You never know

[ladyapple27]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/latest-nfl-news/story/804878.html
I was saddened to read about William "Refrigerator" Perry's illness. I met him once, and he was extremely gracious and down to earth. You never know who'll end up with a chronic illness and no insurance.

Comments

[wherrymotor.livejournal.com]

Good Lord, I had not thought of him in years. Yes, his reputation was of a gracious, plain man and a heck of an athlete.

[angelchrome.livejournal.com]

That's a shame. Maybe he'll consider adding his voice to those who think basic health care for all needs to be part of the country's plan.

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

Angelchrome, while I also agree there needs to be a way to provide basic healthcare to everyone, can you think of any way to do it WITHOUT raising our taxes by at least a third?
:(

[angelchrome.livejournal.com]

nope, it will definitely be higher taxes, but the benefit is worth it. My sister was diagnosed with MS in the US without health insurance and to get diagnosed and have the most cost efficient treatment in the US she's at least a quarter of a million dollars in debt. My sister in law was diagnosed with MS a year later in England and she's on a more aggressive treatment for free. While I can't deny that the level of healthcare both countries enjoy is well above and beyond the things available for most of the rest of the world I would always, always be willing to pay higher taxes for better basic services.

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately the term "basic healthcare" will probably be defined as:
twice yearly dental visits/cavity treatments,
full pediatric care of children under age 18,
full pregnancy care and delivery,
visits to GP's for minor ailments,
and an annual full physical for all adults to be determined by age and sex.

Catastroptic diseases like cancer or the MS you mentioned and certain rare disceases probably won't be covered by "basic health care".

One thing that's slowed down the adoption of a public "basic health care" system---that NOBODY wants to talk about yet---is that there's going to be a considerable amount of public resistance to the public's having to pay for treatment of stupid stuff like a lifetime of smoking, drinking, drugging, or professional bull riding or skateboarding or even some bimbo deliberately having more than two or three babies in a single pregnancy.
Our politicians don't want to bring this up because they know the press will have fun making them look heartless or prejudiced---and THAT'S the 800 lb. invisible gorilla in the room that brings everything to a screeching halt and sadly will continue to do so.
:(

[angelchrome.livejournal.com]

Even that level of care is more than many Americans can afford, but there's no reason that universal health care can't cover pretty nearly everything. Every industrialized, wealthy country other than the US has one and most of them work very well. Certain things are slower, but no one ever has to file bankruptcy over medical care.

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

And just think: If the Bushes, father and son, hadn't gotten elected president, we might have spent the money on a good health care system instead of a stupid war in the Middle East.
:[

[ladyapple27.livejournal.com]

The absolute truth!

[ladyapple27.livejournal.com]

Ironically, it's the middle class that gets shafted by the current system. The poor and elderly are covered by Medicare and Medicaid paid for by taxes. Many middle class people are taxed to provide coverage for others that they cannot afford for themselves. Even if these workers pay more taxes, they'll be better off; a single payer plan would spare them many out of pocket expenses.

Here's a dirty little secret: the uninsured and underunsured are over-charged for medical care in order to offset discounts given to insurance companies and entitlement programs. Sally has insurance and her insurance company has a contract with the hospital, so Sally and her insurance pay $2000 for a procedure. Becky has no insurance and no discount applies, so she's charged $5000, some of which will be used to make up losses due to discounts given to the insured.

Drug companies work the same way. Read about all those discount drugs sent to third world countries? Americans pay for them by being charged higher prices. Cananda and Great Briton have plans that drive down drug costs, so the companies drive up the prices in the U.S.

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

Now all that is good to know--while I knew about the drugs, I didn't know about the "insurance discount" scam.
:)

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

I feel for anyone who suffers from a chronic disease but...
I wonder what happened to all the money he made during his career?
So many ex-players turn up broke in later years.
:(

[ladyapple27.livejournal.com]

Lord only knows. He did have an expensive divorce.

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

Poor guy.
Hubby and I attended one of the big southern football colleges and every so often I'd get the chance to talk to one of the football players.
Not a one of them ever read a book for pleasure, had a hobby other than drinking or chasing girls, and not a one of them had ever considered what they'd do to earn a living if they didn't make the pro's.
You know what really scared the hell out of me for them?
They weren't covered by any insurance policy when they went to practice or play their games!
I'd ask them what they'd do if they got really badly hurt or even permanently disabled and couldn't work. Not a one of them had any answer for me and most of them looked like they didn't even want to think about it happening.
The colleges should be ashamed--they make millions off of their student athletes in alumni donations.
:(