Happy Health Care! — Page 3

No, Taz, I am well aware of that. People just keep saying, "Well, this is the first step..." blah, blah.

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"Is he handsome, would you say?"

You're thinking of firemen, Namo.

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I didn't mean to say that you didn't know that JG, I was just trying to understand how/why your friends were comparing the two.

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Wow HERE is a useful chart!
The Chicago Tribune

It is amazing how polarized people have become in the past few years over political issues. More than I can remember.

I have said the same thing. Others have said, "No... it's always this bad." I don't think so.

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I'm trying to figure out why some people who do not have insurance at the current time are against having affordable health care.

i have to admit, i don't quite get it, either. especially in this environment, it seems like no matter how skilled or experienced you are, you could lose your job at any time. for many, your health insurance would quickly follow (cobra policies nonwithstanding). then you are one medical emergency away from total destruction of your finances. who wouldn't want help in that situation? and it doesn't matter if you "behave" (no smoking, drinking, drugs)--some crazy yahoo who boozed up before getting behind the wheel is enough to put you in the hospital.

the argument that people should be able to take care of themselves doesn't hold water at all. i can't imagine anyone in the top 10% earning bracket has $100-200K just sitting around in the event of a medical emergency--except, perhaps, if one is expected to sell one's home!

people are (legitimately) complaining about being forced to buy insurance, but i confess i don't get that, either. didn't these same folks boo a public option off the table (keyword being "option")? what do people want?

Ah yes, a sighting of the "Drama Queen Republicanus"!

I am realted to and know a lot of Republicans. Gay-lovin' Republicans, but that is neither here nor there.

Every single time I've tried to have this conversation, it comes up that I once was not covered and had a pre-existing condition that caused me not to be able to buy healthcare. It was a terrifying year (well...just under a year). And every single time, the people I was talking with simply disregarded my experience. And, as it turns out, they never actually experienced that themselves. So...for so many people, this kind of this is theoretical, so they can live in this perfect idealogical utopia. And panic in this theoretical world of death panels and forced abortions. But that never deals with reality.

I had the same argument with an old friend over gay marriage. He fully supports it (even spoke to the Log Cabin Republicans) but only through legislative means/will of the people kind of ways. I finally had to tell him I couldn't talk to him about that any more...because he was happily married to his wife and therefore had no tangible idea of what it truly means to be kept from marrying the person you fall in love with. And so, it was all theory and ideology...not reality.

I'm trying to figure out why some people who do not have insurance at the current time are against having affordable health care.

Some people who do not want to buy insurance do so because they don't want to have to pay for anything. Thus, they rant about the "theft" of their "freedom" by being "forced" to buy insurance. Others scream "socialist" because they have no idea what it means, but they heard it on Fox and it must be something evil.

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I'm guessing you are not one of those who would refuse affordable health care?

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uncageg, that's exactly what I'm worried about. I lost my health insurance two weeks ago, on my birthday, as my parents' insurance no longer covers me. I was hired last year for a full time job, with benefits. Over the year, my hours were cut. Currently, I'm being held at 35 hours a week- just under full time, so I can't qualify for health insurance. I don't have any serious conditions; my allergies are managed by over-the-counter drugs that I can afford out of pocket. But now I have this constant fear in the back of my head- every time someone swerves towards my car in traffic, or when I feel a pang in my abdomen- that if something serious happens to me, I will never be able to afford it. I just turned 25. I shouldn't be worrying that stepping off a curb one split second too soon could bankrupt me.

My father was against the health care bill. I'm still baffled how he can see my situation, how I'm uninsured through no fault of my own and can't afford the $150+ a month individual plans, and still believe there's nothing wrong with the system. I don't understand why he can't project how many millions of others out there are like me.

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Updated On: 3/22/10 at 06:43 PM

I have health insurance through my employer and my share of the premiums is more than $150 a month. The total cost of my coverage as part of a large group plan is over $500 a month.

Really apropos of nothing, but this this seems to be the place for it - every person I have spoken to personally who lives in a country with a single payer system has had nothing negative to say about it.