Quote: AndreaLynne @ March 21 2010, 12:09 AM GMTThanks Tim. I owe you a cookie.
I also agree do I get a cookie. In the UK the first question is how can we help?
The idea of asking can you pay? Would be an obsenity.
Any one fancy joining a tribe? Page 4
Yes Sooty, you get a cookie too.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:11 AM GMTI read the news.
Which bits?
Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:09 AM GMTNo I suspect it's lower China is trying to be a major player and boost it's weapon sales.
Aside from a few elite units most of it's army work in factories for corrupt military corps. But in all seriousness you're worried about China invading something?
Lower? You should also speak to the NHS about treatment for your crack addiction.
Here's a word for you: Taiwan.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:11 AM GMTI read the news.
Which bits?
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:11 AM GMTAnd, as I said, poor people have access to free/subsidized health care in this country.
Would you be happy for yourself or your loved ones to receive the level of health care available to these people currently? If not, why not? Why is it good enough for others, but not for yourself?
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:13 AM GMTLower? You should also speak to the NHS about treatment for your crack addiction.
Here's a word for you: Taiwan.
Oh for pity's sake they could invade Taiwan when ever they wanted and have been able to for years.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:11 AM GMTI know poor people, but I know many more selfish people with poor money management skills. And, as I said, poor people have access to free/subsidized health care in this country.
Are you part of some befriending scheme for the poor and feckless? They get you're friendship you get to slate them?
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:13 AM GMTLower? You should also speak to the NHS about treatment for your crack addiction.
Here's a word for you: Taiwan.
Oh dear, you're starting to go down the route that inevitably leads to the comment "If it wasn't for the US you assholes would be talking German!"... 
Hey if it wasn't for us they'd all be speaking French.
I was turned down by 8 insurance companies after my employer insurance was cancelled without my knowledge. I was told by 3 of the 8 to just go on our public assistance insurance. Yes, it costs me very little. However, I had to change oncologists and now have to be seen by a guy 50 miles away. Any tests have to approved weeks ahead of time and many of them aren't covered. I already know that the insurance offered by my soon to be new employer won't accept me due to my preexisting condition.
Quote: Tim Walker @ March 21 2010, 12:15 AM GMTWould you be happy for yourself or your loved ones to receive the level of health care available to these people currently? If not, why not? Why is it good enough for others, but not for yourself?
It's the same health care. I know what I'm talking about because my daughter required hospitalization a month before her employer-provided insurance kicked in. (That, along with the pre-existing conditions rules are 2 areas where change would be welcomed by the taxpayers.)
My daughter went to the same hospital, saw the same doctors and received the same excellent care that should would have received if she had been covered by insurance. She walked away with a $20,000 bill that nobody ever expected her to pay and that was that. They'll settle for a thousand bucks or so and everyone carries on with their lives.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ March 21 2010, 12:20 AM GMTI was turned down by 8 insurance companies after my employer insurance was cancelled without my knowledge. I was told by 3 of the 8 to just go on our public assistance insurance. Yes, it costs me very little. However, I had to change oncologists and now have to be seen by a guy 50 miles away. Any tests have to approved weeks ahead of time and many of them aren't covered. I already know that the insurance offered by my soon to be new employer won't accept me due to my preexisting condition.
Just remind me again, you're the richest country in the world, right? *shakes head*
Quote: AndreaLynne @ March 21 2010, 12:20 AM GMTI was turned down by 8 insurance companies after my employer insurance was cancelled without my knowledge. I was told by 3 of the 8 to just go on our public assistance insurance. Yes, it costs me very little. However, I had to change oncologists and now have to be seen by a guy 50 miles away. Any tests have to approved weeks ahead of time and many of them aren't covered. I already know that the insurance offered by my soon to be new employer won't accept me due to my preexisting condition.
The horrible thing is I know with alot of more vulnerable people I support. Those conditions would lead to them either going bankrupt or dying. They just wouldn't cope.
Scary thing is I'd probably do not much better.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:20 AM GMTIt's the same health care. I know what I'm talking about because my daughter required hospitalization a month before her employer-provided insurance kicked in. (That, along with the pre-existing conditions rules are 2 areas where change would be welcomed by the taxpayers.)
My daughter went to the same hospital, saw the same doctors and received the same excellent care that should would have received if she had been covered by insurance. She walked away with a $20,000 bill that nobody ever expected her to pay and that was that. They'll settle for a thousand bucks or so and everyone carries on with their lives.
And it isn't going to screw her credit rating re mortgages future care etc.
You're not convincing me on that easily.
Also that 20,000 doesn't vanish. Some where it gets written off and adds to the rackety state of your health cares finances. Not to mention that outside of the apparently bounteous state of Texas other people do get blocked from treatment.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:20 AM GMTIt's the same health care. I know what I'm talking about because my daughter required hospitalization a month before her employer-provided insurance kicked in. (That, along with the pre-existing conditions rules are 2 areas where change would be welcomed by the taxpayers.)
My daughter went to the same hospital, saw the same doctors and received the same excellent care that should would have received if she had been covered by insurance. She walked away with a $20,000 bill that nobody ever expected her to pay and that was that. They'll settle for a thousand bucks or so and everyone carries on with their lives.
Sorry to hear your daughter was poorly and glad to hear she received good treatment. So the system there was "Those who can contribute, do. Those who can't contribute, don't"... That is pretty much what the NHS system is, but to a more extensive and long-term extent. If you have extra money or private health insurance, you can choose to either go to a private hospital or use the NHS. It's just that everyone (who can) contributes a relatively modest amount to the NHS through their national insurance payments.
Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:17 AM GMTOh for pity's sake they could invade Taiwan when ever they wanted and have been able to for years.
We have pledged to defend them under a defence treaty that's been in place for decades. China's burgeoning military has also sent their neighbors (Japan, for instance) into a buildup of their own.
Let's make a note to meet back here every 5 years or so and take a look at China's status.