I don't think people realize how good health insurance was not too long ago. I was getting health insurance through my company, paying ~ $75/month for myself & my wife. Premiums went up nominally over the years We had four kids between '96 & '05. Wife went to the doctor to confirm pregnancy, paid the $30 co-pay & not another dime after...for all four. That included 2-3 nights in the hospital In '05, my daughter was knocked off a swing, hit her head & lost her vision. Wife called an ambulance that took my daughter from an ATL suburb to Scottish Rite hospital, we paid $250 for the ambulance ride & ER fee, that's all (she's fine now, btw) In '07, my son had a hernia, they did emergency surgery that night...we paid $150 for the ER fee, that's all During that time, every visit to the doctor was a $30 co-pay, everything else was paid 100%. Pharma was a few dollars, mostly for generic antibiotics now & then Fast forward to '13...I had chest pains, went to the ER, ended up getting a stent placed, then got a bill from the hospital for $10K. At the time, I was paying $14K/yr in premiums for a family of 6. Never had to deal with deductibles & max out-of-pocket with the "evil" HMOs I had before Hmmm...what changed between '07 & '13? The ACA decimated private health insurance. It tore down the house to fix a leaky faucet

An addendum: In late '23, I was involved (not at fault) in an accident with another truck. Unfortunately, there was a fatality so I couldn't drive for a couple of months - the company kept me in a "legal hold" and wouldn't dispatch me a load, so I ended up leaving to drive for another company. At the new company, I wasn't able to get insurance for a few months - I would be qualified to get it on the 1st day of the month 60 days after hire My wife insisted on getting insurance so I went to the market (in Iowa). They asked for anticipated income for the upcoming year & I did a best-guess. Apparently I guessed WAY wrong. We ended up having ACA insurance for 6 months (and never used it!!), but since we made too much money that year, they want all the premiums...$3700! Found this out when we were preparing our taxes The ACA not only decimated private insurance, you can't count on it for "affordable" insurance if you need it temporarily...at least if you have a job, it seems Everything the government tries to "fix" turns to sh1t

FACTS! Obama Care destroyed private health insurance!!! My insurance through my work is about $700/mo for myself + children (husband goes to VA). I just had a mammogram & breast ultrasound (you know, to make sure I didn't have f-ing cancer) and my out of pocket was $1,141 because I haven't met my $3,000 deductible for the year. CRAZY!!! The contracted rate for insurance companies is so damn high that I truly believe I'd be better off as a "cash patient" at this point in my life. I never go to the doctor. I can't afford it.

@RoboMunch 42 years ago my firstborn came on the scene. We had one hundred percent company-paid insurance. Cesarean plus three day stay. $6.00 was my bill, we had a phone in the room. My clock number and Employer were all I needed. Not anymore, not for a very long time.

@RoboMunch How does EVERY other developed country provide better care for lower costs ? Americans are the most propagandized people on earth 🙄🤡

@RoboMunch Talk to your employer.

@RoboMunch Health insurance has indeed undergone significant changes. What insurance plan today can match that level?

@RoboMunch Totally agree!

@RoboMunch please please ... make sure as many people in Congress and your State gov hear at least this much of your experiences