care because patients in those nations have to wait "forever" for "substandard" care. It's BS.

My brother lived in London for 15 years and has lived in Israel for the last 15 years. He liked the system in England, and he loves the system in Israel. He suffered a major cardiac event last year and thankfully survived it. He said he received incredible care and never saw a bill. He has always been fine paying slightly more in taxes so that his countrymen and countrywomen in both England and Israel, who aren't as financially fortunate as he is, never have to choose health care over food, shelter or other basic needs.

My son-in-law is from Canada and his entire family still lives in British Columbia. They love their health-care system. When his father got seriously ill last year, he was treated quickly and effectively, and he's still with us today.

Meanwhile, my daughter has what appears to be a fairly serious allergy problem. Referral in hand, she called around last week to set up an appointment with an allergist as soon as possible and she got one - in April 2027.

Could I find anecdotes of long waits and/or poor care in countries with universal health care? Sure. Could I rattle off anecdotes of Americans receiving outstanding, timely health care? Of course.

But none of this changes the basic point: Our system of health care is an absolute dumpster fire. And as is the case for most U.S. policy-related dumpster fires, it really burns those of modest financial means.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

One of many reasons why I'm retiring in Spain.
About $2000 a year for complete health insurance.
Y vino tinto y jamon.

My wife had to make a visit to a Polish Hospital ER this summer that required stitches. $368 for everything because she doesn't have coverage in Poland. My in-laws don't complain.  Poland has like a dual system.  If you don't want to wait for the public you have the option to go to a "private" doctor and can get in fairly quick.  We have Polish friends that go for dental work all the time.  Even with plane tickets it's still half the cost.

[WarriorFan]

We are uninsured in the USA.  Due to global lifestyle we can easily get medical care in Dubai where we have insurance (first dollar to last dollar) or almost anywhere else outside the USA.  the cost of the insurance outside the USA is 1/6th of the US cost, and the coverage is full. 

Best thing about this is when we do need something in the USA, we tell the provider we are uninsured and get massive discounts.  Have even had providers send bills and we'll just say no, we'll pay $x... and if it's reasonable they accept it.  The rates "negotiated" by insurance companies are far higher than what service providers will work for - what a scam!

3x in the last year we have flown to Dubai for some treatment or minor surgery and the airfare plus hotel plus cost of care was still far less than the USA.  Appointments were same day and the doctors were awesome. 

It's time for Americans to really recognize how badly broken the US system is, and fix it. 

[MU82]

We are uninsured in the USA.  Due to global lifestyle we can easily get medical care in Dubai where we have insurance (first dollar to last dollar) or almost anywhere else outside the USA.  the cost of the insurance outside the USA is 1/6th of the US cost, and the coverage is full. 

Best thing about this is when we do need something in the USA, we tell the provider we are uninsured and get massive discounts.  Have even had providers send bills and we'll just say no, we'll pay $x... and if it's reasonable they accept it.  The rates "negotiated" by insurance companies are far higher than what service providers will work for - what a scam!

3x in the last year we have flown to Dubai for some treatment or minor surgery and the airfare plus hotel plus cost of care was still far less than the USA.  Appointments were same day and the doctors were awesome. 

It's time for Americans to really recognize how badly broken the US system is, and fix it. 

The bad system doesn't affect congresspeople, who receive  great care. Same with those in the executive branch. And rich people have wonderful health care, too. So it's all good!

Oh, and on the rare occasions when a few of those folks actually propose something that could help the vast majority of Americans, they are called socialists and commies - often by dopes who themselves are routinely screwed by our horrible system.

[Uncle Rico]

We are uninsured in the USA.  Due to global lifestyle we can easily get medical care in Dubai where we have insurance (first dollar to last dollar) or almost anywhere else outside the USA.  the cost of the insurance outside the USA is 1/6th of the US cost, and the coverage is full. 

Best thing about this is when we do need something in the USA, we tell the provider we are uninsured and get massive discounts.  Have even had providers send bills and we'll just say no, we'll pay $x... and if it's reasonable they accept it.  The rates "negotiated" by insurance companies are far higher than what service providers will work for - what a scam!

3x in the last year we have flown to Dubai for some treatment or minor surgery and the airfare plus hotel plus cost of care was still far less than the USA.  Appointments were same day and the doctors were awesome. 

It's time for Americans to really recognize how badly broken the US system is, and fix it. 

Don't be poor

[Shaka Shart]

One of many reasons why I'm retiring in Spain.
About $2000 a year for complete health insurance.
Y vino tinto y jamon.

Commie

[Shaka Shart]

We have Polish friends that go for dental work all the time.  Even with plane tickets it's still half the cost.

There's a Polish joke here probably

[Jay Bee]

Twenty-eight percent!

It's hard for me (pawz) to know what that means in $s; please provide more info.

As a small business owner, I will say the premiums I pay suck it big time.

But hey... at least, "it's not a tax".

[MU82]

It's hard for me (pawz) to know what that means in $s; please provide more info.

$205.25/month ($2,463/year) going up to $263.50/month ($3,162/year).

That's for the supplement. Medicare Part B will go up, too; I believe it went up around 8.5% last year. The Part D (drug plan) max out of pocket will go up, too.

I was expecting around a 10% hike for the supplement, so the 28% surprised me.

As I said, my wife and I are fortunate. These additional costs are more of a "wow, would you look at that" deal than something that will cause us financial pain. But I feel sorry for those who are less fortunate.
 

[MU82]

A Doctor Sued 700 Patients for Debts; 81 Were Arrested. Now He's a Senator.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/roger-marshall-obgyn-doctor-debts.html?

It was Easter weekend in 2007 when a police car pulled up to Joe Vasquez's home in rural Kansas.

A doctor had filed a lawsuit against him and his wife over an unpaid $4,561 bill from her emergency hysterectomy three years earlier. They had missed a court date, and the doctor's lawyers asked the court to issue an arrest warrant.

The police took the couple into custody as their grandchildren prepared for an egg hunt, Mr. Vasquez said. They spent two days in jail before their son could borrow the money to post bond.

"We had no money to pay," said Mr. Vasquez, now 68. At the time, his wife was working at a manufacturing plant and he was on disability, he said.

The doctor who sued the couple was Roger Marshall, now a senator from Kansas. Mr. Marshall, a Republican who is seeking re-election this fall, filed lawsuits against more than 700 patients with outstanding bills during his decades-long career as an obstetrician-gynecologist, according to a New York Times analysis of Kansas court records.