Healthcare and the Middle Class
Something has to change with the healthcare in our society. "Medical Insurance" - The rich will always have it, the poor will always get it for free, and the middle class is at the mercy of the system.
It's really simple, if you're rich you just buy your own private insurance and all is good. Any cost above and beyond what insurance covers, you just write a check. If you are really poor (no assets and no desire to have any) then its also simple. You just walk into a hospital and you will be treated for free. It also doesnt matter what procedures you have done, since the state will be picking up the entire tab of your hospital stay. Now the key is, you do have to be poor with no assets for the hospital to go after. This is not desireable but's it's a harsh reality.
Now the real crime in the system is the way the working middle class is treated. If you are fortunate enough to have med insurance, then you may soon learn about copays, deductables and non covered procedures. Even with insurance, these additional costs can bankrupt a working class family. Imagine the single mother who loses her job and med insurance. She cant afford to pay for it on her own (who can?) and must go without. She gets very sick and the medical bills begin to pile up. Because she has assets (equity in house), she is personally responsible for these bills. Her credit gets ruined and she is bankrupted.
When it comes to healthcare, if you are not the very rich or very poor, then you are probably part of the working poor. Because no matter how comfortable you feel with your middle class nest egg, rising healthcare costs can wipe you out at any time (even if you have insurance).
I'm just venting. I get upset thinking about these things.