General Discussion

Boomer

(4,417 posts)

43. Is that a rhetorical question?

Fri Sep 13, 2019, 11:39 PM

Sep 2019

Whether or not I approve of them, deductibles are the norm for health insurance policies. If you're in good health and have few medical needs, that deductible really stings. In my case, compared to over a half-million dollars in medical expenses, a deductible of $2000 is the bargain of a lifetime. And yeah, that $50 ambulance ride that wasn't covered.... who the hell knows? But again, I'm still counting my blessings.

But as I've said repeatedly, my takeaway is to be more firmly convinced than ever that we need universal healthcare coverage. My experience should be the norm -- you get sick, you concentrate on getting well, and bills don't enter into the equation. No deductibles, no caps, no worries about pre-existing conditions, this should be the standard for everyone. I didn't do anything to deserve this good fortune, and no one deserves to have their life shattered.

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This is the real reason most Americans file for bankruptcy [View all] guillaumeb Sep 2019 OP

And there is this: guillaumeb Sep 2019 #1

Not entirely true Boomer Sep 2019 #18

While your situation is good, it is the exception. As the article makes clear. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #19

And I agree with you completely Boomer Sep 2019 #42

That's great, I love that you have ... aggiesal Sep 2019 #23

Is that a rhetorical question? Boomer Sep 2019 #43

Lucky for you that you could afford the $2,000 deductible. luvtheGWN Sep 2019 #24

Apparently you didn't read all my post Boomer Sep 2019 #41

I too am lucky to have what I think is excellent health care... Joe941 Sep 2019 #49

Most households don't have $2,000 in case of emergency. Not even $400 bitterross Sep 2019 #58

DURec leftstreet Sep 2019 #2

It is tiring to read the many threads explaining guillaumeb Sep 2019 #3

Agreed blm Sep 2019 #4

Also, many people think Medicare is free leftieNanner Sep 2019 #5

IMO, there's no reason NOT to include dental, vision, and hearing aids. Eyeball_Kid Sep 2019 #9

And hearing loss is closely connected leftieNanner Sep 2019 #11

My dad tried so many pairs of hearing aids and the only thing that worked renate Sep 2019 #64

Cool idea leftieNanner Sep 2019 #67

I have no idea renate Sep 2019 #69

This may not work with you, but it did for me.. at140 Sep 2019 #74

Thank you for the suggestion leftieNanner Sep 2019 #77

Agreed that many voters need to be informed. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #14

The Medicare for All plan that Bernie and Liz are supporting includes Autumn Sep 2019 #31

Nice. leftieNanner Sep 2019 #34

Yes, it's well known that you pay for Medicare. It can be called a premium if you chose Autumn Sep 2019 #35

Thank you for your persistence. Mike 03 Sep 2019 #8

One problem is that insurance companies spend billions in advertising/propaganda. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #16

And lobbying leftieNanner Sep 2019 #20

Yup. AllyCat Sep 2019 #13

It's also tiring to read threads on how people just love their private insurance Bradshaw3 Sep 2019 #27

Agreed. Many people literally have no idea guillaumeb Sep 2019 #38

"offered" being the keyword uponit7771 Sep 2019 #50

My guess is that most Americans, if given a choice, guillaumeb Sep 2019 #60

I've seen no polling in this uponit7771 Sep 2019 #63

pretending that what works in every other advanced democracy will somehow not work here is Poiuyt Sep 2019 #6

Exactly blm Sep 2019 #7

Perhaps, but it is shaped by history. Caliman73 Sep 2019 #89

Recommended. moondust Sep 2019 #10

Very well stated. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #15

Some media like ABC or Fox moondust Sep 2019 #26

True, or hope that many voters will beceome bored. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #37

I know a lot of people who Bettie Sep 2019 #12

Agreed, but we regularly read/hear that most Americans are happy with their guillaumeb Sep 2019 #17

No, that's simply not true Boomer Sep 2019 #25

My dad had triple heart bypass surgery. mwooldri Sep 2019 #32

But you admit that you work for a top tier company, guillaumeb Sep 2019 #36

You didn't qualify your statement. Boomer Sep 2019 #44

I never claimed that you do not exist. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #47

I must have somehow understood the intent of your statement. Boomer Sep 2019 #48

And that was my fault for not making a more qualified statement. eom guillaumeb Sep 2019 #59

My daughter - with $200,000 in billed medical expenses each and every year Ms. Toad Sep 2019 #82

Yes, the ACA is an improvement, guillaumeb Sep 2019 #83

Not a surprise. warmfeet Sep 2019 #21

It's not paradise everywhere else, just worse in the States. DFW Sep 2019 #22

Health issues also cause many people to retire early when they'd been planning on working captain queeg Sep 2019 #28

Or conversely, to postpone retirement Boomer Sep 2019 #45

IN the rest of the civilized world shadowmayor Sep 2019 #29

Exactly. I never saw a medical bill til I moved here. mwooldri Sep 2019 #33

Most of my family still lives in Quebec. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #40

Immigrating to United States is the reason I have few medical expenses at140 Sep 2019 #55

An under-reported national shame. They need you sick to make $. Like guns, a uniquely US issue. Evolve Dammit Sep 2019 #30

And the US system is profit-centered, guillaumeb Sep 2019 #39

Therein lies the problem. Only country that doesn't negotiate with drug co's. Shameful. Evolve Dammit Sep 2019 #46

majority of health problems are self-inflicted at140 Sep 2019 #51

I dont know if a majority are self inflicted, but... VarryOn Sep 2019 #52

------------Bingo--------------- at140 Sep 2019 #53

When my 36 in the waist pants started cutting me in two... VarryOn Sep 2019 #54

Food is so much cheaper in USA compared to Europe at140 Sep 2019 #56

I disagree. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #61

Heart disease, strokes, bone joint disease, lack of energy, at140 Sep 2019 #62

Baloney treestar Sep 2019 #71

I remember Walter Payton since I spent 37 years in Chicago at140 Sep 2019 #73

Exercise will not prevent accidents! treestar Sep 2019 #76

You did not mention accidents at140 Sep 2019 #78

So if it is not an accident but due to repetitive use treestar Sep 2019 #79

There are definite exercises available for Carpal TS, lower back, at140 Sep 2019 #80

Obesity is a factor, but so is heredity. Coventina Sep 2019 #84

I am not so sure! at140 Sep 2019 #85

Now you are changing your argument. You were saying that obesity causes these things. Coventina Sep 2019 #86

Simple- Lack of regular exercise contributes to Obesity at140 Sep 2019 #87

Well and good, but MANY people experience cardiac issues without obesity being a factor Coventina Sep 2019 #90

I never said obesity is the only factor towards cardiac problems at140 Sep 2019 #91

No but you said the MAJORITY of health problems are self-inflicted. I say BS Coventina Sep 2019 #93

LOL ok most health problems are hereditary...sure! at140 Sep 2019 #96

we did it when we were in our late 20's. I had to have a hysterectomy demtenjeep Sep 2019 #57

Got gallbladder removal surgery last month and paid $0 with Covered California ansible Sep 2019 #65

Join the club, my gall bladder was removed in 1990, at140 Sep 2019 #75

And the really sad thing is they'll keep voting for the people who put them there. Initech Sep 2019 #66

Some years ago now a researcher for the Rand Corp. Hortensis Sep 2019 #68

CEOs -need- their vacation mansions! Hermit-The-Prog Sep 2019 #70

Well, change happens very fast these days, while the people's Hortensis Sep 2019 #72

Well done. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #81

In the United States, unless you are among the obscenely wealthy Snake Plissken Sep 2019 #88

And that is the plan. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #92

We got a letter today demanding that Bettie Sep 2019 #94

And those are costs that are never measured. guillaumeb Sep 2019 #95