CA: Healthcare cuts would mean higher costs and possibly deaths, officials warn

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Cuts in funding would end medical insurance for 2 million Californians, health officials tell a legislative panel. They say some vulnerable residents might not survive the loss of programs.

By Eric Bailey, LA Times

Reporting from Sacramento -- Public health officials warned this morning that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to resolve a $24-billion deficit would halt medical insurance for more than 2 million Californians, sending them streaming into emergency rooms and costing the state billions of dollars for the more expensive care -- and potentially causing deaths.

Scores of patients and healthcare advocates told a legislative committee that in many cases the loss of state funding would mean an even bigger loss of federal dollars. A proposal to cut funding for family planning, for instance, would mean the loss of $9 in federal money for every $1 spent by the state, advocates testified.

In the worst cases, cuts from, or elimination of, some health programs -- such as Healthy Families and the state's poison control program -- would strip the state of its healthcare safety net and could result in the deaths of some patients who would not be able to get proper and timely treatment.

Michael Arnold, a representative of the California Dialysis Program, said the potential loss of that program would have two results for patients: "Either they die, or they show up at an emergency room for treatment."

David Welch, a California Nurses Assn. board member, said the results of the governor's proposed budget cuts would be "perfectly predictable": more people without care. More showing up at emergency rooms. And more dying.

If it eliminates healthcare for some its most vulnerable residents, he said, California will become "a contemptible society -- and a society that history will not judge kindly."

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bu...story?track=rss

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Of course it would result in deaths. That's not the point.

What you need to be asking is what will the net effect on state revenues be of said death?

For example, some people are a net cost to the state. Them dying is actually a step in the right direction.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Of course it would result in deaths. That's not the point.

What you need to be asking is what will the net effect on state revenues be of said death?

For example, some people are a net cost to the state. Them dying is actually a step in the right direction.

...especially if they are undocumented workers.

[Ban Hammer 13,364]

open your wallet and pay more taxes! don't be antisocial! help a brother out, aj and steve!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

open your wallet and pay more taxes! don't be antisocial! help a brother out, aj and steve!

Would you if you lived here in Cali, Charles? Or would you rather let people die?

[Niels Bohr 72]

$21 billion dollars deficit....sacrifices needs to be made

if I have low-income, and eligible for free care....i would never use it if I'm healthy....heck, back in college I write appeal letters to get free care...I don't have them anymore

it was state law that you must have medical insurance to goto college...i was poor so i opted to get free care....sometimes you have no choice, but, to get med. coverage.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Maybe if they lost their free ride they would leave. If you worry about everyone that dies in the world for whatever reason, is foolish. For instance, how many ppl died because of socialized medicine? We'll never know cuz politicians dont want to talk about the negative ####### that their pushin.

The whole idea of paying for everyones healthcare is insanity. Look whats happening in cali! Then you got tools still grumblin about it right here. ** man there aint no fvckin money! GOT IT? Snap the he!! out of it! My GOD MAN!

[Niels Bohr 72]

MA has a state law that everyone must have healthcare. I think it's foolish to have a law like that because it will make sure that for every poor people who don't even go and get a medical checkup must also have medicare which is a waste of money.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Maybe if they lost their free ride they would leave. If you worry about everyone that dies in the world for whatever reason, is foolish. For instance, how many ppl died because of socialized medicine? We'll never know cuz politicians dont want to talk about the negative ####### that their pushin.

The whole idea of paying for everyones healthcare is insanity. Look whats happening in cali! Then you got tools still grumblin about it right here. ** man there aint no fvckin money! GOT IT? Snap the he!! out of it! My GOD MAN!

Probably far less than those that die in the USA......25000 each year....that's equivalent to eight 9/11's. The idea of paying for everyone's health care works in Europe....they pay half per capita to what people pay in the USA.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Maybe if they lost their free ride they would leave. If you worry about everyone that dies in the world for whatever reason, is foolish. For instance, how many ppl died because of socialized medicine? We'll never know cuz politicians dont want to talk about the negative ####### that their pushin.

The whole idea of paying for everyones healthcare is insanity. Look whats happening in cali! Then you got tools still grumblin about it right here. ** man there aint no fvckin money! GOT IT? Snap the he!! out of it! My GOD MAN!

Probably far less than those that die in the USA......25000 each year....that's equivalent to eight 9/11's. The idea of paying for everyone's health care works in Europe....they pay half per capita to what people pay in the USA.

Some of these neanderthals don't understand that it would actually save us money to insure everyone as well has help strengthen our economy.

You'd think it's so easy, even a caveman could understand it...

[Ban Hammer 13,364]

open your wallet and pay more taxes! don't be antisocial! help a brother out, aj and steve!

Would you if you lived here in Cali, Charles? Or would you rather let people die?

i wouldn't live in cali.

[mawilson 2,133]

Probably far less than those that die in the USA......25000 each year....that's equivalent to eight 9/11's. The idea of paying for everyone's health care works in Europe....they pay half per capita to what people pay in the USA.

Did you know that up to 50,000 more people die in the UK during the winter months than in the summer?

In 2006, more than 23,000 elderly people died as a result of being too cold (in England and Wales.)

Since so many people die from the cold weather, let's pay everyone's heating bills, shall we?

Hey, why stop there, let's subsidize their home insulation too.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Probably far less than those that die in the USA......25000 each year....that's equivalent to eight 9/11's. The idea of paying for everyone's health care works in Europe....they pay half per capita to what people pay in the USA.

Did you know that up to 50,000 more people die in the UK during the winter months than in the summer?

In 2006, more than 23,000 elderly people died as a result of being too cold (in England and Wales.)

Since so many people die from the cold weather, let's pay everyone's heating bills, shall we?

Hey, why stop there, let's subsidize their home insulation too.

We should be making sure that the elderly never have to worry about their electricity or gas be shut off because of failure to pay. In fact, I believe in this country, it is against the law for a utility company to do so.

If you value human life above all else, then such financial costs are worthy investments. It just depends on your value system.

[Ban Hammer 13,364]

We should be making sure that the elderly never have to worry about their electricity or gas be shut off because of failure to pay. In fact, I believe in this country, it is against the law for a utility company to do so.

uh huh..........

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=174887

[mawilson 2,133]

We should be making sure that the elderly never have to worry about their electricity or gas be shut off because of failure to pay. In fact, I believe in this country, it is against the law for a utility company to do so.

If you value human life above all else, then such financial costs are worthy investments. It just depends on your value system.

Why only the elderly? Is it ok to let a young person die if they cannot afford to pay their heating bills?