sicko

[Art Vandelay]

Yeah, I have no way of knowing if the statistics and studies were skewed in some way, but I believe the people I've spoken with. These weren't just middle-managers at some insurance or health care company, they were US Senators, presidents of health care providers, a former governor and physician, etc.

All you're missing are conflicting economists!

Also, I just realized how ridiculous-sounding my point was: "The people I've talked to aren't likely to manipulate statistics for their own gain, they're high ranking politicians and CEOs of major corporations."

[JTWood]

Yeah, I have no way of knowing if the statistics and studies were skewed in some way, but I believe the people I've spoken with. These weren't just middle-managers at some insurance or health care company, they were US Senators, presidents of health care providers, a former governor and physician, etc.

All you're missing are conflicting economists!

Also, I just realized how ridiculous-sounding my point was: "The people I've talked to aren't likely to manipulate statistics for their own gain, they're high ranking politicians and CEOs of major corporations."

I'm glad you said it, because I was thinking it.

I didn't really feel like looking like I was trying to antagonize you.

[Madison]

You certainly have an excellent point as does Rugby and anyone else who view medical care as a privilege not a right.

I am just curious though if you would still believe that if someone close to you in your family is in a serious medical condition but couldn't afford treatment and something horrible happens.

I just think that minimum health care should be available somehow, somewhere and also allow the privileged to seek additional care if needed.

Yes, I would still believe it, and here's why. I was raised to not have to depend on anyone or anything else in order to survive in the world. No help, no handouts, no nothing. Nothing is given freely, you're not born with any special rights or privileges, and you're entitled to absolutely nothing. You want something? Go earn it. Be it respect, be it the ability to say what's on your mind, be it to go to a party, be it to just sit and watch television and be left alone. Go earn it, or do the things you need to do in order to earn it, because you're not entitled to anything just because of the soil on which you were born.

Unfortunately, no one in my family is without medical coverage other than me. My grandparents worked hard, saved money, and my grandfather is retired military on top of that, so they have no concerns there. Father was military too, so medical isn't an issue for him either. So the only example I could give is if something happened to me (let's say I was struck by lightning). In such a case, my savings account would pay out until it was belly up, and any bill beyond that point is something I would be responsible to pay in full - and I would. Simple as that. There's no "free handout", or "boo-hoo wittle Madison had some bad luck" crap that anyone owes me, the taxpayers don't owe me, the government doesn't owe me, it's up to me to pay for what expenses I incur, even if it's the result of bad luck or some fluky thing like being hit by lightning. If there were serious medical issues that ran in my family, then it would be my responsibility to pay through the nose to ensure I had adequate healthcare to combat that problem. If that meant working two jobs, so be it. If it meant 3 jobs, so be it. I do not live by the philosophy that I'm entitled to anything just because I was born on American soil and am an American. Anything I could possibly want or need in life can be earned (isn't that a big enough gift or "right" for anyone? it should be), it's just a matter of doing what it takes to earn it.

[RugbyD]

You certainly have an excellent point as does Rugby and anyone else who view medical care as a privilege not a right.

I am just curious though if you would still believe that if someone close to you in your family is in a serious medical condition but couldn't afford treatment and something horrible happens.

I just think that minimum health care should be available somehow, somewhere and also allow the privileged to seek additional care if needed.

Yes, I would still believe it, and here's why. I was raised to not have to depend on anyone or anything else in order to survive in the world. No help, no handouts, no nothing. Nothing is given freely, you're not born with any special rights or privileges, and you're entitled to absolutely nothing. You want something? Go earn it. Be it respect, be it the ability to say what's on your mind, be it to go to a party, be it to just sit and watch television and be left alone. Go earn it, or do the things you need to do in order to earn it, because you're not entitled to anything just because of the soil on which you were born.

Unfortunately, no one in my family is without medical coverage other than me. My grandparents worked hard, saved money, and my grandfather is retired military on top of that, so they have no concerns there. Father was military too, so medical isn't an issue for him either. So the only example I could give is if something happened to me (let's say I was struck by lightning). In such a case, my savings account would pay out until it was belly up, and any bill beyond that point is something I would be responsible to pay in full - and I would. Simple as that. There's no "free handout", or "boo-hoo wittle Madison had some bad luck" crap that anyone owes me, the taxpayers don't owe me, the government doesn't owe me, it's up to me to pay for what expenses I incur, even if it's the result of bad luck or some fluky thing like being hit by lightning. If there were serious medical issues that ran in my family, then it would be my responsibility to pay through the nose to ensure I had adequate healthcare to combat that problem. If that meant working two jobs, so be it. If it meant 3 jobs, so be it. I do not live by the philosophy that I'm entitled to anything just because I was born on American soil and am an American. Anything I could possibly want or need in life can be earned (isn't that a big enough gift or "right" for anyone? it should be), it's just a matter of doing what it takes to earn it.

You are aware that catastrophic health insurance is pretty cheap, right?

[Art Vandelay]

Also, I just realized how ridiculous-sounding my point was: "The people I've talked to aren't likely to manipulate statistics for their own gain, they're high ranking politicians and CEOs of major corporations."

I'm glad you said it, because I was thinking it.

I didn't really feel like looking like I was trying to antagonize you.

You really don't have to bite your tongue, or your finger-tips, as it were, with me. I wouldn't take anything personal. I didn't even realize how my previous statement would sound to someone else until I read it in the reply...I guess it's different when you actually get to engage those guys and criticize and ask them questions instead of just hearing soundbites on TV or reading their prepared statements.

[Madison]

You are aware that catastrophic health insurance is pretty cheap, right?

I'm willing to gamble I don't get hit by lightning, but thanks.

[Yoda]

You are aware that catastrophic health insurance is pretty cheap, right?

I'm willing to gamble I don't get hit by lightning, but thanks.

So Mad, do you put away any money for health care specifically since you don't have insurance?

[IllinoisBandit]

I don't know Mad's age, but if you're a male under 30 and have had a good medical history not having health insurance is a reasonable and certainly acceptable decision IMO. I only have it because I'm in the biomedical field and it's required.

[Madison]

You are aware that catastrophic health insurance is pretty cheap, right?

I'm willing to gamble I don't get hit by lightning, but thanks.

So Mad, do you put away any money for health care specifically since you don't have insurance?

Specifically? No. However, I do have a savings account for whatever it's needed for, so the answer would be "kinda", as other than buying a house, I have no clue what I'd touch the money in my savings account for. Pretty much all of my bases are fully covered with health insurance being the one thing I don't shell the money out for.