To my fellow ATOT taxpayers

[SsupernovaE]

Most of you don't really know me as I am primarily a lurker. I just wanted to express my gratitude to you guys who paid the taxes that have kept me alive.

About a year ago, I went into respiratory failure from the effects of muscular dystrophy and have spent the last year in a facility dedicated to ventilator dependent persons. I've undergone six surgeries to stabilize me and repair my trachea. This has not been unexpected as I've known since an early age that I would eventually progress to this point. What I did not expect was how much it has costed and will continue to cost to keep me alive.

Medicaid sent me an itemized statement detaling all of the procedures and costs associated with each. I was horrified when I reached the total. For 10 months of around the clock care, multiple surgeries, and other costs, the bill to you, the taxpayers, has exceeded over two million dollars.

I owe my life to modern technology and the program (medicaid) that pays for it all. I owe my life to the taxpayers of America, and for that I am grateful.

I just wanted to say thank you.

That is all.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Well, you're welcome. It's official and confirmed that I'm getting fucked by the IRS.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Most of the people on this board would rather see you dead, although they wouldn't say it.

I don't pay tax into the American health care system but as a fellow human being I'm happy you're ok.

 

[AndroidVageta]

2 millon dollars? Wow...one person compared to the thousands that the money could have helped. Awesome...

 

[deadlyapp]

2 millon dollars? Wow...one person compared to the thousands that the money could have helped. Awesome...

gtfo.

Glad to hear you're doing better.

 

[SandEagle]

don't thank those ingrates. thank God. good luck OP.

 

[SsupernovaE]

don't thank those ingrates. thank God. good luck OP.

I'm not sure I believe, but I've thanked Him anyway.

 

[caddlad]

Not a problem, hope your feeling better.

If you need anything else, we'll be here for you.

 

[compbuilder00]

I did my end, now do your end of the deal ....

 

[SsupernovaE]

2 millon dollars? Wow...one person compared to the thousands that the money could have helped. Awesome...

What would you have done in my situation?

I was covered under my mother's private insurance until I graduated from college at 22. There were no insurance companies willing to cover me, so medicaid was my only option.

People with catastrophic illnesses get dropped like a bad habit. I have a friend who, not six months after being diagnosed with ALS, was denied further coverage from his private insurance and was forced to use Medicare/Medicaid. Pure capitalistic insurance would mean the deaths of millions of people. Don't get me wrong: I'm not completely sold on the idea of socialized medicine, but it beats death.

So I'll ask you again: what would you do if tomorrow you were diagnosed with a catastrophic illness and eventually lose your insurance? Let Darwin do his thing?

 

[mb]

don't thank those ingrates. thank God. good luck OP.

LOLreligion

 

[Slick5150]

Wow. Rough year man. Glad to hear things are looking up though.

 

[Bignate603]

I'm glad to hear that the system actually worked out for you.

 

[Slew Foot]

Medicare probably paid 10% of the bill and let the hospital eat the rest.

 

[SsupernovaE]

Medicare probably paid 10% of the bill and let the hospital eat the rest.

Yeah, I know that. It's a wonder this hospital is profitable.

 

[JulesMaximus]

2 millon dollars? Wow...one person compared to the thousands that the money could have helped. Awesome...

Easy to say when you're healthy...

Good luck OP.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What amazes me is that perfectly healthy people kill themselves every day and guys like you who want to live are struggling to do so.

 

[Svnla]

Yeah, I know that. It's a wonder this hospital is profitable.

That's why hospitals are charging up to the nose to those that can pay <with insurance/have money>.

I am not mad at the OP, he was born that way. I am mad at people that abuse their bodies for years such as excessive alcohol, foods, drugs, never take care of their bodies and when they are getting sick, demanding their bodies become whole again <very expensive to fix>.

 

[olds]

As payment, post some pics of your girlfriend or mom.

 

[BoomerD]

don't thank those ingrates. thank God. good luck OP.

Don't thank God...he's not a taxpayer...in fact, all God's businesses here on Earth are tax-exempt.

I haven't been a taxpayer for several years myself, and in fact, the good taxpayers of the USA have been supporting me for 6-1/2 years...in the form of USDOL work comp...BUT, OP, you do whatcha gotta do sometimes.

I always find it amazing, that in a country as great as the USA, people can still be driven into bankruptcy because of medical problems.

I'm 100% in favor of a single-payer government funded BASIC medical plan that covers all US citizens and legal immigrants who have worked and paid into the system for at least 1 year. (can't immigrate here just for the medical plan) NO coverage for illegals.
The plan would not cover "elective surgeries," nor would it cover simple doctor visits, etc., just major medical/catastrophic illness coverage. If you want better coverage...you pay for it.

BUT, that's getting into P&N country...and my shoes are still clean...I want them to stay that way for a while.

 

[Slacker]

What amazes me is that perfectly healthy people kill themselves every day and guys like you who want to live are struggling to do so.

People who kill themselves are not perfectly healthy.

 

[SsupernovaE]

As payment, post some pics of your girlfriend or mom.

No girlfriend at the moment and you would probably pay me not to post pics of my mother if you have ever seen her.

 

[CRXican]

2 millon dollars? Wow...one person compared to the thousands that the money could have helped. Awesome...

especially someone laying in bed doing nothing