Posted by billtom on July 28, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A lot of good the "bill" does to help small businesses! My husband and I are considered 'uninsurable" by every insurance company we have contacted. He is a diabetic and I have hypertension - two things the insurance companies won't touch. To be covered at work by a company, at least 15 people in the company must be eligible for insurance. We only have 15 people and all but 4 or 5 do not have high blood pressure or diabetes. Considering this and the 'fine print fraud' some of these companies get away with, you'd think the government would take the companies to issue on that. Oh, I forgot about the lobbyists for the insurance companies that have our legislators in their back pockets. And what do the legislators care anyway? They all have the best coverage - coming out of our tax dollars!

Posted by shoelaces on July 28, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, not everything is supposed to be free and easy. I work hard and have a pretty good benefits package through work. I pay for part of it. My entire family is on my policy.

The key with any insurance or savings plan is to educate yourself and know what you are getting. And people should also plan for the future just in case. We all know we deteriorate over time and will probably need medical attention when we are older.

Plan, plan, plan.

Posted by BillytheKid on July 28, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Our state legislators allow the insurance lobby tells then the kind of insurance they, the insurance companies would like to sell. Complicated policies that have no real benefits. The insurance industry has taken over the state house, after 1989, when Hugo went through, and almost everyone had a policy that replaced most all of peoples losses, we have now changed to a large deductible, an even larger premium and less coverage. We elect the state legislators, it is about time for them to work for us. NO MORE LOBBTIST. We, the voters don’t need them. We need someone looking out for us, the voters, not an insurance company, or any other group, that gets OUR elected officials ear.
We need to be able to re-call elected officials in this state. And if the insurance companies want to not insure in SC, let them get the hell out.

Posted by ysillyme on July 28, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know of a man in Chas. who needed 1 expensive medical procedure every 90 days. The insurance co. (Cooper Ins. at the time) leaned on his employer to fire the employee. Even though the employee was an excellent employee, S.C. is a right to work state and his employer (Charleston Steel and Metals) got rid of him, basically without cause. This is the fruit ripe for picking by the assembly. Uninsured and underinsured people cost all of us in the long run.

Posted by farfallaspeaks on July 28, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ysillme, your friend should get a good lawyer.
I think almost everyone knows at least one person who has been screwed by not having insurance.

My neighbor of 4 years and good friend died of a blood clot in his lungs which may have formed from an old injury that never got better. He didn't go to the hospital when he was really really sick (for days) because he couldn't pay for it. It wasn't until after the 2ND SEIZURE, that he let his friend finally call an ambulance. By the time they came, he died.
He was 33.

Posted by oldglory on July 28, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ahhh yes, we've come a long way since cavemen, haven't we.

We sweat gasoline prices, global warming, health care, tainted food/products, home ownership, new wonder drugs that kill more than cure (you name it)--and allow corporations to scare us silly in order to get the ultimate amount of protection money from us. Some how, this just doesn't fit with a truly evolved society.

I agree with Johnq. Also, why are we so afraid of socialized medicine? It's worked well in Europe forever. Afraid of socialized medicine, yet not afraid of the shysters in our current medical insurance system, who have the b*lls to even deny paid for coverage if it saves their pockets and pads their stockholders pockets! We are being scammed, folks.

Posted by farfallaspeaks on July 28, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

johnq and oldglory say it best.
I don't trust the pharmaceutical companies either.
They are just legal drug dealers.
The drugs they push through doctors to patients are more dangerous sometimes than street drugs, making people dependent on them, and thus having to be medicated for the rest of their natural life.
If medicine was socialized, they wouldn't be making such a profit off them, and I bet ya a lot less people would be medicated.

Posted by suec on July 28, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Farfella,
That is a sad story but getting himself checked earlier by a hospital or a doctor was his responsibility.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To me providing everyone with affordable healthcare is not a matter of politics but a matter of ethics.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I still don't like the idea of socialized health care. It's not free, and if you look at what goes on in Canada, you have to wait 6 months to be seen for an emergency. And I don't want to pay for someone else's surgery. Once again, just like welfare, I'd voluntarily help but a little piece of me dies everytime I see them take out taxes for welfare, healthcare (that I don't get right now) and social security (that I will never see again.)

Honestly, I think more doctors need to accept patients without health care. What happens with insurance is that it provides no real need for development as it's not as profit driven. I know this is terribly worded, and I apologize. But look at things like cosmetic surgery. Not covered under most insurance policies, so they are forced to make their services the best at the most affordable price. It's driven by competition.
In medicine, you have doctors that are forced to run every test in the book to make sure they don't miss anything and the patient has no clue what it costs so they just agree to everything and the insurance will pay for it. This actually drives up the price of insurance for everyone, as does frivilous lawsuits. The price isn't a big deal, and most of the time you're having to go to a particular doctor because he's in the insurance policy, not because he's the best.

Pharmaceutical companies: the money isn't in the cure, it's in the treatment.

I always thought it was interesting that the very wealthy of this country choose not to be insured.
And I know BC/BS actually loses money on a normal basis on their insurance clients, as so many insurance companies. They make their money from investments.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 28, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnq2 -You have no clue about the military healthcare system I guess.Because it is NOT free like some people think.Nor is it some flawless system.It is plenty flawed and children for example are not even allowed to see a pediatrician unless they have a severe childhood disease.Appointments are hard to get,when you finally get one,you are in and out quicker than lightning and quality of care is not great.The quality of care isnt great because of the huge number of people being seen.When this happens quality drops dramatically.Signs and symptoms are often blown off or completely overlooked.It can be dangerous.

Posted by ysillyme on July 28, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

coolfbeans~
The quality of care at the VA hospital downtown is excellent, I don't have dependent children but the attention and professionalism shown me is w/out equal. They are simply not guilty of "quality of care is not great" as you stated. Your right it isn't free, I had to put my ass on the line for this country to get it! Overwhelmed by numbers..sure. Quality minded..even more sure.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The top 1% has the comparable wealth of the bottom 95% combined...
http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/...
If the top wealthiest took on a fair part of the tax burden instead of the middle class, this would not be an issue.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SOMEBODY has to pay...who do you do-gooders want to send the bill to? Nothing is perfect...

The top 1% has the comparable wealth of the bottom 95% combined...
http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/......
If the top wealthiest took on a fair part of the tax burden instead of the middle class, this would not be an issue.

While other countries that provide health care do not have a perfect system, it 20 times better than our current system!

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.ncpa.org/studies/s166/s166.ht...
20 myths about universal health care

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/sergeman/iss...
very informational.

The second one is great, not as long but still provides excellent information. The first is just rather long, but easy to navigate around.
Remember, you have to be able to say why it's 20 times better. Honestly, the numbers don't really add up.

And we all see the "great" decisions made by the government and lobbyists. Do you really want them to be in charge of your health care, completely and 100%?

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess you have never had anyone in your family sick? Medicare is a joke. Insurance companies are a farce. They don’t do what they say they will do, and lord help if you if you don’t have a preexisting condition. And everyone is lining there pockets. Hell it takes a lawyer to just to get the insurance companies to pay for the coverage that you pay for. I had to take my insurance company to court just to pay for something they said they would pay for!Medical care is 16% of GNP, so no one is really saving anything from our current system! After you pay of the lawyers, insurance get there cut, and lord not let me get into the drug companies, most people wind up putting more money into the health care system then if we had a single coverage plan.

Posted by dogwoodroad on July 28, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Interestingly enough, the cost of healthcare has exponentially increased over the last 20 years with a direct correlation to the increase in obesity.

If people would just lose some weight, they wouldn't have as many health problems (yes, some health problems will occur anyway, but the rise of heart disease, diabetes, and renal disease is definitely related to the rise of obesity) and would therefore incur less healthcare expenses...Just live a healthier lifestyle and you will fix half the problem!

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

guided- I encourage you to go to the first link, and scroll down until you see "Twenty Myths..." and read the first myth, and how the explain it.

And in Canada, people are routinely turned away from receving health care. In Britain, women going into labor were actually turned away. These hospitals have empty beds but are in no hurry to fill them. Many beds are used by nursing home residents. And then there's the whole "lack of development in medical technology"

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 28, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ysillyme-I'm really happy for you that you get good care.But that is NOT the case for members of my family.(and many other people I know)Just 3wks ago someone in my family called the clinic on a weekend.Got a call back from a Dr who dismissed stomach cramps in their left lower abdomen as a "stomach bug thats going around"(the last thing they want is to have to refer you to an urgent care type of place.)My family member on my advice insisted on being seen.Thank God!After a trip to an urgent care place,was told to IMMEDIATELY go to Summerville Medical Center.Their APPENDIX needed IMMEDIATE REMOVAL!!This is only one recent example,I could go on and on.And Tricare premiums are due every month just like other insurance companies.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1
Health care has nothing to do with a welfare state; again the middle class has the tax burden, not the wealthy.
His nothing to do with free rides, a very small percent of people are on welfare anyways (though I ethically feel that everyone diserves healthcare). So you can come off the free ride argument.
It seems that you have been buying into the right winged mentality (I bet you listen to talk radio).
The thing is we are currently being fleeced, and bent over backward, and not given anything to ease the pain on our current system.
Also, as an alternative to the current system could be nonprofit insurance companies that actually do what pay for them to do, insure you.

Posted by whome on July 28, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it interesting that some of the most ardent pro-life supporters are also against universal health care...

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I used to live in Norway and they have a national health insurance program known as the Folketrydgen. You also have private practices as well as public clinics. Norway has high taxes, but their medical system tends to be better run than most others in Europe. Socialized medicine generally does very well when it comes to preventative care and regular checkups. It's when you need something major where you can run into problems.

Medical care is a very complicated issue. Lack of insurance and underinsurance are only part of the problem in terms of our health care costs. There is only so much that the government can (or should) do on these matters. In order to address medical care we also need to look at how we live our lives. Europeans live longer, but not necessarily due to having national health care systems. People in Europe tend to eat better, they get more exercise since you're not spending as much time in your car, they take longer vacations and aren't under as much stress on a daily basis as their American counterparts. If people in the US started to eat healthier, exercise more, take about a weeks longer vacation each year and spend more time with family that alone would improve quality of life and life expectancy.

I have many ideas on how to fix medical care but we can only post so much on these forums so I'll make it brief:

-Stop providing care to illegals. If you show up at a hospital and have no ID, no passport, no Visa, nothing to show that you have a legitimate reason for being in this country, you will be provided only with what you need to be healthy for a plane right home.

-$25 billion over five years to educate and train 100,000 more physicians, nurses, home health care providers and medical assistants.

-Create a system for those who are working and unable to afford coverage, or coverage is not offered to them by their employer. Their premiums would be based on income. Basic care would be covered just as it is with an insurance company. For major procedures the State would negotiate a price with the providers.

-Ensure that all Americans have access to immunizations and one checkup per year to detect illnesses that would otherwise go undetected and result in an expensive ER visit (which we pay for btw)

-Bring back physical education in schools. Require PE every year for every school.

-Require that we teach proper nutrition in schools and improve on the qwuality and nutritional value in school lunches.

This would require tax money but in the long run it would help us in that we could prevent things from getting to the point of an expensive trip to the ER.

Posted by oldglory on July 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where did anyone (who so sarcastically wrote) get the idea that socialized medicine would be free, and also that taxes would be sky-high? Absolutely nothing is free in life--not that I've noticed. Evil, does it matter just 'how' we pay, because we pay any way you look at it (many a gripe about those uninsured people that we subsidize). Medical care should be just that, not some numbers/promotional game to feed corporations and insurers. guidedbystewart is right on. . .'a matter of ethics.'

Of course we'd have to pay for any type of medical/insurance, etc., but it would certainly lower costs without the big corporations jacking up the costs of everything because an additional person sneezed and/or publishing a glossy magazines filled with pictures and touting medical abilities! The CEOs of these corporations make astronomical saleries/perks AND enough left over to give their stockholders.

I'm so old that I remember when anyone connected with the medical profession (i.e. nurses, doctors, insurers, etc.) were altruistic. I remember when people became greedy and sued the socks off all these involved--at the drop of a hat!

Sure, I'm old and back in the day--but that doesn't mean an altruistic system is totally bad. Less money for all. Fewer law suits (insurers don't like having to pay out money, you know, so they will go to court and you know why). Yes, I've become 'modernized' just like everyone else, because I don't have a choice.

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have insurance as well, and it covers my prescriptions to a point I have to refill every month. And I have to pay a co-payment of anywhere from 10 to 65 dollars, this isn’t too bad but, I have 14 prescriptions to fill. So needless to say some of my medications don’t get filled and I have BC/BS.and I pay 120.00 a month for this

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

. I also received a letter from my gastritis doctor telling me that BC/BS will not be paying for anesthesia when you go for a colononoscopy (sorry had it done just cant spell it) go figure if anyone has had one this is a painful procedure

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1
I can insure you that I am not inbreed. My opinions are well thought out, at which I apply reason and rationale, and not a self absorb me mentality that many conservatives have. You can through your third grade insults, but usually it does nothing but shows your true ignorance.

If you think are currently system is not extremely messed up, you usually would fall into two categories. Either you are not old enough to have had a loved one or yourself face the current healthcare debacle by being ill, or you have bought into the right winged rhetoric. Is socialized healthcare the answer, maybe not, but to me it would be better than our current system and I have yet to here many alternative viewpoints with the exception of iceman1978. If you guys state that you don’t think it is ethically right to provide health care to everyone, then I would at least respect your honesty. Yet, it is the same name calling, you’re a commie, BS!

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

woah, just because I don't like socialized health care I'm racist and hate that Obama is black? When did I say this? And I'm not republican, but I do lean conservative.

And what does his race have to do with anything? Are you not voting for him based on his policies and the things he wants to change in America?

Btw, I'm a minority, so please stop assuming things about people.
I think everyone deserves the right to improve their life, but not on my dollar. I didn't use anyone else's, why would they?

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

socialized medicine does away with the need to make any real development in medicine to improve it's quality and availability to people.

Are you saying we don't need that? please see the two pages I've posted with the details and statistics. Our system is not perfect, but at least it's better.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

whenever I meet a liberal who can make valid points and a rational argument (I might not agree, but that's beside the point) without namecalling, an angel gets it's wings. True story.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Um, I have my own opinions. Conservativeism is not based on race, just like liberalism isn't based on an "I hate whitey" ideal. Why would I want to put down my own people, anyway?
And I said I LEAN conservative. I'm also pro-choice and don't agree with this war 100%. Uh oh, imagine having different ideals!

I, as do most Americans (liberal or conservative), form my own opinion. And just because someone is conservative does not make them Republican, just as being liberal does not make you a democrat.

Once again, look at that site. If you can provide some kind of real numbers regarding a pro-socialist healthcare idea, I'd love to read it. And most of this thread has been about social medicine.

Don't throw those slurs around unless you personally know someone. It's like saying liberals are for child molestation because the ACLU defends NAMBLA. It's a stupid generalization, and I can't imagine any intelligent liberal or liberal-leaner would even tolerate it, or acknowledge it.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by Johnq2 on July 28, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Early-

"Sorry to disappoint you but he is not all black!I think he looks more white than black!
Now what do you do?"
.....................................

This is great news Einstein, now all you racist wingers can vote for the most qualified American instead of voting by race.

Problem solved! Thanks Early for pointing that out!

Didn't you just say it's about race when you claimed conservatives are upset that Obama has a great chance at winning the election and is black? sounds like you're voting based on race.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1
These blogs are informal.
I usually write these on the “fly”. While I'm doing other work, and I am usually multi-tasking when I do this. While I try to proof read them, I do it rushed so I will admit I make several errors, as do many that post on this sight, including you number1volsfan1.

Don't believe all the liberal, brainwashing BS. Our system is far superior to most (if not all) industrialized countries in the world. Have you been part of the fireign (mispelled)socialized medical system? If not, you are just repeating the same old tired blah, blah, blah liberal crap.

While I admit my typing, proofreading and grammar are not my fortes, yet my analytical skills are above average and spatially I am well above average. So, if want to compare geography skills, go right ahead. I do not memorize any websites, my viewpoint is all me. I try to make them coherant, and nine times out of ten, they are.
So, if you want to be a soulless pedant, go right ahead, just don't leave yourself to any grammer mistakes.

Posted by combahee on July 28, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Instead of debating liberal vs conservative, lets get back to the problem.
My wife and I have had health insurance through her work for the 31 years we have been married. I am self employed and not eligible for work provided insurance. No one will write a single employee.
She lost her job in April. We could have gone on to COBRA for a short period of time but at $960.00 per month. Without her income we had to make a decision, so no insurance.
She hasn't been able to find another job. When she does we will have to wait 90 days for coverage to begin.
We can't afford "family" coverage at the rates charged.
So what is one to do. Simple, gamble with our health.
The hospitals overcharge. Check your bill and see how much a simple bandage is! Then they claim they are writing off millions per year, yeah at the same 1,000% mark up.
At the same time the personal injury lawyers are seeking ever higher malpractice awards and lawsuits are rocketing out of control.
Stop the outrageous court awards, make the losing party pay for the lawsuit, I bet a lot less will be filed.
Audit the hospitals for charges above what is found and charged locally in retail establishments.
Two simple and effective ways to lower health care cost and hence the cost of insurance.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

....open to any grammer mistakes. (again I am bad at proof reading).

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My views on socialized medicine are based on my personal experiences with it. I was always pleased with both Norwegian and Turkish health care systems, but would not want to live with the systems they have in the UK or Sweden. I've also never had any trouble getting medical care in the US.

Posted by drp7773 on July 28, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

combahee,

Very good and true post and after all the screw jobs the insurance companies pull on you and the hospitals etc, then they take your money each week and then charge you to use the insurance after deciding if your health problem is important enough to cover or if you live long enough to sue to make them cover it. We are long past due for reform in the healthcare field, this is something that people can not LIVE without. We do not have to be like Canada as some in here stated is so bad but come on we are in the USA and surely we can do way better. It's not about planning its what your company can afford or not afford or if laid off what yiou can afford, the same as some of you lucky ones with insurance but even with insurance there will be many get screwed so bad they go bankrupt. The last time I heard Blue cross Blue shield was owned by a foriegn country why are they even used in the USA to insure people why would they care if we are healthy as long as they get their money and only cover what they want.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like the idea of a liberal conservative, or conservative liberal. I think the problems arise when people start blindly following their party as opposed to what they think makes sense.

It's sad that people don't have health care, my mom doesn't have it and her diabetes and other health problems make it difficult to get any. And yes, I help her pay for things and will put her on my insurance. So I don't leave people in the cold.
But don't take my money, for anything. It's like saying "tax the rich because they have more money!" Yes, they do. Is that a problem?

Reforms are needed, but more in the way of finding out how to make medicine competitive again. It's like the commerical, "When doctors compete, you win."

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BC/BS had lost money in the insurance business this past fiscal year.

but drp has a good point, if they are forgein owned and the rest. They're actually used for federal agency insurance, as well.

combahee has some very good ideas.
can we take things like "obesity just because you don't take care of yourself" off the list?

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Countries with national health insurance make health care "free" to patients and at the same time limit spending and access to modern medical technology. As a result, there is widespread rationing, bureaucratic inefficiency and a lower quality of care.

A citizen of the United States is twice as likely to have open heart surgery as a Canadian and four times as likely as a Briton.

Although computer scanning (in place of conventional x-ray) is routine diagnostic procedure in the United States, a patient in Ontario can wait as long as a year and four months for an MRI scan.

Britain, where the CAT scanner was invented, has one of the lowest rates of CAT scanner use in western Europe

If you think we're dying fast, can you imagine what it's like for them?

Posted by charlestonpride on July 28, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The government is already in my pocket too much as it is. I want the government to leave me and my healthcare alone. I pay for what I get, good or bad. I work too hard for them to screw something else up. They are not the "fix all" for anything. There would be too many hands in that pot trying to take all the "meat".

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Honestly - People are citing all these sources as if they actually polled everyone living in Canada, England, Germany etc. Some people there love it and some hate it, just like here. It depends on your circumstance. I live here so I know that there is good and bad in each BUT please don't make it seem like we live in some utopian society either. If everything was perfect here we wouldn't have those horror stories people are talking about. I agree that with the poster above who said it was a matter of ethics rather than politics.

All I am hearing right now is Bush did this, Bush did that, Socialized medicine is wrong and we're right, click on my link (to a propaganda machine no doubt), liberal this, conservative that, blah blah blah. Please, that sh** is not important, we're talking about healthcare.

Posted by VMI90 on July 28, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"No, I never listen to talk radio. Unlike inbred liberals, conservatives have the ability to apply (their own) good judgement and fair reasoning to situations."

"Inbred Liberals"?? I am confident that most of the inbred, trailerpark, confederate flag waving, snake handling christians are republican voters.

Have a nice day!

Posted by FiscalConservative on July 28, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

guidedbysteward said: The top 1% has the comparable wealth of the bottom 95% combined...
http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/......
If the top wealthiest took on a fair part of the tax burden instead of the middle class, this would not be an issue.

Another great comment from the smartest man on the planet. The wealthy pay the overwhelming majority of the taxes. I am not saying that HC is the best in the world but socializing it is not the answer. I had major knee surgery 3 months ago. If I was in canada, I would have gotten it a little over a month ago. I would not have been able to work at all. England passed a law that says you cannot wait in the ER for more than 4 hours til you are served. Great but now they make you wait in the ambulance until your wait time inside is about 4 hours. These are small countries too. Try that in our huge country.

Posted by VMI90 on July 28, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Bush has a higher approval rating then congress."

-that's something to be proud of..who are these 25% or so that think he's done a favorable job as president? Either idiots or kool-aid drinking republicans.

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love how people want the government out of their lives and their pockets until a social issue like gay marriage or abortion comes up and then it is WOOHOOO government. You can't have it both ways.

RW- So you know everyone in the WORLD? You know for sure that no one dies in this country for inability to pay? Damn, it must be nice to omniscient.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 28, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From my understanding when the prime minister of Canadas wife got cancer-they came to the US for treatment.I guess it's because he wanted terrible healthcare.Oh,no thats right-it's because they wanted her to LIVE!!

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want the government out of my pocketbook, but I'm okay with gay marriage and I think abortion should be legal.

now what if we were to stop giving healthcare to illegals?

And I'm curious, what if we just did away with insurance? I like that it would create a need for competition and therefore provide better care at a more affordable rate, but what does anyone see as the downside? just curious.

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

archdude - We ARE easily distracted.

Evidence - How quickly we all got off topic. All they need to do is throw us some idiotic bone and we go marching off after it, salivating all the way.

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikkiP - It will never happen. It is a business just like the drug companies. Someone just said it best about drug companies, the money is in the treatment not the cure. If that option is absolutely what is best for us (people not government) and it will cause the gov't to lose money, then we can just pack it up, it won't get pass the first stage.

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know I am getting so tired of people who keep correcting other posters on their spelling and grammar, me included.
I thought we are here to voice our opinions on the subject at hand, not if we have spelled word right.
I left school over 40 years ago I don’t need to be educated again by know it alls.
Obviously you understood what was written despite the spelling and grammar. Try to stay with the subject at hand not how our opinions are spelled out or if we placed the right punctuation mark it rightful place.

Posted by OneOpinion on July 28, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With the exception of those that are disabled to the point of not being able to work, I would rather you be underinsured than for me to pay for, or subsidize your insurance. I earned what I have. Go earn what you need.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bahaha, granny has a great point.

Test- insurance is a very in depth business. But if it was treated like a business, things might be different. Let's use... shoes as an example. Nike and Reebok compete for customers. Nike comes out with a shoe that can track your steps, and gains a larger customer base. Reebok then comes out with a shoe that can track your steps, and work with your mp3 player. Reebok's shoe is cheaper, and they end up getting more customers than Nike due to the competition.
That was kind of a bad analogy, actually. Shoes don't have malpractice suits, underqualified doctors making mistakes, and a situation where you must have Nike's and can't choose anything else.

I remember reading something on doctor's who actually stopped taking insurance. They have a list of the basic procedures, and how much each one costs. Patients choose what they want done. You'd be surprised how many people stop asking for CAT scans when they just have a migraine.
Insurance companies are really move investment than insurance.

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyfiguroa - I am off topic now but there was an article written by Lynn Whitfield's daughter for the CNN special that talks about this same thing. She felt like Early did that people should not claim one race over the other. I don't think people should have to as well BUT society will force it on you. Halle Berry always talked about how her Mom (who is white)put her in front of a mirror and told her that the world will see her as black so that is what she needed to identify with. Pretty harsh, but she seems well adjusted on the biracial front. Her kid on the other hand may have it harder than she did.

I also agree that if I did not know Obama's mother was white I would have thought he was black. A light-skinned black guy but black nevertheless. I am sure he feels a bit of guilt on that front since his Mom raised him. Also, Soledad O'brien DOES consider herself black and I could have sworn she was hispanic/white. I guess it all depends.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by archdude on July 28, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

However, Obama might do worse--he just strikes me as someone who would do whatever just to hear himself do it. McCain is very similar. This new election is truly going to be a case of deciding the lesser of multiple evils.

archdude- please tell me you watch Southpark. Even if you don't, and think it's a dumb comedy show, see the episode where they must vote on a new school mascot and it's between a turd sandwich and a giant douche. There are few ways to better sum up the 2008 election. I'm trying to decide if I want to go to hell in a handbasket, or riding on a bus..

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikkiP, Turkey was like that with health care. Let's say you had a fever and sore throat and went to see the dr. They would run a swab test to make sure it wasn't streph, take your temp, check blood pressure, etc. Then they would give you some meds. The total bill would run about $40. No insurance involved. You only carried insurance in order to cover something major.

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nikkip - If it was even more like a business we'd all probably be getting screwed right, not just a few like it is now.

I think good preventative healthcare would help costs all around. This is apparently one of the "positives" in regards to socialized medicine (from a coworker of mine who is actually from england). If we took care of ourselves in the beginning we wouldn't need all the heavy stuff later. Also, my coworker doesn't care for England's healthcare system but she likes Germany's system. She's not too big a fan of ours.

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What has Obama's race got to do with the insurance companies or the price of insurance?

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

test- I've heard that sweden (or denmark? I have a south carolina education, bear with me when it comes to geography) has a vastly improving healthcare system with a more social base. Canada, britain, and another are typically the ones identified as "seriously flawed." Turning people away, including women in labor, having empty beds, etc. But Britain is slowly allowing more and more privatized health care.

My boyfriend would hate if this happened (He is an actuary and wants to go into insurance on the stat side) but I wonder if it would be better if doctors competed and we had no insurance. He's told me how confused he is about insurance companies. They frequently lose money in the insurance dealings, make it all by their investments, and somehow are systematically flawed.
I blame lawyers.

Posted by OneOpinion on July 28, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Different words, same headline...

"Many South Carolinians are underemployed"

"Many South Carolinians are undereducated"

"Many South Carolinians are undermotivated"

"Many South Carolinians are under-raised by their parents"

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have personally seen how private insurance makes it better for some.
To give an example: young women come into the hospital she is in labor she gives the PRIVATE insurance card. She is taken right away to labor and delivery...
Second lady comes in very distressed in pain from her labor. She gives them her medicade card. She is told to sit someone will be with her in a minute. Two hours later her water breaks. Finally someone comes and gets her.
First lady is in the labor and delivery room next to the second one not in pain she has had an epidural. the second one is denied it because she is too far along had she come in two hours earlier she may have gotten it. No need to go one you see where I am going with this. It is a true story.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iceman- I didn't even see that reply at first, glad I finally caught it! That sounds very interesting and definitely something to look into and how it compares to our current healthcare system.

Posted by jeff61 on July 28, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow eyfig
That was an excellent post. I do not think you are off track at all. I think all the points you made fits this story and arugment perfectly.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 28, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyfigueroa -I'm glad you've been blessed with good experiences.But I can tell you for a FACT that on CAFB,your kids CANNOT see a pediatrician unless they suffer from a childhood disease or are otherwise special needs.They refuse to champus people out even though they're short on doctors and admit it.To get an appointment,especially follow-ups can take weeks.Oh but they also will tell you,"If you really need to,go to the ER,but you will be charged fully if it's not an emergency"So youre basically threatened.And who wants to waste ER space-just give me a damned appt!The doctors arent bad themselves,its just they are overloaded to the max and encouraged not to refer people out.I could go on and on with first hand experience stories that would blow your mind.And how come people on Medicaid get to take their kids to a pediatrician?Including illegals.But my kids arent valued in the same way?

Posted by grannyofsix on July 28, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikkiP.. You are right on target with your view on this coming election I have no clue which way to go. But I am one of those people that believe if you don’t vote I don’t wan to here your opinion on who is in office. I also get some who will say why I should vote it doesn’t count then I wan to scream.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

coolbeans, Illegals should not be getting medical care. Most people won't mention this regarding universal medical systems in Europe, but one of the reasons why they are able to function is because they're not being overloaded with millions of illegal immigrants. In Norway everyone has a health care card. It works kind of like a national ID. When you go to recieve care you show it since all of your med records are stored. That way they will know right away any meds that you're on and any allergies you have.

If you don't have a health care card then you are expected to show a passport and Visa to show that you are here visiting someone or just as a tourist. If you can't show any legitimate reason for being in the country then they will still treat you but after that you're put on a plane and deported. That's what we should do here.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I couldn't agree more, iceman.

The crowd that protects these "undocumented citizens" won't admit it, but illegals do no good. At least none that isn't outweighed by the harm.
Hospitals out west, near the border, are constantly being closed down because they foot the bill for illegals and can't afford to stay open.
Even at Trident, staff was taking away the fake social security and ID cards from the illegals and turning them in. And what did the government do? Say you can't do that. What sense does that make.

Posted by OneOpinion on July 28, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tricare Prime works great for me. My family doesn't have many medical issues, thank goodness, but Tricare Prime works fine when we need it. Of course, I earned Tricare Prime... it wasn't handed to me.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, Most people don't want to talk about it and the government continues to deny that it's even a problem but those in the health care industry who work in the border states know what's going on. Health care is only one aspect of what's going on. They're also placing a huge burden upon the educational system.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iceman, the educational thing... I just had to pay a tuition bill of over $7000 for USC. I also love knowing that illegals can go free to public universities, and often go to the public schools (k-12) for free. Deportation of over 12M would be too costly, but at least we could make it less convenient for them.

Maybe if they stopped getting free healthcare, people like coolbeans who are just trying to get their kid to a doctor wouldn't have to worry about the whole mess.

Posted by outrage on July 28, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will take care of my own health care, that is not the government's job.

Quit watching those Michael Moore movies! They are lies!

Keep voting in Democrats and will see the end of this Republic. Big Government means more power taken from the people. Google - Hugo Chavez!

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, I hear you on the tuition. I graduated nearly $40k in debt to student loans.

There are ways to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. They can start by putting the employers behind bars. Don't fine them. To them having to pay a fine is just another cost of doing business. If they want to drive the point home then put them in jail and revoke their business license.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree. They tried that in california, but the mayor started complaining and refused to let law enforcement do it's jobs.

Wow, 40K? I think I'm looking at 25K, and a little piece of me dies everytime I look at the bill.

Posted by jimmy1370 on July 28, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The top 1% has the comparable wealth of the bottom 95% combined...
http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/......
If the top wealthiest took on a fair part of the tax burden instead of the middle class, this would not be an issue."

You are kidding me, right?? The top 1% pay 40% of the taxes already. What in the world do you consider "their fair share"? What is it about success that you feel needs to be punished.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12165969...

Posted by ysillyme on July 28, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

boy, outrage nailed this topic! well done and stated.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, I went all the way through grad school. I did a double major in business and econ and then did a Masters program in economics. Plus I changed majors 1/2 way through the four-year program. That's why the bill went so high. 25k isn't too bad. If you can get a job in your field and have a good starting salary you should be able to pay it down.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimmy1370
If the top 1% pays only 40% of the taxes, it seems to me they getting off pretty light, since they own 95% of the wealth. Why not 70% or 75% of the taxes? If they paid the same percentage as the middle class it would be allot more fairer.
Here is an article I digged up for mr fiscal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/art...

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Iceman- Wow, now that's what happens when you apply yourself. I won't deny my laziness, actually. I just majored and and trying to finish in four years. Financial aid stops after that fourth year, and it's pretty important. But that's quite the accomplishment, especially in econ.

outrage did get the jist perfectly. careful, though, someone might call you a racist or something.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, Thanks. My background is one of the reasons why I have a hard time feeling bad for people when they complain about their situation. I was working full time while I was in school and didn't complain. I'm glad that I did these things now because I don't know if I could do it again today. I probably could, but it's better to get your education when you're young.

Posted by PalmettoDP on July 28, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My dad is a doctor in family practice. He has to constantly practice what he calls "defensive medicine" - ordering all kinds of expensive tests he knows are not necessary. In the event of a malpractice lawsuit, even these are usually not enough. His insurance company always insists on settling out of court because going to court usually results in a rediculous award (for example, they could settle for $6 million when a jury might award $60 million).

Tort reform would go a long way in reducing medical costs, because your doctor wouldn't feel the need to order a CAT scan to diagnose a migrane (as someone stated in an earlier post).

There also needs to be more accountability in Medicaid, so that it benefits the truly needy. When I was growing up, I went to school with several kids that were always wearing sneakers that cost over $100 - and they were on Medicaid and had free lunch. One even had a parent that would pick them up from school in a late-model luxury car. Taxpayers shouldn't be subsidizing people who simply don't have their priorities straight - especially when there are truly needy people that could use the program.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 28, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyfigueroa-I will definitely look into that.In my opinion children need to see a pediatrician.Children aren't just little adults,their systems work differently.I had taken my daughter to the ER years back and a Dr looked in her ears and said(aloud)"Man I dont see how those pediatricians see in these little ears!"Then proceeded to tell me she didnt have an ear infection.Next day at the pediatricians office-she had a massive ear infection.So I often wonder what my kids dr could be missing due to their lack of pediatric experience.It's scary.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PalmettoDP, It makes my blood boil to hear about people like that. As far as I'm concerned they are stealing from those who truly need financial assistance.

Malpractice reform is definately needed. The crazy sue-happy society isn't tolerated in Europe or in another country whose capital is Tokyo.

(For some reason the board won't let me post the name of this country)

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

palmettodp makes an excellent point. Aw, I feel like we have such intelligent contribution today, with this topic.

Doctors are so afraid of malpractice insurance, and with good reason. I still fail to see why a person should be rewarded millions of dollars, when the medical bills are probably much closer to $10K. It's people like that who are creating the inflated healthcare costs that everyone else is having to deal with.
Well, that and the people who live terribly unhealthy lifestyles and instead of just taking care of themselves end up in poor health. (Kids on cholestoral medicine?)

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

is Bill Gates really liberal? I don't know much about the man.
Other than he started a massive charity foundation that gives away hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, A radio talk-show host once said that to reduce medical costs people need to stop "eating like pigs and living like slobs." It wouldn't solve the problem entirely but it would definately help.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if we do socialized health care, I'm going to demand that people's dietary and exercise information be made public so i can see who's sucking up all my money.

I'll have to look into the Gates Foundation. I've heard of it, but never really read anything. Just to make sure, you're not implying that just because he's involved in charities means he's not conservative, are you?

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If I'm ever sick with some illness that they can't figure out I'm going to Dr House. *S*

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do agree that the careless doctors are at fault. But because a surgeon left a scalpal in one person does not mean that the next guy should get $50M because his doctor misdiagnosed a cat scan. Or worse, when the patient is terminally ill and asks for a timeline, and it turns out they either get better or the doctor underestimated.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, If it hasn't done so already, obesity will soon overtake smoking as the number one cause of preventable death in the US. While it's socially acceptable to criticize someone for smoking it's not ok to do the same for someone who is obese and continues to have no self-control when it comes to food. I've always wondered why there's an inconsistency in this way of thinking.

Posted by jimmy1370 on July 28, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"jimmy1370
If the top 1% pays only 40% of the taxes, it seems to me they getting off pretty light, since they own 95% of the wealth. Why not 70% or 75% of the taxes? If they paid the same percentage as the middle class it would be allot more fairer.
Here is an article I digged up for mr fiscal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/art...

The fair tax is "allot more fairer". Unless of course you are liberal. It would take away the class warfare that they love to incite.

Hell, why not just have those who bust their butts to succeeed give their whole income to those who won't. What would be the point of becoming successful? I swear sometimes things get comical in here.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is true. I start making a comment about someone smoking and it's totally acceptable. The minute I say "My there are alot of fat people in the Marble Slab line" i'm a bad person.
Both are negligent and incredibly unhealthy. But I've never heard a smoker make excuses for themselves.

Should socialized medicine become a reality, which I hope it never does, I feel like the loss of privacy regarding lifestyle will come immediately afterward. And that it should be socially acceptable to give people weird looks in fast food restaurant for upgrading their meal.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There's a lady here at work that's... large. We took a tour of a wallboard plant, and she made it maybe halfway through before nearly passing out. I was a big uncomfortable due to heat, but it didn't bother anyone. She had to be taken into the air conditioning. I felt bad about it, but I just wondered how you left yourself get to that point and how much money you're costing health care companies.

Posted by BillytheKid on July 28, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The top 1% has the comparable wealth of the bottom 95% combined...
http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/.........
If the top wealthiest took on a fair part of the tax burden instead of the middle class, this would not be an issue."

You are kidding me, right?? The top 1% pay 40% of the taxes already. What in the world do you consider "their fair share"? What is it about success that you feel needs to be punished.

The top 1% should be paying more than the 40% of the taxes, that is not their tax rate, that is the percentage of all taxes collected. Bottom line is that the top 1% keeps more of a percentage of their money than the bottom 95%. They spent money to control puppets, like Bush, and get major tax breaks, for the top 1%, in the name of creating jobs, or what ever lie you would believe from them. Warren Buffet, some of you might know who he is, said last year that his secretary paid at a higher rate than he did, and he thought it was a shame what has become of the ultra rich.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimmy1370,
Your argument very much flawed because it not always the ones that work the hardest that make the most money,sometimes it is who you know or what family your born into. Great example, GW, now how many vacations did he take his first two years of office?

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, I don't see how anyone lives like that. I wouldn't want to leave my house if I were like that.

Posted by nikkiP on July 28, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That depends, are the fat brained people paying taxes?

iceman, I know what you mean. I am by no means thin, but I take full advantage of the free gyms at school and signed up for a three month membership at a gym here for the summer. I try to watch what I eat, never works. But I avoid certain unhealthy foods like the plague.

It's not even about looks, it's about quality of life. When you are that unhealthy, it's hard to look forward to things like growing old with your spouse or playing with grandkids.

Posted by jimmy1370 on July 28, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"jimmy1370,
Your argument very much flawed because it not always the ones that work the hardest that make the most money,sometimes it is who you know or what family your born into."

That's right, I forgot it was all luck. My bad. Sometimes I find that the harder I work, the lukier I get.

It would seemt that we are both on opposite sides of the spectrum on this particular issue. I doubt that either of us will be able to change the other's mind. So I will will leave it as is. Deal?

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Kudos to BillytheKid,
My sentiments exactly.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 28, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Deal, work is over with and I got to head to the pig for groceries. I just have to say I am lucky enough to have insurance (though it supposed be decent insurance, it still will not pay for proactive visits such as physicals)and good health. But if I owned my own business and had to pay for healthcare out of pocket, i would be screwed. I guess we are lucky in a way.

Posted by iceman1978 on July 28, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nikki, I surf and jog every day plus lift weights four or five times a week. Surfing is one of the best aerobic exercises you can do.

Posted by BreezinIAm on July 28, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's a painless way to look at healthcare options that work:

"Five Capitalist Democracies & How They Do it"

Watch online: Frontline "Sick Around the World"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/...

Posted by Test2007 on July 28, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love how the mentality on this board is that people should EARN healthcare. I guess everyone else should rot and die. I hope none of you folks consider yourself even remotely connected to christianity. You don't have to answer that because I know some of you do but I can tell you that you are a wayward one if you believe that crock.

Everyone should have access to healthcare. Healthcare should not be a damn luxury that only a few are privy too. The fact that people think it should be earned is disgusting and describes exactly what I am coming to despise of the "modern age". Welcome to "ME" society. Not everyone who does not have insurance is a slouch. There are people who CANNOT afford it. Plain and simple. Screw politics or politicians, this country is going to hell in a handbasket because of this kind of thinking.

Posted by dogwoodroad on July 28, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thought ya'll might like some statistics on the obesity thing...Medical expenditures related to obesity rose from $78.5 billion to $139 billion between 1998 and 2003. Medicare and Medicaid pay for about half of these expenses. Not only is obesity related to increased health costs (of up to 111% over the costs of a normal weight individual), there is also a relationship between obesity and the economy, as obese persons tend to take more sick leave and have been shown to decrease productivity.

So...as I said this morning....if people would lose some weight and lead healthier lives (quit smoking, eat right, exercise, etc.) we could cut medical costs drastically...cut medical costs, and you'll cut insurance costs.

Posted by luvmydogs59 on July 28, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by OneOpinion on July 28, 2008 at 2 p.m.

"With the exception of those that are disabled to the point of not being able to work..."

I fall into this category. I was on long term disability through my former employer and this has just ended. What that means is besides no income, I lose my health insurance on the 31st of this month. I am presently waiting for a hearing for social security, but that can take over a year before it happens. I called many insurance companies to see about private insurance and because I have many pre-existing conditions, I am ineligible. I then called the state insurance department. They offer something called SCHIP...South Carolina Health Insurance Pool. You can't be turned down, etc. However, the premuium would have been $770 a month (for single person coverage), with a $2500 deductible and a small prescription "discount" program (I take a number of meds, which I can't be without, and this "discount" program is terrible). With no income, I obviously can't afford this...and as I got to thinking about it, I figured it was pointless to even have it anyway...it will cost me less just to pay my doctor visits out of pocket. I am eligible for medicine through the pharmeceutical companies, thank goodness. I just hope that I won't have to go to the hospital for anything, because if I do, I'll be one of many uninsured folks filling out the forms for indigent care. The amount of savings I have will only tide me over for a somewhat short period of time. (I am separated, going through a divorce, so am self supporting). I have learned to be very frugal with my money and my purchases. My children, who live in another state and are 22 and 20, pool to let me have internet service, which neither can really afford to do. I guess they figure their mother needs one "luxury" in her life.

I joke with my friends that it's too bad I'm not an illegal...at least I'd get benefits...too bad it's really not a joke.

Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on July 28, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In a perfect world, everyone would have access to quality health care. For those seeking care for chronic illnesses unrelated to vices, you have my compassion. The rest of us should lose some weight, quit drinking, quit smoking and shake a leg every now and then.

Posted by MMitchum on July 29, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Awwee and we would like to give illegals here what South Carolinians can't get...
We are marked on all insurance by your credit report also.
Do don't let your homeowners lapse, or car...we are on tiers. We are labeled, you sign that privacy piece of paper but the insurance companies are all in your privacy. Big corporations do the same thing to the workers...oh he got hurt so we have to pay workers comp... which makes our workers comp. go up. Ha, SC can't fix this. We don't have the fighters.
Also, our children in their 20's fall through the gap...sad that our to be maybe leaders in SC has nothing.. they are very smart but the parents are poor doesn't have a chance (owe an this is the middle class also), they morgage their homes and everything just to keep insurance on them and take care of their needs in college. SC is a poor state. I have been here all my life and it is a sad state compared to other states. Politics suck here...we need a fighter for us...I want the fighter not the passive to work for our state...I don't care whether you are a Democrat or Republic...they are only labels too! Get rid of the labels and lets pull together as 1. Look at this Presidency...it is a big joke. Nobody wants Obama with his charm saying he is going to do all this for our country...the man is not God...but he can sure CHARM like a snake. I'm not happy with any of our choices but I can bet I'm not voting for him because he has CHARM. We need hard core fighters and we don't have them.
But hey if he doesn't win he still gets money to live...we pay dearly for these people for the rest of their lives and ours...I wonder how much money is given to the people in office after they step down...HA WHO IS LIVING BEYOND WHAT THEY NEED...CUT THEIR SALARIES!!!!!