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Damn. #108 is response to #107.
First,
Canadian medical care is not free. The money comes from taxes. Most Canadians would much prefer to see their taxes going to the good of the citizens then to pay off Blackwater or support a giant aircraft carrier fleet in some far distant land.
Second,
Brain tumors are very slow growing. Almost all are rather benign and can last for years with no ill effects. Fast growing, malignant tumors, exhibit far different symptoms than do benign tumors. This type is easily identifiable without MRIs.
Third,
Any emergency will be treated right away in Canada. If the condition does not require immediate care, then it is put down the list of priorities. This allows greater utilization of medical equipment, especially the very expensive type.
Fourth,
Canadian medical schools and hospitals don’t take a back seat to any American hospital as far as care is concerned. Many techniques were developed there and physicians from around the world attend post graduate classes for the latest information. Of coarse, many Canadian physicians also travel to American hospitals for seminars too.
Fifth,
A local physician recently returned to Canada after several years here in the US. He grossed more money here in the US but had to pay out much more for insurance. He also needed a full time person to handle the insurance companies. He also never knew if or when he would be paid by the insurance company and could end up spending hours a day on the phone arguing with a paper pusher over whether a procedure was necessary.
Six,
Several posts suggest Health Care is not a right. Gee, what does the Constitution say about the “right” to breath clean air? Does it make any comment about the “right” to eat? Is there any mention of the “right” to even live? If we lose our ability to function because of illness then we have lost our liberty. If we are allowed to be sick, we lose our happiness.
I guess all these morans haven’t even read the Constitution. So, for the ignorant, stupid, lazy, and those that are not American and thus be excused for not knowing,:
Amendment IX: Existence of other rights for the people.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
#105, Moranic MikeN
I think people should stop throeing [sic] out numbers as a crisis [sic], when in fact the numbers are way off.
OK, makes sense. I can live with that. So what did you write in the next paragraph?
Out of that, probably about 8 million are illegal immigrants, and another 25 million are uninsured by choice. I’d say the real problem is closer to 12 million max.
I just know (from experience) that Mike has nothing to back this up. Even though he thinks we shouldn’t just make up numbers.
(effen moran)
#108, Tommy,
Foolish little boy. Guess what. It is fucking insurance !!! It is run on a “for profit” basis. First it is not competitive and second it is not very risk orientated.
The “don’t sue me letters” state that if you do sue them for malpractice, that they will simply declare bankruptcy and this scenario has already happened.
Maybe it has. A person does not get to just decide to “declare bankruptcy” just on a whim. Their obligations must exceed their assets with little chance of meeting the obligations.
Of coarse, since you know that this has “already happened”, you wouldn’t mind posting some links.
(where oh where do these effen morans come from?)
NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION
The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA.
‘We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.’
ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing.
Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes .
ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we’re just not interested in public health care.
ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people.
If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don’t be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don’t be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won’t have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job.. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)
ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don’t care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (Lastly….)
ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country’s history or heritage This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!
Thomas,
The “don’t sue me letters” state that if you do sue them for malpractice, that they will simply declare bankruptcy and this scenario has already happened.
Where? You didn’t post an example. You point out that some physicians have abused the bankruptcy courts. So what the eff does that have to do with the “don’t sue me letters”?
Neither of the first two links mention “don’t sue me letters”. In fact, both of them are truncated so if they did later I neither know nor intend to subscribe to view them.
Then, as your third link points out, the courts are pushing the “bankrupt” physicians into Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7. What many courts didn’t do was allow for the business asset dispersal. That means the Doctor’s office is now property of the court for disposal. That includes the furniture and records.
What you have missed is malpractice insurance premiums are NOT a mirror of risk. States with caps had higher premiums than did States without caps.
In 19 states that implemented caps during the 12-year period, physicians suffered a 48.2 percent jump in median premiums, from $20,414 in 1991 to $30,246 in 2002. However, surprisingly, in 32 states without caps, the pace of increase was actually somewhat slower, as premiums rose by only 35.9 percent, from $22,118 to $30,056.
***
The study, released Thursday by the Center for Justice & Democracy, found that malpractice rates increased by 120 percent from 2000 through 2004, while the amount of money paid in claims went up by 5.7 percent.
***
[A] study, found that from 1986 to 1994 the industry reported to regulators losses of $39.6 billion but actually paid only $26.7 billion, 31 percent less. The losses were overstated in each of the nine years.
I screwed up and missed the link in the last paragraph for 116. It should look more like this.
[A] study, found that from 1986 to 1994 the industry reported to regulators losses of $39.6 billion but actually paid only $26.7 billion, 31 percent less. The losses were overstated in each of the nine years.
#116, #117
Welp, that was the bozo bit. I try not to flip the bozo bit on people, but some people are persistent. As Steve Martin said in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, “Here’s an idea. Have a point to what you are saying.” Catshit even when your nose is shoved into the evidence, you still do not get it. As I have said before, you chose (or was chosen) your moniker well. Rationality and logic enter nowhere into your thought process. The lesson to be learned here is that you are clearly an irrational, crazy person and should be treated as such. Moving on…
#121–Thomas==you put way too much importance on the supposed distinction between promoting and providing. Have you ever read anything from the Founding Fathers on what they meant by the word promoting? Does 250 years of legislation and court decisions interpreting the same have any impact on your “thinking?” Have you read any of those cases and statutues?
Many things “don’t work” with strong Federalism ((Note Thomas, a trap has been set here.)) Yes, States could vote themselves single payer and then get flooded by all those from other states needing healthcare. Don’t think that would work. So a Federal Program is needed.
What do you have against a single payer system nation wide if it could be done for the same or less money than is expended now?
In fact, just what are you objecting too? You are for/against universal healthcare but feel it would violate the Constitution? Is that your point bunky? If not, what is?
Bobbo – Yes you are correct, of course there was State patriotism before the US was formed and immediately after.
However my point still that citizens had more passion in the running of the government state then federal.
If you read articles from the founding fathers you get the spirit of what they were trying to achieve.
One – to eliminate tyranny which was what caused the declaration of independence from British tyranny.
Two – people have the basic right to enjoy life and it is the charge of the government to ensure that conditions exist to promote the general welfare of its citizens.
Three – the government at the service of the people it governs not the other way around.
Can anyone say the US government today is the instrument of the people? What a laugh!
Ok, think about this one. If the American fore fathers had the benefite of a time machine and traveled to GOUSA today and then returned prior to 1776 would they change direction or continue with what they did?
This is a good thought exercise I think to discuss.
GOCHINA…? Chinese do not have the same logic and thought processes we have and it would be like a A380 buzzing over their heads! Many of my jokes are not understood at all to the point where that is often more funny than the joke!
I once tried to explain the “change a light bulb” joke to Chinese and made up one I thought they could understand.
Q: How many Americans does it take to change an Made in USA light bulb?
A: None and not possible, that has been out-sourced to India and the light bulb comes from China.
I got the “Deer in the headlights” look. :/
Cheers
#126 Thomas
I agree that the government does have far too much power – it is the master, the people the servants.
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.
As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. ”
– Benjamin Franklin
I understand completely that what you said of the founding fathers being cautious about any central becoming more powerful. And yes, I do concede that they made that distinction between provide and promoting general welfare.
This is why I suggested that if the founding fathers had access to a time machine, traveled to today and then back again would they change course.
I see your point about the federal government already has trampled further then its constitutional bounds however I do maintain that health is fundamental.
Its interesting you use the EU as an example as the EU is much closer to what the founding fathers had envisioned for the US.
So by your example their should be more powerful which is the model for the US.
If the individual states do not have equal health care then yes there would be people wanting to cross borders. I would say state health care must only be available to residents.
It is an embarrassment for the US to rank 13th in quality of life and democracy in light of all the chest pounding that Americans do on how great the US is in everything.
Perhaps the only way for the US to be able to ‘promote the general welfare’ and return to its original model is when the US is not the most important economy in the world. It used to be said if the US sneezes the world catches a cold. Today if the US sneezes the world hands over a tissue.
Cheers