Your family's health issues are killing profits, and they should be cut off from coverage

[Randomguy]

This is the attitude that makes people get military-grade weapons and shoot the shit out of everyone.  The problem is that these people are not, as popularly explained, detached from reality.  No, they get it, they get it 100% right.  They totally get that people in the USA are simply not valued, that they don't matter, and ALL that matters are the nickels and dimes that flow upward from them and concentrate to the people that do matter.  This is a symptom of widespread despondency toward that "I got mine, and the rest of you can all go fuck off" shortsighted bullshit attitude that people who have never experienced real issues and somehow feel that they won't ever have to deal with any misfortune feel.

Yeah, the shooters go off the rails with how they express their rage, but they know deep down that they are actually fairly well powerless.  They know that, like in the Matrix, they are essentially economic batteries that power things for others, and that the wealthy are pandered to and that those in power can and will jerk everybody else around on whim as long as they get what they want, fuck everybody else.  The shooters find something else, some stupid and illogical and ridiculous made up dogma to believe rather than face the real issues in society, they want to take back some sort of agency or power in some way, ANY way.  "Oh, it is the libtards, the darkies, the jews, the heathens that are causing all my problems", rather than a society that wants nothing to do with you if you cost money.

Just a thought.

 

[Chris...]

At what point do you say “fuck it” and move to Canada. Because I don’t think anything will change in our or our kids lifetime

[Randomguy]

Just now, Chris... said:

At what point do you say “fuck it” and move to Canada. Because I don’t think anything will change in our or our kids lifetime

If Canada would have me, I would go.  Is it easy to move there, legally?

The problem I see is that Canada is colder than the US and A.

[Chris...]

Just now, Randomguy said:

If Canada would have me, I would go.  Is it easy to move there, legally?

The problem I see is that Canada is colder than the US and A.

I’m guessing if you have something to offer it wouldn’t be that difficult. 

[Randomguy]

Just now, Chris... said:

I’m guessing if you have something to offer it wouldn’t be that difficult. 

I masturbated every day for 24 days in a row once, shirley that has to count for something, right?

[pedalphile]

You guys don't need to swear to make your points, you know?

chris, at what point do you say blow it and move back to the UK?

[Randomguy]

1 minute ago, pedalphile said:

You guys don't need to swear to make your points, you know?

Say anything you want, words are just things, you know?

[Chris...]

1 minute ago, pedalphile said:

You guys don't need to swear to make your points, you know?

chris, at what point do you say blow it and move back to the UK?

I’ve  thought about it. I would like to move to Ireland to retire. 

[Chris...]

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-job-search-tool.html

[pedalphile]

1 minute ago, Randomguy said:

Say anything you want, words are just things, you know?

Why do you have to use naughty words though? Are you trying to show off?

[pedalphile]

1 minute ago, Chris... said:

I’ve  thought about it. I would like to move to Ireland to retire. 

What chance? I'm thinking I'll get an Irisch passport before the Brexit thing happens.

[Chris...]

I can get the passport pretty easily. My Dad was born and raised in Dublin. My kids have even shown interest in moving there

[Randomguy]

5 minutes ago, pedalphile said:

Why do you have to use naughty words though? Are you trying to show off?

That I use them to effect and in the proper context?  Look, language is about communicating, and finding flowery ways to write to satisfy someone else's ideas of how I should speak isn't on the agenda.  If I really wanted to spend that time, I would go back and edit the other content to make it more clear.  The sweary bits are 100% accurate portrayals of thought patterns people have here, they were the efficient choice to convey a meaning in the parlance of the day.

[sheep_herder ★]

14 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

That I use them to effect and in the proper context?  Look, language is about communicating, and finding flowery ways to write to satisfy someone else's ideas of how I should speak isn't on the agenda.  If I really wanted to spend that time, I would go back and edit the other content to make it more clear.  The sweary bits are 100% accurate portrayals of thought patterns people have here, they were the efficient choice to convey a meaning in the parlance of the day.

Much of your BS is not necessary!!

[Kirby]

20 minutes ago, Chris... said:

I can get the passport pretty easily. My Dad was born and raised in Dublin. My kids have even shown interest in moving there

Based on a somewhat old understanding so you should check it out, if your Dad was born there, you're already a citizen and would just need to apply for the passport.  Your kids could apply for citizenship, but in order for their kids to be able to claim citizenship, your kids would need to get citizenship before having children.

 

RG, I hope your initial post wasn't triggered by any health problems for RO. 

[Randomguy]

2 minutes ago, sheep_herder said:

I think you are 'full of yourself', and should not be putting words into other people's mouths. To put it bluntly, much of the time you are full of bull shit!!

As to your other request, I don't think you would fit well in our area.

Ah, I fit in fine everywhere.  "Here" is most of America, and it is the system that is place that that conveys and perpetuates that sentiment.  That attitude is not unique, you know, America is a generally uncaring country towards its population.  I don't think many rational people would debate that, you gotta ignore all sorts of glaring evidence to do so.

Small towns will always care more for others in their town than population centers do.  It isn't any inherent superiority of people in small towns, but an inherent caring for people that you know and interface with on a semi-regular basis that fosters a feeling of community.  You get that in cities, but your community no longer is composed of geographical areas, but the people you know and interface with on that same semi-regular basis.  People are people.

Who doesn't have a little bullshit in them?  I guess it depends on who is defining what is bullshit and what isn't.

[Kzoo]

Is this rant about you placing your personal responsibility on a for profit company and then complaining when the for profit company actually cares about profits and contractural language and the shareholders that they untimely answer to?  Is this your way of saying that if an individual 'that really gets it' personally finds this to be 'unfair' they have the right to purchase a gun and shoot people?  That their perceived right to have someone else assume their responsibilities overrides anyone else's right to self determination?

Ya, I think I understand your rant and Sheep-Herder is right.  You might not fit in well in a society where personal responsibility is expected.

Or. then again I might not have understood your rant at all and you can tell me how I misunderstood you.

[Randomguy]

3 minutes ago, Kirby said:

RG, I hope your initial post wasn't triggered by any health problems for RO. 

Nah, she is fine.  With WoScrapr and WoHB facing issues just makes you concerned if you have a decent bone in your body.  The quality of care they get and the economic impact that they are facing will largely be determined by insurance companies and government favors they can buy, plus straight up dumb luck or crappy misfortune.

Just feeling a bit pessimistic about our systems as a country in lots of ways.  I know the current administration will be out eventually, but the systems in place are in place to support the status quo are incredibly difficult to dislodge.  The NRA holds sway, those that want to give away the country to the rich hold sway, and everybody else really doesn't matter in the eyes of that system.  The whole nickel and diming of the larger population is kind of disgusting.

 

[Randomguy]

2 minutes ago, Kzoo said:

Is this rant about you placing your personal responsibility on a for profit company and then complaining when the for profit company actually cares about profits and contractural language and the shareholders that they untimely answer to?  Is this your way of saying that if an individual 'that really gets it' personally finds this to be 'unfair' they have the right to purchase a gun and shoot people?  That their perceived right to have someone else assume their responsibilities overrides anyone else's right to self determination?

Ya, I think I understand your rant and Sheep-Herder is right.  You might not fit in well in a society where personal responsibility is expected.

Or. then again I might not have understood your rant at all and you can tell me how I misunderstood you.

Huh?  I think the problem here is that I and many others feel a sense of responsibility to the broader population, whereas many like yourself really only seem to think everybody should just bend over and take it.  You didn't understand the thought at all.

 

[Chris...]

Personally, coming from a socialised medicine to a for profit system was not a big problem until recently. Still not a problem for me, but more and more jobs these days don't even offer health ins as a benefit. 2 of my kids are SOL. ACA is a joke, $450-$550 a month for crappy coverage is not affordable when you only make $12 hr. 

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

27 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

those that want to give away the country to the rich hold sway

It would seem to me that one obvious solution to the problems you perceive is to become one of the 'rich'.  Then you would hold sway and have your say, and have the financial means to directly effect the changes you would like to see.  And then you would also obtain the social and political power as well to make those changes.  You would have the means to work and change the system from the inside.

You can search the internet and find (it must be true or they couldn't post it, you know) that ~80% of millionaires and ~70% of billionaires are first-generation - not inherited money.  If they could do it, so can you.

Of course, such a solution would mean you'd have to get busy to earn your fortune - the fortune that will allow you to push the levers to create the change you want. 

And it would probably mean you'd have to waste less time posting and complaining in internet forums.

Assuming, of course, that the concerns you mention are important enough to spur you to such a commitment and they are not just a topic to stir up discussion in a thread. 

[Dirtyhip]

1 hour ago, Randomguy said:

If Canada would have me, I would go.  Is it easy to move there, legally?

The problem I see is that Canada is colder than the US and A.

You can take up permanent residency, and the health insurance kicks in two years post-residency, I believe.  The USA makes you pay income tax to USA on any funds you earn outside the USA.  We are one of the few countries that does this.  The good news is that Canada will give you a tax credit against taxes paid to the USA, and they just expect you to pay the difference for the socialized stuff.  

The climate is colder.  It is the great North.  Zones like Vancouver island and BC being attractive for climate and biking, until you see the property prices.  That'll make one poop a brick.

Something has to change here.  I see it happening, but I think it's the millennials that will drive it.  The older GOP's don't seem concerned about human welfare or environmental preservation.

We are most likely looking at a retirement where we work a few months a year, just to earn the cash for health insurance.  Even still some bad luck might end up bankrupting us.  I've been very responsible in my planning, and I still worry about that health cost in my future.

[Dirtyhip]

5 minutes ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

It would seem to me that one obvious solution to the problems you perceive is to become one of the 'rich'.  Then you would hold sway and have your say, and have the financial means to directly effect the changes you would like to see.  And then you would also obtain the social and political power as well to make those changes.  You would have the means to work and change the system from the inside.

You can search the internet and find (it must be true or they couldn't post it, you know) that ~80% of millionaires and ~70% of billionaires are first-generation - not inherited money.  If they could do it, so can you.

Of course, such a solution would mean you'd have to get busy to earn your fortune - the fortune that will allow you to push the levers to create the change you want. 

And it would probably mean you'd have to waste less time posting and complaining in internet forums.

Assuming, of course, that the concerns you mention are important enough to spur you to such a commitment and they are not just a topic to stir up discussion in a thread. 

I've saved my entire life, and worked my ass off.  The affordability of my health care is a bleak topic. 

But shame on me for not coming up with that idea or invention that would get me to a place where I can afford to actually retire and not worry about my health care needs.  

[Razors Edge ★]

12 minutes ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

It would seem to me that one obvious solution to the problems you perceive is to become one of the 'rich'.  Then you would hold sway and have your say, and have the financial means to directly effect the changes you would like to see.  And then you would also obtain the social and political power as well to make those changes.  You would have the means to work and change the system from the inside.

You can search the internet and find (it must be true or they couldn't post it, you know) that ~80% of millionaires and ~70% of billionaires are first-generation - not inherited money.  If they could do it, so can you.

Of course, such a solution would mean you'd have to get busy to earn your fortune - the fortune that will allow you to push the levers to create the change you want. 

And it would probably mean you'd have to waste less time posting and complaining in internet forums.

Assuming, of course, that the concerns you mention are important enough to spur you to such a commitment and they are not just a topic to stir up discussion in a thread. 

Definitely getting all Americans to be "rich" IS THE SOLUTION! 

I'd say the easiest path would just be to lower the bar to being "rich" to a more easily attainable amount. Maybe $100 in a bank account? Sure, that still leaves a minor percentage of Americans in the "not-rich" category, but, to address those losers, we just do a bulk name change in the master database to change all their first names to "Rich". That covers things nicely, since having the name "Rich" will get you better healthcare coverage AND the rest of us can look down on those losers (a la a scarlet letter)! And, it is even great because those currently named Rich/Richard/Ricardo/Dick can still be mocked whether they have more or less than $100 which is just a little bonus for us normal named folks.

Thom

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

14 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said:

I've saved my entire life, and worked my ass off.  The affordability of my health care is a bleak topic. 

But shame on me for not coming up with that idea or invention that would get me to a place where I can afford to actually retire and not worry about my health care needs.  

You needn't shame yourself, DH.

I was speaking to reality - the reality of our society - a reality which is not unique to our society and is in fact the reality of many societies all across the globe no matter what form of government, what the dominant religion, what the racial composition, or virtually any other factor you might choose.

That reality is if one wants to make change in a society, one needs to muster resources.  Those resources could be ads on TV, a campaign to run for office, lobbying key figures in government and industry, mobilizing and organizing on a community level, and on.

The reality is to muster those needed resources, the effort to gather them and to obtain them has to be paid for - no matter where you live.  One way to get the resources (money) to push that change is to dedicate oneself to earn enough money and then turn that wealth towards making change.  Of course, one could try crowdfunding, but that approach has limits that self-earning one's fortune does not.

Some might say it's a brutish reality.  Perhaps it is, but the alternative to ignoring reality - or manufacturing one's own - is a decidedly greater effort in and immensely diminished likelihood of obtaining one's goals.

[Dirtyhip]

1 minute ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

You needn't shame yourself, DH.

I was speaking to reality - the reality of our society - a reality which is not unique to our society and is in fact the reality of many societies all across the globe no matter what form of government, what the dominant religion, what the racial composition, or virtually any other factor you might choose.

That reality is if one wants to make change in a society, one needs to muster resources.  Those resources could be ads on TV, a campaign to run for office, lobbying key figures in government and industry, mobilizing and organizing on a community level, and on.

The reality is to muster those needed resources, the effort to gather them and to obtain them has to be paid for - no matter where you live.  One way to get the resources (money) to push that change is to dedicate oneself to earn enough money and then turn that wealth towards making change.  Of course, one could try crowdfunding, but that approach has limits that self-earning one's fortune does not.

Some might say it's a brutish reality.  Perhaps it is, but the alternative to ignoring reality - or manufacturing one's own - is a decidedly greater effort in and immensely diminished likelihood of obtaining one's goals.

This is funny, cause it sounds like you actually believe that the higher ups give a darn about our welfare.  It seems they don't care and are unwilling to change.  The policies getting churned out are heartless and lean towards their self greed.

The paradise papers are a sad state of affairs.  That saddens me.  It's equates to theft from the rest of us.

[Randomguy]

33 minutes ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

It would seem to me that one obvious solution to the problems you perceive is to become one of the 'rich'.  Then you would hold sway and have your say, and have the financial means to directly effect the changes you would like to see.  And then you would also obtain the social and political power as well to make those changes.  You would have the means to work and change the system from the inside.

You can search the internet and find (it must be true or they couldn't post it, you know) that ~80% of millionaires and ~70% of billionaires are first-generation - not inherited money.  If they could do it, so can you.

Of course, such a solution would mean you'd have to get busy to earn your fortune - the fortune that will allow you to push the levers to create the change you want. 

And it would probably mean you'd have to waste less time posting and complaining in internet forums.

Assuming, of course, that the concerns you mention are important enough to spur you to such a commitment and they are not just a topic to stir up discussion in a thread. 

If wishes were horses...

Becoming one of the rich is something that some have achieved and many, many more have tried and failed at.  It isn't easy and isn't always possible without a specific set of circumstances, a lot of right place/right time coupled with specific skills and inordinate drive and some large measure of fortune.  The reason that so many vote against their interests is that the feeling that one day, if they "work hard", they could possibly be one of the moneyed elite is sold so hard to them. 

So, as far as the sentiment of "anything is possible" as being realisitic, I feel that it isn't for most people.  Most people are not smart enough, most people don't have those particular skills that is necessary in the marketplace at a particular time, most people don't have the ability to realize the time to strike or the resources to pounce when a big cash infusion is needed to be "first to market", or the desire to risk everything at the expense of their family's well-being, most people don't have connections or an "in" with people that will allow a larger opportunity to come into focus, and others too numerous to mention.

Not that someone shouldn't try if they see conditions that favor it, it certainly could happen, and does.  If all it took was hard work, though, every Mexican landscaper I have ever seen would make Bill Gates' fortune look puny.  All hard work (by itself) will do is set you up for more hard work or crippling illness or injury.   You need more than hard work, you need lots in addition to that.  Again, I am not arguing against chasing that if it is your dream, but the ones that will achieve significant wealth will be dwarfed by those who attempt and fail at it.

Most of the new millionaires that we see have sprung from the big "disruptions" (I hate the overuse of that word) over the last 30 years or so.  Tech industry or silicon valley related stuff.  Gotta play if you want to win, that kind of thing.  How many billionaire plumbers, electricians, or morticians do you see?

[Scrapr ★]

I think a change in the country is coming. We used to all be in it together. People understood that their taxes were paying for the greater good in society. Even if they personally would not use that particular service. 

I think bernie Sanders was a harbinger. If he was on the ticket i think he would have won. Our political systems swings back and forth. Bernie may be the antitode to the current flu. I think the millenials wish for a past (that never was) that is more misty and aspirational. 

This coming from a R and free trader Reagan republican. 

[Razors Edge ★]

18 minutes ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

You needn't shame yourself, DH.

I was speaking to reality - the reality of our society - a reality which is not unique to our society and is in fact the reality of many societies all across the globe no matter what form of government, what the dominant religion, what the racial composition, or virtually any other factor you might choose.

That reality is if one wants to make change in a society, one needs to muster resources.  Those resources could be ads on TV, a campaign to run for office, lobbying key figures in government and industry, mobilizing and organizing on a community level, and on.

The reality is to muster those needed resources, the effort to gather them and to obtain them has to be paid for - no matter where you live.  One way to get the resources (money) to push that change is to dedicate oneself to earn enough money and then turn that wealth towards making change.  Of course, one could try crowdfunding, but that approach has limits that self-earning one's fortune does not.

Some might say it's a brutish reality.  Perhaps it is, but the alternative to ignoring reality - or manufacturing one's own - is a decidedly greater effort in and immensely diminished likelihood of obtaining one's goals.

It is always an interesting comparison of how the USA stacks up against the European countries, the OECD, the third world, and the whole world.  I sort of look at it as I do my Strava files - always be in the top 10%. Top 5% is better and in the top 10 overall is a major win. But be consistent and don't cherry pick just a few to be a top 10%er.  

As an American, it is pretty crappy to think we can't sort out a healthcare system not driven by special interests and profit making.

Tom

[Square Wheels]

7 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

If wishes were horses...

Great song

 

[Kzoo]

50 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

Huh?  I think the problem here is that I and many others feel a sense of responsibility to the broader population, whereas many like yourself really only seem to think everybody should just bend over and take it.  You didn't understand the thought at all.

 

Actually I think I understood the thought just fine.  In your rebuttal I believe you are confusing ones 'sense of responsibility to the broader population' and ones desire to see a society that also values personal responsibility and self determination.  You take to position that because you feel a certain way about certain things, that you care more than someone that thinks differently than you.  That is a very false assumption.  I don't have great wealth but WoKzoo and I give a much greater portion of our earnings to those in need than the average person.  That doesn't mean I care more or less than others but because I also wish for people to be self sufficient I care less.  I know people of great wealth and they ALL give more to the greater good of society than anyone I know who doesn't have great wealth.

The lambasting of people of means because they have means does not make you or DH correct when you assume there is a great portion of society that wants to keep you down.  NEWS flash - Not true.  2 of the richest families in the world Buffets and Gates have done more globally than you and I ever will.  A local family in the news DeVos.  Big bad Betsy of the Education Department.  Her family has been skewered because they don't care.  It's just about their money and power.  Almost every person in West Michigan personally knows some family that has a child that is alive today because of the children's hospital they funded with they money.  But to someone like you they have no sense of responsibility to the broader population - Bill doesn't care as much as you do, Warren doesn't, Betsy's family doesn't, I don't, TK doesn't because they/me see things differently than you.

It's attitudes like yours that make me want to grab a gun and start sho....... (not really but it felt good to type it) 

[Chris...]

2 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

It is always an interesting comparison of how the USA stacks up against the European countries, the OECD, the third world, and the whole world.  I sort of look at it as I do my Strava files - always be in the top 10%. Top 5% is better and in the top 10 overall is a major win. But be consistent and don't cherry pick just a few to be a top 10%er.  

As an American, it is pretty crappy to think we can't sort out a healthcare system not driven by special interests and profit making.

Tom

As long as healthcare is a for profit industry we are in trouble.

[Razors Edge ★]

20 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said:

This is funny, cause it sounds like you actually believe that the higher ups give a darn about our welfare.  It seems they don't care and are unwilling to change.  The policies getting churned out are heartless and lean towards their self greed.

The paradise papers are a sad state of affairs.  That saddens me.  It's equates to theft from the rest of us.

I think he is saying BECOME ONE OF THE HIGHER UPS, SLACKER.

Tom

[Scrapr ★]

It appears a helluva lot of people are not working today

Nice conversation btw

[Randomguy]

59 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said:

I've saved my entire life, and worked my ass off.  The affordability of my health care is a bleak topic. 

But shame on me for not coming up with that idea or invention that would get me to a place where I can afford to actually retire and not worry about my health care needs.  

I am from Ohio, most people my age and older have been "good soldiers".  You work for what you get, fight for the country, and the country will fight for you, etc, etc.

My parents were good soldiers, saved and didn't live an extravagant lifestyle, put away enough (along with social security) for retirement.  Now they are broke because of my mother's health issues.  One pill she has to take costs $7,500 a month, every month.  Just one of her medications.  The insurance company won't pay it, the pharmaceutical company offers some assistance with it, but damn, wtf do you pay for insurance that won't pay for medication needed so your insured can live?  She had "good" insurance at the time she got sick, too.  This one event and the carryover didn't just affect them, it affected my brother and his family, it affected me as well as her brothers and their families, too, and still does. 

This is not a "good" system.  This is not an "adequate" system.  It is a system where, if you do everything right, it will probably still bankrupt you if anything beyond appendicitis finds you.  We have a shitty health care system as compared to every other western industrialized country, and it is strikingly clear that the government and the health care industry ONLY give a shit if you are paying into the account you finance rather than using it as intended when disaster strikes.  

[Dirtyhip]

24 minutes ago, Scrapr said:

It appears a helluva lot of people are not working today

Nice conversation btw

I'm not. Was going to ride, but the weather is unmotivating at best. Windy. Bleh.

[Scrapr ★]

7 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said:

I'm not. Was going to ride, but the weather is unmotivating at best. Windy. Bleh.

I was in for a little bit. Then decided to take a few mental health hours. I am at the coffee shop. Yesterday was a stress fest. Today is meet with oncologist

[maddmaxx ★]

SW must be busy elsewhere.

[Razors Edge ★]

2 hours ago, Randomguy said:

One pill she has to take costs $7,500 a month, every month.  Just one of her medications.  

That's the US cost. There will be no other place on Earth where that pill costs $7,500/month. Not Nigeria. Not Mexico. Not China. Not Japan. Not Monaco. Not the UK. Not Canada.

So, the question is: where is it cheaper, and how cool will it be to take a vacation there - essentially for free - every time you refill at a fraction of the US cost?

Tom

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

8 hours ago, Razors Edge said:

I think he is saying BECOME ONE OF THE HIGHER UPS, SLACKER.

Tom

What?  What?

Did I say that?

[LoneWolf]

11 hours ago, Randomguy said:

I masturbated every day for 24 days in a row once, shirley that has to count for something, right?

Only if Canada needs fluffers for a burgeoning porn industry.

[LoneWolf]

By the way, i agree there's so much shite.

Our medical insurance company wants us to blame the facility where WoLW had her fall first, to see if they can get out of paying some.  Only when their insurance sends out an F-you from their lawyer will they start paying out.  We've paid our premiums for years without complaint, but they can't take our word for it that someone else isn't at fault.  Short-term disability has a million hurdles to jump over, meaning we've seen maybe one check from them the whole time since it started in September. And the bills cost more than double my car when I bought it new a year ago.

And of course, if you have to get a lawyer, you'd have to pay them too, just to get coverage for the things you were paying all along.  They tell you the delay is normal, they freeze all of the accounts that are waiting on the bills, but that doesn't help me beyond the initial --I WANT THE DEBTS PAID. So that I know how much will be left for us to deal with so I can figure out payment plans and not sit here with a giant load of worry hanging over our heads. I've never had a delay like this with auto insurance, so what's so fracking hard about this?

[Scrapr ★]

14 minutes ago, Honey Badger said:

 

And of course, if you have to get a lawyer, you'd have to pay them too, just to get coverage for the things you were paying all along.  They tell you the delay is normal, they freeze all of the accounts that are waiting on the bills, but that doesn't help me beyond the initial --I WANT THE DEBTS PAID. So that I know how much will be left for us to deal with so I can figure out payment plans and not sit here with a giant load of worry hanging over our heads. I've never had a delay like this with auto insurance, so what's so fracking hard about this?

LOL. @Debts paid. While WoScrapr was checking in I went to the nice lady at the desk. Want  to pay my bill. I can see on my account it is $1048. She says, hmmm, I show $368. I say no that was the first one. There is another for $600 something. Mind you this was for a colonscopy in June or July. It's November. They ain't in a hurry to get yer cash.

On the other hand WoScrapr maxed out her out of pocket with her week long stay. Which is good & bad. Bad? We gotta pay OOP. Good? It's free from now on. Of course next year we start over    Why couldn't she get sick on Jan 01????

[LoneWolf]

Just now, Scrapr said:

LOL. @Debts paid. While WoScrapr was checking in I went to the nice lady at the desk. Want  to pay my bill. I can see on my account it is $1048. She says, hmmm, I show $368. I say no that was the first one. There is another for $600 something. Mind you this was for a colonscopy in June or July. It's November. They ain't in a hurry to get yer cash.

On the other hand WoScrapr maxed out her out of pocket with her week long stay. Which is good & bad. Bad? We gotta pay OOP. Good? It's free from now on. Of course next year we start over    Why couldn't she get sick on Jan 01????

I know that fortunately nobody seems to be in a hurry. But one of my dislikes is owing people any more money than I have to.  Heck, people usually forget if they lent me a couple bucks for lunch (we sometimes do that at work when paying cash), but I don't forget it and pay them back either after or by remembering when it's my turn to buy lunch.  I just like things settled, and I know I'm going to have to make sure that when they pay, they're also paying as much as they're supposed to according to the plan and such.  I just want things figured out.

We'll definitely hit our cap this year.

[Slow_Guy_On_Bike]

16 hours ago, Chris... said:

Personally, coming from a socialised medicine to a for profit system was not a big problem until recently. Still not a problem for me, but more and more jobs these days don't even offer health ins as a benefit. 2 of my kids are SOL. ACA is a joke, $450-$550 a month for crappy coverage is not affordable when you only make $12 hr. 

Ain't that the truth!! Toss in a monthly car payment/insurance, and all your other bills and even with government subsidies, health insurance is anything but "affordable." I'd go broke just trying to reach the deductible. 

[maddmaxx ★]

15 hours ago, Razors Edge said:

I think he is saying BECOME ONE OF THE HIGHER UPS, SLACKER.

Tom

As long as there is are a finite amount of resources, becoming one of the higher ups requires one to push others into the lower downs.  There is no magic tide that raises all boats.  The relatively few rich control over 90% of the wealth leaving the majority to scramble for the rest.

[Razors Edge ★]

3 hours ago, maddmaxx said:

As long as there is are a finite amount of resources, becoming one of the higher ups requires one to push others into the lower downs.  There is no magic tide that raises all boats.  The relatively few rich control over 90% of the wealth leaving the majority to scramble for the rest.

We've yet to find an end to the universe, so resources, at this point, are infinite. Apparently, you missed the story on Saturn where it that rains diamonds??? Or the two stars that collided and created insane amounts of gold and platinum! Folks are just too lazy to figure out how to get some of that!

Tom

[shootingstar]

20 hours ago, Dirtyhip said:

You can take up permanent residency, and the health insurance kicks in two years post-residency, I believe.  The USA makes you pay income tax to USA on any funds you earn outside the USA.  We are one of the few countries that does this.  The good news is that Canada will give you a tax credit against taxes paid to the USA, and they just expect you to pay the difference for the socialized stuff.  

The climate is colder.  It is the great North.  Zones like Vancouver island and BC being attractive for climate and biking, until you see the property prices.  That'll make one poop a brick.

Something has to change here.  I see it happening, but I think it's the millennials that will drive it.  The older GOP's don't seem concerned about human welfare or environmental preservation.

We are most likely looking at a retirement where we work a few months a year, just to earn the cash for health insurance.  Even still some bad luck might end up bankrupting us.  I've been very responsible in my planning, and I still worry about that health cost in my future.

I believe if I earn money /get a job in the US or anywhere worldwide, as a Canadian I still have to pay income tax to the CAnadian govn't.  ..because if I want to return to Canada and get some health care. And other govn't services as a citizen. Remember provision of govn't services is where tax dollars are spent. People forget this ..all the time.  Another reason why there's nothing wrong with paying some tax to one's home citizenship country..at least for Canada.

It continues to disappoint me to meet people in my age bracket who are dinosaurs in lifestyle and thinking...consuming tons of gas, etc.  Who don't support public transit, just tiring.

 

[shootingstar]

17 hours ago, Razors Edge said:

That's the US cost. There will be no other place on Earth where that pill costs $7,500/month. Not Nigeria. Not Mexico. Not China. Not Japan. Not Monaco. Not the UK. Not Canada.

So, the question is: where is it cheaper, and how cool will it be to take a vacation there - essentially for free - every time you refill at a fraction of the US cost?

Tom

That's really terrifying --that cost.  There are specialized drug therapies, but it would have to be unusual and off the normal list of drugs, where a Canadian patient would have to pay ie. a couple hundred dollars a month. A few years ago, in the news, there were Americans ordering drugs by mail. Not sure it that was totally kosher. Probably related to generic prescription drugs.

As for people earning $12/hr., paying over $400.00 monthly premium in the U.S., plus ACA and still getting inadequate health care, what is inadequate? 

Yes, it is correct, a Canadian at that low wage level, still could go into the hospital with a broken leg, etc. and get generally same level of care as someone earning $70,000+/annually to fix the broken leg.  The differences might be how long the person can stay in the hospital..if a person has work health care benefit, person might be able to stay a tad longer.  But not really. The hospital beds are in demand. They will kick you out for someone who is in more serious shape (regardless of their income or your income).  To me that's fair, hospital is not a hotel. 

When I went to conferences in the U.S., in chatting with American colleagues, it shocked me that they had no medical coverage as students, for various accidents, etc.

 

[Razors Edge ★]

6 minutes ago, shootingstar said:

When I went to conferences in the U.S., in chatting with American colleagues, it shocked me that they had no medical coverage as students, for various accidents, etc.

Back in my day, you had coverage under your parent's policy. You also were offered an "inexpensive" policy at college. Youngsters are the CHEAPEST pool of folks to insure, so it was very little per year/semester/whatever, but to a college kid, it was money I didn't want (or have) to spend.

Obamacare fixed a good bit of that via letting folks stay on policies through age 26, but again, without a universal healthcare system, there will be gaps in who is covered and who just uses the ER for anything that pops up.

Tom