Health Care Debate: Health care reform via an open and respectful debate.

It's not really insurance at that point. If you can buy insurance after the fact - why ever pay for it before hand?

What this leads to is only people who have a major claim buy insurance. Insurance doesn't work if everyone is getting more money out then they put in...

Why should an insurance company cover a pre-existing condition for someone who has no previous insurance? No auto insurance company would let you make a claim on a car that was damaged prior to the insurance policy being in force.

If you have continuous coverage, perhaps there should be a way of switching companies.

In the United States once you get a condition your insurance company is forced to provide you coverage for the condition. If you choose to terminate your insurance plan by changing jobs, your new insurance company is required by law to provide coverage to you. If you lose your job, the insurance company is required by law to continue to sell you insurance for coverage. If you decide NOT to continue coverage and go into the market to shop for new insurance, insurance companies are NOT required to insure you for whatever you already have. Your alternatives are to a) continue your coverage, b) find a new job and elect open enrollment, c) move to the public hospital system for treatment, d) pay for the treatment you receive yourself.