Dreams

CNN has reports about how the Medicare 'Doughnut hole' sucks. Well, duh. Many seniors are paying the same or more for their meds. The only ones making out on the whole deal are the drug companies and HMOs.

Even pharmacies are taking a hit- lower reimbursements, very slow reimbursements, not being reimbursed when a few pills are given at no charge to patients because the HMOs deny or delay covering the drug.

Some drugs cannot be stopped suddenly, and HMOs are refusing to cover them.

The Medicare drug program is horrid.

Right now, the government pays for medical and drug coverage for the very old, the very young, and the very poor. The rich can pay for themselves. The only ones not covered are the working poor. If they make enough and their employer offers it, they can buy medical and drug coverage. If not, they can not go to the doctor when they need to and end up on permanent disability, paid for by the government, without making any contribution to society.

The HMOs are making tons of money, more than enough to sponsor rock concerts and ice skating shows.

Why not have a system like Canada? I would rather pay a little more in taxes than pay an HMO for poor coverage and have the peace of mind that if something happens it will be covered. If I change jobs I don't have to worry about losing coverage.

Having everyone be covered by the government would allow for standardization of formularies (what is covered) and how to bill. Most of my day is spent calling insurance companies to figure out what will be covered and how to get it covered.

Let's put HMOs out of business. Yes, waiting times may increase. However, they may not. If you want instant service for non-emergencies, you can have it by paying more.

Oh, well. I can dream.