BCBS -- to continue healthcare plans in Kansas 1 yr

I disagree with nationalized health care. Then the government has more reasons/excuses to stick their nose in our private matters. What we need instead is more competition and transparency in the medical and insurance industries. If health insurance could be sold across state lines, and everyone bought as individuals, instead of in groups, then it would be portable no matter what happened to one's job situation.

I also dislike the requirement that ER's must treat everyone that comes through their doors. Yes, if it is a life and death situation, because that individual could have health insurance, but just doesn't have their insurance card handy. But we need to stop the practice of moochers using an ER as their clinic. I wouldn't be as opposed to more government-funded 24/7 clinics to take care of those truly in need, and to keep them out of the ER, although I think it is best if they were privately funded by charities and staffed by volunteers.

I am thankful for the health insurance provided by my husband's employer, as they've paid out over $55 thousand this year alone for our medical care. Without the health care paid by the insurance company, I would still be in a wheelchair and dying. Mayo Clinic, which is where I went after I stumped the doctors in Wichita, will only accept the BCBS Silver Plan next year, so I don't know if I'll be able to continue going there for my care. With nationalized health care, we will lose the great medical care we currently have in this country.

The government needs to allow us to put more tax-free money aside to pay our medical expenses. The amount they allow us to do now isn't even enough to cover our prescription & doctor co-pays, little alone the deductibles and co-insurance we are required to pay. Either that, or just let us take medical expenses as a tax credit. The way it is now, we can't deduct anything until it is more than 7.5% (IIRC) of our adjusted gross income. Even then, we don't get dollar for dollar back.

There are a lot of things that can be done to reform the current system, but giving more control to the government isn't the right way to do it.