3/27    I hear so much about HMO's in the news today. But what the hell does
        the acronymn stand for?
        \_ Health Maintainence Organization
        \_ The only one here (at present) is IMHO.  It stands for "In My
           Humble Opinion"
           \_ Thanks for the answer ulike the crap below.  All I ask for
              was a stupid acronymn and I get a 1 page troll from a bunch
              of political nut bags.  geez.
        \_ Basically, health insurance providers.  You are hearing about
           in the news b/c they are evil...cutting corners whenever
           possible to the detriment ot patients under the health care
           plan.  From what I can ascertain, these HMO's are run by
           businesspeople, not doctors, so they are not really looking
           in the patient's best interest most of the time.
           \_ HMO's are an evil socialist monstrosity devised by liberals in
              the name of "affordable healthcare."  A real businessman
              ALWAYS has the patient's best interests at heart, because
              otherwise he ll lose a customer.  The only thing that will
              fix the evil of HMOs is fully privatized healthcare.
                \_ Nice theory.  Completely wrong though.  Most HMO customers
                   have no choice - they go with whichever HMO gave their
                   employer the best deal on the group plan.
                   \_ You just don't get it, do you.  People don't have the
                      choice PRECISELY because HMOs are forced down our throats
                      by lefties, and because there are laws REQUIRING the
                      employers to provide HMO coverage for their employees.
                      In these sorts of nasty socialist conditions, what do you
                      expect will happen?  Exactly what is happening now.
                      A fully privatized healthcare will give people choice,
                      and stay affordable the way any service stays affordable:
                      competition.
                        \_ hey, do you know what a mixed economy is? govt
                        regulated capitalism. welcome to america.
                        \_ I'm with flacid