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Insurers Say They May Drop Higher Premiums for Sick Patients

 
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America's health insurers are offering to drop their controversial practice of charging higher premiums to sick people, the Associated Press reported.

In a letter to key senators charged with reforming the U.S. health care system, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association said they are willing to "phase out the practice of varying premiums based on health status in the individual market" if all Americans are required to get coverage.

There are an estimated 48 million uninsured people in the United States, according to the AP. The insurance industry is trying to head off creation of a government insurance plan that could compete with them to provide those people services, the wire service reported.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

The Hlllary & Clinton's perspective on health care makes a lot of sense, I suppose.

March 25, 2009 - 7:28am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

It's too late for minor fixes.
The US healthcare system is beyond repair.
Just ask me.
Every year I hop on a plane and make the 18 hour flight to Thailand where I have all my dental and physical problems taken care of...at a fraction of what it would cost me in the States.
On the last trip I had an operation for dysphagia. Estimated cost in US $2500. Cost in Thailand at a public hospital $100 including biopsy.
They didn't even care that I was a US citizen.
(do a you tube search for "thai hospital' if you want to get an idea of what they are like.
I do keep catastrophic health care insurance which runs me $800-$900 a month just in case I get in an auto accident or have a heart attack.
But I try to visit American hospitals and doctors as little as possible.
My wife had a slight medical problem and I made the mistake of taking her to the emergency room near where I live here in the states. The bill for 4 x rays and doctor consultation....$3300. The emergency room itself cost 1300 dollars just to step into the room. They could have examined her in the lobby.
Until I turn 65 or Obmama does something to fix this broken system I'll keep making my yearly pilgrimage to Bangkok's hospitals.
The US system is dead on arrival

March 24, 2009 - 7:49pm
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