Why Pay For Health Insurance When You Can Steal It?

[Dazon50]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123977187&ps=cprs

[teko]

The insurance companies have unlimited funding to fight this. That is where the scare tactics originated and now that it has a possibility of passing, they will come out with both barrels. The republicans are still pouting. I would not expect much from them on any issue. They are hail bent on making sure they get their power back and if the American people are what needs to be sacrificed to do it. They will.

[flmagi]

I will never understand how so many are still falling for all these scare tactics. It's just beyond my comprehension. A lot of us are fully aware of these tactics, and maybe even assumed that it was a secret, unspoken republican strategy. But now we've gotten proof that it wasn't even an "unspoken" strategy!  Scare tactics was a written plan!   Ok, so lots of people fell for it, why don't these folks just admit to being fooled and look at it as a learning experience?  You know...that "fool me once, fool me twice thing.......
I guess those that continue to stay on the fear bandwagon, even though they know they're being taken for a ride, are just plain..........stupid (and racist).

[allaboutmary]

Actually, I take that back.  The American people are to blame for eating up the insurance companies scare tactics. 78% of Americans were for the public option until the scary commercials came out.  Republicans didn't help the matter. They only backed up the lies.

[allaboutmary]

No they don't, and when they lose their insurance they will be quick to blame Obama.  I'm o.k. with letting them blame congress :)

[teko]

And thats what nobody gets! Unless you have walked the walk, you cannot talk the talk. And those people without coverage that we keep hearing about are the people like you, self employed, lost insurance thru job and have pre existing. these are the people that need answers, not those on medicaid or even medicare. People who currently have and like their insurance that they are so lucky to have will also notice that their premiums are going up up up, and there is a cap if they end up with something terminal like cancer their insurance companies will drop them. So it may benefit them as well for action now on this subject. People really just dont get it. Do they?

[flmagi]

Let me explain some first hand knowledge of the Free Clinics and Health Dept.
As most of you know, I'm Mary's sister, (the one with the torn ACL). I have also been recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis by a free clinic, which dumped me because they aren't equipped to deal with the RA. So now I've just begun to go to the Health Dept. in hopes that they can deal with these problems. Let me also say that I am not a lazy person that wants a free ride from the government. About 13 years ago, thanks to Mary, I was finally able to start working at my life- long, dream job, doing my art work and getting paid for it. We did quite well for 12 years and I never really cared about getting rich, just wanted to do what I loved doing.
I actually worked, climbing ladders with a broken foot (a few times). I refused a cast because I couldn't climb a ladder that way. My point being, I loved my job and I still want to be able to work. I'm rambling.........back to free clinics and health dept.etc......
I am unable to work at the moment because of the ACL and the RA. If I could get the surgery for the ACL and the medications to slow down and treat the RA, perhaps I could go back to work. I'm not eligible for Medicaid (no dependant kids?) or unemployment (was self-employed). I can't get (at least not yet), nor do I want  SS disability, because I can't get enough medical attention to apply for it. I'm not sure the Health Dept can help me  with my medical problems because...I quote from the papers I received..........."Primary care program(health dept=PCP) is limited to basic health care services and cannot be expected to meet all of my health care needs. PCP may refer me for specialty care or higher level care but PCP WILL NOT PAY for these services. Patient will be responsible for payment of diagnostic procedures...patient will be responsible for payment of more advanced procedures."
So you see, even though I'm incapable of working without medical treatment, it looks like I won't be able to get the treatment needed to get back to work.  Without the RA treatments & meds I can only expect to get worse and it's not reversible.
I'm one of the many, many people that falls threw the cracks. Unless you fit certain criteria, don't need much care or are pregnant or have young kids...well, you're basically $hit out of luck.

[allaboutmary]

What people don't realize is lack of health care, keeps people poor.
I am unable to work full time because of my condition ( I won't go into gory details).   My sister tore her ACL in her knee and is unable to work. Heck she couldn't walk for a few months.  She went the same route...emergency room, free clinic, health dept, all no help.

So what about the millions that work or want to work but are sick........yep they can get some food stamps......maybe........but try and get a job on crutches.

[allaboutmary]

Excellent point !  I can't believe I never thought of that.  I get so sick of hearing how the poor are well taken care of.  I just became poor in the past 2 years and have had a good taste of the health care for the poor......it's not pretty.  

[allaboutmary]

You might not get much from the poor, but what about the working poor. I guess we should just let 45 million die. Yeah God would be proud of us.

[allaboutmary]

I have also been to the emergency room and your correct they do not deny services.....but it must be life or death.  When they determined I had stopped bleeding, they released me.  Without even knowing where the blood was coming from. They can not run standard tests unless it's life threatening.

[Barb135]

There's a very special member of my family that is now in the hospital and I've been with her for several days -- every where I go in this hospital, I see signs that say something to the effect that they "can not/will not" deny service to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.  Yes, admittedly, it also says at the bottom that those receiving services will be expected to pay, but we all know that you can't get "blood from a turnip"........

I'm the first to agree that our health care system needs reform ----- but never will I sit back and agree to something being jammed down my throat because it's "good for me" when these people don't even know me or anything about me - or even care.........

[teko]

Yes, they are programs set up to help if you are an illegal immigrant or you have no money at all. Most of these programs go by a discount on what you make. You might get 25, 50, 75 or even 100% discount off the rates. That depends on your intake. Most people have to bring in a statement from Social Security stating their years earnings. You have to be pretty poor to get a discount. Then if you manage to get a discount, and you need tests, bloodwork etc, they send you to a county hospital or another doctor where you pay full price unless they can possibly get aid for you thru that facility. As far as county hospitals, yes they have to take people and they will see you yes, but bill it out at full price. Not what someone with insurance would pay, but the full amount. Then if you do not pay they send you dunns, call you incessantly and when you cannot pay they turn you over to collections, which in turn costs you your credit and possibly your job and sends your credit cards at a higher interest rate and so on and so on and so on. However if you are single with a bunch of kids and no husband, the state will take care of you real good. If you are old or have a chronic condition, you will be patched up and sent home to deal with it. These my friends are the facts. allaboutmary, I am so sorry I did not know, my heart goes out to you my friend. I can understand why it would be tempting to fake an identity even tho I no you would not do that. However, the fear that comes with the feeling that no one cares is so much more damaging.  I fear we are all gonna get a dose of that before long.

[Barb135]

I know what I was told by someone who works there and has no reason to lie about it; and I did not say anything about it being "simple".  It wasn't even "simple" for me to get a colonscopy and I have insurance. I have no idea where you are or what your health dept is like -- I'm only talking about one place, but I can't imagine that there aren't others like it.  

I truly sympathize with anyone who needs health care and can't get it, but I also know that there are programs set up to help.  I know of one person who found help through a university hospital.  

No, it's not simple, but I don't think it warrants stealing someone's identity.

[allaboutmary]

Most people that commit this fraud do it with the other parties knowledge. Trying to help a desperate friend in need.  I haven't resorted to this, but don't think it hasn't crossed my mind.  Desperation makes good people do bad things.

[allaboutmary]

Please don't tell people about the Health Dept. and the wonderful care unless you know it for a fact.  I have been to the Health Dept. twice, no help. I have been to the local free clinic. They can't run the tests I need (a simple colonoscopy and upper G.I.) I'm at the end of my rope trying to get some help. So please don't act like the answer is so simple. Please.

[Barb135]

I know it's horrible to be sick and not be able to get the care you need - but identity theft?  That's taking it a bit too far, when most states/counties have a county health dept to handle those who can't pay.  

I've been told by a nurse at one of our county health dept stations that the people who go there, get better care for free, than I can get paying for it.  

Obviously, people who steal someone's identity, care nothing for others or they wouldn't risk another person's life like that.  

[allaboutmary]

People do this for the same reason they would steal a loaf of bread.  They are desperate.  It's horrible when your sick and no one will help you.  I know, I'm in this position right now.