Who do you trust?

This health care issue is a real twister. We need to be a benevolent people... We need to make sure that those less fortunate among us have the opportunity to move up. We need to offer support to those that are faced with extreme illnesses. But we need to also make sure that they who can, pull their own weight.

We are once more asked to act quickly... the goal had been to have this health bill passed and on the President’s desk prior to the August break. Questions arose- arguments erupted. That didn't happen. The pressure is still on.

My questions are:

Do we want to give our trust and the keys to our health care to the US government or do we leave it with the insurance companies?

If this is such a hot item that needs to be passed today- why are we waiting until 2012 to implement it?

How do we pay for more insured- and less premium costs for those currently insured? 36-46 million (depending upon who you ask) now are not covered.

Can we really expect the cost saving measures of the government to find the necessary funds so no additional deficit funding is necessary (tax increase)? If so, what are they waiting for? We could use the money right now.

Can we believe that the existence of a public option (or coop) will not lead to employers taking the 8% payroll hit/fine and dropping their employees- sustaining a lesser cost against the bottom line and swelling the rolls of the “option” beyond the 5% expected and budgeted for?

What about the personal penalty clause? Can we enforce making those individuals that can afford insurance buy it? How? Can't we start with that and see how it impacts our costs?

Can’t we get a bit more aggressive with tort reform?

I do come from the point of the insured. I personally have not had any health insurance nightmares...and believe me I have used a lot and I have cost a lot. I come under the category of catastrophic illnesses, and I expected some push back from insurance companies- but have not had any to date.

The Government has mishandled the VA, SS, Post Office, and created bureaucratic red tape everywhere they go.

Insurance by nature is a nasty business- the insurance companies bet they will collect more money than they pay out. We hope they are right- but just in case, we want coverage.

Lots of questions... basically come down to whom do you trust...

My trust factor is getting low on both sides. There are many more questions than there are answers. I tend to hold off on making decisions when I am being pressured.

Who do you trust?

God Bless,