what do you think about MA Healthcare plan?
470450
Since it is the peoples republic of MA I amsure it is some form of socialism. Socialism never works! The governmen does not pay for anything we do!It is not the governments money... it is ours. Free healthcare is paid for by those who work. It is not free. What makes you think that I should provide you with healthcare? What about housing, shouldn't everyone have a free house? Is it fair that I have two cars and someone doesn't have one. Should I buy them a car too? I ate steak last night, Should I be forced to buy you a steak too, because you are tired of chicken? If I take the risk and build a business by working 80-90 hours a week and hire you to work 30-40 hours a week. You have assumed no risk and only work 30-40 hours a week what the heck makes you think I should give you anything but a paycheck?\n\nNo one owes you squat! If you want health insuance go buy it! I had to cancel mine whan I started my business, now I have a crappy plan that I pay for! I don't expect someone else to pay for it for me! If you need emergency treatment, guess what you go to an emergency room and the tax payers pay for it anyway! \n\nThe government can't run anything efficiently, what makes people like Hitlary think they can do it better?
924886
By law hospitals have to give life saving care even if the patient cannot pay.  There are already low cost health clinics all over the place.  People have the option of medical bankruptcy which does not effect their credit rating.  So pretty much those 45 million should start thinking of taking care of themselves in my opinion.\n\nAnd out of that 45 million, how many actually need insurance.  That s just 15% of the population, does a healthy 25 year old really need full coverage?  How many of those are exercising their right not to buy insurance even though it is available?  These are numbers that are not represented in a blanket number.
951757
How about a HMO, like Blue Cross.
83854
There are many providers of short-term health insurance that would probably meet your needs. I had a great experience with an online provider, Clear Blue Insurance. Great site, really easy to deal with and a good choice of plans.
811951
The best debates against the health care reform involve 2 elements:\n(1) economics\n(2) logic;\n\nArgue that nationalized healthcare and other proposed reforms restrict the free-market economy and reduce the quality of healthcare by increasing long lines and failing to provide incentives for innovation.\n\nArgue that nationalized healthcare or other reforms are populist ideals.  Just because everyone wants reform, doesn't mean that it is the best way to go.  Even if everyone wanted no reforms, that wouldn't make it right, either.  \n\nYou should be able to find a lot of information on the web b/c it is a hot topic right now.
663930
Hospitals offer everyone emergency care whether they can pay or not.  Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program that helps low income folks with their care.\n\nIt's still a problem though.  I have a friend with leukemia, and she doesn't have health insurance and she earns too much money to qualify for government assistance, but not enough to pay for her treatment.  The American Cancer Society is paying for her treatment, but not her prescriptions.  It's far from a perfect system.\n\nI have another friend in Canada, where health care is socialized.  She had a worrisome spot on her skin and also a lump under her skin.  Her doctor was concerned and referred her to a specialist.  She had to wait 6 months before she could get an appointment.  It turns out it wasn't cancer, but if it was, that wait could have killed her.  That system is very far from perfect too.\n\nAs far as bankruptcy, there's not a whole lot of shame in it anymore, and if it was for medical reasons, it won't hurt your chances for a loan as much as you may think.  Bankruptcy only stays on your financial records for 7 years, so it won't haunt you for your whole life.\n\nBut your general premise that being poor is not as advantageous as being wealthy is right.  It's true in many ways including in health care.
471404
Funny thing is, I am a LEGAL resident and I can't go to a doctor because I don't have health insurance, and not even once it crosses my mind going to the ER to get primary care. I pay my taxes and do everything by the book, and as a legal resident I cannot (and don't want anyways) use any kind of welfare until I have been working here for 10 years (that's my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong) but the illegals always find a way to misuse the system. Do you know how many families "recycle" insurance cards to fraudulently get medical care because in one family they have 5 "Maria Perez"'s? Sorry, that's illegal and it puts a huge strain on the medical system. And of course those living of of welfare...So I don't think they should use the hospitals to survive, the HC system is already falling apart! I will not deny them of medical care but I don't think it's right. What needs to be done is to fix the problem at the root, and not just use "quick fixes".
305458
Is this a health insurance plan paid for by your employer?  If it is, take the one that would most benefit you and your family.  HMO's may be fine for some people, but I chose to take Blue Cross/Blue Shield; it allows me to go to any doctor I want, and just about everything is covered.  Yes, there may be a higher copay bill you may receivef rom the doictor, but it is worth it.  HMO's tend to dictate who, what, where, when and how you can receive medical treatment.  They also may not be accepted out of your area, so if you were on vacation, thwere may be a problem if something may happen that requires a hospital or doctor visit.  Research all plans available to you, and make the decision that is best for your needs.\n\nI am the president of my union at work, and we are fighting to keep BCBS; we have been without a contract for a year and a half, and will wait as long as we have to to insure that we keep this benefit.
439935
methodist group insurance is a good deal cos they cover zillions of clubs, and other social organisations. Cos of the mass cover to so many the premiums are dirt cheap.
416061
works great , before there was no medicare drug plan at all.  why getting your drugs for 10 to 30 dollars is a bad thing is beyond me to people.\n\nMy mother has it and it is saving her thousands of dollars a year.
801875
Did you get the plan from work? Well then ask this your HR manager. If you are buying on your own, I'd rather suggest\na plan with no elimination or waiting periods, like eHealthPlus.
422291
I'm a Republican, and I've always been against public health care.  I've always thought that if I had to work for a living (and insurance) then everyone should have to.  No freebies.  Well, after actually having to use my insurance, and along with paying deductibles, co-payments, and 20% of all other bills, and having racked up medical bills in excess of $1,500 (which I most definitely cannot afford!), I have changed my mind and would love a public health care system.  No necessarily along the lines of Canada's health care system, but at least something to help those without insurance, and those who are low income.  Maybe have government run clinics set up in each county where anyone that is below a certain income level could receive full healthcare, including MRI, CT Scan, X-Ray, vision, dental, etc at a reduced rate.  Something like that anyway.  I got a bill from the emergency room for $1,400...for two shots.  That's it.  If the government isn't ever going to offer free healthcare to its' citizens, it should at least put a cap on what physicians can charge for their services.  I understand that most of them went to school for 8+ years, but charging $180 for a 5 minute office visit or $1,000 for ONE shot in the emergency room is just plain robbery.
919516
There are 50 different BC/BS plans, one in each state, so it totally depends on what state you are talking about.\nIn my state, its a pretty good plan with decent prices, but in other states it is really not that good.\nSo, it completely depends.\nIf you are moving away from an employer sponsored health plan where the employer subsidizes your premiums and you are headed into an individual plan, be prepared for a very large price increase.\n\nAnd it is a very very good idea to get both ST and LT disability policies, if you can afford them.  They are relatively inexpensive compared to what you have to lose in income if you become disabled.
966641
I signed up for my employer's HSA and high deductible plan for next year.  From the research I've done it seems that it's a good deal if you stay healthy.
316389
Hello, if you live in California, Blue Cross has a plan called "Tonik". It covers medical, emergency visits, doctor visits, dental and vision. Rates are lower than most health plans because they only advertise this plan on the internet. You may want to check it out. Good luck.\n\nhttp://lamontinsurance.com/tonik/tonik.health.html\n\nhttp://lamontinsurance.com/tonik/tonik.chart.html
1022523
I would like to thank the previous respondee's answer. He was sure to point out the obvious that some are a good buy and some aren't. Now that we cleared that out of the way, let's look at healthcare from a single unit, the index. Also mind you healthcare is a vast industry including great growth potentials in the biotechnology and nanotechnology arenas. But also has some laggards in the larger areas such as drug stocks in Biogen.\n\nThe healthcare index (^NYP)  has been in a downtrend since mid-March. With the lackluster markets bringing everything down with it, I see no reason for this downtrend to slow. Give or take though, I don't think we will see any more than about a 3% loss for the index from here. Right now is not the time to buy, in my opinion, but we could see some tremendous value plays in about 2-3 months. And as with any thing in the market, the small-cap growth stocks usually lead the way in a bullish advance. So I would look for small growth plays at that time.
625727
Some Dental plans are really good. Delta Dental, Met Life, Guardian. When we first started out in business we signed up with quite a few. Over the years we have not had to sign up with any new ones. The low quality plans have dissappeared. We are still members of others that we just hold on to because we like particular patients. Other wise we don't accept new pateiens from the lower paying plans. In general you get what you pay for. PPO plans seem to work because Dentist are compensated for each service at some predentermined rate. Dentist can give you your options expensive and cheap, pretty or less pretty, and he gets paid for the exam. Everybody is happy. If you decide to go with the less expensive treatment that's your decision. Less expensive options require less time and material and the dentist gets paid. More expensive options require more hand skills and integrity and the dentist charges accordingly.\n\nStay away from HMOs and discount cards. If you buy one of these discount cards the dentist staff has to do all this work to figure out your rate, I refuse to see people who have discount cards because I just can't figure out what part of the tooth I should discount. ha.\n\nHMOs; Don't get an HMO if possible. The way HMOs work is the dentist gets a FAT check every month for say 300 patients on a list. You have to see these patients for basic services for free. (sounds good eh?) But most of the time the dentist gets to thinking, why should I bust my butt and HMO patients all day when I can put them off for a few weeks and see the Cash and PPO patients. So right off the bat you become a second class patient. Then lets say your plan covers basic fillings for free, but not crowns and white fillings. Suddenly, you are at a car dealership. OH sorry Mr. Shmo you need a crown and that tooth. By the way you need a deep cleaning and those wisdome teeth should come out. Get the picture? HMO's suck because you can't figure out if you really need a service or are getting served.\n\nI wish you luck. Remember cash works well too. you'll get a bigger discount than those discount cards.\nOtherwise PPO's are the way to go.\n\np.s.  blue cross pays as much as your employer is willing to pay.  so, in general they are very low paying to the dentist.