What's the Rush? Almost 5 Million Lose Insurance in 9 Months

[GaryC 7]

It is true that the 46 million figure is based on unreliable Census Bureau data. But even the less unreliable Congressional Budget Office puts the number at about 31 million. And even that number, former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin claims, is an "incomplete and potentially misleading picture of the uninsured population."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/...gain_97189.html

Oh well gee that's only 10% of the population then.

The point of the story is that a large number of your 45 million are uninsured because they choose to be.

Edited July 23, 2009 by GaryC

[rebeccajo 14]

What is the rush? Why does this have to be done by August? If it is something we need then why not take the time to do it right? We have been without "universal" health care for 233 years. Why not take one more year and really think through all the details and do this right?

Because premiums rose 91% in just seven years - between 2000 and 2007?

Because 45 million of the insured population spend 10% of their income for coverage?

Because when you add the total of the uninsured to the underinsured, you get 42% of the population? Almost HALF of us!

How much longer do we wait, Gary?

Just long enough to get it right. You want something no matter how bad it is just so you can say you have it. Weird.

And to say that almost half of us don't have enough insurance is a damn lie. Stop the fear mongering.

It isn't fear mongering. It's something you don't want to think could possibly be.

All day long in my job, I see people basing decisions on whether or not they will come in for treatment based upon paying for it.

It sickens me. It is out there. To say it is not - is to hide your head in the sand.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

What is the rush? Why does this have to be done by August? If it is something we need then why not take the time to do it right? We have been without "universal" health care for 233 years. Why not take one more year and really think through all the details and do this right?

Because premiums rose 91% in just seven years - between 2000 and 2007?

Because 45 million of the insured population spend 10% of their income for coverage?

Because when you add the total of the uninsured to the underinsured, you get 42% of the population? Almost HALF of us!

How much longer do we wait, Gary?

Just long enough to get it right. You want something no matter how bad it is just so you can say you have it. Weird.

And to say that almost half of us don't have enough insurance is a damn lie. Stop the fear mongering.

It isn't fear mongering. It's something you don't want to think could possibly be.

All day long in my job, I see people basing decisions on whether or not they will come in for treatment based upon paying for it.

It sickens me. It is out there. To say it is not - is to hide your head in the sand.

God forbid you have to pay for a service!

[GaryC 7]

What is the rush? Why does this have to be done by August? If it is something we need then why not take the time to do it right? We have been without "universal" health care for 233 years. Why not take one more year and really think through all the details and do this right?

Because premiums rose 91% in just seven years - between 2000 and 2007?

Because 45 million of the insured population spend 10% of their income for coverage?

Because when you add the total of the uninsured to the underinsured, you get 42% of the population? Almost HALF of us!

How much longer do we wait, Gary?

Just long enough to get it right. You want something no matter how bad it is just so you can say you have it. Weird.

And to say that almost half of us don't have enough insurance is a damn lie. Stop the fear mongering.

It isn't fear mongering. It's something you don't want to think could possibly be.

All day long in my job, I see people basing decisions on whether or not they will come in for treatment based upon paying for it.

It sickens me. It is out there. To say it is not - is to hide your head in the sand.

So if your lofty goal is to help these poor people then why don't you want the congress to take its time and get it right? Or is your only goal is to say "Hey, here is your insurance. Sorry it sucks so bad."

[rebeccajo 14]

The point of the story is that a large number of your 45 million are uninsured because they choose to be.

What?

Here is what your article says:

"The CBO estimates that as many as 15 percent of the chronically uninsured are already eligible for help. The Urban Institute (hardly an advocate of free market fundamentalism) found that 25 percent of the uninsured qualify for some program."

How many of the "chronically uninsured" are in the 45 million? Do you see a number? And even if you wanted to go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out there on a limb and say all 45 million are "chronically uninsured" then your article states only 25% of them are eligible for state programs!

Now THAT is statistical twisting!

[rebeccajo 14]

What is the rush? Why does this have to be done by August? If it is something we need then why not take the time to do it right? We have been without "universal" health care for 233 years. Why not take one more year and really think through all the details and do this right?

Because premiums rose 91% in just seven years - between 2000 and 2007?

Because 45 million of the insured population spend 10% of their income for coverage?

Because when you add the total of the uninsured to the underinsured, you get 42% of the population? Almost HALF of us!

How much longer do we wait, Gary?

Just long enough to get it right. You want something no matter how bad it is just so you can say you have it. Weird.

And to say that almost half of us don't have enough insurance is a damn lie. Stop the fear mongering.

It isn't fear mongering. It's something you don't want to think could possibly be.

All day long in my job, I see people basing decisions on whether or not they will come in for treatment based upon paying for it.

It sickens me. It is out there. To say it is not - is to hide your head in the sand.

God forbid you have to pay for a service!

Have you ever seen the Hippocratic Oath hanging in your doctor's office? Show me where it even TALKS about payment!

"I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:

To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.

I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.

I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.

In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot."

[rebeccajo 14]

Because there are people who need health and life insurance. And, then, there are those who don't.

Saying a person doesn't need health insurance just because they have sooooooooooo much cash that they could pay for anything is as financially irresponsible as betting your fortune at the horse track.

The truly rich take steps to stay that way. Blowing a few hundred a year on catastrophic health cover would be a no-brainer for a real millionaire.

I wasn't aware that you are more familiar with what I need to do to preserve and increase my financial stabilty. There are a lot of fewer millionares since Madoff went under. Not all rich people are smart about money, btw.

Yeah. And you just proved it.

[rebeccajo 14]

Gary do it your own words. Alot of these folks aint gonna read all that! I just cant believe so many are willing to give up their privacy to the govament.

I want my doc to decide what tests I need! I dont need my doc referin to a list what I can have!

Your doc is deciding what tests you need to cover his a$$ in case you decide to sue him.

And if you for even five minutes think otherwise, then you really are living in a dream world.

Edited July 23, 2009 by rebeccajo

[rebeccajo 14]

My assets are protected, thank you. I don't need medical insurance. If premiums are so low, why all the whining about the urgency for universal health care?

Please quote what I said. Catastrophic premiums are low. Please don't twist the logic here, tempting though it might be for you.

Have I said anything to you that justifies your condescending tome toward me, RJ? If I don't NEED catastropic coverage, and get a better deal paying cash, it is a waste of money to pay for it. It's as simple as that.

I'm not being condescending. I'm saying you misquoted me AND I'm saying it's a poor financial decision if you decide to not carry catastrophic coverage if you can afford it.

It's as simple as that.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

[rebeccajo 14]

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

Yeah yeah, I get it. Nanny state and all that.

Sorry Marc. Not buying it.

[GaryC 7]

The point of the story is that a large number of your 45 million are uninsured because they choose to be.

What?

Here is what your article says:

"The CBO estimates that as many as 15 percent of the chronically uninsured are already eligible for help. The Urban Institute (hardly an advocate of free market fundamentalism) found that 25 percent of the uninsured qualify for some program."

How many of the "chronically uninsured" are in the 45 million? Do you see a number? And even if you wanted to go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out there on a limb and say all 45 million are "chronically uninsured" then your article states only 25% of them are eligible for state programs!

Now THAT is statistical twisting!

So the 25% that are eligible for a program don't do it and that is a reason for this rush? How is that our fault? Of the 75% that are left a large number could have insurance but choose not to. How is that are fault also? It seems that you want to force people into choices they don't want. How is that fair?

Turns out that 8.4 million uninsured Americans are making $50,000 to $74,999, and 9.1 million more are making more than $75,000.

There is 17.5 million of your "uninsured" that could afford to buy it themselves but choose not to.

Then again, 27 percent of all adults in their 20s (many, I presume, without offspring) choose not to have health insurance.

You want to force these people into paying for something they choose not to have? Your numbers are there for the shock value alone. If you dig into them you will find that reality is quite different.

In a study for the National Bureau of Economic Research called "Is Health Insurance Affordable for the Uninsured?," Stanford economists say, "Based on a plausible range of definitions and assumptions health insurance is affordable for between one quarter and three quarters of adults who are not insured."

This really says it all. For most people without insurance they are that way out of choice. Oh, and your 45 million also include illegal aliens. I suppose you think we should all pay to insure them as well.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

Yeah yeah, I get it. Nanny state and all that.

Sorry Marc. Not buying it.

If ya "LOVE" ppl so much why you wanna keepem dependant?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

Becca! Knock knock! Can I borrow 10 dollars? Thanks. Knock knock.......Can I borrow 20 dollars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Knock knock, can I borrow a cube of butter? Thanks, I love ya!

Knock knock, Can I borrow a cup of sugar? Thanks your sooooooooo nice!

Knock knock, My kid needs some milk, can I corrow a quart? Oh thank you sooooooooo much! Your so sweet!

Knock knock, I need a place to stay, Im really hurtin! can you help?

GET IT?

You're a very needy person?

[rebeccajo 14]

Gary -

Say you make $50000 a year but your employer doesn't offer health insurance (not all employers do you know). If you had to insure your family privately, it would probably cost around $1200 a month. That's $14,400 per year - nearly 30% of your gross wages.

The 20-somethings in the article are 'aged out' children - kids out of college who no longer qualify to be on their parents coverage because they are done with their schooling but have not yet found work with benefits. Such young adults are estimated to be ONE in THREE.

I'm sorry, but you need to comprehend the depth and berevity of this problem. We are the only modern nation on earth that does not provide for the health and well being of it's population. We spend more dollars on national defense than any other country on earth. Take a lot at those two things and tell me - why do we do it?