Thanks to all who paid for my healthcare-not being sarcastic

whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
edited February 2012 in A Moving Train
For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    I don't think employers should provide health insurance. If you want real healthcare reform, pass a law banning them from doing so.
    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.
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    know1 wrote:
    I don't think employers should provide health insurance. If you want real healthcare reform, pass a law banning them from doing so.

    Say more. What's the alternative? Wouldn't the individual mandate provide relief for employers?
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
    were you raised in the states ? did your parents work and pay into the system ? if yes than no problem you're welcome. ;)
    I always support and encourage students.


    Godfather.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    whygohome wrote:
    know1 wrote:
    I don't think employers should provide health insurance. If you want real healthcare reform, pass a law banning them from doing so.

    Say more. What's the alternative? Wouldn't the individual mandate provide relief for employers?

    Take the extra money you will have from you employer not having to pay such high premiums and take care of your own healthcare whichever way you deem best. As consumers and people, we have allowed too much of the decisions on our own care to be taken away from us....all in the name of convenience.

    I would be rich today if I could have just had the money my employers have spent on premiums for me over the years and I managed my own healthcare myself.
    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.
  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    Here in Canada we all have health insurance provided through taxes by the government...works pretty good...you do wait a while for elective surgery, but anything heinous is dealt with in a timely manner.

    You did nothing wrong in my opinion...the last thing people should have to do is worry about payment when sick.
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    Godfather. wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
    were you raised in the states ? did your parents work and pay into the system ? if yes than no problem you're welcome. ;)
    I always support and encourage students.


    Godfather.

    No. I was raised on Long Island... :lol:. And yes, my parents worked and payed into the system
    As Bartles & Jaymes said, I thank you for your support.
  • maj4emaj4e Posts: 605
    For a decade I had insurance and never used it except for a doc in the box shot here and there. Once you actually USE insurance you see how ridiculous it has become. Either put caps on cost or give free healthcare. Here's a case in point.

    2006 my wife and I had a baby girl. Emergency C section, extra day in the hospital. 40 thousand dollars.
    2009 we have a baby boy 35 thousand dollars
    2011 after never being in a hospital in our lives my wife and i both have illnesses

    her- appendix ruptured 40 thousand dollars
    me- pneumonia and pleurisy 30 thousand dollars

    Let's total it up

    145 thousand dollars.

    We pay 225/mo for family coverage that's 50 plus years of premiums. That means that every dental visit, every snotty nose, someone else is paying for it.
    The system is horribly broken.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    My pleasure. :)

    To answer your question, I think we should have a single-payer system.
  • mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?


    mooching ... no...utilizing what is out there is what you did...nothing wrong with that...I would encourage more states to start offering medical services in the form of low-cost sliding fee scale clinics.
    no you should not be forced into an insurance exchange. that isn't and won't be a free market...
    Employers can provide insurance, but don't have to...it should be their choice.
    Single payer system is probably the best system overall costs wise, but has inherent problems as well. It is the largest benefit...but now that the cat is out of the bag here in the states it will be next to impossible to herd that thing back in...
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    A single-payer FAQ from PNHP (Physicians for National Healthcare)

    http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq#socialized
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
    Why were you not covered by your parents insurance when you were a student?
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    Blockhead wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
    Why were you not covered by your parents insurance when you were a student?

    It was graduate school, not undergraduate--I was in my mid-twenties.
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    whygohome wrote:
    Blockhead wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    For four years while I was in graduate school and then teaching part time, I wasn't able to afford health insurance. It wasn't offered to me--even when teaching at a university--and while still a student, I simply couldn't afford it, even though I was working at a restaurant and at a hardware store. The best quote I was offered was $200 a month.
    When something serious came up, I would go to a free clinic. So, I just wanted to extend my thanks to some of you who may have given me the opportunity to still go see a doctor when I was concerned about something, and for the opportunity to go to the emergency room should a reason rear its ugly head.

    So, I am interested in what you all think about my past situation. Should I be required to enter the free market via an insurance exchange? Should my employers have provided insurance? Was I mooching off the system?
    Why were you not covered by your parents insurance when you were a student?

    It was graduate school, not undergraduate--I was in my mid-twenties.
    You were in graduate school for 4 years??? how? I am assuiming this was to get your Master for Education, as you wanted to be a teacher? What were your other expensese during graduate school. $200 a month sounds like a great quote, considering you had two jobs.
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    edited February 2012
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread
    Post edited by whygohome on
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    whygohome wrote:
    A single-payer FAQ from PNHP (Physicians for National Healthcare)

    http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq#socialized

    :thumbup:
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    whygohome wrote:
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread
    So you had no issues pursuing your dreams of getting a Masters/now PHD to better YOUR future while putting your health care cost on other people?
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    Post deleted by Admin. Personal attacks/name calling are not ok. See the Posting Guidelines
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    Blockhead wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread
    So you had no issues pursuing your dreams of getting a Masters/now PHD to better YOUR future while putting your health care cost on other people?

    Her good education creates a better future for all of us, and it's well worth society's investment in her healthcare. She paid and will pay for her own healthcare through taxes anyway, so I wouldn't even say she put her healthcare costs on other people.
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    And so everyone in this thread is aware--since I am now being attacked--I only went to the "free" clinic 3 times in 4 years. I try to take good care of myself, but some things are out of my hands.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    whygohome wrote:
    And so everyone in this thread is aware--since I am now being attacked--I only went to the "free" clinic 3 times in 4 years. I try to take good care of myself, but some things are out of my hands.

    Sometimes I hope some of these people never have to face that reality. But sometimes I hope they do...
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    _ wrote:
    Blockhead wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread
    So you had no issues pursuing your dreams of getting a Masters/now PHD to better YOUR future while putting your health care cost on other people?

    Her good education creates a better future for all of us, and it's well worth society's investment in her healthcare. She paid and will pay for her own healthcare through taxes anyway, so I wouldn't even say she put her healthcare costs on other people.
    Education =/ a better future for all of us.
    If thats the case then someone getting an education in physics/chemistry/biology to create biological wepons is well worth society investment...
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    deleted by Admin
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    _ wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    And so everyone in this thread is aware--since I am now being attacked--I only went to the "free" clinic 3 times in 4 years. I try to take good care of myself, but some things are out of my hands.

    Sometimes I hope some of these people never have to face that reality. But sometimes I hope they do...
    face reality... That is something that you continually ignore. I see your still wishing bad things on people who don't agree with you...
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    deleted by admin
  • whygohome wrote:
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread

    You asked if you were mooching off the system, how is it you figure your income and expenses aren't relevant to the thread?

    Almost by definition, you were mooching off the system, as I'm guessing you weren't paying income tax, that is you were using something you didn't pay for.

    As for your other two questions, employers should absolutely not have to cover health care benefits, it is already hard enough to run a small business without having to cover those costs.

    And should you have had to enter the free market to get insurance? I honestly don't have any objection to helping pay for health care of those that can't afford it. I have zero objection to making healthcare completely socialized. If you can look back and say there was no way I could afford healthcare, then I don't think you should have had to pay for it. If you look back and say I probably spent ~200 a month on movies, drinks, travel and leisure activities, then you made a conscious decision to make other people pay for your expenses. That is something only you can answer.
  • BlockheadBlockhead Posts: 1,538
    polaris_x wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    Not the point of the thread, but you can go fuck yourself. You're quite a disgusting piece of shit for making an erroneous comment like that.
    (Also, on a side note, now that I have funding while pursuing a PhD, healthcare is provided.)

    haven't you seen all the signs? ... don't feed the trolls! ... although the objective person in me says - you sort of bait that kind of response based on your thread title ... :)
    Oh no! Someone has a different opinion than me, quick lets call them names...
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    Blockhead wrote:
    _ wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    And so everyone in this thread is aware--since I am now being attacked--I only went to the "free" clinic 3 times in 4 years. I try to take good care of myself, but some things are out of my hands.

    Sometimes I hope some of these people never have to face that reality. But sometimes I hope they do...
    face reality... That is something that you continually ignore. I see your still wishing bad things on people who don't agree with you...

    Nope. I'm only wishing for clarity for people, which is necessarily a good thing. What path they have to take to get there is up to them.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    Blockhead wrote:
    Oh no! Someone has a different opinion than me, quick lets call them names...

    dude ... you can have a different opinion ... in fact, many people here have them ... but you can voice that difference with some respect and class ... that is all ...
  • whygohomewhygohome Posts: 2,305
    bgivens33 wrote:
    whygohome wrote:
    I'm currently still in school getting my PhD. 2 years in school for my MA, where I bartended at a Country Club for $8 an hour and no tips and also worked at a hardware store for $7.50 an hour--not at the same time though. I later waited tables also. I never made more than $1,000-$1,100 a month. With all the work that goes into graduate studies--despite the stereotypes--the time I was able to devote to part-time jobs is a bit limited.

    The other 2 years after receiving my MA, I taught at a university--4 classes per semester-- and in the second year also at a community college, which added two more classes per semester. My yearly salary came out to a whopping $16,000. Ask anyone who has held an adjunct instructor position--it does not pay well.

    Other expenses included:
    rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, food, books and university fees (though financial aid covered this), credit card debt.
    Whether or not $200 a month is a good quote, I simply could not fit it into my budget.
    Was not paying the $200 a month my choice? Yes. But, that was not the purpose of this thread

    You asked if you were mooching off the system, how is it you figure your income and expenses aren't relevant to the thread?

    Almost by definition, you were mooching off the system, as I'm guessing you weren't paying income tax, that is you were using something you didn't pay for.

    As for your other two questions, employers should absolutely not have to cover health care benefits, it is already hard enough to run a small business without having to cover those costs.

    And should you have had to enter the free market to get insurance? I honestly don't have any objection to helping pay for health care of those that can't afford it. I have zero objection to making healthcare completely socialized. If you can look back and say there was no way I could afford healthcare, then I don't think you should have had to pay for it. If you look back and say I probably spent ~200 a month on movies, drinks, travel and leisure activities, then you made a conscious decision to make other people pay for your expenses. That is something only you can answer.

    I never said my income and expenses weren't relevant. And yes, I was paying income taxes.
    I agree that employers should not be required to pay for health insurance. This would remove a huge burden. The costs then get shifted to the individual who may or may not see an increase in salary/wages to cover the cost of insurance.

    And no, I wasn't wasting money on leisure activities. I did not make a conscious decision to make other people pay for my expenses. As I stated in another post, I only went to the "free" clinic 3 times in 4 years.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    whygohome wrote:
    I wasn't being sarcastic though. My intent was to start a conversation.

    oh ... i totally understand ... i think you've gotten a decent discussion ... but sometimes you have to take a step back and view it from the perspective of some people on this board ... there are people here who like to use the words forced and theft when discussing taxes ... the very idea of socialized healthcare grates them to the bone ... they see a title like that and they take it like a slap to the face ... :lol:
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