America's new healthcare bill has passed!

Coming from a different society with a different health care system this has been a very interesting discussion to read, good job gentlemen 

birdwithteeth11 wrote: The Doctor wrote: Finnforest wrote: Graham believed a public option would "destroy" private health care, saying that insurance companies could not compete against the lower premiums of a government-backed plan. "It will be a death blow to private choice," he said. Read: "It will be a death blow to the profits of men getting rich on other people's suffering".  Boohoo.  I feel really sorry for those rich dudes.  Yeah, it's a shame my parents would lose their health insurance. My mom has to get a shot every day now because of a tumor (non-cancerous thankfully) on her thyroid gland. If it wasn't for the insurance, my parents would be paying nearly $1500 per month for this stuff out of their own pocket, and I know for a fact they would not be able to afford that. I would prefer that she stay alive, thank you.

The thing is, it doesn't help everyone. I saw an article the other day about a baby that was too big to get insurance. And then there are people who can't afford it.

The Doctor wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: The Doctor wrote: Finnforest wrote: Graham believed a public option would "destroy" private health care, saying that insurance companies could not compete against the lower premiums of a government-backed plan. "It will be a death blow to private choice," he said. Read: "It will be a death blow to the profits of men getting rich on other people's suffering".  Boohoo.  I feel really sorry for those rich dudes.  Yeah, it's a shame my parents would lose their health insurance. My mom has to get a shot every day now because of a tumor (non-cancerous thankfully) on her thyroid gland. If it wasn't for the insurance, my parents would be paying nearly $1500 per month for this stuff out of their own pocket, and I know for a fact they would not be able to afford that. I would prefer that she stay alive, thank you. How exactly would your parents lose their health insurance?  I'm actually surprised their health care provider hasn't cancelled their policy yet.  I'm sorry to hear about your mom and I too would like for your mom to stay alive.  I'm sure there are lots of people out there who wish their mom would stay alive but because of the for-profit health insurance industry, it's not likely.

Sorry if I came off as a bit blunt or insulting there. That was not my intent.

Well, the coverage mostly comes from her insurance plan at work (she is a nurse), and the rest comes from my dad's health insurance. Although since my mom's started working, we now also get dental and eye insurance, which is a real blessing since everyone in my family is nearly blind with glasses or contacts. My main fear with a public option would be that said coverage would simply wither up and disappear. And then we'd really be up a creek.

I believe MovingPictures said earlier that this kind of situation varies from country to country. I can not speak for how well or not well health care systems work in other countries. But I do not think the solution for the US is to copy other models.

The Doctor wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: The Doctor wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: The Doctor wrote: Finnforest wrote: Graham believed a public option would "destroy" private health care, saying that insurance companies could not compete against the lower premiums of a government-backed plan. "It will be a death blow to private choice," he said. Read: "It will be a death blow to the profits of men getting rich on other people's suffering".  Boohoo.  I feel really sorry for those rich dudes.  Yeah, it's a shame my parents would lose their health insurance. My mom has to get a shot every day now because of a tumor (non-cancerous thankfully) on her thyroid gland. If it wasn't for the insurance, my parents would be paying nearly $1500 per month for this stuff out of their own pocket, and I know for a fact they would not be able to afford that. I would prefer that she stay alive, thank you. How exactly would your parents lose their health insurance?  I'm actually surprised their health care provider hasn't cancelled their policy yet.  I'm sorry to hear about your mom and I too would like for your mom to stay alive.  I'm sure there are lots of people out there who wish their mom would stay alive but because of the for-profit health insurance industry, it's not likely.  Sorry if I came off as a bit blunt or insulting there. That was not my intent. Well, the coverage mostly comes from her insurance plan at work (she is a nurse), and the rest comes from my dad's health insurance. Although since my mom's started working, we now also get dental and eye insurance, which is a real blessing since everyone in my family is nearly blind with glasses or contacts. My main fear with a public option would be that said coverage would simply wither up and disappear. And then we'd really be up a creek. I believe MovingPictures said earlier that this kind of situation varies from country to country. I can not speak for how well or not well health care systems work in other countries. But I do not think the solution for the US is to copy other models.     I didn't take it as insulting.  You'll have to try harder next time.    And I certainly understand your worries, especially if you have a loved-one with a condition that needs constant treatment.   I guess my real question here is, and not just for you, but others with similar concerns,  perhaps I should be asking Sen. Graham.  If the government provides the same services for a lower price, what it the problem if private options do shrivel up?  The government plan will provide your family the same services.  If the private insurance provides more service but for a higher price (well, there are always those willing to pay more for more service), so the chances of that industry drying up are slim, aren't they?

We could always look to our public education system for answers to that. 

akamaisondufromage wrote: Epignosis wrote: Holy sh*t four pages already. That is all I have to say about this topic.  I'm playing video games now.   Well?

I'm just a liar.

Epignosis wrote: akamaisondufromage wrote: Epignosis wrote: Holy sh*t four pages already. That is all I have to say about this topic.  I'm playing video games now.   Well? I'm just a liar.

Rob is very opinionated. I knew he wouldn't be able to stay out of my thread for too long.

Then leave.

 

Well, I'm glad to know you got laid two years ago, but aside from that, this still doesn't really address what we're talking about, here. Nobody knows if American's version of universal healthcare will in fact be an convenient or well-executed as other countries, so how can we say one way or the other? You're just as wrong as Alex is, since neither of you have yet to experience America's new healthcare system.

Now, if Americans were complaining about how horrible European healthcare is (and some have!), then of course this argument would hold more water. Obviously, somebody in England has a much better graps on that situation over there than a US citizen would, but what people seem to miss here is that the American bill is nothing at all like the English, Canadian of French system. It's a different thing, so only time will tell if it is successful or not, and that goes for BOTH sides of this argument.

Here's the bottom line, opponents say it is "government run health care".  It isn't even single payer "government run" health insurance.  Interesting that it got one Republican yes vote and 39 Democratic no votes.  Further interesting is that Dennis Kucinich (D, "cuchi-cuchi" )was a nay voter.  That means that I have every confidence that the bill is a piece of crap and is more about the appearance of health care reform than actual reform. 

But the whole problem here isn't with the quality of health care in this country (there are issues there, too), it's mainly a problem with the health insurance. 


Edited by Slartibartfast - November 09 2009 at 06:52