I am self employed, which means that my wife and I gave up successful careers in the corporate world and started our own business, following our dream.
I have a family of five and my rates are extremely high. Part of the problem is that I am not considered a "group", which frankly is not true as we all are one giant group for the insurance companies with the risk spread out (Law of large numbers). Being self employed has allowed the insurance companies to discriminate against me and charge me more as a single payer, when in fact I am a part of their entire pool of insured customers. Now, I am not a part of the fringe that feel the insurance companies are bad. Insurance companies are in business to make money and be profitable, which is not a bad thing. However, I feel that too much focus is spent on the uninsured when in fact I feel that the "Exchanges" will prompt greater competition, allowing people like myself to pay a fairs rate.
Seven years ago, I was in a major car accident and hurt my back. I have had several outpatient treatments and have chronic back pain. I have tried everything; however, have been told that I have nerve damage and that one day it may just go away. That said, I have not missed one day of work since my accident. Also, I have not gone to my Dr. but 3 to 4 times a year for flu, physical, poison ivy and checkup. Yet, my rates have been over $20,000. A couple of years ago, we applied to other carriers and I was even declined, forced to stay with my existing carrier. Now I cant imagine my true costs exceed $2,000 annually, but am not willing to chance dropping my coverage and paying out of pocket for fearing a catastrophic event that would burden my family. I am a small business, employing about 50 people. Is it not time to have some people pay that currently dont, so that people like myself pay a "fair" share for thier rates? I never hear any stories of families in my situation, yet I cant believe that I am in the minority? I dont just look at the affordable health care act as something to help the uninsured, but to help the people who are "over paying".
That said, my rates have climbed each year in the double percentages.
Health care has been an issue for the greater part of my life (I am 47) and I dont understand how anyone, from either side of this issue, cant agree that we need this? Sure, it needs changes, but it is a starting point. Our energy would be better focused on implementing changes in the current bill, but it is a starting point. My hope is that over the next 10 years this bill will see many changes that will benefit all parties from emloyer, employee and insurance companies.
Our current system is a take or leave it system, at least for my family and I. The excess in premiums would not only be better spent on my quality of life (as I am the one who put up the risk to start my business), but also for my Company and employees.
Lonnie Waldrop
Powell, Ohio
I have a family of five and my rates are extremely high. Part of the problem is that I am not considered a "group", which frankly is not true as we all are one giant group for the insurance companies with the risk spread out (Law of large numbers). Being self employed has allowed the insurance companies to discriminate against me and charge me more as a single payer, when in fact I am a part of their entire pool of insured customers. Now, I am not a part of the fringe that feel the insurance companies are bad. Insurance companies are in business to make money and be profitable, which is not a bad thing. However, I feel that too much focus is spent on the uninsured when in fact I feel that the "Exchanges" will prompt greater competition, allowing people like myself to pay a fairs rate.
Seven years ago, I was in a major car accident and hurt my back. I have had several outpatient treatments and have chronic back pain. I have tried everything; however, have been told that I have nerve damage and that one day it may just go away. That said, I have not missed one day of work since my accident. Also, I have not gone to my Dr. but 3 to 4 times a year for flu, physical, poison ivy and checkup. Yet, my rates have been over $20,000. A couple of years ago, we applied to other carriers and I was even declined, forced to stay with my existing carrier. Now I cant imagine my true costs exceed $2,000 annually, but am not willing to chance dropping my coverage and paying out of pocket for fearing a catastrophic event that would burden my family. I am a small business, employing about 50 people. Is it not time to have some people pay that currently dont, so that people like myself pay a "fair" share for thier rates? I never hear any stories of families in my situation, yet I cant believe that I am in the minority? I dont just look at the affordable health care act as something to help the uninsured, but to help the people who are "over paying".
That said, my rates have climbed each year in the double percentages.
Health care has been an issue for the greater part of my life (I am 47) and I dont understand how anyone, from either side of this issue, cant agree that we need this? Sure, it needs changes, but it is a starting point. Our energy would be better focused on implementing changes in the current bill, but it is a starting point. My hope is that over the next 10 years this bill will see many changes that will benefit all parties from emloyer, employee and insurance companies.
Our current system is a take or leave it system, at least for my family and I. The excess in premiums would not only be better spent on my quality of life (as I am the one who put up the risk to start my business), but also for my Company and employees.
Lonnie Waldrop
Powell, Ohio