U.S. report: 40 million can't afford health care

[Hear Again]

correction - the rich CAN AFFORD better health care. and a big portion of the rich's tax goes to assistance programs that fund your medical needs

Yes, but I don't have the best doctors like rich people do. Does that mean I should have to put up with a poorly trained doctor just because I can't afford a specialist?

 

[Bottesini]

Yes, but I don't have the best doctors like rich people do.

But I am in that lower income group not on Medicaid who has the least doctors access.

 

[jillio]

But I am in that lower income group not on Medicaid who has the least doctors access.

There you go.

 

[Jiro]

Then are you saying that everyone in the U.S. should have equal access to health care? No disrespect, but you are going in circles.

sigh... I'm not surprised that you cannot understand this multifaceted issue.

Well, they will under Obama.

yes and I'm criticizing him for it. Mandating that small businesses must provide health insurance for employees? *SMH* Don't they know that by doing this... this will contribute more to unemployment rate & recession? well anyway - it's ok since it's just 4 more years.

Yes, but I don't have the best doctors like rich people do.

that's fine.

Does that mean I should have to put up with a poorly trained doctor just because I can't afford a specialist?

it's just matter of time till their medical license is stripped. and if you cannot afford specialist - well sorry. again - we need to do something about reducing the medical cost. Universal Healthcare does not make sense. Mandating companies to provide it does not make sense. Paying more tax for it does not make sense.

 

[Hear Again]

what about it? you're still taken care for, aren't you?

Well, excuse me for not having a job. :roll: If you've forgotten, I'm currently working towards my Bachelor's and plan to continue on with a Master's and Ph.D. One thing I can tell you though is this: When I get a high paying job as a psychiatrist, I'm not going to look down upon the poor and remind them of how I'm paying for their healthcare, Social Security, housing, etc.

 

[jillio]

They're generally healthy and have a long life ahead of them. The health insurance industry even calls them 'the young invincibles.'


Bree Honey, of Maryland, is just one of many young Americans going without health insurance.

So, what's the problem? Young adults, ages 19 to 29, are the largest age group of uninsured people across the country.

For Maryland resident Bree Honey, all she can do for her chronic back pain right now is to exercise at the gym where she works and take Tylenol PM instead of other medicine she needs.

"I'm definitely working out right, to try and keep my strength up and to help my immune system right now. ... It's the best thing I can do for myself," Honey said.

Why? She has to put all her money toward expensive drugs for her depression -- without health insurance.

"I am buying my own prescription drugs by myself. ... And I have to pay for that out of pocket every single month. So it's very difficult on me," she said.

At 20, she's too old to be covered by her parents' policy since she's no longer in school. She makes too much to qualify for public health care, but she can't afford private insurance -- and doesn't yet qualify for coverage at her new job.

"I'm just a struggling student right out of college, trying to make my way. And I can't--I don't have the money right now for insurance," Honey said. "If there's some way that the government could get me, or get everyone, just a minimal coverage ... I would even pay for it out of my taxes if I had to."

Many other 20-somethings early in their careers don't have jobs that offer health benefits.

"Only about one-half of all young adults who are working are offered coverage through an employer, compared to about 75 percent of adults who are offered coverage through an employer, over age 30," said Sara Collins with the nonpartisan health care group, Commonwealth Fund.

And it's a common problem. According to the latest date from the Census Bureau, in 2007, there were an estimated 13.2 million uninsured young adults. It's the fastest growing group of the 46 million uninsured Americans today.

Other uninsured rates, according to the data:

• Children under 19: 11 percent

• Ages 30-35: 23 percent

• Ages 36-49: 17 percent

• Ages 50-64: 13 percent.

Reducing the number of uninsured young adults is a top priority for President Obama.

"Health care reform is no longer just a moral imperative, it is a fiscal imperative," Obama said at a health summit at the White House last week.

But what can young people do? Collins says first check with your state: About 25 percent have increased the age of dependency.

"New Jersey extended the age of eligibility to age 30, most states are clustered around increasing that age to about 24 ... So this is a big help to young adults who had coverage under their parents health insurance plan and lose that coverage," Collins said.

As for Bree Honey, she'll just keep working out and hoping for the best. But it's never far from her mind.

"I'm strapped. I feel like I'm almost like a prisoner in my apartment right now. I can't get sick. I have to worry about if I'm going to get hurt,"

The plight of young, uninsured Americans - CNN.com

 

[Hear Again]

it's just matter of time till their medical license is stripped. and if you cannot afford specialist - well sorry. again - we need to do something about reducing the medical cost. Universal Healthcare does not make sense. Mandating companies to provide it does not make sense. Paying more tax for it does not make sense.

I have a lifelong illness (bipolar) that requires meds. I suppose if I can't afford $100 to see my psychiatrist for 15-20 minutes, too bad for me? If I need inpatient hospitalization due to a psychotic, manic or depressive episode too bad for me? Nice.

 

[jillio]

sigh... I'm not surprised that you cannot understand this multifaceted issue.


yes and I'm criticizing him for it. Mandating that small businesses must provide health insurance for employees? *SMH* Don't they know that by doing this... this will contribute more to unemployment rate & recession? well anyway - it's ok since it's just 4 more years.


that's fine.

it's just matter of time till their medical license is stripped. and if you cannot afford specialist - well sorry. again - we need to do something about reducing the medical cost. Universal Healthcare does not make sense. Mandating companies to provide it does not make sense. Paying more tax for it does not make sense.

And, what you reccommend will do nothing to reduce medical costs. It will only serve to reduce access.

I guess we shouldn't mandate companies to comply with ADA accomodations, either. It will only lead to more unemployment and contribute to the recession. Paying taxes to insure that ADA compliance is upheld does not make sense.

 

[Jiro]

I have a lifelong illness (bipolar) that requires meds. I suppose if I can't afford $100 to see my psychiatrist for 15-20 minutes, too bad for me? If I need inpatient hospitalization due to a psychotic, manic or depressive episode too bad for me? Nice.

but you don't! You're being well-taken care for.

 

[Jiro]

Well, excuse me for not having a job. :roll:

I didn't say anything about you being unemployed. My comment was referring to you saying "What about the taxes I pay?" Your tax goes to your medicaid as well.

If you've forgotten, I'm currently working towards my Bachelor's and plan to continue on with a Master's and Ph.D. One thing I can tell you though is this: When I get a high paying job as a psychiatrist, I'm not going to look down upon the poor and remind them of how I am paying for their healthcare, Social Security, housing, etc.

and I don't look down on poor and remind them of how much I pay for them either. I look down on leeches and those who do not not put their efforts on 50% of their problems. I look down on rich CEOs for putting profits ahead of dire needs. I look down on politicians who are all talk and no action. and many more I look down on. My stance of this issue has a reason and that's to preserve America and its unique capitalism.

 

[Hear Again]

it's just matter of time till their medical license is stripped.

Not necessarily. How do you explain the fact that my old psychiatrist is still practicing despite the fact that he never treated my rapid cycling or mania? How do you explain the fact that an attending psychiatrist at a psychiatric hospital in my area turned away a patient who was psychotic 3 years ago yet is still practicing at the same hospital today?

 

[Jiro]

Not necessarily. How do you explain the fact that my old psychiatrist is still practicing despite the fact that he never treated my rapid cycling or mania? How do you explain the fact that an attending psychiatrist at a psychiatric hospital in my area turned away a patient who was psychotic 3 years ago yet is still practicing at the same hospital today?

report him then.

 

[Hear Again]

report him then.

I did to no avail.

 

[Jiro]

I did to no avail.

sorry. you have my sympathy. world's not perfect anyway. everybody gets away from stuff but like i said - It's just a matter of time till karma's a bitch for them

 

[dogmom]

In the last year and 1/2 or two now, my husband has been out of work off and on and now he's just been laid off - see previous posts for newbies if needed - and during that earlier part of the time frame I mentioned above, I fell on ice and broke my arm. We had no insurance when I broke my arm and needed surgery and p.t. We finally just recently paid off medical bills for that. During said time frame we spent quite while muddling through attempting to find some affordable individual coverage for us and someone that would insure my husband, who because of numerous pre-existing conditions, got turned down several times. I see some useful things about present health care system but also many problems.

 

[Jiro]

And, what you reccommend will do nothing to reduce medical costs. It will only serve to reduce access.

how can we lower the medical cost? the most powerful motivator by government is tax incentive. We have the highest corporate tax in the world (top 3). Use it. oh and also - stop this lobbyist crap too.

I guess we shouldn't mandate companies to comply with ADA accomodations, either. It will only lead to more unemployment and contribute to the recession. Paying taxes to insure that ADA compliance is upheld does not make sense.

:topic: Fallacious comparison

 

[Reba]

How would "universal" health care guarantee that the poor would have access to better quality doctors? Even with universal access to health care, that health care will still be staffed by the same doctors that are working now. Will universal health care improve the quality of doctors, hospitals, and services? Will poor people who are currently using government assisted health care really get better care than they do now? Would more private hospitals become "state" hospitals? Just asking.

 

[Hear Again]

sorry. you have my sympathy. world's not perfect anyway. everybody gets away from stuff but like i said - It's just a matter of time till karma's a bitch for them

I certainly hope he gets his karma because he deserves it for what he put me through for 1.5 years. Thank goodness my new psychiatrist is a far cry from my old psychiatrist.

 

[Jiro]

I certainly hope he gets his karma because he deserves it for what he put me through for 1.5 years. Thank goodness my new psychiatrist is a far cry from my old psychiatrist.

yes again - you have my profound sympathy. Not all doctors (even the best one) are same. That's why you have a choice and privilege to see any other doctor. If that doctor put many other patients under same hell as you - no doubt that his business will plummet and eventually no longer a doctor. Under universal healthcare - you are screwed.

 

[Jiro]

here's what makes sense to me - CareLink program in San Antonio.

CareLink - Bexar County Financial Program for Medical Care in San Antonio

Bexar County (in San Antonio, Texas) has a financial program called CareLink. This is not medical insurance. CareLink is a financial program. CareLink makes it possible for low income people to be able to see a doctor, a specialist, have tests done, vision tests taken, and
prescriptions. CareLink is for low income people who don't have medical insurance and don't qualify for medical insurance. You must be lower than 200 % below Federal Poverty Level to qualify for CareLink. With CareLink, you can only use the University Health System. No where else.

There are many benefits to joining the CareLink program, such as having a Primary Care Physician assigned to you, and having a Medical Home - a location where almost all of your doctor visits and lab tests will be done). You will have the opportunity for affordable prescriptions, and an individual health file. You will also have a payment plan that is based on your ability to pay.

First, you can call (210) 358-3350, to make an appointment to see a CareLink staff person. Bexar County is an area that has millions of people, many who are poor and without medical insurance. It takes about three weeks to a month for your CareLink appointment to come. The paper work that you will need to bring in to CareLink with you is: Drivers License or picture ID, Social Security card, one month's proof of income, and a utility bill with your mailing address on it. The office visit only takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Ten minutes in the waiting room, and 10 or 15 minutes in the office with the staff person.

What is CareLink?

CareLink is a financial assistance program of University Health System. CareLink is not insurance. The CareLink program is available to eligible Bexar County residents who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for other programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and VA.

CareLink offers families an affordable monthly payment plan that is based on their income and family size. The income cannot exceed 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to qualify for any program within CareLink. CareLink members are able to access quality health care through University Health System.

The Health-Care Crisis Hits Home

As we were running out of options, Smith told us there was one more avenue to try. Bexar County — where San Antonio is located and an estimated 30% of people under 65 do not have health coverage — has a health-care program for the uninsured that is far more generous than most in Texas and practically unique in the country. Rather than continuing to wait for the uninsured to show up in its emergency rooms, in 1997 the Bexar County hospital district established a system called CareLink for those who make 200% of the poverty line or less. (In his current job, answering queries that come in to a text- message information service, Pat earns $1,257 a month, which means he qualifies.)

CareLink operates much like a health-maintenance organization for its 55,000 clients, negotiating prices with health-care providers and then billing clients on a sliding scale according to their income. (Pat's CareLink bills run around $40 a month.) And it puts a heavy emphasis on preventive care; on Pat's first examination at an austere CareLink clinic in northwestern San Antonio, he got tetanus and flu shots as part of the deal. Another stroke of good fortune: Pat's kidney doctor, Smolens, is a participating specialist with CareLink.

For primary care, CareLink assigned Pat to Dr. Carolyn Eaton, an engaging woman who has been working with the system for about a year. What alarms her most about the new patients she has seen lately, Eaton says, is how long people wait — diabetics whose feet are numb, cancer patients already in the advanced stages of the disease — before they seek treatment. "When people fall on hard times, they're kind of embarrassed," Eaton says. "Their health care ends up becoming much more expensive."

It's not a seamless system. Pat gets confused navigating between Smolens, who prescribes tests and medications, and CareLink, which must approve them. "The fact is, for guys like Pat, it requires a lot more work to do the same sorts of things" that would be a snap if he had insurance, says Smolens, sighing.