So, a patient just called me...

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Comments

  • __ Posts: 6,651
    jlew24asu wrote:
    scb wrote:
    Third, it doesn't matter whether or not you think this cost is doable. If it's not doable for them, it's not doable. And then your tax dollars will eat the higher cost when they either receive care they can't pay for or deliver a baby with higher complications.

    I've always said I support health care for children. this counts. I support my tax dollars going to help this woman.

    Wait - are you saying we should pay for healthcare for all patient who are "with child" then?
    jlew24asu wrote:
    BUT, you make it sound like she has no options. she does.

    I'm sorry, what were those options again? Bear in mind, please, that she needs options she can count on - not "your loan will probably be low-interest" or "you can afford it as long as you don't have any complications".
    jlew24asu wrote:
    scb wrote:
    Fourth, I wish I made this shit up for debating purposes! But instead, I debate because I'm passionate about this stuff because it's not made up and I deal with it every day.

    As for this patient, it just so happens that our Wednesday AM clinic is set aside specifically for women who need pregnancy ultrasounds and/or who need pregancy options counseling, and I coordinate the clinic and give Medicaid to those who need it. The Medicaid part comes first (since so many healthcare decisions are made based on financial concerns). I tried to give her Medicaid and came & posted. Then the pregnancy counseling part happens, after which I found out that she's considering abortion.

    You're just in luck that this patient came in today.... although it's not unlikely since we have patients like this most days, unfortunately.

    it certainly is a perfect example to discuss ;)

    Like I said, I have many, many of these perfect examples. They shape my opinion, not the other way around. I can post a new one every day if you'd like.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    scb wrote:

    Wait - are you saying we should pay for healthcare for all patient who are "with child" then?

    I would support a plan that helped or completely subsidized pregnant women. but I would need to see specifics. I would prefer it be based on need and not an open checkbook.

    scb wrote:
    I'm sorry, what were those options again? Bear in mind, please, that she needs options she can count on - not "your loan will probably be low-interest" or "you can afford it as long as you don't have any complications".


    just because you dont like the options, doesn't mean they dont exist.

    they could be more careful while having sex if they didnt want children. you said she was on the pill, great. im sure more precautions could have been taken. like a condom or withdrawal method in additional to the pill.. no, we dont know if that was used, but its safe to assume it wasn't.

    she could buy her own insurance plan.

    she could pay for the care herself and use some of tips
    http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card- ... s-1266.php

    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    jlew24asu wrote:
    scb wrote:

    I still don't get why you think everyone has this option to pay back their medical bills interest free for as long as it takes.

    I'm just going off personal experience. and a quick google search confirmed what I'm talking about

    http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card- ... s-1266.php

    here are just 4 of 15 tips to high medical bills.

    1. Everything's negotiable. You may be able to get a portion of the bill reduced. A hospital bill typically includes items for surgery, anesthesiology, medications, X-rays and other expenses. Contact information for each should be included on the bill. Try talking to the service providers to see if they will reduce their fees in any way.

    2. Payment plans. If you can't pay the entire balance at once (and many people can't), work out a payment plan with the doctor or hospital. Some charge no interest; others do. Make sure the plan is realistic and based on your ability to pay. Stick to the plan. If your circumstances change, contact the medical provider and try to negotiate a different arrangement. Get all payment terms in writing by asking the medical provider to send you written confirmation so there is proof.

    3. Credit reports. According to Experian and TransUnion -- two of the three major credit reporting agencies -- hospitals, doctors and medical providers rarely report payment information to the bureaus. "Accounts reported by medical businesses account for only .07 percent of our data," according to Maxine Sweet, Experian's vice president of public education. Adds TransUnion spokesman Steven Katz: "These types of debts are not typically reported unless they become delinquent and are assigned to collections." On the other hand, payments on credit cards, installment loans and lines of credit are all reported to the credit bureaus. So working out a payment plan with the doctor or hospital may be a better option for you if you're concerned about medical debt lowering your credit score.

    4. Charity begins at the hospital. The majority of hospitals across the country, especially nonprofit hospitals, have charity care programs that pick up all or part of the cost of care for indigent or special needs families. Some restrict such aid to the uninsured or offer discounted services to the insured with limited incomes. Medical bill negotiators complain, however, that the availability of these programs is often poorly publicized in hospitals. Patients must often ask about them and actively seek them out. Don't be embarrassed to ask! Hospitals have financial counselors and patient advocates who may be able to offer advice.

    These are all great tips, but they are only possibilities. My point was that there are many cracks that people can slip through.

    FYI... I just called the billing office for our hospital. The woman I spoke with said we don't charge interest for payment plans and there are some patients who take a long time to pay off their bills (although she stopped short of saying you can take as long as you'd like). She also said that if you miss two payments you're sent to collections, at which point you're subject to the policies and interest rates of the collection agencies.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    polaris_x wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    :roll: the system can be improved for the entire population without going to UHC.

    can you point to any other country's health care system that is better that is not socialized?


    soo ... any examples?
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 20,942
    {crickets}
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    jlew24asu wrote:
    scb wrote:

    Wait - are you saying we should pay for healthcare for all patient who are "with child" then?

    I would support a plan that helped or completely subsidized pregnant women. but I would need to see specifics. I would prefer it be based on need and not an open checkbook.

    scb wrote:
    I'm sorry, what were those options again? Bear in mind, please, that she needs options she can count on - not "your loan will probably be low-interest" or "you can afford it as long as you don't have any complications".


    just because you dont like the options, doesn't mean they dont exist.

    they could be more careful while having sex if they didnt want children. you said she was on the pill, great. im sure more precautions could have been taken. like a condom or withdrawal method in additional to the pill.. no, we dont know if that was used, but its safe to assume it wasn't.

    she could buy her own insurance plan.

    she could pay for the care herself and use some of tips
    http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card- ... s-1266.php

    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.

    Would you support care for undocumented immigrants who are pregant?

    I never said I don't like the options. I love all the options that help patients! I'm just saying there are cracks between all these options.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    jlew24asu wrote:
    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.

    You don't think there's something wrong with the idea that a given citizen's choice of career might be dictated by a private insurance company? We prosecute the mafia for saying things like "no sir, I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just saying that accidents happen and we are offering you protection should you choose to play ball with us."
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    jlew24asu wrote:
    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.

    You don't think there's something wrong with the idea that a given citizen's choice of career might be dictated by a private insurance company? We prosecute the mafia for saying things like "no sir, I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just saying that accidents happen and we are offering you protection should you choose to play ball with us."

    You know SS, sometimes I think you're kind of an ass.... but sometimes you crack me up! :D
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    jlew24asu wrote:
    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.

    You don't think there's something wrong with the idea that a given citizen's choice of career might be dictated by a private insurance company? We prosecute the mafia for saying things like "no sir, I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just saying that accidents happen and we are offering you protection should you choose to play ball with us."

    you make it sound like employer provider healthcare is rare. and I'm not saying I like it, I'm just saying that its an option.

    I worked for a company out of college that didnt offer health insurance. I bought my own with a lower payment and high deducible. I worked hard and bettered myself and was able to get a job with a better company that paid 100% of my premium. I didnt sit around and hope someone would pay for my care. I put that responsibility on myself.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    scb wrote:
    asking if she could be seen by one of our docs. She has the list of the docs her health insurance will allow her to see and she's just going down the list calling every one. She's was on the L's by the time she got to me. I had to turn her away too.

    Gotta love that "choice" provided to us by the private insurance companies!

    I don't see what that has to do with the insurance companies. All it really says is it's hard to find a doctor.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    polaris_x wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    :roll: the system can be improved for the entire population without going to UHC.

    can you point to any other country's health care system that is better that is not socialized?

    soo ... any examples?

    in terms of what?
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    jlew24asu wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    she AND the BF can look for different jobs that do offer insurance.

    You don't think there's something wrong with the idea that a given citizen's choice of career might be dictated by a private insurance company? We prosecute the mafia for saying things like "no sir, I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just saying that accidents happen and we are offering you protection should you choose to play ball with us."

    you make it sound like employer provider healthcare is rare. and I'm not saying I like it, I'm just saying that its an option.

    I worked for a company out of college that didnt offer health insurance. I bought my own with a lower payment and high deducible. I worked hard and bettered myself and was able to get a job with a better company that paid 100% of my premium. I didnt sit around and hope someone would pay for my care. I put that responsibility on myself.

    It's not just enough to find an employer that offers health care, you have to get the right KIND of health care. There's no telling if your employer will offer a plan that meets your needs, or if buying a private plan that does meet your needs is affordable. Add children into the mix... and it's a real crapshoot.

    But there's the argument I've been waiting for that you've managed to keep hidden so long, which I must admit is impressive. But all comes down to "just pull yourself up by the bootstraps!" Of course, it is always that simple.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    know1 wrote:
    scb wrote:
    asking if she could be seen by one of our docs. She has the list of the docs her health insurance will allow her to see and she's just going down the list calling every one. She's was on the L's by the time she got to me. I had to turn her away too.

    Gotta love that "choice" provided to us by the private insurance companies!

    I don't see what that has to do with the insurance companies. All it really says is it's hard to find a doctor.

    The insurance companies limit your choice of doctor. You cannot see a doctor not on their list.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118

    But there's the argument I've been waiting for that you've managed to keep hidden so long, which I must admit is impressive. But all comes down to "just pull yourself up by the bootstraps!" Of course, it is always that simple.

    of course its not simple, life isn't.... you of all people should know that.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    Jlew... I get your point that the WHO hasn't produced a world health ranking report in nearly 10 years (although that's not THAT long), so I tried to think of something else that might be a reasonable indicator of health. I looked up the WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA/The World Bank estimates of maternal mortality for 2005 and here's what I found out:

    There are 33 countries with a lower maternal mortality ratio (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) AND a higher lifetime risk of maternal death (1 in x):

    Australia
    Austria
    Belgium
    Bosnia & Herzegovina
    Canada
    Croatia
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Finland
    France
    Germany
    Greece
    Hungary
    Iceland
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Japan
    Kuwait
    Latvia
    Malta
    Netherlands
    New Zealand
    Norway
    Poland
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Spain
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
    United Kingdom
    Average of industrialized countries

    Our lifetime risk of maternal death (1:4,800) is more than twice as high as:

    Australia (1:13,300)
    Austria (1:21,500)
    Bosnia & Herzegovina (1:29,000)
    Canada (1:11,000)
    Croatia (1:10,500)
    Czech Republic (1:18,100)
    Denmark (1:17,800)
    Germany (1:19,200)
    Greece (1:25,900)
    Hungary (1:13,300)
    Iceland (1:12,700)
    Ireland (1:47,600 - wow!)
    Italy (1:26,600)
    Japan (1:11,600)
    Netherlands (1:10,200)
    Poland (1:10,600)
    Slovakia (1:13,800)
    Slovenia (1:14,200)
    Spain (1:16,400)
    Sweden (1:17,400)
    Switzerland (1:13,800)
    Average for industrialized countried (1:8,000)
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    know1 wrote:
    scb wrote:
    asking if she could be seen by one of our docs. She has the list of the docs her health insurance will allow her to see and she's just going down the list calling every one. She's was on the L's by the time she got to me. I had to turn her away too.

    Gotta love that "choice" provided to us by the private insurance companies!

    I don't see what that has to do with the insurance companies. All it really says is it's hard to find a doctor.

    The point is that insurance companies limit - not expand - your choice of doctors.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    jlew24asu wrote:
    :roll: the system can be improved for the entire population without going to UHC.
    polaris_x wrote:
    can you point to any other country's health care system that is better that is not socialized?

    your assertation is the UHC is not the solution to deliver health care ... is there a country out there that is delivering a better health care system that isn't socialized?
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    polaris_x wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    :roll: the system can be improved for the entire population without going to UHC.
    polaris_x wrote:
    can you point to any other country's health care system that is better that is not socialized?

    your assertation is the UHC is not the solution to deliver health care ... is there a country out there that is delivering a better health care system that isn't socialized?

    thats a loaded question if I ever saw one.


    the government will need to be involved in some way to provide the care for everyone. but we dont need UHC to accomplish that.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    I'm outta here. hope everyone tunes in to Obama's speech tonight. I'll be watching.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    jlew24asu wrote:
    thats a loaded question if I ever saw one.

    the government will need to be involved in some way to provide the care for everyone. but we dont need UHC to accomplish that.

    i don't see how it's loaded ... it seems you are arguing against UHC but cannot point to an alternative system that ultimately will deliver the type of health care everyone would want ...
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    polaris_x wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    thats a loaded question if I ever saw one.

    the government will need to be involved in some way to provide the care for everyone. but we dont need UHC to accomplish that.

    i don't see how it's loaded ... it seems you are arguing against UHC but cannot point to an alternative system that ultimately will deliver the type of health care everyone would want ...

    because that alternative system doesnt exist yet. thats what you people can't seem to grasp. we need a new line of thinking in order to make the system better for everyone. I've given my thoughts many times as to how that would look. but I'm no expert, I'm just one guy with an opinion and a voice.

    I'm not willing to accept UHC just because other countries do it. I see too many potential problems and I'm also not willing to just hand over control to the government. their track record proves less then stellar on many programs.
  • decides2dreamdecides2dream Posts: 14,977
    jlew24asu wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    jlew24asu wrote:
    thats a loaded question if I ever saw one.

    the government will need to be involved in some way to provide the care for everyone. but we dont need UHC to accomplish that.

    i don't see how it's loaded ... it seems you are arguing against UHC but cannot point to an alternative system that ultimately will deliver the type of health care everyone would want ...

    because that alternative system doesnt exist yet. thats what you people can't seem to grasp. we need a new line of thinking in order to make the system better for everyone. I've given my thoughts many times as to how that would look. but I'm no expert, I'm just one guy with an opinion and a voice.

    I'm not willing to accept UHC just because other countries do it. I see too many potential problems and I'm also not willing to just hand over control to the government. their track record proves less then stellar on many programs.



    we grasp it. :)
    we DO need a new line of thinking, and even UHC, it would be uniquely our own version, not a cookie-cutter solution. i think many have suggested, myself included, that other countries UHC serve merely as a model, at most...but that we need to create our own, new model...that will work for us. now i understand you just don't want UHC, fair enough (and i know you've thrown out ideas, but none thus far that personally appeal to me...so i am still looking for this 'better alternative' that will appeal/serve us all).....but the flip side of that is simply b/c many of us do want UHC, doesn't mean we don't want our own, unique system. however, i am absolutely open to the idea of an entirely alternate, unique system that does not exist anywhere yet.....as long as it is better than what we have now and UHC. tho in my mind, even this alternate...would look and behave a lot more closely to UHC than private insurance, but all labels in any case. i don't give a shit what it's called, i care about it's application, usage and benefit to ALL.
    Stay with me...
    Let's just breathe...


    I am myself like you somehow


  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118

    we grasp it. :)
    we DO need a new line of thinking, and even UHC, it would be uniquely our own version, not a cookie-cutter solution. i think many have suggested, myself included, that other countries UHC serve merely as a model, at most...but that we need to create our own, new model...that will work for us. now i understand you just don't want UHC, fair enough (and i know you've thrown out ideas, but none thus far that personally appeal to me...so i am still looking for this 'better alternative' that will appeal/serve us all).....but the flip side of that is simply b/c many of us do want UHC, doesn't mean we don't want our own, unique system. however, i am absolutely open to the idea of an entirely alternate, unique system that does not exist anywhere yet.....as long as it is better than what we have now and UHC. tho in my mind, even this alternate...would look and behave a lot more closely to UHC than private insurance, but all labels in any case. i don't give a shit what it's called, i care about it's application, usage and benefit to ALL.

    a new line of thinking? really? sounds like you want UHC. yea, what a groundbreaking idea :roll:
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    jlew24asu wrote:
    I'm outta here. hope everyone tunes in to Obama's speech tonight. I'll be watching.

    did anyone watch? I did. I really liked some of his ideas.....some of which I've been arguing for such as government policing of the insurance industry. what I don't like is the funding for it. still vague. actually much of the bill is so its hard to make s decision yet. like insurance exchange? what the hell is that.. anywho, I did like many things he said last night. if anyone has a link to his talking points that would be great.
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    jlew24asu wrote:
    here I have another touching story for you...there are plenty if you'd like to read through the others..

    http://patientsunitednow.com/?q=node/429

    Andrew D. - Seattle, WA
    Submitted by mdemkovich on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 18:16

    Trust me you do not want this to happen to America. Read on... My family lived in England for 2 years in 2007-2009 and experienced Socialized Medicine first hand. Meghan (my daughter) was born in England and also got very sick in England. We saw firsthand how a government run system breeds mediocre coverage, doing the bare minimum to help patients in need and not performing vital services because they are too expensive on the system.

    A prime example: My daughter was 3 weeks old when she had a seizure. We got her to the hospital where the doctors immediately did a spinal tap to diagnose the problem with VERY limited testing (cost controls). They could only perform limited testing on the spinal fluid due to the lack of proper equipment at the hospital (lack of funding and cost controls). In order to accurately diagnose why my daughter had a seizure they had to send the samples away for testing (again cost controls, the government run systems can only support so much equipment and services at different hospitals) Little did we know the testing is only done once a week, on Fridays, because the system cannot support the expenses to have daily or even hourly testing service and the equipment at every hospital. We entered the hospital on Sunday evening and had to wait until that Friday for results!!

    Meghan then had another seizure!! The doctors tried numerous individual things on my little Meghan to try and discover the problem, when if they would have tested the fluid they would have known she had viral meningitis. After a weeks worth of horrible services, demoralizing treatment and arguments with a staff that could only provide basic services we learned what she had and then could properly treat my 3 week old daughter. We felt helpless to do anything but watch my daughter cry endlessly, scared, unfed (another thing they were “trying”) and wait.

    The doctors could only do so much with the resources available. It was horrible, and I wouldn’t wish this type of system on anyone. People out there think a system like Canada or England is a good thing for the population, but I have to tell you it is the worst idea, the worst services possible and sure fire way to get the worst treatment available for any of our families and loved ones.

    I have more stories like this for the birth of our daughter that outline why this system breeds mediocrity and low levels of services for our people. Don’t Do it America. Don’t Do it...

    I have another example of a friend in England who broke her arm in 3 places, and it was “set” using equipment too large for her arm because the system only carries “1 size fits all” for broken bones. She now has limited mobility and loss of senses in her hand because they could not support her smaller arm/body with the properly sized equipment.


    fuck sake.... for every one horror story like this there are millions of others... yes millions.. who are seen by our National Health System and are treated well, efficiently and FREE.

    here's a horror story...

    http://www.click2houston.com/news/19400 ... ail.html#-

    people get charged for rape kits in the States? thats fuckied up... if i got stabbed by a mentalist i'd have to pay for my medical care? thats fucked up.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    dunkman wrote:
    if i got stabbed by a mentalist i'd have to pay for my medical care? thats fucked up.


    Who do you think should pay for it? I'd agree with the "mentalist".

    There is no such thing as free health care...someone's always paying for it.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    dunkman wrote:

    fuck sake.... for every one horror story like this there are millions of others... yes millions.. who are seen by our National Health System and are treated well, efficiently and FREE.


    your healthcare is anything but FREE :roll:
    dunkman wrote:
    here's a horror story...

    http://www.click2houston.com/news/19400 ... ail.html#-

    people get charged for rape kits in the States? thats fuckied up... if i got stabbed by a mentalist i'd have to pay for my medical care? thats fucked up.

    paying for something you need. what a shocking reality. or sue the mentalist, he would be the one liable.
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 20,942
    do you really need to keep arguing about the "free" comments? We all know there is a cost and by "free" it means you don't get harassed for an insurance card and denied treatment because you don't have your card and/or you aren't refused treatment because you aren't insured or have $10,000 in your pocket to fix your broken finger
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    do you really need to keep arguing about the "free" comments? We all know there is a cost and by "free" it means you don't get harassed for an insurance card and denied treatment because you don't have your card and/or you aren't refused treatment because you aren't insured or have $10,000 in your pocket to fix your broken finger

    no, absolutely not. people like dunk probably actually believe its free.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    do you really need to keep arguing about the "free" comments? We all know there is a cost and by "free" it means you don't get harassed for an insurance card and denied treatment because you don't have your card and/or you aren't refused treatment because you aren't insured or have $10,000 in your pocket to fix your broken finger


    How can you stop arguing about the $? It's the whole discussion. Everyone wants everyone to have the best health care when they need it....the who's going to pay for it (and how) is the only thing left to discuss.
    hippiemom = goodness
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