On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:59:03 -0400, wrote:

On Sun, 31 May 2009 21:26:40 -0700, jps wrote:

On Sun, 31 May 2009 22:56:14 -0400, Gene
wrote:


I agree, but then, there is that indefinite *YOU* to reckon with.
Since my Dad was long since retired and they were trying to
double-triple-fourple dip with Uncle Sam, I told them he would be in
touch.

Amazing how quickly things can get sorted out and a credit appear.....
AMAZING!

There's a lot of talk about administrative costs and profit but rarely
do we hear how much scamming goes on. Not only double billing but
tons of unnecessary procedures, medicines, treatments, etc.

System needs a top to bottom overhaul.

A lot of that is just the lawyer tax. Doctors will not commit to
anything without a lot of backup tests because if they get it wrong
they get sued.
They might get sued anyway..
The main reason why drugs are slow to be approved and why they are so
expensive here compared to other countries is there are lawyers on TV
every day saying "took this drug?, I can get you some money"

Americans pay for the R&D, most other countries pay fair market value.

You've overlooked the highly specialized nature of medicine these
days. I have recent experience with a close family member being in
the hospital for a couple of weeks. Each set of organs has an
advocate, kidneys, heart and lungs, vascular, etc. Each of those is
broken into those that administer medication and those that cure
through surgery.

Surely the care is better and so are outcomes but the cost of team
medicine is unbelievable.

The procedures themselves are also astoundingly expensive. $7K for a
MRI between session, technician and expert. Maybe a total of an hour
by all invested. That's insane. They're prescribed like candy.

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

It's ****ed up and has to change.

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady

Richard Casady wrote:
On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady


So, you think that projecting your particulars works for everyone, eh?

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:08:58 -0400, HK wrote:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady


So, you think that projecting your particulars works for everyone, eh?

I believe state law required that someone write the policy. My
particulars apply to millions around these parts. Someone has to write
you car insurance, no matter how bad your record. for example.

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:04:19 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady

What were you doing with cancer and no insurance, schmuck?

What if your kid's leg was half severed or had a burst appendix and
you were in the same situation?

Would you shop around before taking him to the emergency room?

You think the insurance company would cover his pre-existing
condition?

Not a chance.

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:30:15 -0700, jps wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:04:19 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady

What were you doing with cancer and no insurance, schmuck?

Self insured with over a mil cash more or less gathering dust in a
money market account. I have been saving my money in case I took a
major uninsured hit, or the Dow went to near zero. Anyone can sue for
anything, and juries are sometimes nuts. I have saved most of my
income for decades.I haven't had a new car since 1975. A Volvo wagon
with the last of the pushrod motors

Treatment seems to be successful, and it wasn't financial disaster. I
would feel lucky, except 7 out of 8 don't get it. I am grateful for a
life expectency. They x-rayed my neck to the point where I can only
turn my head about 45 degrees, and I will never be able to have
swallow solid food. I can drink liquids at least.
I have a tube into my stomach for swill. Smoking and drinking is a bad
combination for causing oral cancer. They told me to quit drinking,
but it is ok to pour the beer into the feeding bag.

I was a schmuck for forty years of Camel no filters. I will admit
that.

What if your kid's leg was half severed or had a burst appendix and
you were in the same situation?

I don't pay bills for my wifes adult kids.

Would you shop around before taking him to the emergency room?

You should know which is the best ER in town.

You think the insurance company would cover his pre-existing
condition?

What are you talking about? It's my insurance, not his. Mine covers
existing conditions after six months.

As I write the TV says an Air France plane disappeared, after
reporting some equipment problems, enroute from Rio to Paris.

Not a chance.

Not a bit of relevance.

Casady

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:40:21 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:30:15 -0700, jps wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:04:19 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady

What were you doing with cancer and no insurance, schmuck?

Self insured with over a mil cash more or less gathering dust in a
money market account. I have been saving my money in case I took a
major uninsured hit, or the Dow went to near zero. Anyone can sue for
anything, and juries are sometimes nuts. I have saved most of my
income for decades.I haven't had a new car since 1975. A Volvo wagon
with the last of the pushrod motors

Treatment seems to be successful, and it wasn't financial disaster. I
would feel lucky, except 7 out of 8 don't get it. I am grateful for a
life expectency. They x-rayed my neck to the point where I can only
turn my head about 45 degrees, and I will never be able to have
swallow solid food. I can drink liquids at least.
I have a tube into my stomach for swill. Smoking and drinking is a bad
combination for causing oral cancer. They told me to quit drinking,
but it is ok to pour the beer into the feeding bag.

I was a schmuck for forty years of Camel no filters. I will admit
that.

Holy ****. I'm sorry to hear.


What if your kid's leg was half severed or had a burst appendix and
you were in the same situation?

I don't pay bills for my wifes adult kids.

Renting is always cheaper in the end.

Would you shop around before taking him to the emergency room?

You should know which is the best ER in town.

I do. I have friends who work there. Regional trauma center.

You think the insurance company would cover his pre-existing
condition?

What are you talking about? It's my insurance, not his. Mine covers
existing conditions after six months.

You can burn through a ****load of cash in six months. I just watched
a family member burn through a lot of medicaide money in two weeks.

As I write the TV says an Air France plane disappeared, after
reporting some equipment problems, enroute from Rio to Paris.

Not a chance.

Not a bit of relevance.

Casady

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:20:09 -0700, jps wrote:

You think the insurance company would cover his pre-existing
condition?

What are you talking about? It's my insurance, not his. Mine covers
existing conditions after six months.

You can burn through a ****load of cash in six months. I just watched
a family member burn through a lot of medicaide money in two weeks.

Yes you can. I was covered before it got super expensive. Many people
burn down their life savings. I need a new heart valve and that costs
a lot.

Casady

On Jun 1, 6:40*pm, Richard Casady wrote:
On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:30:15 -0700, jps wrote:
On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:04:19 -0500, Richard Casady
wrote:

On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:01:53 -0700, jps wrote:

The poor schmuck who walks into a hospital with a problem and no
insurance will end up without money or a house in no time.

Considering that I got affordable insurance, about average cost, after
they knew I had cancer, you would have to be a schmuck to get zeroed
out financially.

Casady

What were you doing with cancer and no insurance, schmuck?

Self insured with over a mil cash more or less gathering dust in a
money market account. I have been saving my money in case I took a
major uninsured hit, or the Dow went to near zero. Anyone can sue for
anything, and juries are sometimes nuts. I have saved most of my
income for decades.I haven't had a new car since 1975. A Volvo wagon
with the last of the pushrod motors

Treatment seems to be successful, and it wasn't financial disaster. I
would feel lucky, except 7 out of 8 don't get it. I am grateful for a
life expectency. They x-rayed my neck to the point where I can only
turn my head about 45 degrees, and I will never be able to have
swallow solid food. I can drink liquids at least.
I have a tube into my stomach for swill. Smoking and drinking is a bad
combination for causing oral cancer. They told me to quit drinking,
but it is ok to pour the beer into the feeding bag.

Very sorry to hear about all of that, Richard. Good luck in the
future.