RE: [Winona] Health Insurance

[terri hyle]

[Winona Online Democracy]

I would also like to say that for many working people, a simple case of 
strep throat or a broken bone (still able to work) can amount to medical 
bills in excess of what would be possible to pay for out of the earnings of 
a low-moderate wage earner's income.  Well child check ups, immunizations, 
etc. can quickly mount up for low income people--and many people have 
smaller incomes while their children are young.  Yet these expenditures can 
save a great deal of money later on because the patient is healthier.  
Chronic diseases such as diabetes require careful medical monitoring--not 
cheap, but well worth the cost in terms of preserving health and avoiding 
higher medical costs later on.  This kind of routine care would be unlikely 
to fall under catestrophic illness coverage, yet could truly be out of 
reach, financially, for low wage earners.

Terri Hyle

>From: "Davis, William MD" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: [Winona] Health Insurance
>Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 20:05:46 -0500
>
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
>I agree with what Paul said regarding health insurance.  It is important 
to
>give patients a stake in the care.  It is also important that they know 
what
>things cost and be able to compare costs among providers and for
>medications.  I do have a couple of additions.  Catastrophic insurance
>coverage will vary depending on income.  While a $5000 medical bill 
would
>not be catastrophic for me, it could be for someone in a low wage job or
>only able to work part time.  The problem, of course, is that people in 
low
>wage jobs or the unemployed cannot afford insurance and a 
"catastrophic"
>policy would not help them much.  So the problem remains: how do we make
>sure that everyone has the medical care they need independent of their
>wealth?
>
>
>
>Bill
>
>
>
>William Davis MD
>
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>phone 507-454-5050
>
>fax 507-454-5102
>
>cell 507-450-8069
>
>
>
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_______________________________________________
This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy
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