SINGLE PAYER IS THE ONLY HEALTHY SOLUTION

[Teatownclown]

STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Health Insurers Making Record Profits as Many Postpone Care

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/business/14health.html?_r=1

 "Some observers wonder if the insurers are simply raising premiums in advance of the full force of the health care law in 2014. The insurers' recent prosperity — big insurance companies have reported first-quarter earnings that beat analysts expectations by an average of 30 percent — may make it difficult for anyone, politicians and industry executives alike, to argue that the industry has been hurt by the federal health care law."

It is time America put people over profits and quit letting insurance barons rob everyone else blind. These folks are making the most compelling argument for single-payer yet. They simply cannot be trusted with the health and well-being of America.

To hell with Obamacare Romneycare.

[nathanm]

So what was the overall profit margin in the sector and how does it compare to previous quarters?

[Red Arrow]

So what was the overall profit margin in the sector and how does it compare to previous quarters?

That doesn't matter.  It only matters that they beat their projections by 30% if you want to make a point.

An example would be a projection of 1% followed by an actual return of 1.3%. 

Or, it could be a 100% projection followed by an actual of of 130%.

Isn't math wonderful?

[nathanm]

An example would be a projection of 1% followed by an actual return of 1.3%. 

Or, it could be a 100% projection followed by an actual of of 130%.

I doubt either the former or the latter are in line with reality. Historically, a 10-15% profit margin has been pretty standard for health insurers. Casualty insurers don't typically do as well. Or grocery stores. Or just about anybody else short of hedge funds and REITs that are working with massive leverage, actually. I posted the actual numbers sometime in the last year or two, but I've forgotten which government agency keeps track.

[Red Arrow]

I doubt either the former or the latter are in line with reality. Historically, a 10-15% profit margin has been pretty standard for health insurers. Casualty insurers don't typically do as well. Or grocery stores. Or just about anybody else short of hedge funds and REITs that are working with massive leverage, actually. I posted the actual numbers sometime in the last year or two, but I've forgotten which government agency keeps track.

I also doubt either of the examples I gave are realistic.  I intentionally chose some absurd limits to make my point.  The overall point is that anyone can use selected statistics to make a point when reality may be something entirely different.

[guido911]

I am pleased with my coverage, although I wish my group would be allow to pool so I could get a little decrease in deductible. Still, I like it so I guess Single Payer is not the only "healthy solution" after all.

[nathanm]

I also doubt either of the examples I gave are realistic.  I intentionally chose some absurd limits to make my point.  The overall point is that anyone can use selected statistics to make a point when reality may be something entirely different.

Which is why the actual numbers would have been interesting information.

Guido, it's not healthy to have a gangrenous foot even if the rest of your body is hunky dory.

[guido911]

Which is why the actual numbers would have been interesting information.

Guido, it's not healthy to have a gangrenous foot even if the rest of your body is hunky dory.

I don't have a gangrenous foot. I call a doctor (ortho, cardiac, internal, or pediatrician for my kids), get an appointment usually within 48-72 hours (quicker if I ask) and I go in. Need a test or procedure? Wash and repeat. No questions. No issues. And I am treated terrifically. I have no complaints.

[Teatownclown]

I don't have a gangrenous foot. I call a doctor (ortho, cardiac, internal, or pediatrician for my kids), get an appointment usually within 48-72 hours (quicker if I ask) and I go in. Need a test or procedure? Wash and repeat. No questions. No issues. And I am treated terrifically. I have no complaints.

It pays to have a magnanimous personality.

[guido911]

It pays to have a magnanimous personality.

Nope. It pays to know what you are doing and that I care enough to provide for my family's health and well-being.

Now, waiting on the "rich get everything" BS response.

[Teatownclown]

Nope. It pays to know what you are doing and that I care enough to provide for my family's health and well-being.

Now, waiting on the "rich get everything" "insurance industry" BS response.

http://www.pensitoreview.com/2011/05/16/with-50-mil-uninsured-health-insurance-industry-report-record-profits/

With 50 Mil Uninsured, Health Insurers Report $15 Bil Profit While Shifting Uninsureds' $49 Bil Hospital Tab to Taxpayers
Doctors Once Used Leeches to Cure Maladies, Now Leeches Run the Entire Health-Care System

[nathanm]

I don't have a gangrenous foot. I call a doctor (ortho, cardiac, internal, or pediatrician for my kids), get an appointment usually within 48-72 hours (quicker if I ask) and I go in. Need a test or procedure? Wash and repeat. No questions. No issues. And I am treated terrifically. I have no complaints.

The country has a gangrenous foot; namely those who can't get/can't afford coverage. People who can afford individual coverage or qualify for group coverage or have group coverage paid for by their employer are doing just fine, aside from paying more than they would in any other country in the world thanks to all the uninsured who can't pay their bills.

[Teatownclown]

The country has a gangrenous foot; namely those who can't get/can't afford coverage. People who can afford individual coverage or qualify for group coverage or have group coverage paid for by their employer are doing just fine, aside from paying more than they would in any other country in the world thanks to all the uninsured who can't pay their bills.

Right. Like the enormous cost side to this equation isn't driven by Big Pharma, the Hospital mafias, and the greedy doctors?

[Hoss]

Right. Like the enormous cost side to this equation isn't driven by Big Pharma, the Hospital mafias, and the greedy doctors?

Doctors are only greedy inasmuch as:

a) their malpractice insurance rates are ridiculous
b) they have to hire a gaggle of people to code for the different insurance plans they accept
c) in some cases, doctors are beholden to pharma with freebies and the like

But a and b, IMO, are the lion's share of the problem.  You've seen my posts regarding a centralized, unified insurance coding system.  That would reduce overhead by a huge margin.

[nathanm]

Hoss, there are some doctors who overprescribe things like MRIs because they own an MRI and that sort of thing, but they aren't the majority of the issue in most locales.