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Petition Tag - insurance
As anybody from the health or wellness industry knows, the best medicine is prevention.
That typically takes on the form of diet and exercise. To that end, there are many dietary type items that HSA and FSA’s can be used for.
Why not using it for exercise as well?
2. Pressure Discovery Medical Aid to change limits on Allied Medical 
Discovery Health Medical Aid has drastically changed their coverage for all allied health professionals for 2012.
It is unreasonable to go from unlimited benefits to a low maximum.
We are asking Discovery Health Scheme to appoint an independent commission of enquiry to investigate alternative ways of curbing abuse of benefits, without capping the limits.
Please join us and show your support- we need as many signatures as possible to show Discovery MA that we have major support.
3. Our Government Representatives Should Not Give Themselves Raises
Where as our congress persons and/or government representatives have voted themselves raises, insurance benefits and retirement benefits that are not consistent with the average American citizen.
Where as our congress persons and/or government representatives are not representing the average American citizen but have apparently sold themselves to the highest bidder.
4. Help adults recieve dental funds
-The National Coalition on Health Care reported that "American families spent an average of $6,000 out-of-pocket pay on insurance and medical costs such as co-pays in 2009" Estimates of that number are said to sky rocket to $9,000 by 2012.
- The Society for Human Resource Management reports that dental insurance is at the top of the list of benefits that employers are planning to cut back. As if they aren't bad enough.
- According to a 2009 Harris Interactive/HealthDay Poll More than 50% of uninsured and 30% of insured Americans skipped necessary dentist visits in the last year due to financial burdens.
-The most recent Gallup-Healthways poll of 355,344 Americans show that 34% of the population did not go to a dentist at all last year.
-According to the American Dental Hygienist Association, almost 75% of adults in America suffer from forms of gum disease and are not aware of it.
*Cited from -The National Coalition on Health Care reported that "American families spent an average of $6,000 out-of-pocket pay on insurance and medical costs such as co-pays in 2009" Estimates of that number are said to sky rocket to $9,000 by 2012.
- The Society for Human Resource Management reports that dental insurance is at the top of the list of benefits that employers are planning to cut back. As if they aren't bad enough.
- According to a 2009 Harris Interactive/HealthDay Poll More than 50% of uninsured and 30% of insured Americans skipped necessary dentist visits in the last year due to financial burdens.
-The most recent Gallup-Healthways poll of 355,344 Americans show that 34% of the population did not go to a dentist at all last year.
-According to the American Dental Hygienist Association, almost 75% of adults in America suffer from forms of gum disease and are not aware of it.
*Cited from Dentalplans.com*
5. MICHIGAN NO-FAULT - DO NOT THROW OUR VOTE AWAY
As a Auto Accident Survivor, the repealing of Michigan No-Fault would be harmful to our Children, Family, Friends and Neighbors.
Without Michigan No-Fault, I would not have made it. My family would have suffered even more than they have and are still due to my medical impairments.
The statement that repealing Michigan No-Fault (The nations' PREMIER Auto Insurance) would save us money is nonsensical at best. As a fairly accurate statement, I can say that due to an auto-accident there has been "over" 15 surgeries to just one limb of mine (truly do not know the exact number, but would have been an amputee long ago without proper insurance that was a paid for "INSURANCE POLICY". Without No-Fault, or with "Limited" PIP coverage, this would never had happened.
What is worse than my injuries? Read below!
Drivers / Consumers / Voters have already selected NOT TO REPEAL NO-FAULT, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE!
Our Votes matter - let our politicians know this!
Any attempt to repeal Michigan No-Fault is not the consumers choice, this is the lobbied Politicians Choice - trying to STRIP US of our PREVIOUS VOTES - SHAME ON THEM ALL!
Consumers choice would be by adding legislation allowing drivers to "OPT OUT" of NO-FAULT as it stands, and select a Tort like coverage. That is consumers choice people. Taking OUR VOTE AWAY IS NOT OUR CHOICE!
Repealing does not give the consumer any choice, except less coverage when needed. It only gives the VERY PROFITABLE INSURANCE COMPANIES the right to NOT allow the insured to receive appropriate treatment in the event of an accident causing serious injury.
Now they want to take our prior vote's away? This is not a a very democratic process, WE THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN ALREADY VOTED BY MAJORITY TWO TIMES!
We urge all citizens to sign the petition, seeking our governor not to support a change without first allowing the citizens, the opportunity to RE-VOTE! We already voted twice! Allowing them to repeal it without our vote, is clearly saying our vote's don't not count. This is not what our Government stands for, but it is what special interest groups stand for!
There is only one logical reason they would try to take our vote away AFTER we voted - ONLY ONE REASON - Profitable Insurance Companies trying to make more profit, and at the cost and possibly life of the consumer. Shame on them all! OUR VOTE COUNTS! LET THEM KNOW KNOW BY SIGNING OUR PETITION!
Protect our previous votes! Do not allow our previous VOTES to be NEGATED!! Act Now, before it is too late, what is next, they REPEAL VOTING RIGHTS?
Sign this crucial petition now!
***Michigan Registered Voters Only Please***
6. City should pay for backed sewerage problems
Belleville particularly the Fairway Avenue and Riverdale Avenue have a history of floods. The floods however increase the already existing sewerage problem.
Days before Irene residents witnessed sewerage fluids coming out of sinks and tubs. As Irene came through floods of water combined with sewerage hit homes.
245 Fairway Avenue not part of flood zone had 4 feet of sewerage and flood water. 249 Fairway Avenue met the same damages. 253, 262 and 263 Fairway Avenue have toxic waste to handle in their basements, fumes in their homes.
75 Riverdale Avenue has their belongings lined up outside.
It would be easy to blame a hurricane however the sewerage problem existed before and created an issue that Irene can not be blamed for.
Why should this community of mostly elderly and children take on the cost and dangers of cleaning that mess? Why has DPW abandoned the homes to their own fates? Constantly pushed toward FEMA and/or insurance. Insurance knows that sewerage is not flood and FEMA is a low interest loan.
OEM sends you to DPW, DPW sends you to FEMA, FEMA sends you to Police for incident report and to DPW. The insurance sends you to your local town.
Who is accountable? Surely not the elderly. Surely not the homeowners that have nothing to do with maintaining sewerage flow.
7. Change Mandatory Car Insurance Law
Several Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec) provide a public auto insurance system while in the rest of the country insurance is provided privately.
Basic auto insurance is mandatory throughout Canada with each province's government determining which benefits are included as minimum required auto insurance coverage and which benefits are options available for those seeking additional coverage. Accident benefits coverage is mandatory everywhere except for Newfoundland and Labrador.
All provinces in Canada have some form of no-fault insurance available to accident victims. The difference from province to province is the extent to which tort or no-fault is emphasized. Typically, coverage against loss of or damage to the driver's own vehicle is optional.
8. Remove the Royal Charter from RACQ
In 1921 Royal Automobile Club Queensland (RACQ) were granted a royal charter to use 'Royal' in their name. January 2011 many homes were hit by a natural disaster. There were many claims put to this insurance company.
This company chose not to provide emergency accommodation to its policy holders, it chose not to honor claims and it has left many families waiting for over 75 days for an answer While they continue to advertise their speedy claim policy and apparently funny ads. The behavior of this company and its employees is a disgrace.
We believe that RACQ does not deserve to use the 'Royal' in their name and we petition the Queen of England to remove the Royal Charter that has been granted to RACQ.
9. Stop the annual vehicle insurance racket
ALL VEHICLE INSURERS RIP US OFF WITH 'EXIT' COSTS ON A FIXED TERM INSURANCE PRODUCT. Why, when I sign a 12 month contract with a car insurer are they allowed to charge me up to £40.00 to 'end' the same 12 month contract? In other words if I shop around and can get a better deal, I am penalised 'for administrative costs' - UNLESS I RENEW WITH SAME COMPANY. This must be restrictive trade!
If I rent a property for 12 months, I am NOT charged another 'months' rent at the end of 12 months. If I hire a car for 2 weeks, they don't charge me additional fees if I then rent from another supplier, a different car, for 2 weeks.
This penalty is surely wrong? I sign for 12 months - pay my premium and I should be free to shop around at term end without added penalty. It's a fixed term contract!
10. Repeal The Michigan No-Fault Auto Insurance
In 1976 26 States enacted some form of No-Fault Auto Insurance. Today only 12 of those States still have No-Fault Auto Insurance. Nevada, Colorado, Conneticut and Georgia are the most recent States to have repealed No-Fault. Why? Because No-Fault failed miserably to 1) Reduce Insurance Premiums and 2) Reduce Courtroom tort litigation.
In addition it has put a heavy yolk on the working poor/middle class to be able to pay the high Insurance premiums. This writer saw his premiums go up 400% when he moved from Indiana (Tort State) to MIchigan. It is estimated that approx. a third of the driving population are driving w/no insurance.
A study by the Rand Corporation has tracked No-Fault States and has found that court litigation for law suites is about the same for No-Fault States as it is for Tort States. Michigan is a State with over 13% of workers unemployed and approx. half of those who do work are working part-time or are underemployed. It is unconscionable and unfair for the State Government to force No-Fault Insurance on its citizenry. People should have a choice.
Let each individual decide what kind of insurance they want. In 10 states people can choose No-Fault if they want it but its not forced down their throat. Penalties for people who do not have the insurance is stiff. It can be up to $500 and one year in jail and you will be stuck with a criminal record. The government has finally found a way to criminalize poverty.
11. Remove derelict vessel from the Indian River lagoon
The Hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 left Indian River and St Lucie Counties of Florida with hundreds of lost, sunken or otherwise derelict boats. These boats are left as a hazard to marine life, humans and other boats.
Gasoline, oil and other fluids leak out of these vessels as they decay poisoning and harming the environment. Maritime and civil laws interfere with the removal of these vessels and monies are lacking to fund a project.
12. More user friendly Strata Titles Act (WA) needed to avoid conflicts
Re: STRATA TITLES ACT 1985 W.A.
Strata Title laws and properties are so complicated and caught up in professional jargon that the general public is unaware and /or does not understand sections of the Strata Titles Act (1985) that specifically relate to them. Many professional bodies who claim to know and understand Strata Title Laws clearly do not. This is evident in such instances as real estate agents not informing the buyer of their obligations or misinforming them, or government organisations such as Landgate misinforming them through each different employee giving different and contradictory advice.
Therefore, citizens who buy into Strata Title properties are more often than not misinformed and this can lead to large disagreements amongst Strata Title owners and cause much grief, concern and sometimes lead to stressful and costly court cases. There is added complication to Strata Title laws through the exemptions and additions to particular type of strata title properties. The average Australian citizen is oblivious of the detail of the Strata Title Act (1985) that relates directly to them.
I suggest amendments to the Strata Tile Act (1985) to ensure it is user friendly to a larger proportion of Australian citizens. More specifically so I motion:
• for real estate agents who sell strata title properties to be thoroughly educated and be monitored closely by REIWA to ensure they are informing buyers of their obligations
• that irrelevant of the type of strata title property (eg – a 5 single storey or 16 double storey), the act needs to ensure that meetings and minutes are held upon particular issues such as joint insurance. This then gives all strata title owners the opportunity to voice their opinion and come to a just outcome
• a strata title manager, weather voluntary due to exemptions in the Strata Title Act or not, is chosen through the owners voting. This will stop individuals who are a part of a strata scheme, the opportunity to dictate and manipulate decisions.
The 1985 Strata Title Act contradicts every Australian citizen’s civil right to voice their opinion. This is done through particular sections of the Act. For instance, a person can voluntary take on Strata Title manager’s role and if this is an unjust and unreasonable person, it leaves opportunities for him/her to manipulate the weaker or more vulnerable owners.
Australia is a democratic country that encourage every day citizens to ‘have their say’. However, in reality, many citizens are disempowered through legal and government procedures and the professional jargon used in such documents as the Strata Title Act (1985). Every Australian is entitled to their civil rights and that means that as an individual and citizen of this country, they are able to ‘have a say’ on issues that effect them, their freedom and participate in activities and decisions that lead to just outcomes.
13. Unite to Oppose inapplicable Service Charges in Connaught Park
BACKGROUND
Solitaire Property Management have for the past 4 months sent letters to residents of Connaught Park in Tunbridge Well in Kent, presenting themselves as the landlord of Connaught Park and that every resident is oblige to Pay a sum of £152.54 as an estate charge and £917.87 as a service charge.
After having struggled to understand what the services charges included in the leaflets provided, the company mentioned said the charges are for services, repairs, maintenance, improvements and insurance ???
HERE IS THE FACT
Every resident will agree with me that this is a brand new property that has every modern facilities.
In addition, I am pretty sure that almost every individual resident has some form of content and building insurance, pay their council tax to cater for primarily rubbish waste, utility bills etc.
If this so-called company said that this excessive service charge is for services, repairs, maintenance, improvements etc.
The question is what improvements ?, what services ?, what insurance ? or repairs ?
Who contractually negotiated for them to to act as landlord?
Did Barratt Homes informed the residents of Connaught Park that this company will represent us?
How can a new modern two floor apartment or mansion that has no garden or communal amenities be either improved, maintained, serviced, or insured as claim by this company ?
14. Let's sue the United States Of America
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DO NOT WANT THIS HEALTH CARE REFORM.
MY HUSBAND IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY 1200.00 A MONTH FOR INSURANCE AND 200.00 TO 300.00 A MONTH FOR POWER AND BE ABLE TO FEED OURSELVES...
SO TELL ME HOW CAN SOMEONE THAT WORKS A 7.25 DOLLAR A HOUR JOB BE ABLE TO DO THIS?
15. Stop Senate Health Care Bill, H.R. 3590
1. H.R. Bill 3590 is currently being debated on the Senate floor.
2. The reported cost to the American people ranges from 1.3 to 2.5 trillion dollars.
3. Individuals and Small Business Employers will suffer an additional tax burden.
4. Medicare is expected to be reduced by approximately 500 billion dollars.
5. Tort reform has not been addressed.
6. Funding for abortion is still unclear.
7. Funding for illegal aliens is ambiguous.
16. Impose Maximum Award Limits To Lawsuits
Lawsuit awards have gotten entirely out of control. To award anyone an amount that is several times more than their earning potential in a lifetime has become very costly to the American public. Awarding 3 million dollars fro spilled coffee, 300 million because someone chose to smoke, and various other unrealistic awards, cost all of us money. How many more hamburgers would McDonald's have to sell to make up for 3 million dollars? Can they make it up by selling more hamburgers, or would they have more success by raising the price? An insurance company gets ordered to pay 200 million dollars.
Who pays for that 200 million? WE DO! Rates go up, we pay more per month, include that amount in 10 other companies raising prices to cover losses and our paychecks now go only half as far as they did last month. It amazes me how many people think, "they have insurance, it won't hurt them." The actual truth is, YES it does hurt. It hurts us, the consumer, with higher prices that we must pay so that the insurance company can afford to pay these awards.
17. Demand Congress Forgo Government Sponsored Healthcare for Senators and Representatives
All members of Congress, especially those opposed to universal healthcare coverage, should individually purchase insurance from private providers (at the same rates as the general public) until a viable and affordable public insurance option is made available to all Americans.
18. Support the Autism Insurance Reform Bill
1 out of 150 children are diagnosed with Autism.
We want Missouri to become the 11th state to pass this legislation into LAW so that children in our state will no longer experience discrimination at the hands of insurance companies and receive appropriate access to the treatments and therapies they need and deserve!
State Senate Bill-SB167
State House Bill- HB 357
19. Make Health Care A Human Right- Universal Coverage
Why should so many people in this country be made to suffer for fear of going to the doctor with no or poor health insurance? In this economy the last things we should have to worry about are medical bills and getting sick.
Do wealthy people deserve to be healthier than the people with less money? Absolutely not! Everyone who is equal under the constitution should be entitled to equal health care as well. Sick people need health care the most and are the least "insurable."
We have to take the word "insurable" out of our vocabulary. No one should be denied health care due to weight, race, pre-existing conditions, income, or anything else. Equal health care should be a right, not a privilege! The insurance companies are making profit off of you.
It's time we established lawfully that health care is a human right, accessible to all, and therefore cannot be denied.
The top executives are lining their pockets with money that could be used to help you with preventative health care or illness. Here are just two of the top health insurance CEO's salary summaries for the last 5 years:
United Health Group
CEO: William W McGuire
In 2005 Alone: 124.8 mil
5-year Total: 342 mil
Forest Labs
CEO: Howard Solomon
In 2005 Alone: 92.1 mil
5-year Total: 295 mil
Not to mention vice presidents, Board of Directors, stock holders and the other 200-300 companies all cashing in on your health. This is all money that could have been spent not denying someone coverage for a procedure they definitely need.
We need to change our tone to a much louder one! We keep asking and they choose not to hear us. They are not the ones suffering, we are. It's time we demand to be treated with respect and demand that they acknowledge that we are all equal under the constitution and deserve the same opportunity at being healthy as the people with the right jobs and higher pay.
20. Patients Wanting Fairness and Accountability from Health Insurance Carriers
Dear Patient:
In these times of escalating healthcare costs, it is important that consumers receive their full value for healthcare dollars spent on insurance premiums.
At times, and without your knowledge, health insurance carriers will not reimburse your doctor for a number of approved procedures that are used to help get you better.
By signing this online petition, you can request that the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) investigate and make sure that insurance companies are accurately paying for the care you receive, are accurately reimbursing for your care, and that they are not denying covered care without reason.
If appropriate, please forward to your friends/family.
21. Stop Insurance Companies from Steering Consumers
Did you know that when you file a claim with your insurance company you have the right to take your car to any auto body shop you choose?
Many consumers are not aware of their rights and are steered by the insurance companies to the shop of the insurance company’s choosing. Consumers are often left with poorly completed repairs and aftermarket parts when they are directed to use a shop selected by the insurance company.
Even worse, insurance companies habitually tell consumers that if they take their car to their regular repair shop, they will face delays in the repair, the full value of the repair may not be covered, and the work will not be guaranteed.
This practice is wrong and misleading to consumers. Tell your legislators you want SB 288 passed! This bill will prohibit insurance companies from using unfair practices to mislead consumers about their rights, and it will require them to inform consumers when they have contracts in place to send hundreds of thousands of dollars in business to their selected auto body shops in exchange for below average repair costs and below average work.
It’s Your Car – It’s Your Choice! Sign this petition to tell legislators you want your rights protected.
22. Insurance Regulatory Developement Authority (IRDA) Protection Inadequate
Undoubtedly, Insurance is a matter of solicitation.
In this 70 percent illiterate country, it is by necessity entirely verbal.
Even for the other 30 percent, it still is verbal.
Spoken Word is the ultimate Indian promise by lore, over riding all other modes.
All insurance contracts hence rely in the trust and faith of full and fair verbal disclosure of all the features of the policy.
This enormous onus is completely on the vested shoulders and integrity of an agent/ advisor/ webpage.
State protected Insurance Industry, was opened to, private players.
The huge, 1600 billion rupees potential market, must have been the pivotal reason.
The gullible, insulated, policy holder, literate or otherwise, was unprepared, for these multinational sharks.
Furthermore, 2 centuries of, pampering British, has permanently altered our psyches to implicitly TRUST, the rulers, white and brown.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development authority(IRDA) was setup by the parliament, in 1999. The mandate: protect the policy holders & regulate the companies.
Eight years later, IRDA and the policy holders at the industry‘s mercy should have enough experiences in the quality and quantum of this “protection" in reality.
Max New York life, for example,
a) Fail to reveal uncomfortable swing factors like, periodic hike in premium for the riders, the actual cash surrender value, etc, at Proposal.
b) A SHYLOCKIAN, 70 percent penalty of the fully paid up premium, excluding the first year’s premium, any dues to the company , and all the investment benefits reaped from you is subsequently levied, even if you choose to leave this “satisfied family partnership’ for breach of faith and trust.
c) The form is unsigned-intentionally? - by the sole company representative you may ever get to meet, the agent-Advisor.
The educated are specifically, penalized transferring the entire burden, of comprehension, compliance and consequences, to this sole signature (only YOURS) for this potentially 43 years unilateral bondage.
d) Confusing, confounding, 24 pages of American jargon masks this bondage. “The premiums under this –‘10 year term’- rider are guaranteed for 5 years”.
This, you are to comprehend is their IRDA carte blanche for increases which you are never told about.
e) Even the ‘Free look provision’ is pricey @ SHYLOCKIAN SEVENTY?
f) Many of these ‘tailored’ opportunities are mysteriously discontinued
How did IRDA approve these grossly exploitative, anti consumer clauses?
(http://www.irdaindia.org/lifeproducts/maxnewyork031007.htm )
Tata AIG and Spice Jet on the other hand, are jointly seducing domestic air traveler netizens with policies promising ‘100 percent flight costs, for trip cancellation, delay, interruption etc’ exploiting the Indian traveler’s nightmares.
http://www.spicejet.com/tata_aig_productdescription.asp
The morning after you discover, these policies are like surgical gowns covering nothing vital.
Not even the airline’s failure to fulfill the obligation for its own operational reasons.
What is irrevocably damaged, is the TATA WORD & IMAGE, for Just under Rs. 400!
Other instances galore:
1) http://www.consumercomplaints.in/?s
earch=insurance
2) http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/max-newyork-life-insurance-policy-whole-life-participating-plan-c34840.html
3) http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=insurance
23. Rejection Of Insurance Provided By 1199
The reasons for hospital employees denying GHI health insurance include:
• St Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Doesn’t except GHI insurance
• Many of the doctors in the area don’t accept GHI insurance
• Less flexibility in care and coverage with GHI
• Less is covered in the plan being offered(GHI) than in the plan we currently have(MVP)
• Maximum lifetime benefit of only one million dollars (GHI).
24. Insurance Coverage for Infertility
Diagnosis and treatment of infertility was a $3 billion dollar business in 2006.
10 states currently mandate insurance companies to include coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
For those that live in the other 40 states, 85% of health insurance plans specifically exclude infertility coverage in their policies.
25. Expand public funding to Tasmania’s ambulance service
This Petition is made in response to the fact that Tasmanians will soon have to pay out hundreds of dollars to use an ambulance under the user-pays system which was announced as part of the state budget this year.
The bill will force the half of Tasmanians population who are not in private health to take out insurance or face a hefty bill when they call an ambulance.
Labor tried to introduce an ambulance levy in 1989 which was scrapped after public outcry. with enough public support we can stop it again.
26. Stop ruthless Insurance Law
Insurance agents are given dreams by the insurance companies. More than 95 % lose their agency before the expiry of the 5 years mandatory service as an agent. And there is no renewal commission for these 95%.
There is a simple strategy being adopted by the insurance companies of "Hire and Fire" and get business and make huge profits by not paying the renewal commission.
No one seems to take notice.
Is it justice??
27. Access for all to affordable healthcare
Every citizen of the USA should be entitled to healthcare regardless of weight or income. I have personally tried to get health insurance for over two years, but am unsucessful. Private insurance companies use statistics to gauge your "risk factor".
I am a 24 year old female that is 5'10 and because I don't weigh less than 210 pounds, based on these "statistics" I'm uninsurable. People that weigh just under are forced to pay practically a fourth of their income just to be insured. If Americans can be too fat to insure, then being overweight should be categorized as other pre-existing medical conditions for state insurance.
I believe private insurance companies should have to base the "risk factor" on an actual physical. As for state insurance, I make to much money to qualify. There are millions of people that are stuck in this same gray area as I am. Healthcare should be granted to every citizen.
Insurance should be affordable and attainable for every tax paying citizen. Why not? We pay for those that aren't.
28. Penalties for Uninsured Motorists in Arkansas
In my driving history, I have been involved in two wrecks. Both of which the at fault driver did not have insurance. I feel that if the State of Arkansas would have a stricter law against driving without insurance, people would not have to pay for others mistakes.
In Oklahoma City, State Senator Patrick Anderson has a proposal pending in the state Senate which would allow authorities to seize the vehicles of motorists who fail to show proof of liability insurance during a traffic stop. I think this is what Arkansas needs to keep our roads safe and to prevent accidents involving uninsured motorists.
29. Let's put an END to Colon Cancer
This petition is to mandate that all insurance companies cover colonoscopies along with other appropriate screening tools for everyone 18-20 and older.
Voices of Fairfield County.
India ranks 127 amongst 177 countries with regards to the Human Development Index. India spends just over 1% of it's total GDP on Health. This is equal to Rupees 160 (just over 3 Euro's) per head per anum. India's low health spending means India ranks an abysmal 171 out of 175 according to 2004 UNDP report.
Union health secretary J V R Prasad Rao explains what this skewed funding pattern means for India’s people: “With the funding so low, we can either fund doctors or get medicines or provide support services. We cannot take care of all this.”
80% of the population lives in rural areas, but 80% of health provision is urban. Over 85% of health provision is through private enterprise.
To make matters worse - immoral and unethical practices are a norm within the health sector. Unfortunately for a private medical practioner, earning a decent living (comparable to otherprofessionals from IT / MBA sector) is impossible without being a part of such corruption. The latter includes giving kick-backs to referring colleagues. Often this leads to quick & dirty ways of earning money i.e. 'sham' or 'unwanted' procedures. The other option is to consider working in public hospitals where you could get paid just as much as in a call-centre. In contrast salaries of those working in BPOs / software industry are 2-3 times higher.
The Medical Council of India currently functions only as a registration body. Once registered the MCI has no idea about the whereabouts of a doctor. Further it has no teeth and is unable to curb curruption and unethical practices including those carried out by quacks.
