Confused

I realize health care costs are huge; however, I do not follow the logic that since they are so high we have to spend $1.2 Trillion now. I don't see a solution to the problem in spending much more now.

I believe it's best to find out why the costs are so high. I have given this much of my layman thought. I realize new equipment is expensive at first. I know labor is expensive.

I also know that doctor's pay nearly $100,000 annually for liability insurance. I know they all fear law suits as lately juries have awarded millions for errors. I know physicians order all kinds of tests and specialists to cover their own butts.

I know that no one is turned away from emergency rooms. No one.

There are many studies out there about the gross abuse of free emergency room health care. If one pays nothing and can only get free help at the emergency room, that is where they will go. We all over eat at buffets.

You don't need a medical coverage ID card. You don't need papers to prove you are an American. No hospital will turn you away. They may have you spend most of the day sitting in the waiting room for an internist to check out your daughter's sore throat but that's all it will cost you.

So? It's not rocket science to figure that the costs of emergency rooms have to be passed on to (built into) all other paying patrons. That would be you and me.

Bob and I pay $5,000 a year for our coverage. That is quite low for the self employed. We have a $1,500 deductible per person, then 20% package. No dental, no vision.

We do qualify for a HSA, Health Savings Account. We can deduct what we place in the plan on our income taxes. It can only come out toward health care costs. It can grow while it waits for our need.

So. I am still confused. Rather than secure our borders and refuse frivolous emergency room visitors, we have to spend trillions now.

I just don't get it.

'til later