Can someone explain the health care 'crisis' to me?

[Zeno]

Just a few minutes of internet time gave me this:

Government Information

More stuff

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Quotes etc

Then there is this rather intersting article from the NY Times: Oh! Canada

Then there is Mitt's forced Heatlh plan coverage under penalty of fine: Mitt's Remedy

Here is the stinger from Mitt: "Gov. Mitt Romney (R) supports the proposal, which would require all uninsured adults in the state to purchase some kind of insurance policy by July 1, 2007, or face a fine. Their choices would be expanded to include a range of new and inexpensive policies -- ranging from about $250 per month to nearly free -- from private insurers subsidized by the state."

Enjoy.

-Zeno

[pokerbobo]

[ QUOTE ]
I want to know what is the crisis in US health care. I live in the US and purchase my own health care independantly for a very reasonable price....what am I missing? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

First rule of government

Identify a problem where there is none

second rule

Involve government in non problem so problem is created.

third rule

As real problem is worsened by govt, claim more govt is needed to fix problem.

fourth rule

repeat rule 3 as often as possible

[hmkpoker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is so freaking easy to succeed in a free market. The only people that are going to get the shaft are going to be the losers that frankly most of us do not want in society anyway. That is who socialism helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really love reading your posts and enjoy you as a poster, but reading this frightens me. Your willingness to cast aside another human is scary.

[/ QUOTE ]

The alternative, a world where the productive are sentenced to indentured slavery to anyone that can't take care of himself, is much scarier.

[hmkpoker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The only people that won't have it under such conditions are the dregs of society. Drug addicts, lazy bums, criminals, those with horribly untreatable physical conditions...these are the people who are going to die. You know good ol' middle class hard-working Joe? Joe is going to benefit from this system. He's not going to get hurt. You know that perennially unemployed pothead friend-of-a-friend of yours who sleeps on the couch all the time? He's going to be screwed.

It is so freaking easy to succeed in a free market. The only people that are going to get the shaft are going to be the losers that frankly most of us do not want in society anyway. That is who socialism helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't socialism helping these guys now anyway? I mean I've heard of people getting SSI disability because of "alchoholism". don't they get free health care with that too? I mean I'm sure they don't get million dollar treatment, but I think they get some sort of governemnt medical plan.

[/ QUOTE ]

It can work, we just need to throw more money into it.

[pvn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is so freaking easy to succeed in a free market. The only people that are going to get the shaft are going to be the losers that frankly most of us do not want in society anyway. That is who socialism helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really love reading your posts and enjoy you as a poster, but reading this frightens me. Your willingness to cast aside another human is scary.

[/ QUOTE ]

He won't use force to restrain you from helping those people with your own money. So what's the problem? Oh, right...

* I want XYZ

* I want someone else to pay for XYZ

[Dan.]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is so freaking easy to succeed in a free market. The only people that are going to get the shaft are going to be the losers that frankly most of us do not want in society anyway. That is who socialism helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really love reading your posts and enjoy you as a poster, but reading this frightens me. Your willingness to cast aside another human is scary.

[/ QUOTE ]

He won't use force to restrain you from helping those people with your own money. So what's the problem? Oh, right...

* I want XYZ

* I want someone else to pay for XYZ

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, I'm an anarchist. That game doesn't work on me. Besides, my post had nothing to do with how to care for others, just a commentary about which people he cares for.

[pvn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is so freaking easy to succeed in a free market. The only people that are going to get the shaft are going to be the losers that frankly most of us do not want in society anyway. That is who socialism helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really love reading your posts and enjoy you as a poster, but reading this frightens me. Your willingness to cast aside another human is scary.

[/ QUOTE ]

He won't use force to restrain you from helping those people with your own money. So what's the problem? Oh, right...

* I want XYZ

* I want someone else to pay for XYZ

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, I'm an anarchist. That game doesn't work on me. Besides, my post had nothing to do with how to care for others, just a commentary about which people he cares for.

[/ QUOTE ]

That game does work. By saying that he's "casting aside" those people, you're suggesting that he should be contributing to their material needs.

Everyone has different preferences. You probably care about different people than I do. Is that scary?

[natedogg]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I want to know what is the crisis in US health care. I live in the US and purchase my own health care independantly for a very reasonable price....what am I missing? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
You're missing that 1. You don't have any kids to pay for, 2. I don't know what your definition of reasonable is, 3. I'm guessing you make more money than the majority of Americans and 4. You're not sick. Good luck getting a reasonable price with a pre-existing condition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good grief. Trying to find insurance with a pre-existing condition is like asking for fire insurance after your house burns down.

Why didn't you buy the insurance when you were healthy? I'm pretty sure anyone who complains about how hard it is to get coverage AFTER they come down with cancer doesn't really understand what *insurance* means. Yes, it's hard to find someone willing to take on the burden of your expensive medical bills. That's why you buy insurance.

Not to mention that even then all you have to do is FIND A JOB and you'll be covered (which is part of the problem btw).

natedogg

[bkholdem]

Don't employers have open enrollment for one month out of the year, when you can get insurance or change policies at your job without any background check or anything? Is that just in my state or something?

[Zeno]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't employers have open enrollment for one month out of the year, when you can get insurance or change policies at your job without any background check or anything? Is that just in my state or something?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure if that is a state or federal law or just courtesy by the employer, but open enrollment once a year is very common. You usually can change not just health insurance coverage, but also disability and life insurance coverage, your 401(k) plan, and other benefit plans offered.

And obviously you can change benefit plans on marriage (or divorce) having children, etc.

-Zeno