Guy I work with had a stroke last Thursday...

[busydude]

yes, two small children.

I fully support free healthcare to children under 18 and those in college.

Why?

 

[JulesMaximus]

My points are these: (1) That hospital debt is preferable to the effects of a debilitating stroke, for both he and his family, and (2) OP says he went to the hospital anyway (but too late), meaning that he's going to be saddled with both the debt and with the effects of the stroke.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[LTC8K6]

...and he waited more than 24 hours to go to the hospital because he didn't have insurance (he's a temporary employee) and can't afford a hospital visit.

Nice guy, I feel for him. He's in his 50s and has a wife and son at home.

Hope he pulls through. Sad state of affairs that a hard working citizen of this country can't even afford healthcare.

I hate it when people are used to make a political point.

 

[JulesMaximus]

yes, two small children.

I fully support free healthcare to children under 18 and those in college.

But a 56 year old father and provider for his family? Fuck him.

By the way, since he's a temporary employee, he's also not being paid for the time spent in the hospital.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I hate it when people are used to make a political point.

Yeah, it is so much more convenient when people don't use real life examples to make a point. I guess it makes it easier to feel good about your political ideologies if you aren't faced with the realities of them.

 

[Rage187]

Why?

they can't help themselves and you cannot rely on the parents to provide it. Our future begins with healthy children.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, it is so much more convenient when people don't use real life examples to make a point. I guess it makes it easier to feel good about your political ideologies if you aren't faced with the realities of them.

Romneycare is expensive for the individual. Obamacare is expensive for the individual.

IIRC, under Romneycare, he's in the same boat.

So is the guy pictured.

Under Romneycare you have to earn less than 150% of the poverty level, and not be Medicaid eligible, to get "free" minimum healthcare. Otherwise, you pay premiums.

 

[Ns1]

no money no insurance = who gives a fuck, go to hospital, get care, declare BK. You got no assets anyway.

 

[sixone]

I have a good friend who spent three days in the hospital recently, to the tune of $43,000+. She has no health insurance.

She went back to the hospital once she was recovered, and filled out a bunch of paperwork to show that she has no coverage and no funds to pay the bill. Between charities and write-offs, her entire bill was covered. She owes nothing.

And she's still not looking for a job that provides health insurance, despite the likelihood that her condition will put her back in the hospital. Now that she thinks she won't have to pay, she has no incentive to get insurance.

 

[DougK62]

Awful situation for that guy. I hope he comes out on top.

Since this turned political...I find it frustrating that everyone just wants "free healthcare". It seems that focusing on the actual problems of the health care and health insurance industries would be way more beneficial. Reforms could bring health care costs down to a reasonable level where everyone can shop around and find good, AFFORDABLE coverage - just like you do with vehicle, home, etc. insurances.

 

[foghorn67]

Ugh. I hate these stories.
In my fantasy world I like to think our government is able to provide low cost and effective healthcare for all citizens.
Someday we must find a way. Not happy about any of our stooges and their proposals. D or R.

 

[Craig234]

I hate it when people are used to make a political point.

Of course you do, because that tends to introduce reality to contradict your preferred basis for opinion, ideology.

What do people have to do with politics anyway? A guy having healthcare for a stroke isn't about politics, healthcare should strictly be decided by an Austrian economic theory.

As our constitution says, the purpose of government is 'to establish a more perfect union to provide for ideology, and has nothing to do with the public welfare'.

 

[0roo0roo]

Hmm, sounds like he had a choice between racking up hospital debt he couldn't pay, and having some unpredictable part of his brain die, leading to loss of mind/body function and possibly to his inability to take care of his family.

So he waited 24 hours, then went to the hospital, so how he gets both. Good job there buddy. Stupidity brings its own reward.

If you think you're having a stroke, go to the hospital ASAP, and tell them you think you're having a stroke.

well hope you are never in such a life destroying position.

 

[Crusty]

I hate it when people are used to make a political point.

I hate it when numbers are used to make a mathematical point. :whiste:

 

[ViviTheMage]

I have a good friend who spent three days in the hospital recently, to the tune of $43,000+. She has no health insurance.

She went back to the hospital once she was recovered, and filled out a bunch of paperwork to show that she has no coverage and no funds to pay the bill. Between charities and write-offs, her entire bill was covered. She owes nothing.

And she's still not looking for a job that provides health insurance, despite the likelihood that her condition will put her back in the hospital. Now that she thinks she won't have to pay, she has no incentive to get insurance.

sweet mother of god, money grows on trees!

 

[jpeyton]

I have a good friend who spent three days in the hospital recently, to the tune of $43,000+. She has no health insurance.

She went back to the hospital once she was recovered, and filled out a bunch of paperwork to show that she has no coverage and no funds to pay the bill. Between charities and write-offs, her entire bill was covered. She owes nothing.

And she's still not looking for a job that provides health insurance, despite the likelihood that her condition will put her back in the hospital. Now that she thinks she won't have to pay, she has no incentive to get insurance.

Now that the hospital had their $43,000+ bill covered, they have no incentive to reform and provide more affordable health care.

 

[Leet0nee]

I love Canada. Can't imagine how much money I'd owe to the goverment with;

a newborn
broken arm, wrist
torn legament
fractured l2 and l3 vertebrea
all the visits for my little one
and for my girl's seizure problems
pnemionia
+ various other visits

damn id owe my life to them

 

[sixone]

Now that the hospital had their $43,000+ bill covered, they have no incentive to reform and provide more affordable health care.

They provided better health care than she could afford. Did you read before you quoted?

 

[HardcoreRobot]

dude had 50+ years to figure out how to care for his health and provide for his family

i sincerely hope he makes a full recovery, but there is only one person to blame for not having health insurance. (hint, its not uncle sam)

 

[Kadarin]

well hope you are never in such a life destroying position.

I hope I never am either. However, when it comes to having a stroke, I will easily place getting immediate care for that stroke and minimizing its effects at a far higher priority than worrying about how to pay for it. I can't provide for my family if my left side is paralyzed, for example.

 

[Hacp]

...and he waited more than 24 hours to go to the hospital because he didn't have insurance (he's a temporary employee) and can't afford a hospital visit.

Nice guy, I feel for him. He's in his 50s and has a wife and son at home.

Hope he pulls through. Sad state of affairs that a hard working citizen of this country can't even afford healthcare.

If you cared for him that much, maybe you should have offered to pay for his hospital visit?

 

[dmcowen674]

dude had 50+ years to figure out how to care for his health and provide for his family

i sincerely hope he makes a full recovery, but there is only one person to blame for not having health insurance. (hint, its not uncle sam)

Quoting America hater

 

[dmcowen674]

If you cared for him that much, maybe you should have offered to pay for his hospital visit?

Quoting America hater

 

[dmcowen674]

My wife's grandma had a stroke about 2 weeks ago. Just died on sunday.

Sorry for your loss

 

[God Mode]

I'd rather import mediocre doctors and staff from other countries than continue to let this BS happen. At least then you have a fighting chance without screwing over your entire family. Fuck the AMA.