Blue Cross Blue Shield to Leave USVI Owing Local Health Providers Massive Sums

The territories don't qualify for subsidized ACA. Google for the info. Again, our private pool is too small for insurance to be profitable and that will never change. Many of the people working private sector without insurance are low wage earners and can not afford the premium or co-pay.

Healthcare is not a right in USA.

Healthcare is a right, whether you've been brainwashed by the nonsense coming from Washington DC or not.

Healthcare is a right, whether you've been brainwashed by the nonsense coming from Washington DC or not.

Um, no, as much as it should be, it's not. We've codified many life saving safeguards. But that's about it.

(tu)

completely agree with you. smh o & o. All the time.

LOL! Say what????

You responded to an irrelevant comment in the first place. Speee1dy and I responded to that comment. That's not trolling in forumspeak, or any other language.

This is not complicated. Two different issues. One related to media reporting and negative comments on same, one related to the legal sustainability of an article of VI law.

SMHO&O. Kind of my whole point. Too much obtuseness for one day for me. TTFN.

Healthcare is a right, whether you've been brainwashed by the nonsense coming from Washington DC or not.

If it were a right, we'd have it, or at least be able to fight for that right in court. In USA healthcare is a privilege but the powers that be don't want to reveal it as such. One of the many hypocrisies of US.

I guess I should have clarified, it is a right even though not acknowledged by the oligarchs and plutocrats.

Health care is not a right. People provide health care services as a profession. Do you think that those people should work for free? Or do you think that the government should take money from one citizen to pay for another citizens health care?

Health care is a product/service. Where in the constitution does it mention free health care or even affordable health care. This is a newly invented right. Invented by people who want something that they can't afford to pay for.

If you think that health care is a right then you should try suing the federal government because people can't buy individual health insurance in the USVI even if they are willing to pay for it. Health care is a product like any other.

I would like to see someone enumerate our rights. I am aware of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution but I don't remember any of these constitutional rights awarding us access to someone else's labor or property.

Health care is not a right. People provide health care services as a profession. Do you think that those people should work for free? Or do you think that the government should take money from one citizen to pay for another citizens health care?

Health care is a product/service. Where in the constitution does it mention free health care or even affordable health care. This is a newly invented right. Invented by people who want something that they can't afford to pay for.

If you think that health care is a right then you should try suing the federal government because people can't buy individual health insurance in the USVI even if they are willing to pay for it. Health care is a product like any other.

I would like to see someone enumerate our rights. I am aware of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution but I don't remember any of these constitutional rights awarding us access to someone else's labor or property.

Do you qualify for Medicare? If yes, have you declined it? If no, will you decline it?

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to health, including health care. Nowhere, anywhere, does it say "free" or even "affordable".

The US, unlike the majority of other civilized countries which it lags behind by decades, has only very recently adopted a universal health care program which is as yet in its infancy and obviously is going to take time to mature. But it's not free and of course shouldn't be, nor should it be expected to be.

Given the peculiar circumstances of the territories/protectorates, hopefully an insurance company will come in to fill the gap left by BCBS's departure and hopefully their plan will be "affordable" for those not covered by Medicaid/Medicare.

There's really not much else to be said.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to health, including health care. Nowhere, anywhere, does it say "free" or even "affordable".

The US, unlike the majority of other civilized countries which it lags behind by decades, has only very recently adopted a universal health care program which is as yet in its infancy and obviously is going to take time to mature. But it's not free and of course shouldn't be, nor should it be expected to be.

Given the peculiar circumstances of the territories/protectorates, hopefully an insurance company will come in to fill the gap left by BCBS's departure and hopefully their plan will be "affordable" for those not covered by Medicaid/Medicare.

There's really not much else to be said.

But, in the USVI in particular, is anyone denied health care by any doctor or hospital? Even if this person has no or limited ability to pay? I would say not but maybe others have witnessed the opposite.

In the end, actions speak louder than words.

The US, unfortunately, is different.

People who don't have insurance are often denied treatment in the USVI. If they were treated there wouldn't be a problem. Doctors, just like every other working person, want to get paid. Even people with insurance are denied if that doctor does not take your insurance.

But, in the USVI in particular, is anyone denied health care by any doctor or hospital? Even if this person has no or limited ability to pay? I would say not but maybe others have witnessed the opposite.

In the end, actions speak louder than words.

The US, unfortunately, is different.

I had health insurance coverage for my first 10 years here, after that no. I was without coverage for the next 17 years until Medicare kicked in 5 years ago and during those 17 years I was hospitalized once on an emergent basis and had a couple of doctor's visits. I was NEVER denied health care and I'd be interested to know from what source Ms411 derives the comment, "people who don't have insurance are often denied treatment in the USVI". The hospitals provide ER services to all those in need while Medicaid and other social services are available to those unable to pay.

Health care is not a right. People provide health care services as a profession. Do you think that those people should work for free? Or do you think that the government should take money from one citizen to pay for another citizens health care?

Health care is a product/service. Where in the constitution does it mention free health care or even affordable health care. This is a newly invented right. Invented by people who want something that they can't afford to pay for.

If you think that health care is a right then you should try suing the federal government because people can't buy individual health insurance in the USVI even if they are willing to pay for it. Health care is a product like any other.

I would like to see someone enumerate our rights. I am aware of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution but I don't remember any of these constitutional rights awarding us access to someone else's labor or property.

(tu)

Ha, ha. I knew she was going to want my source. The hospital has to treat you regardless of ability to pay, but there are many doctors who will not see you without insurance. I know someone without insurance who went to hospital for recurring pain. They gave this person a Tylenol or something and referred person to orthopedic surgeon. That doctor would not see the person because person was not insured. This happened last month.

Your wording demanded a source. The situation here is the same as pretty much throughout the US. Doctors and other health practitioners in private practice are under no obligation to treat those who cannot pay. The person who couldn't see the orthopedic surgeon had options. If employed, many physicians will accept payments as long as the prospective patient has a good employment history and regular documented income; if the person is unemployed or indigent, Medicaid and other social assistance is available for those who qualify. Nothing peculiar to the USVI.

I am not sure but I think EMTALA applies to USVI too. So everyone will get emergency care regardless of ability to pay if it is within the scope of facilities services.

This person was employed and tried what was thought to be an option and that did not work out. I have not heard of anybody being offered a payment plan. Cash up front for deductibles and copays.

Yes, it is the same as US, but Gator's Mom's statement gave me the impression that she thought doctors here would treat a person without insurance.

My girlfriend had to see Ophtalmic doc here on urgent basis. We have no health insurance here. Cash is accepted without any problem. It was very expensive. About double what it would cost on the mainland but the service was exceptionally good and treatment effective.

I think the only time there is a problem when the patient needs elective, lifestyle procedure but is not willing to pay for the service. Let's say one wants hernia repair or knee arthroscopy.

If anyone has a problem with that try getting a tank of gas with no payment or some groceries from Pueblo.

Do you qualify for Medicare? If yes, have you declined it? If no, will you decline it?

Yes, as of two months ago. Why would I decline it? I paid FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) for 35+ years. Are they going to return my FICA plus interest if I decline coverage? In addition, I pay a monthly premium for part B, part D and my supplemental coverage. It is not free.

I think the only time there is a problem when the patient needs elective, lifestyle procedure but is not willing to pay for the service. Let's say one wants hernia repair or knee arthroscopy.

If anyone has a problem with that try getting a tank of gas with no payment or some groceries from Pueblo.

This is what some people on here seem to be missing. Elective treatment can be turned down by almost anyone. And that often includes treatment that is medically necessary to prevent further damage later. Emergency treatment is a whole different ball game, and has its own set of laws designed to keep people alive, whether they can pay or not.

Do you qualify for Medicare? If yes, have you declined it? If no, will you decline it?

Yes, as of two months ago. Why would I decline it? I paid FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) for 35+ years. Are they going to return my FICA plus interest if I decline coverage? In addition, I pay a monthly premium for part B, part D and my supplemental coverage. It is not free.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/feb/01/medicare-and-social-security-what-you-paid-what-yo/

Please read the attached article from a legitimate news source.

Again, I ask, are you going to decline Medicare?

Do you qualify for Medicare? If yes, have you declined it? If no, will you decline it?

Yes, as of two months ago. Why would I decline it? I paid FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) for 35+ years. Are they going to return my FICA plus interest if I decline coverage? In addition, I pay a monthly premium for part B, part D and my supplemental coverage. It is not free.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/feb/01/medicare-and-social-security-what-you-paid-what-yo/

Please read the attached article from a legitimate news source.

Again, I ask, are you going to decline Medicare?

Again, I ask, are they going to refund my FICA with interest?

I was forced to participate in this program. A better question would be, should people be allowed to opt out of the whole government mandated health and retirement program. I would agree with that. In a free society people should be able to make their own arrangements for their retirement and health without government intervention. Our government should treat us like adults, not children to be taken care of.

Why would I want to pay into a system my entire adult life then opt out? Give me my money back and we can talk.

There are literally hundreds of similar statistical reports and the subject is always cause for debate as it has been for many years. Maybe you can shift this debate over to the Coconuts forum as it's a general issue and not specific to the USVI.