Health Care

[noonereal]

Why is our country incapable of insuring 47 million Americans as every other industrialized nation in the world has done?
Why are we ...protect private insurers (who are an unneeded middlemen) and drug companies at all costs by allowing the insurers to limit or deny coverage and the drug companies to have no limit on drug prices while we deny people the right to buy safe imported drugs. Then..in case someone wants to change the system ...be sure to run a scare campaign that obfuscates the real issues while using our privately financed campaign system to buy as many politicians as possible.

The end result is the highest health care costs in the world and the highest infant mortality rate and lowest life expectancy among industrialized countries while millions go bankrupt or face a lifetime of debt due to the illness of a loved one.

Why?

[Sandy G]

Because...It's the American Way...I don't mind paying my own way, of course, but I sure do get tired of carrying the 3,4,5,6 whatever "indigents" that are factored in every time you go to see the doctor...The whole system, I think, is broke.

[merrylander]

The whole country is broke, I read in the paper that both sides of the aisle in Congress object to regulating Wall St. and the banks. So in another forty or fifty years of unrestricted capitalism there will be another blow out and it is into the toilet again. Best keep your money in the mattress my dears, eat healthy foods and stay away from doctors and hospitals. Especially the hospitals, they are no place for sick people, they have staph germs you have never heard of.

They do say it is a sure sign of insanity to keep repeating the same experiment over and over, expecting a different outcome.

Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Because...It's the American Way....

The nature of life is such that time is change. If you stand still you are actually moving backward by definition. I always thought of the American way as as being leaders and innovators.

Originally Posted by Sandy G

but I sure do get tired of carrying the 3,4,5,6 whatever "indigents"

But you don't get tired of carrying insurance company and pharmaceutical company shareholders?

I am curious who are these "indigents" you are referring to?

[Sandy G]

Oh, come on. The mean, nasty, evil shareholders of these Rip 'Em Off Big Pharma megapolises--How DARE they expect a return on their investment of their Ill-Gotten Gains in these morally bankrupt enterprises, right ? I mean, drugs oughta be distributed FREE to everyone who needs 'em, for the Greater Public Good ? Similarly, as rich as America is, we should be HAPPY to be the Western Hemisphere's medical provider-You get sick, come to America ! It's FREE, an' if you is Pregnant, drop the baby here, an' we'll make him/her/it a Citizen ! An' since you de Baby Mama, we won't send you back to El Shithola, 'cause you gotta raise yer Young'Un...We'll just add yr bills on to those fat, rich, stupid phuckers who HAVE insurance and/CAN pay...They'll NEVER complain, 'cause to do so would be, well, crass, mean-spirited, an' would be seen as being a Grouchy Old Pharte, & un-humanitarian. Besides, we won't listen to 'em, anyway. They got no choice in the matter. Yeah, its a fair system, all right.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Oh, come on. The mean, nasty, evil shareholders of these Rip 'Em Off Big Pharma megapolises--How DARE they expect a return on their investment of their Ill-Gotten Gains in these morally bankrupt enterprises, right ? .

I tend to agree with this. Generally speaking the profits are excessive, this is why it is refereed to as greed.
Do you think it a good idea that the new prescription benefit enjoyed by the Medicare recipients is not a negotiated price???????
This is direct political pay back to the industry that comes out of your pocket and mine. You tell me, a little less emotionally why Medicare was not allowed to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies to obtain better pricing for drugs. Do you think the return on investment to the pharmaceutical inventors should take president over common business practices? That is what happened.

BTW, I don't recall supporting any legislation that would provide health care for other countries. Why do you think I do?


At least I woke u up!

It's good to engage.


Hell maybe I'm wrong. I got a women here that would sugget that is the case, in most any matter.

[painter]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Oh, come on. The mean, nasty, evil shareholders of these Rip 'Em Off Big Pharma megapolises--How DARE they expect a return on their investment of their Ill-Gotten Gains in these morally bankrupt enterprises, right ? I mean, drugs oughta be distributed FREE to everyone who needs 'em, for the Greater Public Good ? Similarly, as rich as America is, we should be HAPPY to be the Western Hemisphere's medical provider-You get sick, come to America ! It's FREE, an' if you is Pregnant, drop the baby here, an' we'll make him/her/it a Citizen ! An' since you de Baby Mama, we won't send you back to El Shithola, 'cause you gotta raise yer Young'Un...We'll just add yr bills on to those fat, rich, stupid phuckers who HAVE insurance and/CAN pay...They'll NEVER complain, 'cause to do so would be, well, crass, mean-spirited, an' would be seen as being a Grouchy Old Pharte, & un-humanitarian. Besides, we won't listen to 'em, anyway. They got no choice in the matter. Yeah, its a fair system, all right.

I agree Sandy! As you age...other issues come to mind. There are funeral directors out there who play on the grieving families. One recent case comes to mind..."I know you want the best for John". personally...we know of several seasoned citizens who have policies worth thousands for a burial. I think a dead body would come under health and safety concerns and warrent a FREE burial or cremation (tongue in cheek remark).

On the personal side here...each specialist visit costs $30.+ and we pay a monthly premium as well as Medicare. But it scares the hell out of us when we hear the so called NEW system will dictate just how much treatment will be afforded to seniors. Overheard by one seasoned citizen: " I can always put a bone up my arse and let the dogs drag me away and bury me" Now theres a guy who can solve problems

Too bad those in power can't think ahead

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by painter

On the personal side here...each specialist visit costs $30.+ and we pay a monthly premium as well as Medicare. But it scares the hell out of us when we hear the so called NEW system will dictate just how much treatment will be afforded to seniors.

Then the opponents have done there job well.

[soundhound]

"We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, provide justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare...."

and:

"I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.

I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.

I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.

In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot."

any questions?

[merrylander]

Lets cut Medicare B for seniors, sure I pay $94.60 a month and out of that I get one flu shot a year, shit guess I'll have to pay for my own flu shot this fall.