Bill would extend coverage under parents' policies
Young, uninsured
By Yvonne Wenger
The Post and Courier
Melissa Matthews, 26, is a full-time student at the Medical University of South Carolina. The insurance industry deemed her too old to be included in her parents' health care coverage.
Reader poll
Should insurance companies be required to allow full-time college students and military veterans to remain on their parents' insurance policy?
- yes 83% 697 votes
- no 16% 138 votes
835 total votes.
COLUMBIA — As a medical student, Melissa Matthews spends about 80 hours a week treating people, some who are homeless or too poor to pay for care.
But when Matthews, 26, a third-year student at the Medical University of South Carolina, suddenly lost hearing in her right ear about four months ago, she was left with a $5,000 bill to add to her already mountainous $200,000 in student debt — and a steady ringing.
Like 40 percent of young adults in South Carolina, Matthews lost inclusion in her parents' health care coverage when the insurance industry deemed that she was too old.
The state is now joining more than 30 others that have tried to find ways to increase age limits and extend coverage to their uninsured, although industry insiders warn that it could end up costing many families higher premium costs.
"I knew I couldn't afford to pay the emergency room fee, so I waited until the morning," Matthews said. "I went to bed and I woke up and my hearing was gone for good. I will have ringing until I can afford to get treatment for it."
The bill, which is in an early stage of the legislative process, would allow unmarried young adults to stay on their parents' insurance until they're 25, or 30 if they're full-time students. As it is now, young adults are cut off at 19, and 22 for students.
Military personnel could qualify to be covered for up to 24 months or as long as 36 months under their parents' insurance, up to age 33, after discharge from active duty, depending on the length of time they served in active duty. The coverage would only apply to former servicemen and women who are not married.
But if the bill is to have any life, legislators likely will have to pull back on the original proposal as drafted by Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia.
"It strikes me as very unfair that a high school graduate who wants to take off a year or two before they go to college is immediately dropped off their parents' policy," Lourie said.
Lynn Bailey, a Columbia-based health care consultant and economist, said many parents are shocked to learn that their children no longer have health insurance when they stop being students because their studies are interrupted by a sudden illness, accident or pregnancy.
She estimates that the legislation could catch between 100,000 and 200,000 young uninsured South Carolina adults.
Nevertheless, the bill is unlikely to change the overall number of uninsured in South Carolina, Bailey said. While large employers likely won't be affected because they usually are self-insured, smaller companies will face higher health care costs because they often can't provide large enough pools of people to demand better premium rates from insurance companies.
While the bill is an "excellent idea," many people will be priced out of the market as the increased cost to employers ripples through the system, Bailey said. That process could be as quick as 18 months, she said.
Larry Marchant Jr., executive director of the South Carolina Alliance of Health Plans, said the Senate must be careful to study the unintended consequences. He does believe, though, that there is room for some middle ground, especially when it comes to military members.
Marchant said a better approach would be for the Legislature to focus its energy on increasing the cigarette tax and using the revenue as tax credits for low-income workers to purchase health insurance, a proposal that would help some of the very same young adults.
"We don't need to be encouraging adults to stay on their mom and dad's insurance until they are 30 years old," Marchant said.
That proposal and others are being considered by a Senate panel charged with studying whether to increase the state's 7-cent per pack cigarette tax, which is the lowest in the nation.
On Lourie's bill, the Senate Banking and Insurance subcommittee postponed a vote until the insurers provide potential cost estimates. Lourie said he has not been able to find evidence to back up some of the claims so far.
Matthews said she can see how the legislation could have a very real and meaningful impact. She lost her father's insurance coverage — through his employer in Massachusetts — when she turned 25. Since then she's used her student loans to buy a $1,000 insurance plan that, as it turns out, doesn't cover hearing loss.
"That is disaster for me to lose hearing in my right ear, but it apparently wasn't a disaster to my insurance company," Matthews said.
By the numbers
The Health Care Accessibility for Young Americans Act, a bill pending in the state Senate, would increase age limits on family insurance plans.
19 - The age at which young adults in South Carolina lose their family health care coverage, unless they are full-time students, who are allowed to stay on their parents' plans until they turn 22.
40 - The percentage of 18- to 25-year-olds who have no health insurance.
25 - The new age cap, proposed in bill 1010, for young adults on their parents' insurance. They could stay on until they are 30 if they're full-time students.
33 - The age cap for former military personnel who have seen at least six months of active duty. However, if they get married, like all young adults in the new groups, they lose the insurance option.
21 - Number of states that have recently enacted laws extending coverage to a combination of young adults; 12 states are also considering expanding coverage.
Source: Senate documents and subcommittee testimony
Peter Hull contributed to this story. Reach Yvonne Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051 or.
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VINCENT_VEGA (anonymous) says...
Most medical students are in the hole big time just to pay for their education. Extra money for health insurance just isn't there. These students are exposed to extremely sick patents and should be covered 100% for their medical expenses. After all, who's going to take care of the rest of us if our doctors aren't healthy?
This really exposes yet another hole in our healthcare system.
March 13, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
This will just cause insurance companies to raise their rates for everyone across the board in order to cover the cost increase.
March 13, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rooster07 (anonymous) says...
As an MUSC alumnus, I can attest to the fact that it is expensive to get health insurance as a student. I had even decided at one point to go without health insurance while in school because I was healthy and rarely became ill. However, MUSC students are required to have health insurance to attend classes. I requested more money from student loans to help cover the expense, but while I was in school for 4 years, tuition increased dramatically (about 40%) yet my loan amount remained the same. That left me with less money for living expenses. The bad thing is, I was an in-state student. I can't imagine having to pay out-of-state tuition along with other expenses, unless they are loaned more money.
March 13, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bubbbie (anonymous) says...
I'm sorry she had some health issues, I hope the ear problem goes away.
I don't think it's the insurance companies responsibility to have to cover this woman. She's not a child, she chose to go to school. It would be nice if the school stepped up and offered something reasonable for covereage that the students could afford or at least roll into there student loans.
March 13, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
Rooster brings up an important point. How is it that she was even at MUSC without insurance? It's a requirement!
I think the legislature needs to look at this issue more carefully. We don't want to price small businesses out of insurance and increase the financial burdens on people and companies already paying a fortune for health plans. If you make a state unfriendly to insurance companies, they may just up and leave. THEN how many will be without coverage?
Clearly there is a market niche for providing adult students coverage. Let market forces step in and fill the gap.
March 13, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CADguy (anonymous) says...
She had insurance. Just not good insurance.
March 13, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
"As it is now, young adults are cut off at 19, and 22 for students."
Regardless of the company with which you are insured, most people can cover their children, if full time students, up until age 23. Your high school student will be cut off right after graduation, if they don't go straight to college. I have heard of no company that will cover a part time students, even if the parents are the sole supporters.
I don't believe that this is particularly just a problem in our state.
We have impressed upon our children the importance of finding jobs with good health benefits, as so many companies don't even offer any benefits.
I also have very little faith that our next president will make much, if any, impact on the health issues in this country.
March 13, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
When the insurance companies have to raise rates to cover this people will be priced out of their insurance, and of course then folks will raise the cry of unaffordable insurance. I'm a 49 year old single man, but thanks to the legislature my health insurance has to cover pregnancy, along with about 40 other situations or diseases that really have little to do with me. If you want to know why you can't afford insurance, thank your legislature in good part.
March 13, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
Whatever! If you take a year off, quit school, or decide you are going to go to school forever - get your own insurance.
The common guy's insurance should not go up because you don't want to foot the bill to get your own ADULT policy.
At some point you are an adult whether you are in school or not. Get a life (and pay for it).
March 13, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
I am a 40 year old male and buy my insurance directly from BC/BS of South Carolina. Cost: less than $50 a month. Surely, for a 26 year old female it would be less. Perhaps less ipods, music downloads and changed priorities would allow room in the budget for it. This is the chance you take without having insurance and while I feel sorry for the student, well it could have been prevented.
March 13, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Larz, you are getting BC/BS on your own for that price, and you are not getting it through your employer? I have never heard of anyone getting insurance from a major company at that cost. I know of quite a few people that would jump on that.
March 13, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
this is not a sad story, she's not a victim, just another person that wants something for free. she's playing the "i'm a poor college student" card, please. obviously a democrat!
March 13, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cdtanner (anonymous) says...
Insurance for all ages is outrageous to have and try to pay. I did have insurance about 7 years ago. Then a get a letter that the insurance company pull out of South Carolina and I have not been able to afford any insurance since. I still pay to go to the Doctor or hospital out of my pocket but what will happen if and when I may have something big happen to me. It's going to be aweful.
March 13, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
benmarks (anonymous) says...
larz, you are not telling the truth. A simple check at any insurance quote website reveals that.
Women of child-bearing age are in fact expensive to insure. Check your facts, people, or stay away from the keyboard.
March 13, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
A 26 year old should not still be dependant on their parents for anything.
As for the "numbers"...
"40 - The percentage of 18- to 25-year-olds who have no health insurance."
How many of that 40% are making a new car payment, pay car insurance, shop at the mall, eating out, etc etc etc.? Just because you choose not to use your money for insurance, don't expect me to pay for it.
I do without a lot of those things so that I can pay my premiums. They should do the same.
March 13, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
If you want something, expect to pay for it. If you don't want to pay for it, don't expect others to be forced to pay for it! It's that simple.
March 13, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kirby (anonymous) says...
As a recently graduated student from the College of Charleston, it was no fun to find out that within months of my graduation not only would I be thrown into the "real world" of paying student loans and continuing the several full time jobs I ALREADY had, I would be paying rent & utilities, sky-rocketing gas prices, and searching for how to either remain completely healthy at all times or scrounge for change to cover health insurance. I work 60+ hour weeks, but my degree hasn't afforded a flouringishing or astronomical paycheck as of yet... until then, or until I submit to the corporate world instead of the locally owned businesses I work for, I assume I will only be able to afford "catastrophe accident insurance" which only helps if I practically dismantle myself - I can only hope my teeth don't fall out, my vision remains relatively the same and I continue to get minimum health care from the Health Department because if I'm deathly ill I'll be out of luck
March 13, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
benmarks, thanks. I didn't want to call him a liar, but in truth, if that were the case, then most everyone would have insurance.
March 13, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerwin1959 (anonymous) says...
I have a BC/BS policy,and I wish it was only $50/month! He is probably getting a subsidy from his employer and doesn't know it. If not, I want the name of the agent who got him the policy!
Every 4-year college I am aware of provides medical care at the campus and charge it with the tuition, etc. expenses; they don't however, have the facilities to provide emergency care.
March 13, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Good Lord, allwoman, why would anyone pay for that. It doesn't cover squat.
That is ridiculous. We had BC PPO at one time, and it sure covered most everything. I wonder what is up with that?
I hate these insurance companies that say they cover like 80%, but then they don't actually tell you that it is 80% of what they allow. Very misleading at times.
Read your insurance booklets, and get familar with everything that they do or do not cover.
I get really hot over these people that brag about how they can go to a chiropractor and get a massage covered by their insurance company. Now, what is medically necessary about that?
March 13, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LadyTarHeel (anonymous) says...
I'm a graduates student at MUSC and we get health insurance from the school; however, it only covers up to $850 dollars of expenses per year and you have to pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed. Thankfully, my dad works for Goodyear and they allow me to stay on his insurance until I'm 27 or get married. If this was not the case, I would not be able to get ANY of medications as my multiple sclerosis meds just went up from $1300 a month to $1600 a month. That $850 wouldn't go very far for me either. Even if I tried to get my own health coverage, I probably wouldn't get it due to a pre-existing condition or it would be way too expensive for me to afford on my monthly stipend.
I'm 23 years old and I try not to be dependent on my parents for anything; however, that's not always possible. When I have a relapse they are the only ones who give me any type of support (financially, physically and emotionally). I say this to say always remember to look at things from all possible facets.
March 13, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Edwin435 (anonymous) says...
I am sorry Kirby...but we are all in the same boat.... its not just those who have just gotten out of college. We all pay that much for everything. Its a struggle to make it. Maybe you should search for another job that has health insurance...that might help....Its what I take in to account when I was job hunting...sometimes you have to bite the bullet and work for the corporate junkies and place your ideal a little father back. If you wont do that and stick to what you are doing now then more power to you. I found that you can get insurance without being tied to the corporate animal...you just have to look.... good luck it only gets worse as you grow up and take on more responsibility...
March 13, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
merrillthinks (anonymous) says...
universal healthcare. duh.
March 13, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Edwin435 (anonymous) says...
universal health care will not work ask most Canadians and English citizens how well it works for them...they catch so much hell trying to get into surgery and such...its all a mess. I wish I had the answers for it but try as I might I come out with only more questions.
March 13, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LadyTarHeel, I really feel for you. I have 2 friends with MS, and they are struggling with their medication costs.
You are indeed fortunate that your dad's insurance covers you.
My dad is 82 yrs. old. If he didn't have supplemental insurance to go along with Medicare he would be up a creek. He has cancer, and one shot he has to get to build up his blood count costs $1500 a pop.
These life supporting medications are outrageous.
I have to admire anyone that doesn't just hang it up, because they have a debilating illness.
I pray that your MS is the kind that never gets extremely bad.
Best of luck to you.
March 13, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Sorry, that should be debilitating, not debilating. My apologies.
March 13, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Allwoman- with that quote all anyone could afford with that plan is to say they they just purchased "affordable" insurance...which covers absolutely nothing!! Good grief I hope noone was duped into that plan.....
March 13, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmw29410 (anonymous) says...
Insurance rates often leave the customer feeling like a rape victim. I only recently got Medicare due to my becoming disabled. For 2 years prior to that, Blue Cross raped me for about $900 a freakin' month. I am a diabetic and have had a heart attack, but have needed little from my doctors for maintenance in the 9 years since the attack. $900 a month? It's not worth staying alive for that! MUSC should step up and help one of their own here.
March 13, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Anyone who's in medical school should have coverage. If your in medical school your going to be exposed to all kinds of illnesses just from being in a hospital environment. Staph infections are becoming particularly dangerous, so anyone who's on the medical staff, or in training, should have coverage. When I was in college I also worked full-time and was fortunate enough to have coverage that was affordable through my employer. I stayed on my parents policy until I was 22, so I only had to do this the last year of school. I changed majors 1/2 way so it took me an extra year to finish.
What I'd like to know is why we let people be $200k in debt to go to Med school? I know it's off the subject but it would seem to me that it would save the taxpayers money on medical costs (and insurance costs) if we simply used Federal money to put people through med school.
Suppose that we decided on educating 100,000 additional doctors at a cost of $200k each, over an eight year time frame. This would come to $20 Billion total ($2.5 Billion per year over eight years) This would be a much better option than to leave people up to their eyeballs in debt when they finish. Maybe then we could get more affordable treatment and not have to wait hours to see someone.
$2.5 billion per year is peanuts compared to how wasteful they are on so many other projects. This would at least have a real benefit. We also have to consider the number of doctors who are Baby Boomers are will be approaching retirement. We need people to take their place.
March 13, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kirby (anonymous) says...
RE: "I am sorry Kirby...but we are all in the same boat.... its not just those who have just gotten out of college. We all pay that much for everything. Its a struggle to make it."
You obviously know where I'm coming from...
& I understand that you can "get insurance without being tied to the corporate animal...you just have to look..."
But "getting" insurance, versus getting "affordable insurance", versus getting "good insurance" all happen to be very different events... its easily seen in the some of the BC/BS and catastrophic coverage quotes. I am indeed thankful that my health is great, that my catastrophic coverage will do for now, and that I don't have to contend with outrageous medical bills as many others do.
Cofc offered a coverage plan, but I didn't need anything additional & when I was covered it wasn't a handout, my parents were clearly paying for my insurance coverage - I don't expect anyone or any particular division of local gov't to cover my insurance for me - that's crazy - I do however support some form of allowance for students, military, etc.
March 13, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalstonbred (anonymous) says...
LadyTarHeel, I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I'm a 20 year old with lupus and I plan on going to graduate school. Thankfully my dad's boss is a "family-first" kind of guy and he expanded the insurance to cover me until I'm in my late 20s or married. My medications are a reasonable price, but I have to get extensive labs done and see my doctor every 3 months. I have been told that once I am no longer able to be on my dad's plan, there is a possibility that I won't qualify for my own. I'm a contributing member to society with big aspirations and I'm not looking for a free ride. For the record I am completely against universal health care.
March 13, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dreamer (anonymous) says...
Actually, most of the time, there are student policies available through the school. They are usually around $100 for the infirmary at the college and I am guessing that being MUSC there probably are options available for students--and those charges can be rolled into a student loan, etc. Of course there's no coverage for surgery, etc. BUT minor issues where tests, etc. would need to be done, the co pay is usually low.
March 13, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slspain (anonymous) says...
I was caught without insurance at the age of 22 when I was in a bad car accident and had to spend 15 days in the hospital. My coverage on my parents policy stopped at the age of 21. I was a full time student. I def. think that if you are in school full time you should be covered regardless of age.
March 13, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pompusmaximus (anonymous) says...
I feel that most people on this forum that are against this bill lack a college education or should atleast get their money back. Seriously, about 80% of the people that comment here are complete idiots.
March 13, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
pompusmaximus-it's not that we're against college, it's we're against those who aren't adults or want to try to be one. i went to college and graduated thank you. i did not have health insurance and i was really lucky nothing bad happened. do i feel like i should have some kind of extended privilege because i was a college student and deserved for someone to foot the bill? NO. just because your in college doesn't exempt you from realties or reality of what we all like to call LIFE! the problem with a lot of you is you think you are on a pedastal because YOU chose to further your education so if your that smart, you should have the know how or will to get what you need to survive!
March 13, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
My policy is better than the one allwoman states. It is my own individual policy. I am self-employed. I do not need OB/GYN or any of that prenatal stuff (unless I sign up for a sex change). I have had it for a few years and it works for me. In fact, my primary care physician gives me a break on the cost of the visit b/c of the high deductible. If I go twice a year, it costs be about $80 per visit. If I really hury myself, it kicks in and I have a health savings acct to cover those costs.
March 13, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I have a college education pompusassimuss. I'm also old enough to remember when my parents could afford to pay for routine medical out of pocket and buy insurance for major coverage. Now, thanks to the government mandates on insurance, you have to have insurance to afford to get a boil lanced. It's not just because insurance and medical entities are greedy, it's also because they have to pay extra people to handle the massive amount of paperwork involved in the insurance government requires of employers. You think that happens by magic? It's expensive, and someone has to pay for it.
If we were still paying out of pocket for routine medical needs and only using insurance for major expenses we could afford to go to the doctor.
As far as universal health care, there's a good reason people in Britain have to pull their own teeth and the medical system has to rely on doctors from third world countries. Doctors get government rates and no one is going through all that school to be paid next to nothing.
You think universal health care is gonna spend hundreds of thousands on that 82 year old with cancer mentioned earlier? Universal health care is rationed in every country where it is in place. It may be worth hundreds of thousands for you to keep dad around for another year or so, maybe even millions, but if it is you should pay for it instead of expecting me or your insurance company to do it.
And as far as that $900 raping, the reason you paid so much was because the government mandates that insurance cover everything under the sun. Plus you've got diabetes and you've had a heart attack. Are they supposed to cover you for free when you could be having $100,000 bypass surgery any day? Here's a deal for you. You invest millions of dollars in an insurance company then give me full coverage for everything imagined for a reasonable price of $100/month. If you believe an insurance company can afford to do it you should be able to do the same magic.
March 13, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
welcome to the club, pompus!
March 13, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
It seems that a lot of people have forgotten that this bill covers military personnel as well. Military personnel could be covered for about 2 to 2.5 under their parent's insurance after being discharged.
Edwin - my coworker is british and I just asked her about the universal healthcare over there. She says that there are problems with it. If you are trying to get a specialist or something out of the norm there can be a wait. Of course she did say waiting is better than having nothing at all. In her opinion she still thinks it is better than ours, but she likes Germany's health plan better (she lived there as well).
March 13, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
I hate to say anyting but a LOT of our doctors come from 3rd world countries or countries that are definitely not in the same circle as US and some European countries. I wouldn't use that to inflate my arguments. Everyone knows that the US is not at the top of the math and science totem pole but apparently some of the less well off countries are. It is not hard to see why they end up being doctors over here or in England.
Universal healthcare is not globally uniform. It is not the same in England as it is in Canada and so on. Let us stop describing it as such.
March 13, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
toastchee (anonymous) says...
It would be a more compelling picture if she stuck her lower lip out juuuust a little more.
March 13, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
Is everyone forgetting that insurance companies are "for profit" BUSINESSES.
Governemtn needs to stop telling busines what to do.
No one has a "right" to insurance coverage any more than they have a right to go to Med School and become a dentist.
March 13, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
Not everyone can get approved for health insurance on their own. Before I got my full time job I was dropped off of my dads insurance because I had just graduated college and I tried to sign up for blue cross...but because Im 5'8" and only weigh 122 I wasnt approved. Apparently I am supposed to weigh at least 125 or Im considered too unhealthy to cover.
Thats interesting because Im just naturally thin and Im healthier than the majority of my friends. Ive always been thin but I was declined because I dont meet their standards.
They might want to work on fixing that as well. Its stupid that I can get insurance with no questions asked through my job now but when I applied for it on my own I was declined...FOR THE EXACT SAME INSURANCE!
March 13, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Edwin435 (anonymous) says...
Test...I was not insinuating that both Canada and England were the same...I was just pointing out that after having talked to people from both countries there are some serious issues with it...so under the guise of responding to merrillthinks post i decide to use that term...what would you like for us to call it?
March 13, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
I never understood this concept that everyone is NOT entitled to healthcare and if you're poor and sick you should just die and move over. It seems like such an unAmerican thing to say. A right to live a healthy life is not the same as a "right" to go to a school. That analogy is off. Truly, truly I hope none of you claim to be a part of any religion especially Christianity.
Edwin- after pointing out serious issues in healthcare in Canada and England. Can you point out the issue in ours? Lets start by the fact that at least most citizens over there actually have healthcare vs here where they do not.
March 13, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
Sorry meant to say - At least all their citizens have healthcare vs here where quite a few don't have it at all.
March 13, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
What I am trying to figure out is if majorjohnson believes that health insurance is all wrong. That we should have to pay out of our pockets for all of our medical costs?
Who can possibly afford today's medical costs without any assistance. It's not like anyone is getting free insurance.
As far as the 82 yr. old(my father) to which he is referring, should he just be allowed to die because he is a senior citizen. He is entitled to Medicare, because he is over 65, but he pays out of his own pocket for supplemental insurance so that he can have complete coverage.
I don't care how much paperwork is involved, insurance companies make their profits.
Wasn't it the president of BC/BS who bought a quarter acre lot on Sullivan's Island for over a million bucks?
Oh yeah, the insurance companies are hurting really bad.
March 13, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
2dogs1bear (anonymous) says...
Majorjohnson, I will be happy to send you a check for your share of the cost of MY dad's bypass operation. He is a World War II vet, I'm sure he wouldn't want to put you out.
March 13, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
No. You turn 18, you're on your own. This awful "entitlement" attitude is killing this nation. The baby boomers and Generation X'ers didn't get where we are today without busting our azzes with no one to help us or cover our medical expenses.
March 13, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Hey, since she's in medical school, why doesn't she just call up a fellow Ear/Nose/Throat doctor in her class and have him practice on her hearing loss? The students can treat each others' illnesses. After all, they are learning, right?
March 13, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Carolina_Politics (anonymous) says...
Of course it will raise the premiums. If you are going to force insurance companies to cover people that they normally do not they are naturally going to raise the rates on everybody to guard against the added risk. I don't want to hear about the poor graduate students who are struggling to get by and can't afford health insurance. These people chose this path of extra schooling knowing full well they'd be dropped from their parent's policy at a certain age. There is no reason why some of them can't start working full time so that they have health coverage and do the grad school part time. That's what I'm going to be doing.
I'm also not feeling the sorrow for Miss Matthews that Ms Wenger is trying to pour onto the readers of her article. This girl is a 26 year old adult medical student who chose an educational path that accumulated her $200K in loan debt. She is not a victim here the way Wenger is trying to portray her. When she finishes school she'll be making a pretty penny and she won't have any problems wiping her debt away. What the hell is another five grand anyway if you already owe 200?
These are not children we are talking about. They are adults. They need to act like it and accept responsibility for themselves, not expect others to do it for them.
http://www.carolinapoliticsonline.com
March 13, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I expect he wouldn't want me to pay for it. A world war II vet who is that old and in that poor health probably realizes the best he can get out of extending his years is a life of dependence and misery. You think he really wants a few more months or years of that?
March 13, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
CHECK THIS OUT!
Watch the WTOC VIDEO and then watch the Island packet VIDEO. The part about Dennis Gerwing's Attorney's was cut-out of the middle of the Island Packet VIDEO, i.e. the part about who is or was Gerwing's Attorneys, i.e. Criminal Defense Attorney Cory Fleming...hint!....hint!
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office - Hilton Head Island, SC
UPDATE: BCSO News Conference on John and Elizabeth Calvert's Disappearance
WTOC VIDEO:
http://www.wtoc.com/global/video/popu...
Video: Watch today's press conference with Sheriff Tanner
http://www2.islandpacket.com/node/27880
ALSO, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE ABOUT THREE AND HALF MINUTES MISSING FROM THE PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ISLAND PACKET VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 13, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Enforcer (anonymous) says...
Some see increasing the limits as a government entitlement, what is proposed in this article is not that. The insurance industry is already regulated by the government. There are 30 other states that are working on increasing the limits, because it is a problem. If a kid is sick during this time, many will not be able to afford it or have hugh debt. I bet the state will end up paying more in the long run due to these early limits.
My daughter will be a senior in college when she turns 22. She is still my dependent. I am paying for most of her expenses. The Feds says she can be my dependent until 24. Why does the state think 22 is magic number?
But due to these limits she will be without reasonable health insurance, before she can get out and get a full time job.
March 13, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mon_Kie (anonymous) says...
Enforcer-
Look into COBRA coverage for your student.
It's expensive, but worth it.
http://www.cobrainsurance.com/COBRA_F...
March 13, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buckgal (anonymous) says...
what is this student trying to achieve? if you have what it takes to get into medical school, please have the common sense to KNOW and UNDERSTAND your health insurance!!!
superficially this news article strives to be sympathetic and informative,; however, once you dig a little deeper it just reveals the sad future of our healthcare system. future medical professionals allowing their sad and forlorn pictures to be published in news articles because they were depending on their parents for health insurance...yikes!!! p&c ~ these stories do nothing but continue to send me abroad for medical procedures!
March 13, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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