Should broke people receive health care?

[bilop]

Hmm, I do see your point, but your analogy is flawed. $10 billion is not a possible “what if” number, for one. In fact, in terms of real costs, it should probably not have cost $130,000 to save our baby (not that I’m complaining, mind you; his care was excellent). Something in the system’s broken. I’m no economist, but I know that when his special prescription diaper rash cream costs $85 for a two ounce tube, which was prescribed when over-the-counter butt paste didnt’ work, something’s broken in the pricing mechanism of medical care is broken. Call it a breakdown of free enterprise; people have no choice what medicine they need, so they have to pay for it no matter how much it costs. But that’s yet another post…

That is definitely true. Evrything is marked up b/c few people pay directly. It all goes through insurance or the government. They use the high prices to offset the people who can’t pay.

But, it is possible to spend millions of dollars per year to keep someone alive. The point is, you can’t save everyone, and cost has to be a consideration.

I hope your baby is doing well. I’ll say a prayer for him.

God Bless.

 

[vern_humphrey]

There are a lot of things I would like to buy – such as a new pickup or a new tractor. But they just don’t fit into my budget this year.

Now, my two biggest expenses are insurance and taxes. By canceling my insurance, I could afford some big ticket items. Does anyone think I should do that, and let the rest of you pick up my health care costs?

 

[Newbie2]

But, it is possible to spend millions of dollars per year to keep someone alive. The point is, you can’t save everyone, and cost has to be a consideration.

.

Insurance or no, that’s coming dangerously close to putting a price tag on human life.

Point taken though, about insurance costs.

 

[consumedconvert]

There are a lot of things I would like to buy – such as a new pickup or a new tractor. But they just don’t fit into my budget this year.

Now, my two biggest expenses are insurance and taxes. By canceling my insurance, I could afford some big ticket items. Does anyone think I should do that, and let the rest of you pick up my health care costs?

Nope. But realize for some people, the choice is between rent and insurance, used car payment or insurance, or groceries or insurance. A while back I had to go on COBRA. I couldn’t well afford to insure myself; but I insured my wife at $550 a month. To insure our two of us would have cost $1200 a month; a family of three through my COBRA would have cost $1700 a month, plus copays and deductibles. Hence, something in the healthcare “system” is broken.

 

[jmcrae]

Sometimes I think society spends way too much on heroics. Doesn’t matter whether it’s insurance or the government, we all pitch in and a lot of time it’s a waste of money, for instance keeping people alive an extra two weeks in an ICU. Sometimes babies too small are saved as well. There should be limits set otherwise we will go broke.

Until it’s your own child. Then, you want that extra two weeks to spend with your child.

I thank God I live in Canada - for us, saving children’s lives, and being able to feed, clothe, and house them afterwards, are not incompatible goals.

 

[rlg94086]

Until it’s your own child. Then, you want that extra two weeks to spend with your child.

I thank God I live in Canada - for us, saving children’s lives, and being able to feed, clothe, and house them afterwards, are not incompatible goals.

Yeah, but you have to live in Canada.

 

[jmcrae]

There are a lot of things I would like to buy – such as a new pickup or a new tractor. But they just don’t fit into my budget this year.

Now, my two biggest expenses are insurance and taxes. By canceling my insurance, I could afford some big ticket items. Does anyone think I should do that, and let the rest of you pick up my health care costs?

Health care isn’t something that’s on anyone’s “wish list,” though. Nobody goes out there and decides, “Hey, I’ve got half a million dollars - I think I’ll get sick!!” Nor is anyone intentionally getting sick for the purpose of getting other people to pay for it, whether it’s the insurance company, or the government.

That’s different than not having the money for a new computer, or a better vehicle. Those things, we can live without - nobody is required to buy them. But if you get sick, then you are required to buy health care, or else get someone else to buy it for you, since no one is giving it away for free.

 

[jmcrae]

Yeah, but you have to live in Canada.

True. And yes, it’s inconveniently cold, for part of the year, but it’s otherwise a very nice place to live.

 

[rlg94086]

Until it’s your own child. Then, you want that extra two weeks to spend with your child.

I thank God I live in Canada - for us, saving children’s lives, and being able to feed, clothe, and house them afterwards, are not incompatible goals.

BTW…I’m not familiar with your National Feed, Clothe and House Them program. Are those all nationalized as well, since you consider them the same as healthcare?

 

[rlg94086]

True. And yes, it’s inconveniently cold, for part of the year, but it’s otherwise a very nice place to live.

Yes, I know…I was teasing. Heck, I’m not that far from you. Not quite as cold here, but Calgary gets more sun!

 

[daeve]

Waddya mean too much for a dog or cat?? That’s my living you’re talking about. If someone has that kind of money and is otherwise generous with their wealth to people in need, why not?

Is it any more wasteful than someone buying BMWs, Porches, Mercedes, etc.?

PS I have yet to have a client willing to spend that kind of money on their pet.

I wouldn’t spend that on a car either…I drive a 10 year old Mustang that I inherited. And I’ll keep driving it until one of us can’t go any farther. I don’t mind spending money, but I hate to waste it.

 

[jmcrae]

BTW…I’m not familiar with your National Feed, Clothe and House Them program. Are those all nationalized as well, since you consider them the same as healthcare?

No, but they are not very expensive, either. For example, I don’t know of anyone who pays $1700.00 a month on housing, food, and clothing every month, at least in this neighborhood. People are able to live on their take-home wages, for the most part.

We also do have social programs for people who absolutely can’t work, for whatever reason.

 

[rlg94086]

No, but they are not very expensive, either. For example, I don’t know of anyone who pays $1700.00 a month on housing, food, and clothing every month, at least in this neighborhood. People are able to live on their take-home wages, for the most part.

We also do have social programs for people who absolutely can’t work, for whatever reason.

As do we. That was my point. If healthcare is to be considered the same as housing, food and clothing, then there should be a safety net. We do have that here, but it probably needs some tweaking.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Nope. But realize for some people, the choice is between rent and insurance, used car payment or insurance, or groceries or insurance. A while back I had to go on COBRA. I couldn’t well afford to insure myself; but I insured my wife at $550 a month. To insure our two of us would have cost $1200 a month; a family of three through my COBRA would have cost $1700 a month, plus copays and deductibles. Hence, something in the healthcare “system” is broken.

The thing that is broken is that so many people who can pay for their healthcare won’t – and throw the burden on the rest of us.

I will give you an example that I am dealing with right now – “Bill” was just paroled from prison (from his second term.) He walked away from the work-release program (a violation of his parole) and went to live with his mother – supporting himself by burglary.

“Sally” who is married to a truck driver (who makes more than the median salary) took her three kids to live with Bill. She’s a Certified Nursing Assistant, but she used up all her sick leave and vacation to be with Bill.

Sally and Bill decided to have a party – they drove to another county (Bill driving, another violation of the terms of his parole) and bought alcohol (another violation of the terms of his parole) and then ran off the road and hit a tree.

Both of them were hospitalized.

Who should pay for their medical care?

And are you willing to see your insurance go up because of the expenses associated with their recklessness?

 

[daeve]

The thing that is broken is that so many people who can pay for their healthcare won’t – and throw the burden on the rest of us.

I will give you an example that I am dealing with right now – “Bill” was just paroled from prison (from his second term.) He walked away from the work-release program (a violation of his parole) and went to live with his mother – supporting himself by burglary.

“Sally” who is married to a truck driver (who makes more than the median salary) took her three kids to live with Bill. She’s a Certified Nursing Assistant, but she used up all her sick leave and vacation to be with Bill.

Sally and Bill decided to have a party – they drove to another county (Bill driving, another violation of the terms of his parole) and bought alcohol (another violation of the terms of his parole) and then ran off the road and hit a tree.

Both of them were hospitalized.

Who should pay for their medical care?

And are you willing to see your insurance go up because of the expenses associated with their recklessness?

And although I see your point, they are still human beings and we are still Christians.

 

[consumedconvert]

And although I see your point, they are still human beings and we are still Christians.

Here here! No, they should not have done it. But if they need basic medical care and we have the ability to provide it, we must.

Just like if Bill showed up homeless and starving on our doorstep. We would have the responsibility to feed him and obtain shelter for him, even if it was clearly his fault.

Although in this case, it sounds the place to take him for shelter would be prison.

 

[jmcrae]

Sally and Bill decided to have a party – they drove to another county (Bill driving, another violation of the terms of his parole) and bought alcohol (another violation of the terms of his parole) and then ran off the road and hit a tree.

Both of them were hospitalized.

Who should pay for their medical care?

I don’t think denial of health care services is part of the punishment due to Bill - he needs to be in jail, and he needs to do his work programs and therapy, but he doesn’t need to be denied health care.

As for Sally, she’s a fool, but foolishness is not a punishable crime, even if denial of health care were an appropriate punishment.

 

[daeve]

Here here! No, they should not have done it. But if they need basic medical care and we have the ability to provide it, we must.

Just like if Bob (or whatever his name was) showed up homeless and starving on our doorstep. We would have the responsibility to feed him and obtain shelter for him, even if it was clearly his fault.

COOL! Somebody liked what I said!

 

[RachelsAlumni]

There are a lot of things I would like to buy – such as a new pickup or a new tractor. But they just don’t fit into my budget this year.

Now, my two biggest expenses are insurance and taxes. By canceling my insurance, I could afford some big ticket items. Does anyone think I should do that, and let the rest of you pick up my health care costs?

It doesn’t quite work that way. If you simply fail to pay your health insurance premium, but you have assetts like ‘big ticket items’, a home, savings, an income about the poverty level then you will not qualify for government assistance. That means that when you show up at a hospital for medical care then you will be required to pay the bill and the State/Fed won’t pick up the tab.

If you fail to pay the Hospital, the Doctor’s who cared for you, et al will bill you individually and you will be responsible for paying their bill. I don’t think you can bankrupt out of medical bills either, but I’m not sure. I think this was recently changed

So no, unless you are poor then the taxpayers won’t pick up your healthcare costs.

 

[Meka]

Our Catholic beliefs say a lot about the common good which refers to materials and goods of society (including healthcare) are meant to be used by everyone. Some groups, including those living in poverty are not treated equitable and aren’t given dignity. Now, what would Jesus Do? Of course, without question, he would believe that everyone should receive health care. Everyone is worthy of respect and protection and human diginity lies at the heart of humanity.
Therefore, I believe that the answer is simple…We are to try to be like Jesus and consequently, we should allow everyone health care access.
In His Name
Meka