More than a half million Americans gain coverage under Biden

[Travis Price]

Ideally, we could figure out a legitimate system that both (a) helps people during unavoidable situations but (b) doesn't act as a safety net for the irresponsible. Added bonus points if we get options and variety. Extra credit if it won't cost be $1,450 per month for my family of 6.

Joe millennial who won't pay $63/mo for health insurance doesn't need a handout when he gets sick. Joe millennial who has cancer but no opportunity for coverage could get health insurance. Obamacare did this in a sense (open enroll / SEPs) - but the income element of it is ridiculous.

I'm not convinced that universal healthcare is the solution...

Pre-Obamacare - wasn't there some sort of high-risk pool (I don't do under 65 health so... not my wheelhouse).

SC had a high risk pool fund. I really can't tell you much about it. Again, a 20 year old kid with absolutely no knowledge of insurance or what to do in poor health with no real help to navigate the system. I qualified for Disability at the time, but I didn't even know it was a thing.

Secondly, I not going to publicly say what agency I work for, but I make medical and vocational decisions on a large social program.

The idea that health insurance is a handout when you are sick (yes, you screwed yourself up..) is really a hard sell with me for a few reasons:

1) Economically- this is two-fold.

The first, we don't abandon them now. Life sustaining treatment is required to stabilize patients regardless of ability to pay. YOU already pay this by increased cost in services. Preventative care is cheaper.

Secondly, most people aren't saying "I'm not going to work ONLY because I'll lose my health insurance.

2) There's a really slippery slope when you classifying what disease are valid for covering "nobodys fault."

For example, what if someone gets liver disease because they're drinking to quiet Schizophrenic delusions or hallucinations?

What about someone that lives in a food desert and ONLY has access to food that is really bad for them? That disproportionate effects people of color, fyi.

What about eating disorders where people binge?

3) Paying more in taxes. Washington is already spending more than it's taking in, namely because we're slashing corporate and wealthy tax rates.

We also spend on things that are ridiculously unnecessary and don't really help average Americans.

I'm totally fine paying more in taxes when I don't have to pay premiums for health insurance (or reduced premiums.) I'm fine with having taxes I pay offer services (for something I think should be considered an inalienable right) for other people.

I do think there's a solution that is a middle ground and I'm all for that. However, that middle ground can't be, "Got sick because your diet sucks? Too bad, go over in the corner and die."

 

[toolbelt]

You just went full retard. Socialist, communists, leftists....you people make me sick. Bunch of juvenile idealists. Simply calling something a right doesn't render it immune to scarcity. Nobody has the right to healthcare anymore than they have a right to their next meal, a roof over their head at night, or clothes on their backs.

I'm hesitant to even ask this cause I know how far you jackasses run with these ignorant ideas but are taxes supposed to cover those things as well since they're "HuMaN RiGhTz"? Would we have a nationwide menu regiment like in elementary school all in the name of "fairness" and "equality" or does everyone have "the right" to request their favorite meals? How about clothing? Should we all get uniforms like they handed out in the Gulags or Auschwitz or can we all pick our favorite designer brands? Shelter: can I select my architectural style or are we all going to be living in government made apartment blocks like they have in Russia cause again "EqUaLiTy"? Even then, if I prefer a top floor for the views but got assigned to a bottom floor, can I kick you out of your window to take what I decided was rightfully mine? And getting back to healthcare, am I allowed to choose my specialist or will one be assigned to me? What if my doctor is a C student with shitty reviews who barely made it through medical school but I want to see a top notch doctor (same as everyone else wants), how do you make that system equitable? If good doctors can make more money running a private practice and the government isn't able to staff enough MD's to keep wait times reasonable for your utopian UHC, will doctors be compelled by force to work for less just to support this fantasy?

You and every other moron making similar arguments in favor of universal healthcare should think about talking to an actuary before spouting off your ignorant and uniformed opinions. Insurance companies limit risk through underwriting, the model crumbles when anyone and everyone is able to get coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions.

The mere thought of someone with a pre-existing condition being able to get coverage after complications arise makes me cringe. Bunch of bottom feeders and leeches. The types of people that aren't willing to contribute to the pot in good times but when they face adversity they want to be able to collect the benefits of everyone else's contributions towards shared risk (insurance). If they really cared about other people they would have been making payments towards insurance so when someone else's family faces difficulties they can be protected by the groups collective funds.

It's like driving around uninsured, getting into a crash resulting in property damage and medical injuries in an amount normally covered by the policies, then subsequently demanding an insurance company grant you coverage if you just make one payment because "derp, sob story, my feelings, WWJD, screeching in communist". HA! Nah dude, you're the piece of shit that decided to drive around uninsured and not contribute to the collective benefit so don't come around when you have problems and expect help cause you want to reframe the conversation about rights.

When it comes to healthcare there are too many overweight and lazy people who chronically make poor lifestyle decisions that I refuse to let my tax dollars enable. People have the power to eat healthier and exercise if they want better health; giving them free or subsidized access to Rx drugs, doctors, and treatments only enables them to continue kicking the can down the road by treating their symptoms instead of dealing with reality. If you dumbass leftists actually cared about people you would force them to confront their issues and make positive changes instead of giving them the option to abuse a welfare system that keeps spoon feeding them.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day (and remains in an atrophied pathetic state of dependence) Teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime (with time his skills will undoubtedly improve. Able to catch more fish he can support a family. Then eventually a village.)

Do you always confuse basic needs with wants? Asking for a friend.

 

[sshafran]

SC had a high risk pool fund. I really can't tell you much about it. Again, a 20 year old kid with absolutely no knowledge of insurance or what to do in poor health with no real help to navigate the system. I qualified for Disability at the time, but I didn't even know it was a thing.

Secondly, I not going to publicly say what agency I work for, but I make medical and vocational decisions on a large social program.

The idea that health insurance is a handout when you are sick (yes, you screwed yourself up..) is really a hard sell with me for a few reasons:

1) Economically- this is two-fold.

The first, we don't abandon them now. Life sustaining treatment is required to stabilize patients regardless of ability to pay. YOU already pay this by increased cost in services. Preventative care is cheaper.

Secondly, most people aren't saying "I'm not going to work ONLY because I'll lose my health insurance.

2) There's a really slippery slope when you classifying what disease are valid for covering "nobodys fault."

For example, what if someone gets liver disease because they're drinking to quiet Schizophrenic delusions or hallucinations?

What about someone that lives in a food desert and ONLY has access to food that is really bad for them? That disproportionate effects people of color, fyi.

What about eating disorders where people binge?

3) Paying more in taxes. Washington is already spending more than it's taking in, namely because we're slashing corporate and wealthy tax rates.

We also spend on things that are ridiculously unnecessary and don't really help average Americans.

I'm totally fine paying more in taxes when I don't have to pay premiums for health insurance (or reduced premiums.) I'm fine with having taxes I pay offer services (for something I think should be considered an inalienable right) for other people.

I do think there's a solution that is a middle ground and I'm all for that. However, that middle ground can't be, "Got sick because your diet sucks? Too bad, go over in the corner and die."

I don't think we're far off - and I wasn't really indicating that a disease / illness / condition is someone's fault - to be clear.

I was saying that it can be someone's fault for not enrolling into health insurance (at least in 2021).

Joe millennial who doesn't want to pay $62/mo for health insurance gets less sympathy from me than someone in a food desert.


--

If we 100% got rid of health insurance - period - no middle man, no blue cross, no Aetna, no CEOs making millions (or no insurance agents making 300,000... ahem)... it would be bad for agents and those in the health insurance field. All the customer service jobs, out the window. Underwriters, out the window...

The government already spends billions on health insurance subsidies - essentially just paying the middle man...

Medicare for all (ok, get the jokes out, Medicaid for all - i get it, I've heard it) - might actually work if American's had skin in the game and there was some out-of-pocket.

A Medicare for all that I could get behind would work like this:

- $0 premium (gasp!) for everyone - regardless of income. regardless of age.

- $0 deductible (gasp!) for everyone.

- 50% coinsurance for everyone. Period. No more, no less. (see max out of pocket). No set coopays - it's 50%. Period. For everything. Rx's... major medical, dental... eyes.... everything.

50%.

(do we really need 80% coverage for a doctor? if we the people pay 50% maybe we can figure out a way to tell the lab companies that $500 to analyze something for 5 minutes is a bit much...)

- $5,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 0-18.
- $10,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 18-30.
- $15,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 31-55.
- $20,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 56-65.
- $10,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 65-80
- $2,500 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 81+

Generally follows ability to pay based on working status in life.... we generally make a bit more in mid-50s then we do in mid-20s....


Orphans & Widows? They get extra help. Don't argue - it's happening...

- voluntary charitable assistance pool - want to help those who can't afford their max out of pocket?

Send $ via Venmo to XYZ agency. And do this often - it's good for you.

Eliminates every health insurance company, and health lobbying agency. Saves taxpayers billions by cutting out the middleman.

I'm willing to negotiate on the max out of pockets if they are too low. It's possible that they are.

This is a better version of medicare for all than Bernie's - it has a hint of sustainability although it likely would fail as well since I'm not that smart - but I'll throw this out there.


if you can make it happen, I'll go sell roofs again....

 

[Life Hawk]

Travis, visiting family in SC, am I in your back yard?

 

[Travis Price]

Travis, visiting family in SC, am I in your back yard?

I live in Michigan now. I was born and raised until 28 in Charleston.

Beautiful city.. hot af..

If I could snowbird MI in the summer and SC in the winter, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Travis Price]

I don't think we're far off - and I wasn't really indicating that a disease / illness / condition is someone's fault - to be clear.

I was saying that it can be someone's fault for not enrolling into health insurance (at least in 2021).

Joe millennial who doesn't want to pay $62/mo for health insurance gets less sympathy from me than someone in a food desert.


--

If we 100% got rid of health insurance - period - no middle man, no blue cross, no Aetna, no CEOs making millions (or no insurance agents making 300,000... ahem)... it would be bad for agents and those in the health insurance field. All the customer service jobs, out the window. Underwriters, out the window...

The government already spends billions on health insurance subsidies - essentially just paying the middle man...

Medicare for all (ok, get the jokes out, Medicaid for all - i get it, I've heard it) - might actually work if American's had skin in the game and there was some out-of-pocket.

A Medicare for all that I could get behind would work like this:

- $0 premium (gasp!) for everyone - regardless of income. regardless of age.

- $0 deductible (gasp!) for everyone.

- 50% coinsurance for everyone. Period. No more, no less. (see max out of pocket). No set coopays - it's 50%. Period. For everything. Rx's... major medical, dental... eyes.... everything.

50%.

(do we really need 80% coverage for a doctor? if we the people pay 50% maybe we can figure out a way to tell the lab companies that $500 to analyze something for 5 minutes is a bit much...)

- $5,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 0-18.
- $10,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 18-30.
- $15,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 31-55.
- $20,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 56-65.
- $10,000 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 65-80
- $2,500 yearly individual maximum out of pocket - ages 81+

Generally follows ability to pay based on working status in life.... we generally make a bit more in mid-50s then we do in mid-20s....


Orphans & Widows? They get extra help. Don't argue - it's happening...

- voluntary charitable assistance pool - want to help those who can't afford their max out of pocket?

Send $ via Venmo to XYZ agency. And do this often - it's good for you.

Eliminates every health insurance company, and health lobbying agency. Saves taxpayers billions by cutting out the middleman.

I'm willing to negotiate on the max out of pockets if they are too low. It's possible that they are.

This is a better version of medicare for all than Bernie's - it has a hint of sustainability although it likely would fail as well since I'm not that smart - but I'll throw this out there.


if you can make it happen, I'll go sell roofs again....

So, I think your plan is reasonable.. I would be okay with any Medicare for all that allowed for supplemental coverage. I'm all for private to be in the market, because it's so important to the economy.

I'd hate to have to sell FE.. but I'd be into learning disability and annuity.

 

[somarco]

Ideally, we could figure out a legitimate system that both (a) helps people during unavoidable situations but (b) doesn't act as a safety net for the irresponsible. Added bonus points if we get options and variety

Can't speak for other states, but Medicaid in GA can be RETROACTIVE up to 60 (or 90) days. You can go in the hospital under EMTALA rules, get fixed, and the social worker will help you fill out Medicaid paper work.

Ran into this years ago when a lady needed help paying for an emergency appendectomy. Nothing I had would work but she was nice enough to call back a few weeks later to give me a heads up on the retro Medicaid.

She also wanted to let me know she would not need insurance now since Medicaid will cover her for a year.

Her situation was both unavoidable and irresponsible. She had $$$ to pay insurance premiums (her admission) but had chosen not to buy coverage.

Pre-Obamacare - wasn't there some sort of high-risk pool (I don't do under 65 health so... not my wheelhouse).

Several states (not including GA) had risk pools. Don't recall the number of states but seems like it was 30+. A few states had GI for everyone and another 1 or 2 had carriers of last resort that would take anyone.

We got Obamacrap to help out folks in about a dozen states where there were only options for healthy folks.

Throwing out the baby with the bathwater . . .

 

[somarco]

If we 100% got rid of health insurance - period - no middle man, no blue cross, no Aetna, no CEOs making millions (or no insurance agents making 300,000... ahem)... it would be bad for agents and those in the health insurance field. All the customer service jobs, out the window. Underwriters, out the window...

Obamacrap did a pretty good job of trimming home office payrolls and driving 95% of carriers out of that game. Also caused a bunch of agents (like me) to look for a working business model since the U65 health insurance market was more like a hobby.

Consumer is also screwed in so many ways, not just the ridiculous premiums, but if they want health insurance advice they deal with carrier home office or some flunky answering phones at HC.guv.

Medicare for all (ok, get the jokes out, Medicaid for all - i get it, I've heard it) - might actually work if American's had skin in the game and there was some out-of-pocket.

Looks like Bernie and AOC get your votes.

Medicare for all is a wet dream. Just like Obamacrap and all the other stupid things to come out of DC the final product won't look anything like the promise.

It also won't look like today's Medicare.

Eliminates every health insurance company, and health lobbying agency. Saves taxpayers billions by cutting out the middleman.

You just ran off the rails.

The "middleman" actually SAVES claim dollars. As much as I rail against mangled care, there is more good than bad. Carriers have buying power to negotiate lower reimbursement than you or I can do.

 

[Travis Price]

Medicare for all is a wet dream. Just like Obamacrap and all the other stupid things to come out of DC the final product won't look anything like the promise.

Its really not. The Republican Party, currently, is in it's death rattles. All because they don't stand for anything anymore. More people (with independents are leaning Democratic since 2012, its just a matter of time.

Republicans had almost 10 years to come to the table with a solution. Instead, they wasted that time to only get marginal victories in overturning the ACA.

Just to pre-emptively answer a question:

It's absolutely Congress's responsibility to fix what isn't working, regardless of party. After it was clear repealing wasn't cutting it, they should have been the leaders they were supposed to be.

Now, they're at risk of being regulated to the kiddie table.. and with Leaders like Cruz, McConnell, Goetz, Paul, and that conspiracy theorist from GA.. they get what they deserve.

I completely support bipartisanship. However, at this point Republicans are trying to pull out the same playbook that had with Obama.. Trump woke up Democrats and staying on that crazy train is going to hurt Rs moving forward into next year.

 

[Life Hawk]

I live in Michigan now. I was born and raised until 28 in Charleston.

Beautiful city.. hot af..

If I could snowbird MI in the summer and SC in the winter, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Down in Columbia head back to Easley this evening. Wife's family in both places as well as Conway. When we visit I work my way across the state making sales as I go until we hit the beach.