Quote:
Originally Posted by piper6909
I was diagnosed in 2013. I did not have a pre-existing condition before then. But I did visit the ER decades ago when I suffered an small injury playing soccer. I did not have insurance and I was not denied, but it took me forever to pay off the bill. I shutter to think where I'd be if I did not have insurance when I had my operation and subsequent therapy treatments. If we lose Obamacare I risk losing my coverage. And Yes, I agree it's not perfect. Let's work to improve it, not repeal it.
For me, it's far better than what we had before.
And I stand corrected, healthcare was indeed mentioned in a previous post.  |
As is usually the case when reasonable people discuss in a reasonable format, we find we are not as far off as the media (or the fringe, to whom politics is most important) would have us think. It seems evident that you and I want the same thing, Piper. Where we may find disagreement is in the best way to achieve it. But if we start from an agreement that we both want quality healthcare accessible to ALL, then we can continue to discuss reasonably. It's when the hyperbole starts that the hate takes over. When the republicans call all democrats socialists who want to shred the constitution, or the democrats call all republicans mean rich white guys who don't care about minorities or children, well then we've descended to right where the media would have us; 'cuz that's what fuels their ratings.
I'm glad you weren't denied service. I'm not sure that I think it's a bad thing that you were required to pay for those services. Sometimes it's the consequences of our actions which motivate us to think twice, or to be more cautious. That can include the monetary impact to our lifestyle. haha. But clearly there's a difference between that and a genetic disposition to certain ailments or diseases.
I tend to lean towards positions of individual-responsibility, rather than community responsibility.
I don't think it's fair for me to ask you to pay for my healthcare, when I'm the one who crashed motorcycles for 30 years. I'm also the guy who enjoys a bowl of ice cream at 9pm, and sometimes eat cold cereal for dinner. I'm 40lbs overweight, and drink diet dr. pepper like it's gonna disappear next week. Should you be responsible for my healthcare when I contract type 2 diabetes in 3 years?
On the other hand: I have some neighbors who have a disease which is degenerative in nature. I can never remember what it's called, but it looks like extreme parkinson's. At 52 yrs old, my neighbor looks 90. He uses his walker in the fields when he's feeding the cows. I watched him one day trying to step across the gutter with his garbage can. It's heartbreaking. I try to be generous towards him, with both my time and my money (when that's helpful). I take care of his home and his lawn. I help him with his cars. I plant flowers at his mom's house for him. Don't pat me on the back, I'm making the point that the government needn't compel me to help those who can't help themselves. I can do that on my own. And I can do it in a way that ensures my resources are being used efficiently, and wisely to help those who CAN'T, not those who WON'T (and yes, there are plenty of those).
I've never been into a hospital in a "socialized healthcare" environment that didn't smell of urine, and the air tasted like staff infection. it's a disaster. Sure, it's nice I don't have to even so much as show ID (don't get me started on how many people we'd have coming across our borders to use the free healthcare system), but it'd be nicer if the doctor cared if I received quality treatment or not. "take these for a week, and let's see what happens" is the first line of treatment for anything that ails you.
EDIT: OH, and I agree, let's not simply repeal obamacare and leave a void in its place. But let's also not just expand Obamacare as if it's perfect, lacking only universal acceptance. Both of those scenarios are simply politicals looking for a "win". Let's work on something better, that actually fixes some of the problems with the insurance industry. Let's find a way for everyone to access healthcare, and have choices that (through market pressure) force providers to be competitive in both quality and price. If we can put a man on the moon, surely we can solve this simple problem.