It’s simply anti-American.

Ron is a friend to most all here, and we are just glad he is ok.

On your note about insured / not insured, etc. My personal experience and that of many who read tmv (most do not leave comments), is that when you work daily down at the base of people who dont have health insurance, you see there are literally thousands of reasons why any one individual doesnt. For some, it's literally food and (non-covered) medicine versus monthly insurance payment out of reach. FOr others, its the monthly payment on their parents' assisted living care. For others, it's being out of work and COBRA being usurous. For some, they dont realize how many twists of fate can occur and leave a person stranded. For some, they spend hours and hours daily just trying to get the insurance they do have to pay without having one more time 'lost' the info, call something 'uncovered' and forcing appeals.

We dont know anyone's situation with your idea of someone's bills supposedly 'being subsidized by people with insurance.' But, I'd say, from first hand witness– although there are as I said, literally of reasons and factors in why/ how of insurances… the actual individuals who are subsidized by people who carry insurance, and the government which subsidizes the subsidizers… are private doctors, private practitioners, mental health workers in private practice, private nurse practitioners, ortho clinics that are private, rehab faculty and administrators.

Often 80% of their billed fees are paid by insurance, with the user paying the balance. That's among the 'subsidized' insured. 80% subsidized to user, and that same 80% subsidized directly to service provider.

Health workerss, by taking this subsidy, could be seen like farmers taking subsidies. A drag on the economy, causing food prices to remain high… and no farmer, no matter how bad a farmer, no matter how screwed up or inflating his /her prices, would ever go out of business because their business is artificially propped up by subsidies.

Talking about subsidies can be useful, I think, but not particularly focusing with regard to patients who are second or third tier to it all. Rather, with regards to the final payee; the provider, who often charges huge inflationary prices for aspirin, let alone anything else. Who often couldnt make it on his/her own without the props.

Competition for the medical market either in intervention or pharms is not keen. Why? Subsidies to the practitioners and administrators. Seen an overnight hospital bill lately? I have. Researched hospital administrators' salaries lately? I have. Insurance CEO/CFO/SVP's salaries? Same. Cost of simple equipment… mostly mfg off shore? I have.

I'd like to see not opinions but the grit truth of facts about subsidies, instead of the pap people make up in media and in their armchairs. I think they are the hole in the bucket through which huge numbers of dollars are washed narrowly downstream.

anyway, I thought your thought about the word subsidies was interesting.

dr.e

I just came across this and had to post it somewhere…

At a meeting last April with corporate lobbyists, aides to President Barack Obama and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) helped set in motion a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, primarily financed by industry groups, that has played a key role in bolstering public support for health care reform.

The role Baucus’s chief of staff, Jon Selib, and deputy White House chief of staff Jim Messina played in launching the groups was part of a successful effort by Democrats to enlist traditional enemies of health care reform to their side. No quid pro quo was involved, they insist, as do the lobbyists themselves.

Say hello to the new boss. Same as the old boss. This feels so very BushAdmin…

One of the things that I glean from your story is the outrageoulsy high medical insurance premiums you were faced with ($1,200 a month). I don't know how many “regular” Americans could afford those kind of premiums. Call me a bleeding heart, but you are one of the reasons that I fiercely support health care reform, that will give you and millions of Americans decent, affordable health care insurance and bristle at specious and callous arguments against it.

I remember 18 years ago when I lived on 25th Street and 1st ave in NYC very near to NYU hospital and Bellevue Hospital. The patient type was very different in these hospitals. The latter was a public hospital, and famous for its emergent care department. NYU would reject patients who found their way to their doors but didn't have the right credentials. I recall reading a story of a man coming to NYU by helicopter and the delays caused by cockpit discussions about insurance coverage and refusal to treat actually resulted in death or irreversible injury.

Myself, without health insurance but with an attack of stomach spasms found myself at the Bellevue emerency room with at least a hundred others. There was no one at the desk so I sat down for a time and waited. When the pain became unbearable I went up to the desk and started making pain noises until someone came out. I was placed on a gurney and left in a hallway next to more emergent gunshot victims. An hour later relief came when they drained my stomach contents through a tube. When the student docs said they had to cut me open to find out what was wrong, I signed out AMA. I went back a couple of days later on my Nurse sister's advice to ask for outpatient care. They insisted I be signed back in. Three days later I was discharged, but then when I went back to get the results, a kindly intern told me apologetically that the lab results had all been lost. All was paid by medicaid, and since I felt better I just moved on………….

The response was quick and no questions were asked but is that because I live in a relatively affluent neighborhood? I suspect the answer is yes.

Well I don't know about where you live but I know where I live ambulances don't care where you live, they get there ASAP regardless. Good caring people work in these services around here. If your area isn't the same I feel sorry for those who live there and suggest they think about moving.

Still, we are all glad you are Aok. We have to get you to stop, however, going on archeological digs in your own garage without wearing your superduper well sealed chem mask.

dr.e

That tattoo is really interesting. . .