Hilarious.
At 7/17/12 01:47 PM, Camarohusky wrote: So losing your home and losing your ability to get to work is merely losing one's lifestyle?
If the mortgage crisis showed anything it was that people have no idea how to tell the difference between what they need and what they want. All that's really needed in a residence is a room, a small kitchen, and a toilet. Apartments and condos are just as sufficient.
So you are telling me that the difference between a 1080i and 720p 42" TV is more important than a home or car for a poor person? Or are you telling me that the difference between a corporation being able to give a $40million golden paachute vs. a regular severance pakage is more important than a home or car of a poor person?
Who am I to say what someone else should do with the money he has earned? It's his money. Personally, I don't really give a damn about a poor person's home or car so long as he isn't starving to death, his kids have access to health and educational services, and he isn't dying of nutrition or sanitation-related diseases.
The relatively small cost of preventative care is so high compared to some (read: a shit ton) people's income that they choose to forego neded health care for something they deem more important.
That's simply not true. Office visits and basic health screenings do not wipe out savings and cause bankrupty. Eligibility for welfare benefits like SNAP and food stamps allow for a few thousand dollars in assets and savings, not counting residences, children's education savings, and fair market value for a vehicle up to a certain amount.
At 7/17/12 01:56 PM, Feoric wrote:
because for the uninsured, healthcare costs are so high they only go see a doctor when it's absolutely necessary, and sometimes even when they know it's necessary, the still refuse to go.
So society should be called upon to subsidize their terrible judgement? I don't think so.
Remember that a bankruptcy will be on your credit report and employers are now allowed to make hiring decisions based on that report. so, declaring bankruptcy can hurt your ability to simply get a job.
For a few jobs that involve the chance for embezzlement, yes. Evidence that employers will refuse to give an otherwise qualified applicant a job because of a hospital bill-induced bankruptcy (as opposed those that show irresponsible behavior like gambling or excessive credit card debt) is anecdotal at best.
Unless you're insanely rich, you're simply not going to go to the doctor regularly if you're uninsured, putting you at risk for premature death.
And like many risky behaviors, it's completely preventable.
do you have health insurance? if you do, cancel it. see if you can afford regular doctor visits and medication. then tell me if you have "access" to healthcare. you technically do, but you can't likely cannot afford it, and you'd rather eat than get a blood test.
Or I can apply for government assistance and do both.
see, that's the problem: you don't know the actual numbers we're dealing with.
let's look at the numbers then....blah blah numbers...
this is why people aren't going to see a doctor if they're uninsured. they can't afford it.
I feel a bit bad that you went to all the trouble to get those numbers when they don't refute my premise that healthcare is available through government assistance regardless of finances.
except the system in place is obviously broken so why not just go with full on UHC?
Broken? No. Expensive, sure. When it comes to our health, we are our own worst enemy. 75% of healthcare spending is driven by chronic conditions stemming largely from unhealthy behaviors like smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise. This is straight from the CDC.
In any case, neither of you have disputed my fundamental point that a lack of health insurance does not kill anyone, but rather it's people's unwillingness to spend money on their health.