The Democratic Candidates

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  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,115
    edited June 2019
    It would have been interesting driving around after the change...so no major problems occurred, which is good.

    It's probably not a pointless fact...but I love this kind of trivia.
    Thank you for making me have to read up on it. Haha. Love trivia too.

    I only know it as a famous case here where the people wanted one thing, and the government/parliament went in another direction "for the better". 
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,438
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I meant was that there is no good argument for the current US system over universal healthcare. I could blah blah blah about that for a while, and talk about how US healthcare costs way more than it does in any other country, but the bottom line is simply that's because there is no good argument for poor people not being able to access healthcare, nor for regular people going broke because they get sick. And both of those things happen in the USA because of the current insurance system. And frankly, I don't see how a system where the rich pay for private insurance while the poor are on some public system would work. I don't think that is possible while still maintaining human rights.
    I understand.  But I'm not sure I understand why a public/private option cannot work.  We essentially have that today for seniors and the very poor with medicare and medicaid.  You can expand medicaid to higher income levels through Obamacare and broaden the subsidies into the middle class.  
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    Thank you for making me have to read up on it. Haha. Love trivia too.

    I only know it as a famous case here where the people wanted one thing, and the government/parliament went in another direction "for the better". 
    I wonder if it made autos cheaper...since most of the world drive on the right... the majority of vehicles are manufactured for the right side...

    That is interesting.  I thought only British Colonies drove on the left.  Canada is a British colony that drives on the right, but that makes sense since the US drives on the right...imagine the fucking confusion if they drove on the right and us on the left...holy fuck...that'd be a mess.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,826
    mrussel1 said:
    I understand.  But I'm not sure I understand why a public/private option cannot work.  We essentially have that today for seniors and the very poor with medicare and medicaid.  You can expand medicaid to higher income levels through Obamacare and broaden the subsidies into the middle class.  
    I m definitely not a fan of universal health care.  I am not an expert in the health care industry but I don’t see why both type of insurances can’t coexist.   
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    mcgruff10 said:
    I m definitely not a fan of universal health care.  I am not an expert in the health care industry but I don’t see why both type of insurances can’t coexist.   
    Because of stone cold reality in this fucked up world. That would create a two-tiered system where all the best doctors are serving all the people with money with all the best care, while the majority of people - those without all the money - are getting far inferior care from inferior doctors who are earning too little. It would just further the growing chasm between the rich and poor. That is about the most dangerous road a nation can go down IMO.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,438
    PJ_Soul said:
    Because of stone cold reality in this fucked up world. That would create a two-tiered system where all the best doctors are serving all the people with money with all the best care, while the majority of people - those without all the money - are getting far inferior care from inferior doctors who are earning too little. It would just further the growing chasm between the rich and poor. That is about the most dangerous road a nation can go down IMO.
    Private physicians take Medicare and Medicaid today.  There are no federal doctors for those programs.   The VA does have that and there are lots of problems. 
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    mrussel1 said:
    Private physicians take Medicare and Medicaid today.  There are no federal doctors for those programs.   The VA does have that and there are lots of problems. 
    If your Mother paid out of pocket for a medical procedure...then we have 2 tier healthcare...

    And we have had two teir healthcare for a long time...and if dr.s were to leave the public sector, they would have it's called the US home and as I pointed out, where I live there is no dr. shortage and drs could easily work at state of the art hospitals in the US...not the 1950 hospitals that most of Canada have.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I meant was that there is no good argument for the current US system over universal healthcare. I could blah blah blah about that for a while, and talk about how US healthcare costs way more than it does in any other country, but the bottom line is simply that's because there is no good argument for poor people not being able to access healthcare, nor for regular people going broke because they get sick. And both of those things happen in the USA because of the current insurance system. And frankly, I don't see how a system where the rich pay for private insurance while the poor are on some public system would work. I don't think that is possible while still maintaining human rights.
    The poor absolutely benefited from Obamacare. I knew people who finally were able to get coverage once Obamacare was enacted. So it definitely worked for them But the bolded part of your post is where I think critical mass needs to be for candidates talking to constituents. I know that Mace has talked about his coverage in the Healthcare thread and I have talked at length about it as well in that thread. Regular people like me may have coverage, but all disposable income goes toward covering the premiums. That leaves nothing for co-pays and deductibles. So the standard first step before deciding to seek medical treatment is to check the current balance on the bank account. That's the first step when deciding what course of treatment to take as well. Can I survive this without having to go see a doctor? Can Ibuprofen at least mask the symptoms and make things bearable until next payday? I had a procedure last year at an in-network hospital. I of course still had a hefty portion of the bill to pay due to co-pay. Luckily they let me make payments over the course of the year. But I goddamned knew that I wasn't going to go to the doctor for the next year until the previous procedure was paid off. It also costs me a $60 office visit co-pay just to walk in the door. So I recently had an issue, paid my $60, spent a couple of minutes with the doctor and got a referral to a specialist. Went to the specialist and paid my $60 office visit co-pay. Then got to pay my co-pay for x-rays, lab tests, meds, etc... Then back the next week for a follow-up and another $60. And again two weeks after that. So my little issue cost me $240 just in office visit co-pays. $240 just to see the doctor for one issue. Now I decide whether to spend the $60 to say hi to my Dr. or perhaps use that money for some Costco sized bottles of Ibuprofen and call it good. So far the latter is working out for me this year. Since I'd prefer not to bankrupt my family, I will likely ignore any issues that have the potential to get into 5 or 6 figure medical bills. US healthcare is bullshit. We spend twice per capita of any other western industrialized nation, we have some of the lowest mortality rates and outcomes of those same nations. To say universal healthcare wouldn't work here is to say we are too dumb to understand what the rest of the modern industrialized western democracies understand. If we took premiums that we pay, that employers pay, and that the government is currently paying and apply that to universal healthcare in the form of taxes, we'd probably be ahead. And we'd have no more co-pays or financial decisions to make about whether to seek treatment. But fuck it. The middle class can fend for themselves rather than risk "socialism". 
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,438
    If your Mother paid out of pocket for a medical procedure...then we have 2 tier healthcare...

    And we have had two teir healthcare for a long time...and if dr.s were to leave the public sector, they would have it's called the US home and as I pointed out, where I live there is no dr. shortage and drs could easily work at state of the art hospitals in the US...not the 1950 hospitals that most of Canada have.
    I don't understand what you're saying.   My mom is on Medicare because she is a senior.  She goes to a private doctor.  The only federal doctors that im aware of are military and VA .
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    If your Mother paid out of pocket for a medical procedure...then we have 2 tier healthcare...

    And we have had two teir healthcare for a long time...and if dr.s were to leave the public sector, they would have it's called the US home and as I pointed out, where I live there is no dr. shortage and drs could easily work at state of the art hospitals in the US...not the 1950 hospitals that most of Canada have.
    No, because a person without the money would have gotten the exact same care. They just would have had to wait a little longer. If they wouldn't medically afford to wait, then they would not have to wait, and would have still gotten the exact same care as my mom did. That is obviously NOT the kind of distinctions I was talking about at all. I'm talking about good healthcare for the rich, and shit healthcare for the poor. That is not the case in Canada.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    mrussel1 said:
    I don't understand what you're saying.   My mom is on Medicare because she is a senior.  She goes to a private doctor.  The only federal doctors that im aware of are military and VA .
    I think he was talking to me. :)
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,826
    PJ_Soul said:
    No, because a person without the money would have gotten the exact same care. They just would have had to wait a little longer. If they wouldn't medically afford to wait, then they would not have to wait, and would have still gotten the exact same care as my mom did.
    So the less you make the more you wait for care?  Seems fair.
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    mcgruff10 said:
    So the less you make the more you wait for care?  Seems fair.
    FFS. No. Are you not paying attention to what I'm saying? When it actually matters, medically, NOBODY waits longer than anyone else, and it certainly isn't on a sliding scale like you are implying. Skipping wait times for those who can afford it is never for care that is urgent. So yeah, people with money can pay through the nose if they are impatient, but that is not that big a deal in the scheme of things, considering what is available to EVERYONE, no matter how poor they may be. I did not claim it is a perfect system, ever. But I am saying it is a FAR better system than the USA's. I mean, you're talking about fair with that, while in the USA, people are literally going bankrupt, and literally DYING because they are poor. That seems more fair to you??
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,826
    PJ_Soul said:
    FFS. No. Are you not paying attention to what I'm saying? When it actually matters, medically, NOBODY waits longer than anyone else. Skipping wait times for those who can afford it is never for care that is urgent. So yeah, people with money can pay through the nose if they are impatient, but that is not that big a deal in the scheme of things, considering what is available to EVERYONE, no matter how poor they may be. I did not claim it is a perfect system, ever. But I am saying it is a FAR better system than the USA's.
    So if you make a lot you can skip wait lines (in an obvious non emergency situation) and it isn't a big deal?  So let's say my eye appoint is next Tuesda,y I could possibly be bumped to the following week if someone with more money doesn't want to wait?  Again, seems fair.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,115
    mcgruff10 said:
    So the less you make the more you wait for care?  Seems fair.
    Americans.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,826
    edited June 2019
    Americans.
    What part did I get wrong?  I am not versed with the Canadian health care system since ya know, I'm American.
    Post edited by mcgruff10 on
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    mcgruff10 said:
    So if you make a lot you can skip wait lines (in an obvious non emergency situation) and it isn't a big deal?  So let's say my eye appoint is next Tuesda,y I could possibly be bumped to the following week if someone with more money doesn't want to wait?  Again, seems fair.  
    Nope. People can't pay their ways past people in line. That isn't how it works. They can pay their way into a private clinic that doesn't have anyone who doesn't pay out of pocket in line in the first place - they are operating in a complete separate little system (it's a very small one - most people are perfectly happy working within the public system), which wouldn't even exist if these people weren't paying for it out of pocket (in some cases these clinics actually do make room for people in the public system, and it's illegal to bump them because someone is paying to get ahead of them). And you just wait your turn at these private clinics. It's not like you can pay extra and jump their queue. Nobody is ever bumped by a rich person here. That is a ludicrous concept that wouldn't be tolerated in Canada. The only reason you get bumped down a waitlist is when someone is prioritized because of medical urgency only. I.e. if you need it but it's not urgent, and someone is going to die if they don't get it right away, then you could be bumped so they can save someone's life.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 42,883
    On Joe and his evolution on abortion, its important to note ge is a devout practicing catholic who holds that for him he personally is against it, but doesnt believe his belief should be imposed on anyone governmentally.

    a stance many elected officials would do well to emulate.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,115
    edited June 2019
    WHY IS THIS QUOTING SHIT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE DELETED.


    8 seconds of Biden humour right here:

    https://vimeo.com/340549245
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    PJ_Soul said:
    No, because a person without the money would have gotten the exact same care. They just would have had to wait a little longer. If they wouldn't medically afford to wait, then they would not have to wait, and would have still gotten the exact same care as my mom did. That is obviously NOT the kind of distinctions I was talking about at all. I'm talking about good healthcare for the rich, and shit healthcare for the poor. That is not the case in Canada.
    If you have the option of paying for a medical procedure, instead of waiting in line ... that is 2 teir healthcare.  
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    mcgruff10 said:
    So if you make a lot you can skip wait lines (in an obvious non emergency situation) and it isn't a big deal?  So let's say my eye appoint is next Tuesda,y I could possibly be bumped to the following week if someone with more money doesn't want to wait?  Again, seems fair.  
    That does not happen in our system.  But if you have the means the US is an option that many choose.  

    It's also important to remember we do not have true universal health care.  If you do not have benefits from work...then it's a big FU from the government...so in that sense, those with benefits and money do get better healthcare, much better...and our government has done fuck all to even the playing field...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,849
    That does not happen in our system.  But if you have the means the US is an option that many choose.  

    It's also important to remember we do not have true universal health care.  If you do not have benefits from work...then it's a big FU from the government...so in that sense, those with benefits and money do get better healthcare, much better...and our government has done fuck all to even the playing field...

    It's important to clarify what you mean by this. "Benefits from work" would typically cover part or all of things like vision care, dental care, and allied health professionals like physio, massage, etc. The actual doctor's visits, hospital stays, etc, are covered for everybody regardless of employment status. It does look like we're moving in the direction of a federal drug benefits plan, so there's that. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,438

    It's important to clarify what you mean by this. "Benefits from work" would typically cover part or all of things like vision care, dental care, and allied health professionals like physio, massage, etc. The actual doctor's visits, hospital stays, etc, are covered for everybody regardless of employment status. It does look like we're moving in the direction of a federal drug benefits plan, so there's that. 
    Is this a perk from work or do you have to pay a fee per paycheck or month?
  • dignindignin Posts: 9,436
    edited June 2019
    mrussel1 said:
    Is this a perk from work or do you have to pay a fee per paycheck or month?
    Pay a fee per paycheck, a co-op plan. Some employers can pay a percentage of it, all of it, or none of it. 

    It's private insurance.
    Post edited by dignin on
  • Jearlpam0925Jearlpam0925 Deep South Philly Posts: 17,346
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    mrussel1 said:
    Is this a perk from work or do you have to pay a fee per paycheck or month?
    Mine is a work benefit, 80% employer paid (comes to about $11/month for me).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    If you have the option of paying for a medical procedure, instead of waiting in line ... that is 2 teir healthcare.  
    I am aware, but you are aware that that is not the context I meant that term in. As I clearly said, I was talking about a system that separates the rich from the poor in the healthcare system in a very distinct way, i.e. the poor get no, little, or poor heathcare, while the rich get all the best healthcare. That is obviously not even close to the case in Canada. All primary care is in fact 1-tier. No rich person is getting better care in hospitals, for example. All they can do is pay to get scans and certain non-urgent procedures done, like knee replacements. There aren't any private hospitals where the rich can pay to save their and their kids' lives while the poor die. I know you know that's what I meant.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,826
    PJ_Soul said:
    I am aware, but you are aware that that is not the context I meant that term in. As I clearly said, I was talking about a system that separates the rich from the poor in the healthcare system in a very distinct way, i.e. the poor get no, little, or poor heathcare, while the rich get all the best healthcare. That is obviously not even close to the case in Canada. All primary care is in fact 1-tier. No rich person is getting better care in hospitals, for example. All they can do is pay to get scans and certain non-urgent procedures done, like knee replacements. There aren't any private hospitals where the rich can pay to save their and their kids' lives while the poor die. I know you know that's what I meant.
    Are there hospitals like that in the United States?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,246
    edited June 2019
    mcgruff10 said:
    Are there hospitals like that in the United States?
    There are hospitals in the United States that won't perform treatments for people without insurance or money, yes. Are you saying that isn't true?
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Hi!Hi! Posts: 3,095
    edited June 2019
    The poor absolutely benefited from Obamacare. I knew people who finally were able to get coverage once Obamacare was enacted. So it definitely worked for them But the bolded part of your post is where I think critical mass needs to be for candidates talking to constituents. I know that Mace has talked about his coverage in the Healthcare thread and I have talked at length about it as well in that thread. Regular people like me may have coverage, but all disposable income goes toward covering the premiums. That leaves nothing for co-pays and deductibles. So the standard first step before deciding to seek medical treatment is to check the current balance on the bank account. That's the first step when deciding what course of treatment to take as well. Can I survive this without having to go see a doctor? Can Ibuprofen at least mask the symptoms and make things bearable until next payday? I had a procedure last year at an in-network hospital. I of course still had a hefty portion of the bill to pay due to co-pay. Luckily they let me make payments over the course of the year. But I goddamned knew that I wasn't going to go to the doctor for the next year until the previous procedure was paid off. It also costs me a $60 office visit co-pay just to walk in the door. So I recently had an issue, paid my $60, spent a couple of minutes with the doctor and got a referral to a specialist. Went to the specialist and paid my $60 office visit co-pay. Then got to pay my co-pay for x-rays, lab tests, meds, etc... Then back the next week for a follow-up and another $60. And again two weeks after that. So my little issue cost me $240 just in office visit co-pays. $240 just to see the doctor for one issue. Now I decide whether to spend the $60 to say hi to my Dr. or perhaps use that money for some Costco sized bottles of Ibuprofen and call it good. So far the latter is working out for me this year. Since I'd prefer not to bankrupt my family, I will likely ignore any issues that have the potential to get into 5 or 6 figure medical bills. US healthcare is bullshit. We spend twice per capita of any other western industrialized nation, we have some of the lowest mortality rates and outcomes of those same nations. To say universal healthcare wouldn't work here is to say we are too dumb to understand what the rest of the modern industrialized western democracies understand. If we took premiums that we pay, that employers pay, and that the government is currently paying and apply that to universal healthcare in the form of taxes, we'd probably be ahead. And we'd have no more co-pays or financial decisions to make about whether to seek treatment. But fuck it. The middle class can fend for themselves rather than risk "socialism". 
    Great post. I wont even go to the doctor unless it’s life or death because of this, I have employee coverage and I basically have it just in case something major happens, but I’d still be screwed financially if something major happens. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, thank goodness.  I suffered a bad ankle injury about 6 yrs. ago, I’m pretty sure it required some sort of surgery, but nope, I just limped around for 4 yrs and it finally started feeling better and now it just sort of hurts. 
    Post edited by Hi! on

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