But we don't want health insurance!

[Ali G. 37]

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/1004/gallery.dont_want_health_insurance/index.html

Are people really that silly and clueless here?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Not everyone has to be the same or want the same things to be sane. That's one of the great things about this country. I don't have health insurance, and don't want it, either. I've paid cash for all of my medical costs for decades, and plan to continue to do so without government interference in my health choices. If that makes me silly or clueless to you, I'm happy to take it to be free to choose for myself.

[trillium13 84]

One of them did say this:

"Only a fool would say they don't need or don't want a policy. "

I'm not agreeing with any of them, but the first one was the biggest idiot in my opinion. It's easy for her to say she doesn't need it. She'll just expect someone else to pick up the tab when she gets sick.

I've paid cash for all of my medical costs for decades

This makes you a very fortunate person.

I don't claim to know the answers. I just know that my husband and I have no health insurance because we can't afford it. It's very worrisome.

Edited April 22, 2010 by trillium13

[Peikko 1,575]

Not everyone has to be the same or want the same things to be sane. That's one of the great things about this country. I don't have health insurance, and don't want it, either. I've paid cash for all of my medical costs for decades, and plan to continue to do so without government interference in my health choices. If that makes me silly or clueless to you, I'm happy to take it to be free to choose for myself.

Blah blah, not that old chestnut again. Even if it is true (which I highly doubt) who gives a #######, really? It's not practical or advisable for many or most people to opt out of the only way they have of paying for health care so, again I say, who gives a ####### about people who are sniveling about having to buy health insurance or fail to qualify for a tax break? I'm not shedding any tears, is anyone?

Edited April 22, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Ali G. 37]

Knock on wood but what happens if they are involved in an accident? They're all basically bankrupt.

[Peikko 1,575]

Knock on wood but what happens if they are involved in an accident? They're all basically bankrupt.

They would never make such a stupid health choice as be involved in a serious and expensive accident. Only idiots get sick.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They would never make such a stupid health choice as be involved in a serious and expensive accident. Only idiots get sick.

Damn straight!

[trillium13 84]

Knock on wood but what happens if they are involved in an accident? They're all basically bankrupt.

They don't care. Or, they figure they're willing to take the chance. Yeah, it's stupid. But that's my take on their reasoning.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Not everyone has to be the same or want the same things to be sane. That's one of the great things about this country. I don't have health insurance, and don't want it, either. I've paid cash for all of my medical costs for decades, and plan to continue to do so without government interference in my health choices. If that makes me silly or clueless to you, I'm happy to take it to be free to choose for myself.

Right on, Dude!

Heart attack . . . $110,000 . . . no problem. Bad accident . . . 60 days in the ICU . . . $300,000 . . . not enough cash in the cookie jar?; just write a check from your brokerage account. Kidney failure . . . years of dialysis . . . $1,000,000 . . . need to sell some real estate.

Good for you. I actually like that you won't become a public charge like the rest of us, as this will lower the cost for health insurance. Unfortunately, most people don't have your kind of cash reserves, myself included, so we are scared shitless that one serious illness will wipe us out for good.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/1004/gallery.dont_want_health_insurance/index.html

Are people really that silly and clueless here?

Are you?

[Dan J 277]

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/1004/gallery.dont_want_health_insurance/index.html

Are people really that silly and clueless here?

I think its fine if they are required to pay up front for any medical care, even when they end up unconscious in the emergency room. If they can't pay, they are SOL.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Blah blah, not that old chestnut again. Even if it is true (which I highly doubt) who gives a #######, really? It's not practical or advisable for many or most people to opt out of the only way they have of paying for health care so, again I say, who gives a ####### about people who are sniveling about having to buy health insurance or fail to qualify for a tax break? I'm not shedding any tears, is anyone?

I'm certainly not shedding tears over anyone complaining about buying health insurance. I'm just not going to buy it, as is my right. If you need it, indeed, you should buy it; pay for it yourself off the government dole. The hostility toward those who don't want it by those who demand that someone else should help pay for theirs is misplaced and pathetic. The notion that government (aka your fellow taxpayers) owes you what you can't get for yourself is divisive in the short term, and destructive to individual initiative and personal character, in the long term.

Barry sold his health care package and other sorry bill of goods as a way to get back at the greedy, hoarding upper classes, and so many of you myopics buy that, hook, line and sinker. Well, as Confucius said, " Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Efforts built on envy and entitlement rarely go as smoothly as you imagine they will.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Sofiyya

[NickD 203]

Met a guy last week trying to carve out a living without health insurance. Had a kidney stone his clinic told him he had to pass anyway after running some tests. He is wondering how he is going to pay them the $4,800.00 he owes them. He owns a small auto repair shop and they can put a lean against him.

Had one of those medical health plans that paid 50 bucks if you lose an eye when my son was born 30 years ago. Prenatal care, delivery, and three days in the hospital cost me 460 bucks, less than a weeks paycheck. No big deal. That son had a daughter, cost $17,000.00, had a 20% co-pay insurance plan so had to lay out $3,400.00 even after paying those way overpriced premiums. Probably wouldn't be bad if he was earning about $20,000.00 per week.

That same exact room where my wife stayed in the local hospital was charging 30 bucks a night with food where my son was born, today, that same exact room is over $3,000.00 per night.

So what's the problem, health insurance or medical costs?

Technology certainly has improved, 30 years ago I broke a tooth that required a root canal and rebuilt, took the dentist two long hours to do that, bill was 40 bucks. Just had a root canal and rebuilt of another tooth, took all but 15 minutes, bill was $1,500.00 that I had to pay 300 bucks for with my copayment.

Use to cost five bucks to bring a pet into a vet, walk in today, expect at least a 200 buck bill, entire medical industry has gone crazy.

[Allamericankiwi 14]

If you get sick you should be able to get treatment...no matter what.....thats the ethos of a caring democratic society. some poeple will never be able to afford insurance, thats a fact. the problem is the govt has so many programs its spending money on to keep votes it cant afford a public health system....and thats what america should have...a public health system where everyone can get free treatment, number 1 priority, cz if you dont have your health you have nothing!! yes the healthy paying for the unhealthy may seem unfair but you pay anyway one way or another..... tax rubbish foods to compensate....tax alcohol, tax cigarettes out of existence, tax what causes bad health....simple. make it hard on the wallet to be unhealthy.....

[Jenn! 918]

Even the richest people in the world have insurance to protect themselves from catastrophic loss. I really don't understand opting out of insurance - if you're rolling in dough, get a million dollar deductible policy, or whatever. What is the rationale behind not insuring yourself at all? What about personal excess or professional liability insurance?

If you've got a lot of assets, you have a lot to lose, so all the more reason to protect oneself.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Jenn!