Why Health Insurance Is Expensive
August 11, 2009
Let's say that I, as a single male, aged 58, wishes to go out and get myself a
health insurance policy. I want to be covered for catastrophic
eventualities like heart disease or some kind of cancer. I make a good
living, have some extra money in the bank, and figure that I can handle the
day-to-day stuff like bronchial infections, flu, sprained ankles, the 5-year
colonoscopy, annual checkups and whatever other normal medical emergencies may
materialize.
I should be able to get a pretty decent rate. I could even bargain based on a high deductible.
Dream on!
I live in New Jersey.
And the federal government says that I can only buy insurance from a company based in New Jersey.
Here is what I, as a New Jersey resident MUST include in my insurance policy.
Alcoholism
Autism
Blood Lead Poisoning
Bone Marrow Transplants
Breast Reconstruction
Cancer Medications
Cervical Cancer/HPV Screening
Chiropodist
Chiropractors
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Congenital Bleeding Disorders
Contraceptives
Dental Anesthesia
Dentists
Diabetes Self-Management
Diabetic Supplies
Emergency Services
Home Health Care
In Vitro Fertilization
Mammogram
Mastectomy Stay
Maternity Stay
Mental Health Parity
Newborn Hearing Screening
Nurse Midwives
Nurses
Off-Label Drug Use
Optometrists
Other Infertility Services
Physical Therapists
PKU/Formula
Prostate Cancer Screening
Psychologists
Second Surgical Opinion
Well-Child Care
Now, you may ask why the Hell I, as a 58 year-old, single man am forced to include In Vitro Fertilization in my health insurance plan. It is because of meddling by politicians. Some group of in vitro fertilization clinics paid some New Jersey politicians to add this to the New Jersey insurance mandates. And, the insurance companies paid a bunch of congressmen and senators in Washington DC to restrict me to shopping for my health insurance in my state of residence to protect themselves from the corruption of the politicians in New Jersey.
Maybe you are a collectivist moron who thinks that we should all shoulder the health care burdens of our fellows. But, even then, the inability to have children is not a fucking life or death situation that I should have to fucking shoulder! Live with it bitch! You ain't reproducing and I really don't give a shit! In fact, someone who reproduces on the public dime is probably someone from whom nature rightly withheld that privilege.
So, when these same politicians claim that they will lower medical costs by putting all medical decisions in their hands, you may, based on their track record of corruption, evil and skyrocketing insurance rates, be excused for exercising a modicum of skepticism.
Chiropractors and psychologists!!! I can only assume that New Jersey must have a very weak phrenology lobby!
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