The Polarizing of America: Rep. Michele Bachmann wins Iowa Straw Poll

by darthfader 172 Replies latest social current

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  SixofNine

  In today's market, insurance companies will not cover people with pec's. I'm one of those people. Now I am still able to purchase my group coverage through COBRA, however in 3 months that will be over.

  Are you aware of the fairly recent PCIP.gov? You should definitely ck it out; as of a few months ago the prices in many states are more akin to policies w/o pre-existing conditions. It's a federal/state stopgap until 2014. You'd have to go w/o for six months (I hate the way "they" always find some way to limit things from the people that need them the most), but it might be worth the risk if you can swing it, because as soon as you've been w/o for six months, you're guaranteed coverage.
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  Sam Whiskey

  Bizzybee, define deserving. Is that entitled to, just because you are American. In other words, the government is compelled to pay your costs for you? If you fall into a pay or no-pay category, I fail to see anyone falling through the cracks. With my plan, there is no falling through the cracks. The problem is, the government cannot provide for all that refuse to provide for themselves. There is a difference between those that cannot and those will not. I'm talking about those that will not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cKxCATYCJk I'm talking about people such as are featured in this video. How many of these people are actually NOT able bodied persons? They were ALL running so it didn't look to me as if any were handicapped. Are these the types of people who are "falling through the cracks"? If so they look perfectly capable of paying their bills to me. Seriously? Running to Section 8 Housing? Entitlement at it's finest. Let's teach more people how to live off of the government teat.

  Newchapter - Yes, we are discussing, and I enjoy the problem solving aspects of any challenge. However, I provided answers, you provided only questions. Respectfully, please provide your bullet list of solutions or modify mine. And please don't say, "I don't want to do this."
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  NewChapter

  Thanks six. I'll look into that too. One issue I have is I qualify for Medicare---but here is the sticky part. Mediare covers 80%. Medicare D covers 80% of my prescriptions. My last 2 day hospital stay cost $60,000. My portion would have been $12,000 without my back up insurance. the prescription that keeps me alive costs $8000 a month---leaving me to pay $1600 without my back up insurance. I am talking to the drug company--but when i talked to my provider I was told if I made over $10,900 a year they wouldn't help me. My only option is to pay off my balance in 3 months. Okay, so for my last stay, that would have cost me $4000 a month WITH Medicare.

  I think Medicare may make me ineligible for the stop gap program--because I will not be without for 6 months. On the other hand, if I go for 6 months without---I very well may die. That's not hyperbolic, it's truth. I have cancer with a great prognosis, but it is what it is and I need treatment. I make to much to get rated locally, but can't afford the care on my own.

  Also I wonder if that stop gap will become invalid if they overturn health care reform before 2014. It's a terrible thing to be sick in America. It's a nightmare.

  NC
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  NewChapter

  Sam--I did provide questions as a way to point out some of the issues that weren't addressed. I feel like Obama's plan addresses all of these. I was interested in alternatives to Obama's plan since conservatives seem to hate it so much.

  1. Mandate that everyone have health care coverage.

  2. insurance companies must cover pre-existing conditions, and the goverment tempers the down side by requiring healthy people to cover insurance.

  3. Low income citizens receive subsidies to cover their premiums.

  4. Disabled and elderly get insurance as they already do today.

  I'm suggesting that if this can be improved on, improve on it.

  None of us like abuses of the system. Not all recipients abuse the system. So we need a safety net. Here are some people that could fall through the cracks:

  Low income earners that can't cover health insurance premiums. Even middle income earners can't always cover premiums. Some work long hours and multiple jobs. They have children and responsiblities. How much community service can you get out of these people--and how does their service transfer into payments to health care providers? This would require the bill be paid by taxes, and would deprive private companies of income. Under Obama's plan, the govt. would help them pay the premiums and the private insurance company would pay the providers and still profit because risk has been greatly spread out through the mandate.

  Some people are sick or disabled but still able to work. These are also usually low income earners. How much community service do you think they can do? When I was sick I still worked. I came home from work and went directly to bed so i could get up the next day. I was unable to do dishes much less community service. I am only one story, but I know people that work less hours at low pay to accomodate their needs.

  High unemployment. How do the unemployed pay the premiums? There is a shortage of jobs, so they aren't all deadbeats. Giving them community service jobs will deprive other earners of a job. In effect, these people will be working for the government. Those who fear socialism should beware.

  Those are my solutions and my objections to your suggestions. The questions are provided with an open mind. If we can answer those questions, then maybe that plan would work. I don't see the answers and wondered if you did.

  My golden solution is single payor--but that's not happening soon. So I go with Obama's plan.

  NC
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  SixofNine

  I'm very sorry you are going through this, NC. Whether or not you'll get the medical care you need shoudn't even be something you have to think twice about when you are ill. Oh to live in a civilised society. Maybe for our children.

  If it makes you feel any better, and it's just my opinion, but if I'm gambling I'd gamble that "they" will not be able to overturn HC.
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  Sam Whiskey

  NewChapter - Firstly, I want to say that you've won my respect by being cordial and honost. I owe you an apology where I came accross a bit kurt. I don't know if we'll get this figured out tonight, but I do know this. If you were my neighbor, and you needed help, there wouldn't anything I would not do for you. I would give you the care and love of a fleshly brother or sister. I would care for you like we were family, because in my eyes, we are all God's children.

  May you have peace my friend....
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  NewChapter

  Aww thanks Sam. We all get a bit heated when discussing these things. I've made it a mission to put a face on the health care issue. I think this makes the problem more real. It's easy to believe that undocumented people and lazy people are the cause, but that's not been my experience. I worked hard, made many good choices, and yet here I am. We are all only one diagnosis from calamity---setting up a safety net doesn't benefit others, it benefits ourselves. Tomorrow is the unknown.

  Thanks Six. As I've said, my purpose is simply to humanize this problem. I see compassion being dropped from the political argument and that's not helpful.

  NC
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  sammielee24

  Sam - your jealousy, your envy is getting the better of you....telling someone to move out of a country because they don't agree with you speaks more of your inadequacy, your emotional state, your inability to work with others, your own lack of integrity and leadership and sense of community - fearful and suspicious of things foreign to you that invoke gut reactions - sammies

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  designs

  NC-

  Thanks for navigating the medical insurance issue so clearly. We are in the same boat with pecs, our Blue Cross premium has risen 250% in the past two years. Soon it will be cheaper to kick the bucket.
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  NewChapter

  Designs---that's awful. Unfortunately it's very common. We need to bust the myth that everyone hurt by the health care system today is lazy or irresponsible or illegal. As long as they can perpetuate the myth, people won't accept the seriousness of this.

  A person who is self employed with no employees, can't buy a group health insurance plan. My brother was in this situation. His company was new, people had worked for him but only for the season. He was still getting things off the ground, and these guys were able to make other arrangements. He tried to buy health insurance. He is a healthy guy but had an accident 10 years ago and suffered a below knee amputation. Yet he is not disabled. He is very active with no other illnesses. He couldn't get health insurance! they simply refused to cover amputees. Period. He had the means to pay them whatever they asked. Eventually he found a convoluted policy, but nothing mainstream.

  A person can make $100,000 a year or more and be completely wiped out by a week in the hospital. The market is unfriendly and anything but open. My brother now employs several people and pays for all of their insurance, including vision and dental. He is a JOB CREATOR, but a year ago couldn't even get health insurance.

  This is so wrong. Want to create jobs and opportunity? Make health insurance viable so those with an entreprenuring spirit can create some jobs! My brother never complains about his taxes---he does however have mini breakdowns over health insurance for his crew. Yeah-- it's bad.

  NC