Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
health care reform...anyone else worried???
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
hope everyone here has medical coverage.
Model
AuLa
Posts: 1176
West Hollywood, California, US
Well shoot. I better get my teeth cleaned soon before I can't any more, you understand?
Photographer
Lens N Light
Posts: 16341
Bradford, Vermont, US
BCG wrote:
health care reform...anyone else worried??? Worried about what, exactly?
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
it woulda saved scads of tax dollars to treat all the rxs filled by seniors under the new plan as 'one payer' and insisted on the normal (huge) discount given for that kind of quantity buying power. too bad it was written to benefit the drug companies, not the taxpayers.
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
why are we spending so much money to keep senior citizens alive???...they are draing our system.
Photographer
Michael Bell
Posts: 925
Anaheim, California, US
BCG wrote:
why are we spending so much money to keep senior citizens alive???...they are draing our system. Ask the dumbass from your state you elected President...
Photographer
Lens N Light
Posts: 16341
Bradford, Vermont, US
BCG wrote:
why are we spending so much money to keep senior citizens alive???...they are draing our system. Don't worry too much. We are dying as fast as we can.
I object to any form of socialized medicine; in fact I object to socialism, period.
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
BCG wrote:
why are we spending so much money to keep senior citizens alive???...they are draing our system. cuz they vote maybe?
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
qphotonyc wrote:
cuz they vote maybe? after 65, you should not be able to vote.
Photographer
UnoMundo
Posts: 47532
Olympia, Washington, US
free ganja for seniors; complaints will go to zero immediately
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
BCG wrote:
after 65, you should not be able to vote. have you forgotten the 2000 election in FL?
that pretty well proved they can't 
Photographer
Lens N Light
Posts: 16341
Bradford, Vermont, US
BCG wrote:
after 65, you should not be able to vote. Under 60 you should not be allowed to vote :-)
You haven't grown up yet!
Photographer
Lens N Light
Posts: 16341
Bradford, Vermont, US
UnoMundo Photography wrote:
free ganja for seniors; complaints will go to zero immediately Nah, that doesn't work for us
Photographer
Looknsee Photography
Posts: 26342
Portland, Oregon, US
My hot button about health care is COBRA. For those who don't know, if you have a job with health benefits & you are laid off, COBRA is a law that allows you to take over the payments for your health care for up to 18 months, after which you have to get your own insurance.
My question: why can't COBRA last indefinitely?
My situation: I worked for a big computer company for over 2 decades, and I was highly ranked & highly paid. For the most part, I was in great health, so for nearly all of those years, the insurance company got to keep the premiums & didn't have to pay out anything. Then, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, and then the company discarded me like a used bathroom tissue when they decided to merge with a rival company. They discarded me only four months before I was eligible for early retirement.
So, I went on COBRA & paid ~$350 a month, which covered health, dental, and vision. After COBRA ran out, I was uneligible for any other new insurance because of my preexisting condition (Diabetes) -- I have to get insurance through the state. It costs ~$480 a month, and doesn't cover dental & vision.
So, my hot button -- why does the original health insurance company get to drop me just because I was laid off? For over 20 years, they made big bank on me, and I was still willing to pay them exactly what they would have received if I was still employed or if I had been eligible for retirement. It's not right.
Photographer
Brian Diaz
Posts: 65617
Danbury, Connecticut, US
BCG wrote:
hope everyone here has medical coverage. With so many freelancers, that's a hell of a long shot.
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
It's not right. And it's time America grew up and finally got rid of the 1400+ private insurance companies who routinely scrap off 11-15 percent off the top for their profits before they pay any medical premiums for their members, and adopt either 1) a national health insurance program for everybody; or 2) 50 buying cooperatives in each state that buys each state's residents health insurance.
It's a crime that in the USA, children, the poor, and more and more the middle class, go to bed hungry and sick and they can't get seen by a health care provider.
Unpaid health care bills are the leading cause of bankruptcies in the USA. It's time this stops and the system is finally reformed.
/tim
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
the big problem with natl health insurance, as vividly demonstrated by the reaction to hillarycare in 94, is people like us tim. we have decent insurance already and mostly dont want the gov to mess with it. theres us, theres people poor enough to get medicaid...and there's uninsured workers. the last part is where the focus should be. they just started something in one new england state where they assess employers who dont provide insurance and the state insures them. business isn't screaming too much because most employers do provide it and they view their non insuring competition as having an unfair advantage. if a company can strike a better deal on their own, they're off the hook for the tax. it sounds promising.
Photographer
photographybyStavros
Posts: 5402
Bainbridge Island, Washington, US
Health care in the Seattle area is better and more affordable than the health care I got from twenty six years in southeast Georgia. It also helps a great deal to be around progressive minded people that know the civil war is over. Know that George W. is a puppet. And know that well you get the idea!
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
stavrophotography wrote:
Health care in the Seattle area is better and more affordable than the health care I got from twenty six years in southeast Georgia. It also helps a great deal to be around progressive minded people that know the civil war is over. Know that George W. is a puppet. And know that well you get the idea! omg...i read that and thought ibe had written it.
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
qphotonyc wrote:
the big problem with natl health insurance, as vividly demonstrated by the reaction to hillarycare in 94, is people like us tim. we have decent insurance already and mostly dont want the gov to mess with it. theres us, theres people poor enough to get medicaid...and there's uninsured workers. the last part is where the focus should be. they just started something in one new england state where they assess employers who dont provide insurance and the state insures them. business isn't screaming too much because most employers do provide it and they view their non insuring competition as having an unfair advantage. if a company can strike a better deal on their own, they're off the hook for the tax. it sounds promising. I agree with what you said and understand what you are saying. However there are close to 35 million Americans who will disagree with you. They're the uninsured. Another 55 million Americans will also disagree - they're the underinsured. That's almost 33 percent of the American population.
Many of us who are insured are under the false impression that we do, indeed, have 'decent health insurance.' Most insurance now pays 80 percent of your yearly insurance claims (some pay 90 percent; some pay 70 percent; more-and-more 50 percent and 60 percent co-payment is becoming the norm).
Go to an emergency department for any true emergency and you will be presented with a $5,000 to $15,000 bill, depending on the emergency (not including EMS, physician's bills, laboratory, imaging, etc). Get put in ICU and that bill could quickly increase to 10x that. Consider 20 percent (or 30 percent) of $5,000 and you have to pay out-of-pocket $1,000 to $11,000. Both are considerable sums to come up with within 30 days (the bills will most likely arrive within 5-6 days after your're discharged from the hospital).
Now, consider that you've been seen for say a heart attack. You'll still paying off the $11,000 amount you owe - the part your insurance didn't cover. Come renewal time, your insurance decides not to renew you, or it raises your employer's premiums high enough that they drop you from insurance coverage (unless you're in a collective bargining agreement, you do not have a right to be insured). Once you're dropped, you then must find your own insurance. But, wait, you have a 'preexisting medical condition.' Guess what? Either you can't get insurance or the cost is so high you can't afford it.
Let me know then just how 'decent' your insurance coverage is, then. With a national health insurance plan, that can't happen.
/tim
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
stavrophotography wrote:
Health care in the Seattle area is better and more affordable than the health care I got from twenty six years in southeast Georgia. It also helps a great deal to be around progressive minded people that know the civil war is over. Know that George W. is a puppet. And know that well you get the idea! Hey, didn't know we were neighbors. I'm south of you in Portland.
Yes, we are fortunate to have Kaiser-Permanentes and Group Healths (in your area) to at least provide some measure of competition in the health insurance market to keep costs down while increasing health care benefits. I know Kaiser here in Portland offers insurance at about 20 percent less than the Blues and other private companies while offering more benefits. Unfortunately, that's not the case in other parts of the US.
Cheers, Tim
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
ghi is the local ppo, about a million docs, every specialty, $15 co-pay, no gate-keeper. it comes free with my low paying city job! but things being what they are, i have to say incremental change is the way that will work. the hardest part is working the insurance giants into the puzzle. they're not going away, they're choked with mountains of cash, and they own most pols. so any solutions gotta get past them. you cant underestimate their clout. look at how accomodating the gov has been to tobacco companies: they've officially known cigs are toxic for a generation at least, and they still allowing phillip morris to wind it down at their own pace. incredible.
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
qphotonyc wrote:
ghi is the local ppo, about a million docs, every specialty, $15 co-pay, no gate-keeper. it comes free with my low paying city job! but things being what they are, i have to say incremental change is the way that will work. the hardest part is working the insurance giants into the puzzle. they're not going away, they're choked with mountains of cash, and they own most pols. so any solutions gotta get past them. you cant underestimate their clout. look at how accomodating the gov has been to tobacco companies: they've officially known cigs are toxic for a generation at least, and they still allowing phillip morris to wind it down at their own pace. incredible. Yep. You are absolutely correct as long as 'we' don't complain. Business is already complaining (Ford and GM estimate they pay about $1300/car sold to cover the cost of health insurance). That's passed along to us in the way of higher prices.
I do know that Big Health and Big Pharmacy is not going to let major change to occur, as long as they remain the top contributors to those in political office.
I'm just dreaming the American dream. If we can go to war at the drop of a hat, seems to me we can make drastic change in the health care system - if the will is there (which it is not). But, I can dream 
/tim
PS Your wages are low because, in part, your health insurance is high. You're actually subdizing your health insurance premiums by accepting lower wages. Indirectly, you are paying for your health insurance.
PSS What bothers me the most about our current system of employer based insurance is that the 'working poor' - those who work and pay taxes (including Medicare taxes) but who don't receive health insurance as a benefit and who can't afford to purchase their own - are actually paying for health insurance for those on Medicare, Medicaid, and, by purchasing goods and services from the private sector, for those who do have insurance provided by business. Seems a tad bit unfair.
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
it's totally unfair, and the people to whom its unfair-est is the ones with the quietest political voice. we're long since past the point where pols serve the interests of a majority of their constits. now they rank their contributors (free speech, y'know), lobbyists, and if theres anything left they throw it to the masses. usually something that doesnt involve sharing the loot- school prayer, abortion, flag burning, gay marriage, etc.
reality is most americans are apolitical or just apathetic. the ones who don't vote and say, 'it doesn't matter' actually have a point. still, i'm grateful there's folks like you, kevin, david, mike, l&l, sip, et al here to keep the fires burning til the real thing comes along.
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
qphotonyc wrote:
it's totally unfair, and the people to whom its unfair-est is the ones with the quietest political voice. we're long since past the point where pols serve the interests of a majority of their constits. now they rank their contributors (free speech, y'know), lobbyists, and if theres anything left they throw it to the masses. usually something that doesnt involve sharing the loot- school prayer, abortion, flag burning, gay marriage, etc.
reality is most americans are apolitical or just apathetic. the ones who don't vote and say, 'it doesn't matter' actually have a point. still, i'm grateful there's folks like you, kevin, david, mike, l&l, sip, et al here to keep the fires burning til the real thing comes along. Yep. In the day, Republicans used to keep their dirty corporate secrets (and Democrats, too) actually secret. Now their business is just done blatantly because of what you've just said. The public's memory is short. Those in power just have to wait a bit and 'we' all forget. Then they can repeat what they do. On-and-on. In that regard, David M. in California is correct. The sad thing for the masses is that they've given up, for the most part, because they're tired of banging their heads against that money-wall that prevades D.C. It's no wonder the world hates us - it's do as we say; ignore what we do, because we're just going to do it whether someone likes it or not. Sad state of affairs and no one's at the switch in Washington to give a damn. Cheers, Tim
Photographer
Kevin Connery
Posts: 17824
El Segundo, California, US
Tim Baker wrote:
Many of us who are insured are under the false impression that we do, indeed, have 'decent health insurance.' Most insurance now pays 80 percent of your yearly insurance claims (some pay 90 percent; some pay 70 percent; more-and-more 50 percent and 60 percent co-payment is becoming the norm).
Go to an emergency department for any true emergency and you will be presented with a $5,000 to $15,000 bill, depending on the emergency (not including EMS, physician's bills, laboratory, imaging, etc). Get put in ICU and that bill could quickly increase to 10x that. Consider 20 percent (or 30 percent) of $5,000 and you have to pay out-of-pocket $1,000 to $11,000. Both are considerable sums to come up with within 30 days (the bills will most likely arrive within 5-6 days after your're discharged from the hospital).
Now, consider that you've been seen for say a heart attack. You'll still paying off the $11,000 amount you owe - the part your insurance didn't cover. Come renewal time, your insurance decides not to renew you, or it raises your employer's premiums high enough that they drop you from insurance coverage (unless you're in a collective bargining agreement, you do not have a right to be insured). Once you're dropped, you then must find your own insurance. But, wait, you have a 'preexisting medical condition.' Guess what? Either you can't get insurance or the cost is so high you can't afford it. It cost $220,000 for my hospital stay (+associated bills) in January 2005 for a heart attack.
Photographer
qphotonyc
Posts: 15650
New York, New York, US
sounds like they tried to give you another one
Photographer
Gibson Photo Art
Posts: 7990
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Looknsee Photography wrote:
My hot button about health care is COBRA. For those who don't know, if you have a job with health benefits & you are laid off, COBRA is a law that allows you to take over the payments for your health care for up to 18 months, after which you have to get your own insurance.
My question: why can't COBRA last indefinitely?
My situation: I worked for a big computer company for over 2 decades, and I was highly ranked & highly paid. For the most part, I was in great health, so for nearly all of those years, the insurance company got to keep the premiums & didn't have to pay out anything. Then, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, and then the company discarded me like a used bathroom tissue when they decided to merge with a rival company. They discarded me only four months before I was eligible for early retirement.
So, I went on COBRA & paid ~$350 a month, which covered health, dental, and vision. After COBRA ran out, I was uneligible for any other new insurance because of my preexisting condition (Diabetes) -- I have to get insurance through the state. It costs ~$480 a month, and doesn't cover dental & vision.
So, my hot button -- why does the original health insurance company get to drop me just because I was laid off? For over 20 years, they made big bank on me, and I was still willing to pay them exactly what they would have received if I was still employed or if I had been eligible for retirement. It's not right. COBRA was only as a way for employees to fill gaps until they found new work. It forces the employers to allow continued coverage for that 18 months under the group plan and the discount they receive. Now you may qualify for a Conversion plan but that is rare. If I were you I would look into a small business group or association in your area. If I remember correctly you are self-employed as a photographer and a landlord. Pre-Existing is a problem but you look for a plan that allows Pre-Ex conditions.
Email me directly if you have a question.
Aaron
Photographer
William Herbert
Posts: 408
Bryan, Ohio, US
BCG wrote:
health care reform...anyone else worried??? Very complex problem , very complex system, very expensive therefore. Canadians have informed me that Socialized health system sucks very bad. So we have to work something different.
I know a few of the problems..but the I think the problem is we don't see a price list when we go to the Dr.
Photographer
Artistic Vision
Posts: 2207
Billings, Montana, US
BCG wrote:
after 65, you should not be able to vote. And should be tested yearly to see if you're still capable of driving. Those old folks are goddamn senile half the time they don't even look they just go!
Photographer
Gibson Photo Art
Posts: 7990
Phoenix, Arizona, US
William Herbert wrote:
Very complex problem , very complex system, very expensive therefore. Canadians have informed me that Socialized health system sucks very bad. So we have to work something different.
I know a few of the problems..but the I think the problem is we don't see a price list when we go to the Dr. That is certainly a problem. I work in healthcare so I have an inside view of the costs. Most employers are going to consumer driven plans. This just means the patients will have high costs out of their pocket with caps on care is some cases. I personally think they are trying to force their members to be smarter patients. No one shops around for the best deals like they would for anything else. Kinda sad really.
Photographer
Tim Baker-fotoPerfecta
Posts: 9877
Portland, Oregon, US
William Herbert wrote:
Very complex problem , very complex system, very expensive therefore. Canadians have informed me that Socialized health system sucks very bad. So we have to work something different.
I know a few of the problems..but the I think the problem is we don't see a price list when we go to the Dr. I spent a week in Canada year-before-last. I was able to talk to the provincial health chief, physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and many people and patients, and not one of them one disliked their health care insurance system. Some people complained about waiting for services, but we wait, too, if you don't have health insurance. One hospital administrator showed me a study that showed just under 90 percent of the Canadians surveyed said the were either satsified or very satisfied with their system.
I hear people say the Canadian system won't work and I ask why? It's just 10 provincial insurance plans. Hospitals, physicians, and the like are privately owned. Its no different than the USA system (except everyone receives insurance in Canada) except they have about 1390 fewer for-profit insurance companies scraping profit the top.
/tim
Model
dpretty
Posts: 8108
Ashland, Alabama, US
Tim Baker wrote:
I spent a week in Canada year-before-last. I was able to talk to the provincial health chief, physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and many people and patients, and not one of them one disliked their health care insurance system. Some people complained about waiting for services, but we wait, too, if you don't have health insurance. One hospital administrator showed me a study that showed just under 90 percent of the Canadians surveyed said the were either satsified or very satisfied with their system.
I hear people say the Canadian system won't work and I ask why? It's just 10 provincial insurance plans. Hospitals, physicians, and the like are privately owned. Its no different than the USA system (except everyone receives insurance in Canada) except they have about 1390 fewer for-profit insurance companies scraping profit the top.
/tim Sounds like a plan to me.
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
DreamPretty wrote:
Sounds like a plan to me. but BUTTLOADS of canadians didlike the plan...thats why they come to the US for medical services...i recently had a test for some heart work done...*speak well of me at my funeral please*...any way...the place was overcrowded with old farts.
Photographer
FKVPhotography
Posts: 30064
Ocala, Florida, US
BCG wrote:
why are we spending so much money to keep senior citizens alive???...they are draing our system. LOL....well...I kinda of agree...but not completely......
I live in Florida.....where seniors go to die....LOL....but they don't....they live, and live and live and live....now don't get me wrong....I'm 59.....but just can't seem to get into this "senior citizen" pattern I see all round me....
Here's my rant....
Went to see the doctor for a checkup.....blood pressure.....so here I am sitting in a room full of rhuemy eyed, opened mouthed, half-dead, half awake senior citizens....it looked like a scene from Night of The Living Dead.....half couldn't walk, had open sores and even the women were bald, drooling, nodding barely coherent.....and I had to sit amongst them for an hour waiting to see the doctor....yes, my blood pressure was up.....who's wouldn't after listening to the complaints, snores and even farts of these old bastards......and these people want to live another 20-30 years.....WHY???.....should I ever get to that point I hope someone kills me out of pity......or I'm going do it myself!!....
My wife, 60, has worked for many doctors in this area......she comes home disgusted by the demands of these seniors....bitching all the time about how they don't get preferential treatment.....and get this....the old men....DEMAND VIAGRA ....one old bastard wanted some for his weekend trip......and when my wife informed him he would need a physical first....he cursed her out!
If you drive a car...WATCH OUT!!!.....the seniors will run you over getting to the "early bird" specials......and don't try to go the bank the first of any month....oh no!!....they're all there checking up on their automatic deposits.....they don't actually draw the money out....and since becoming "senior citizens" I guess they forget how to use the phone....so they all crowd the banks to make sure it's there...then they get in their big assed cars.....can't drive a small car....it's just not safe!!!...and pack the highways.....and when do they do that???....oh, lunch hours......of course!!!
I have more....but my fingers would go numb from typing......
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Ha Ha Ha Ha.... anything Socialist = bad ? Anything Free Market = good ?
Well I'll tell you about the National Health Service in Britain - socialism at it's most rampant... to be sure....
Need an operation... even a heart, kidney or liver transplant? = FREE
Got cancer? Need radiotherapy and anti-cancer drugs? = FREE
Worried that you might be having an heart attack? Go to ER = FREE
Have an accident at home or in your car? Need an ambulance? = FREE
Need stitches after your bar fight? Go to ER = FREE
and on and on and on...
Over 60 and need regular prescriptions? = FREE
Under 60 and need regular prescriptions? = not free but price controlled @
Photographer
BCG
Posts: 7316
San Antonio, Florida, US
studio36uk wrote:
Ha Ha Ha Ha.... anything Socialist = bad ? Anything Free Market = good ?
Well I'll tell you about the National Health Service in Britain - socialism at it's most rampant... to be sure....
Need an operation... even a heart, kidney or liver transplant? = FREE
Got cancer? Need radiotherapy and anti-cancer drugs? = FREE
Worried that you might be having an heart attack? Go to ER = FREE
Have an accident at home or in your car? Need an ambulance? = FREE
Need stitches after your bar fight? Go to ER = FREE
and on and on and on...
Over 60 and need regular prescriptions? = FREE
Under 60 and need regular prescriptions? = not free but price controlled @
Model
dpretty
Posts: 8108
Ashland, Alabama, US
FKVPhotoGraphics wrote:
If you drive a car...WATCH OUT!!!.....the seniors will run you over getting to the "early bird" specials......and don't try to go the bank the first of any month....oh no!!....they're all there checking up on their automatic deposits.....they don't actually draw the money out....and since becoming "senior citizens" I guess they forget how to use the phone....so they all crowd the banks to make sure it's there...then they get in their big assed cars.....can't drive a small car....it's just not safe!!!...and pack the highways.....and when do they do that???....oh, lunch hours......of course!!! LMFAO...I'm glad I live in Ashland. The geezers here at least stay at home!
Photographer
FKVPhotography
Posts: 30064
Ocala, Florida, US
studio36uk wrote:
Ha Ha Ha Ha.... anything Socialist = bad ? Anything Free Market = good ?
Well I'll tell you about the National Health Service in Britain - socialism at it's most rampant... to be sure....
Need an operation... even a heart, kidney or liver transplant? = FREE
Got cancer? Need radiotherapy and anti-cancer drugs? = FREE
Worried that you might be having an heart attack? Go to ER = FREE
Have an accident at home or in your car? Need an ambulance? = FREE
Need stitches after your bar fight? Go to ER = FREE
and on and on and on...
Over 60 and need regular prescriptions? = FREE
Under 60 and need regular prescriptions? = not free but price controlled @
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