Comments on: Charlie Brown, Lucy and the Football: Aetna

By: Bret

Bret — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:39:58 +0000

Larry, right on.

By: Larry C.

Larry C. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:29:47 +0000

Sounds like Aetna is looking out for Aetna, and could care less about the rest of us.

By: John Goodman

John Goodman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:27:01 +0000

Response to Blake:

You obviouly have not read my book,Patient Power. Do so. You will learn a lot.

The percent of bankrupcies due to medical bills is 17%. not 80%.

By: John Goodman

John Goodman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:24:41 +0000

Response to Jim Capatelli:

There are many policy solutions to the problem of pre-existing conditions. As I have previoulsly written at this blog, the ideal solution is described here:

http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/rational-health-insurance/

However, none of this has anything to do with HSAs. Patient control of health care dollars is a good thing, regardless of the presence or absence of illness.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:09:02 +0000

Here’s one way to look at this. Aetna is obviously freeloading on the NCPA’s ideas. On the other hand, Aetna and other large insurers are pushing for a mandate to require everyone to buy their products so that ordinary people can’t freeload on the system.

What;s wrong with this picture?

By: Jim Capatelli

Jim Capatelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:35:42 +0000

Hey John,
I’m an entrepreneur. I run my own small business. I’m also 55 and I have a “pre-existing condition”. It doesn’t effect my day-to-day life or work ability (I average 70 hour weeks) but the private, for-profit insurance companies won’t touch me; I know. I’ve applied and they’ve essentially told me to get lost.

So, will one of these nifty, corporate “HSA’s” you’re so fond of work for me? What do you suggest for someone like myself who just wants what ever member of Congress gets: good health care when I need it without going broke paying for it?

Or is it more important for you to defend the “Return On Investment” for those addicted to the status quo?

By: Blake

Blake — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:27:11 +0000

Are you serious? Are you remotely relevant? Does anyhone actually believe your fear and hate? Im just curious. Additionally, is it the least bit possible that you would NOT be seen as anything other than a shil for the health care industry?

80% of bankruptcies are because of medical bills.

By: Bart Ingles

Bart Ingles — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:40:19 +0000

Don’t the insurance companies make less on high-deductible accounts? It doesn’t surprise me that insurance companies’ interests aren’t completely aligned with that of the NCPA.

Moreover, it occurs to me that insurance companies would happily accept a federal requirement for pure community rating, an individual mandate, and comprehensive coverage. So long as all competitors are subject to the same requirements, this translates to a captive clientele and more business volume. Provided they can keep the same average markup, this would only increase profits.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:11:44 +0000

Good post.

By: Tom H.

Tom H. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:11:06 +0000

Good observation. Hard to believe these guys are so naive.