If this continues along with companies like GM paying less and offering less benefits (health insurance being the primary cut in most companies because they can't afford it) we will soon have the very few paying for the very many because we will lack the ability for preventive doctors visits.
I will not be surprised if we see a massive decline in the age expectations and far more sick.
I do not see how anyone can argue against universal healthcare because we are going to have it one way or another we may as well pay taxes for it otherwise only the rich will have insurance and even then the burden of their insurance will be far more than their taxes would be.
States and localities are already at bankrupt levels trying to pay for the uninsured. The Feds is soon going to be hit hard.
Hell, a month ago I posted an article that the fed planned to pay billions for the illegals healthcare...... and yet we keep having to hear the GOP and healthcare industry tell us we can't afford universal healthcare while we go broke paying for it anyway.
Of course, let's hear from those who say if people who can't afford healthcare they should lose all they have and if they still can't afford it well then too bad.
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LINKS: (I used the CNN story but I have also linked to more "conservative" sources also.... the stories are pretty much the same.....
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...s_x.htm?csp=34
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aj6M8rPP1GHM
http://insider.washingtontimes.com/a...6-101052-2922r
http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/06/08...ion=cnn_latest
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Study: Uninsured cost insured $900 more
48 million Americans will lack health insurance in 2005
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 Posted: 1:26 PM EDT (1726 GMT)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Health insurance premiums will cost families and employers an extra $922 on average this year to cover the costs of caring for the uninsured, according to a report released Wednesday.
With the added cost, the yearly premiums for a family with coverage through an employer will average $10,979 in 2005, said the report from consumer group Families USA.
By 2010, the additional costs for the uninsured will be $1,502, and total premiums will hit $17,273. In 11 states, the costs of the uninsured will exceed $2,000 per family.
For individuals, the extra charge this year is estimated to be $341 on average, rising to $532 in 2010. Total premium charges for individuals will be $4,065 in 2005, and $6,115 in 2010.
"The stakes are high both for businesses and for workers who do have health insurance because they bear the brunt of costs for the uninsured," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.
Nearly 48 million Americans will lack health insurance for 2005, the report said.
Uninsured patients pay about one-third of the costs of their care provided by doctors and hospitals, the report said.
The remaining costs -- more $43 billion in 2005 -- are considered "uncompensated care." The government picks up part of the tab and most of the rest is added to insurance premiums for people with health coverage, the report said.
"Ironically, this increases the cost of health insurance and results in fewer people who can afford insurance -- a vicious circle," the report said.
The costs for people with insurance vary by state based on a number of variables, including the percentage of uninsured in a state and the amount local, state and federal governments contribute.
The report was based on data from the Census Bureau, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Center for Health Statistics and other sources.