Reply #281: My non-profit is a huge improvement

[thetonka]

I have had a number of Health Insurance companies over the years, including a couple non-profits. The problem is they were are still insurance. Insurance, even if it is non-profit, ALWAYS has to manage risk. This eventually will lead to rationing of coverage, especially if they are mandated to cover all.

I am with Kaiser now, and happier than EVER before. While Kaiser is a non-profit and does pay(very well) for "out of network" services, i.e at emergency rooms they do not own, Kaiser is a Health Care SYSTEM. We have been able to get eye appts and MRIs, and X-rays and specialist appointments on weekends. We have never been denied anything we need. And more importantly the decisions for what we need are made BY OUR DOCTOR. He/She does not have to ask an accountant or lawyer for permission to get paid for something I need.

Kaiser has had a tough history and is not by any means perfect, but it is far better than anything else I have ever seen.

If I would dream about a better way for this country it would that everyone had access to similar systems like Kaiser. I would however NOT want this to be a system run by the politicians, who are accountants and lawyers. I trust my doctor, I don't trust elected officials.

If anyone is not aware of what Kaiser is, the best way to think about it is as a co-op. Just like many food co-ops you buy in(membership) and you pay for point of sale(co-pay). Since everyone works for Kaiser there is a huge layer of paperwork and bullshit that is removed.