YOUR HEALTHCARE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

One of the hot topics in politics is health care and insurance. Some folks think this is fairly new. Actually it has been around since the late 40's. Harry Truman pushed for nationalized health care after WWII. It was a bad idea then and still is. Prior to the war, most people paid their own medical bills. Few companies offered company paid insurance as a benefit. During the war, due to price and wage controls, many companies started to offer it as a way to recruit new employees as a way to skirt these controls.
Somehow, over the years of growth of the nanny/welfare state, people have been convinced that this is a right, like it's in the Constitution or something. People have come to expect cradle to grave protection against any type of problem. This attitude has been encouraged by politicians and wacko liberal groups. It is just another push for control over your liberties and your pocketbook.
The fact is your healthcare and that of your family is YOUR responsibility, just as is food, shelter, clothing, etc. If you can negotiate it as part of your pay package at work, fine. If not, you need to get your own.
I know it can be pricey-I have paid my own since I was 19 (I am now 50), but most people can do it.
An example is Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi. A 30 year old couple with 2 children can get a great policy with low co-pays for around $250 per month. It does not include dental or eyecare and at this premium there is a deductable on the hopital part of $10,000. I know you are saying "I can't come up with $10,000!! Well, this will get you in the hospital-they will work a payment plan on the 10 grand and 10 grand is much less than a total bill of maybe $100,000 or more. Deductibles as low as $1,000 are available, but the premiums are higher, of course. A novel idea is to save the extra premiums so you will have the deductible when you need it.
Another money saving tip-do not go to the hospital for tests and scans. Find out which providers are in the insurers network and schedule the tests there. It can cost as much as one-fourth as much and you get in and out much quicker.
Tight budget? It's a matter of priorities. Here are a few suggestions: disconnect the cable TV, sell the new car with the payments and drive a used car ( a beater if you have to), cut out the Saturday night trips to Billy Bobs Dance Hall, stay in the home you are in instead of buying that big one you really can't afford anyway, get a part-time job. WHAT-EVER IT TAKES! Remember, it is your responsibility!
Please do this before you become one of those folks who reads this and says "I have preexsisting conditions and can't get insured". Well, if you wait until you need insurance, your too damn late.