Any good health care stories out there?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 2, 2013 at 8:39pm

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

Joe,

I respect greatly that you put your life in harms way to protect our rights.   What I don't get is that this country was founded by people who didn't want their lives influenced by big government and established a country that rose to the top because there were no handouts.  You either sank or swim, so people swam! People came to ellis island, learned the language and worked their ass off for everything they got.

Now you want to submit to an administration that wants everyone to get a handout, press #2 for espanol, so they just barely stay afloat and don't strive for more than that.  I don't get why someone who fought for something so great, can support concepts that erode what made america the best place to be.  

Healthcare needed an overhaul.  Examples like yours are a great example.  My father in law who fought in vietnam and has kidney failure, has terrible health care from the VA.  His wife has NO HEALTHCARE!  That is a joke.  It needs a ton of improvement.....but there are better ways than this hurried, crammed down our throats garbage, in which our "rock star" socialite president just wants to piss all over something and get his name in lights. 

What discredits you is the fact that you think you are "all knowing" and everyone else doesn't know squat because you said so.

This thread wasn't supposed to really be about where you stand politically....I was simply wondering if any GOOD stories exist....and to have something to look back on in a few years...

Its funny....   In war, a brave few fight to preserve the way of life for Millions.  In Obamacare, a minority of people have a happy story at the cost of the rest.  I'm sure you'll tell me I'm wrong, or I'm spewing partisan propaganda.

Keep in mind, I am on the front lines of this law.  I'm seeing things you aren't privy to.  I've never been one to believe internet message board fodder, but be equally as careful what you dismiss.

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 2, 2013 at 9:01pm

Jake, I'm not dismissing anything, except maybe your "rock star," "press 2 for Spanish" everybody gets a handout sewage that I've been hearing forever.  That demeans your position greatly.  What does bother me is the absolute refusal of the conservatives to come up with an alternative.  If you remember, the lefties wanted to add a tax to Medicare to help fund health care for the masses.  The republicans came up with an alternative--endorsed by the Heritage Foundation--that threw coverage into the private sector.  McCain was going to implement this program when he was elected President, which didn't happen.  Suddenly, this Affordable Care Act, a glowing example of bi-partisanship, became toxic because the wrong guy won the election.  Remember Medicare D?  This was Bush's big baby.  When it rolled out, the website crashed, there were glitches, but the republicans said to please give it a chance and work with the program.  The dems weren't happy, but they went to their constituents and worked with them to make it successful.  It wasn't funded, which added to the debt, but apparently was all right at the time.  So where's the republican alternative to Obamacare now?  It's non-existent.  Everyone wants to kill it, yet no one wants to do anything to improve it.  Some of our health care programs are worse than third-world countries.  

As for spewing partisan propaganda, I'm usually the one accused of that, especially when I point out errors.  I have been called everything from a muslim terrorist, a socialist, anti-American and the reason why the very fabric of this country is unraveling.  These are the names I can safely relate on this board.  They usually come about when I successfully counter some absurdity.  

I also don't understand why the conversations always turn to handouts; I went to school on the GI bill, bought my first house with a government loan, got a medical subsidy when my wife had to go on dialysis, and, now that we're saving the state some money by fostering a four year-old whose mother prefers meth over her son, we are eligible for the WIC program.  Does that make me a taker?  Am I to be included amongst those lesser Americans who you feel are sucking too heavily on the public trough?  Oh, and Dana, I didn't call you a pompous ass, I called you a pompous blowhard.  There's a difference. I don't know everything, but I know more than most. I've had to rewrite this post, as it seems to have disappeared.  Too bad.  The first one was better.   

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on November 3, 2013 at 4:20am

My employer chose to take the hit for all the employees. We still have 100% M/D/V coverage.
I could not afford 217$ a week for wife/2 kids. So we found we could afford the Washington health plan, well now that we got the cancellation of coverage notice effective 12/31. Now back in the same boat. So what we have decided to do is wife(stay at home mom but works from home also) can get enough coverage for herself through her employer. Health issues so she has to have something for meds. As for the kids...no coverage, just going to set aside every week the money were paying for insurance and hope they stay healthy. Guess I'll take the cash barter system with DR visits.
I've heard ( not researched it thoroughly yet ) that if you can work your W4 and withholdings so that at the end of the year you get 0 back you can't be penalized for not having OC. Even if its a 1% penalty its still bullshitt.

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 3, 2013 at 1:38pm

Give me the names of the democrats who are in favor of extending the individual mandate.  From what I hear/see, the only democrats in favor of that are the ones who think the plan isn't as inclusive as it should be, or as Dana would say it, the thumb-sucking pussies want a free ride.   Again, you're offering no real solutions, other than "stop." 

Jeff McBroom said:

Joe,

I will agree with you on a couple points. The US has been kicking around the idea of a universal health care plan since 1948 and this is really the closest we have came. The current insurance industry did need some overhauls. I've got a good friend who was laid off from his job in 2010. Although he has found a new job it didn't come with insurance so he and his wife have been on Cobra from his last job. His insurance premium for he and his wife was going to be over $1100.00 per month starting in OCT. Let me also say that they are both pretty healthy. To me that is outrageous. Thats a house payment!! So yes, something is definitely wrong and something needs to be done.

I will also agree that the REP's don't have an alternative to Affordable Health Care and there many who want to do away with it. But there are also alot of Republicans and a growing # of Democrats who are saying that they want to extent the individual mandate an extra year (just like the extension many businesses recieved) to that they can take a hard look at the plan and try to work out the problems. I 100% agree that we should do that (at a minimum). I mean if you hired me to build you a house and I "promised" you it would cost $200,000 then when I broke ground I told you I rechecked my #'s and it was going to cost you 1.2 million, I'm pretty confident you would want to take a "pause" to reevaluate the situation.

I've got tons more to write, but I'm headed to a Seahawks game party!!!

 

Jake, I apologize if I've highjacked this thread. I'll start a new one if you prefer.

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 3, 2013 at 1:57pm

What you're talking about is already happening.  My mother in-law, who was suffering from Alzheimers since 2009, was suddenly denied  access to her primary care physician because she hadn't had some forms completed.  When I got her to an elder care physician, the doctor's office refused her Humana carrier (actually they did this for everyone on Humana).  To make matters more interesting, my father in-law had set up the premiums to be automatically withdrawn from her social security check.  Believe me, you haven't lived until you've had to deal with customer service agents who have no other authority but "we can't really do that."  It took me six months of jockeying with the insurance company, all the while premiums were being deducted from her check for coverage that wasn't offered anywhere locally. Meanwhile I was still paying more than $3500 per month for her stay at Silverado.  I sent letters to my senators, state rep, the Council on Aging, the State Insurance Commissioner,and yes, the office of the President.  I got a lot of sympathy, but little else.  Am I angry?  You bet.  Frustrated?  Absolutely.  Discouraged?  Not yet.  I'm just getting started.  

Let me remind you that this plan is largely a republican-generated plan; they put it together in 2007 and 2008.  They've had five years to look at it, and they've done nothing.  Help me understand why they need another year to look at it when  they've tried to defeat it in the House some fourty-odd times already. They don't want a "pause," they want a "delete" with no alternative.          Jeff McBroom said:

Joe, technically they might not be getting an official "exemption", but if this isn't an exemption I don't know what is.

Yes congress and all of their staffers will have to go to the exchange but it was discovered that it would have resulted in an approximately $5,000 ish paycut for them. So--President Obama recently issued a special rule for Congress and congressional staff to get a special subsidy to purchase health insurance on the Obamacare Exchange unavailable to every other American at similar income levels. This was done to offset the difference in cost of healthcare.

ALL I'm saying is that if you, I, Steiner, or Snake have to go to the exchanges and it ends up costing us more money, then we have to figure out how to pay it. Yet congress and their staffers get a special subsidy to cover the offset!! Come on, that's BS...

Also I agree that if you own a car or home you must have insurance. But if I don't have a car or home I shouldn't be forced to purchase insurance to help offset the cost of those who do.. Right??  Steiner what do you think??

The reality it this. I'm INITIALLY not going to be affected that much by this act. I have employer sponsored health insurance. For me this is more principal than anything. The rich will still be able to afford the insurance they want. The poor will still get the insurance for free (as they already do.. And yes I totally understand that we the tax payers are already paying for this). The real victims of this will be the working class americans that are already struggling month to month to pay the bills. There are already stories out there of people getting cancellation notices, going to the exchanges, and finding out that that the new insurance will end up costing them more $$. A $100 difference a month might not seem like that much to you or I, but for some responsible- hard working americans that is make or break it..  

Also getting booted from your current insurance could be devastating. I'll use Chase Heaton for an example. Here is a great young man that most of us know (from the Northwest Bass Circuit) who was fighting for his life in a battle against cancer. Can you imagine telling him halfway through his therapy that even though he and his family had built trusting relationship with his doctor, that he has to get a new doctor that knows nothing about him or his condition just because his old doctor is no longer in his "plan"???  From a moral standpoint it's just wrong. But that is already happening..

 

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on November 3, 2013 at 5:33pm

Do we need a fish off?

Permalink Reply by AaronW on November 3, 2013 at 9:44pm

Go 'Hawks.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on November 4, 2013 at 8:55am

Joe,

If you own your car, and dont want full coverage, you can get liability only, which isnt for you... Its for the other guy you hit. And its so cheap it might as well be free.

Furthermore... You comparing your use of the GI bill (ie.. A tax paying, societal contibuting veteran), to waste, fraud, and abuse tells me all i need to know about where your heads at. You are irrationale... The single biggest disease i see across democratic lines.

You are nancy pelosi with a weiner. You make a couple decent points, then shoot your credibility to hell in seconds.

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 4, 2013 at 10:20am

I was going to talk about your previous condescending remarks about my service, but chose to let it go.  It's interesting when conservatives lose arguments they resort to eighth grade name calling.

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on November 4, 2013 at 10:21am

Don't be shocked, Jeff, but I think your post is well put.  Right on!

Jeff McBroom said:

Ok Joe, I'll bite. Here are some ideas that I view as a solution to fix our country's problems. Remember that I'm neither a DEM or REP so these ideas follow no party line.

1. Enact either a "flat tax" or "consumption tax". All Americans would pay the same rate. No loopholes for the rich, no free ride for some of the poor.

2. If you are not an American Citizen you DO NOT GET: , welfare, or a free education.

3. Limited "BIG GOVERNMENT",  limited social programs, limited money to special interest groups.

4. Term limits for the House & Senate members. Corruption and coercion are rampid. Serving was never met to be a career!!

Permalink Reply by Jon Sessler on November 4, 2013 at 10:56am

I've been busy...this is interesting!

I'm going to keep this REALLY short, and it's not directed at any one person. 

First, I want EVERYONE to remember that Insurance is one of the MOST regulated industries in the country. Who regulates it? That's right boys and girls - THE GOVERNMENT! If it's screwed up (like education, welfare, medicaid, medicare, social security, etc.), who's fault is it? And you want the same IDIOTS who have screwed up every Government program to take over your Healthcare? Are you not paying attention?

Second, I am sick of hearing the word or idea of "compromise", If you are 100 % WRONG and I compromise with you doesn't that make me 50% wrong? This is the reason we are in the fix we're in, compromising with BAD IDEAS. 

Third, you Union guys, and those with Government funded Health Plans - watch out. I haven't heard this, it's only my opinion, but I believe the Unions will be eliminating their health plans in the near future. The unfunded liabilities are too great to overcome. If they are able to throw their members into Obamacare, and take Healthcare out of the equation, they will be solvent. 

Fourth, 90% of those signing up for Obamacare, are Medicaid....or in other words, high usage, high expense, low premium individuals. The healthy are NOT signing up. The "model" requires low usage, low expense, low risk, high premium individuals to cover the costs of the high expense patients. Tax Increase coming!

Lastly, NOTHING in this law requires Doctors or Hospitals to ACCEPT Obamacare......where are you going to go? The places that do accept it will be inundated and Healthcare will be LESS accessible. 

Not as short as I intended....

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on November 6, 2013 at 7:35am

Out working in billings, Mt this week. Stopped in at Cabelas to pass some evening time and Spoke to an employee who said a great majority of them had their hours cut from 40 per week, down to 28 hours per week. Awsome....

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