thatguy1843
122101
2674
343
Mar 26, 2017 7:31 AM
thatguy1843
122101
2674
343
Evanrudeplz
It's a step in the right direction and obviously better than the pile of Republican shit AHCA.
fadingtheory
Its totally true. Obamacare was compromised from day one, but until gov healthcare is normalized in the US, its the best we're likely to get
batmobile2
It's not much better here in Canada. Takes months to make an appointment, then for tests, then for follow up and then for the specialist.
Brawnydog
Not sure if serious. You do know that our government is notoriously bad at handling money. It would be a financial disaster.
Disembowleeh
We could really use some more socialist policies in our country. This is not a snarky comment. I mean that.
Midnightnews
But who is going to pay for all those share dividends, ferraris don't grow on trees
FosterFox
Just do what Canada is doing, if America took our healthcare system and gun laws they would be way better off.
FourToedJones
No. Get the government out of my healthcare.
jesusfuckingchristwhatnameisnttaken4
How about Republicans just stop trying to make Obamacare worse? And maybe get Dems like Lieberman out of office and elect more progressives
Scar1203
Most medical advances come from the US due to the exorbitant amount of money we spend on health care. Single payer has drawbacks too.
skystarry75
The government will cover many essential services, but you'll probs still pay for things like dental and glasses. And massages.
dEdGrimley
We can admit that all we want - there's no way in hell we're moving toward that until at least 2019, and that's if people vote a certain way
StandardDeviant
And we're certainly not moving toward it until people actually start fuckin admitting it
LONETROMBONE
Or they should legalize weed and just use the money from that for State funded health care instead of federal
LouBashery
I just can't fathom how we allow our elected officials to keep their upper crust health care while fumbling ours.
paulpounder
Dream ooooooon dream awaaaaaay.
thatanarchocapitalist
Regulation is the problem. TV is barely regulated, it and other electronics are so cheap because of that. Healthcare and college are 1/2
thatanarchocapitalist
So expensive because of just how regulated they are.
Carefuler
Ideally we wouldn't need Any insurance bc HC costs would be reasonable, and we'd budget and save from youth for larger elderly expenses 1/
Carefuler
also the medical licensing system would be deregulated so you could self diagnose if you wanted to. 2/
myheartisstarkmyspiritistargaryen
Obama wanted public option or single payer Republicans like always threw that shit out the window and held the Americans economy hostage @OP
superbob201
The original ACA just had public option, and that was given up in the first round of negotiations.
PiusCBuenzli
In switzerland we have different healthcare companies as well. They don't differ in pricing that much though
HippoLover85
we need to focus on why healthcare costs are high and un-affordable. Not getting people access to un-affordable medical care.
Atlas051
No not really
geewhizzer
It's times like this that I am so grateful to be in the UK and have the NHS
thesmelge
It's far from perfect, but anyone can use it any time.
thesmelge
Currently. If successive governments would stop chopping lumps off it, we'll be lucky to have an NHS.
lottahullabaloo
The thing is, Teump advocated for it before he ran.
BattloidKouji
Wait, you mean to tell me that trump wasn't being 100% truthful with one of his campaign promises???
lottahullabaloo
I think he truly believes what he says when he says it. The best liars have to convince themselves first.
BattloidKouji
I guess that makes sense given the "no one knew healthcare could be so complicated" comment. Christ, what have we done.
lottahullabaloo
noctisumbra0
But....... That's messing with 1/6th of the US economy and we can't do that
RedIronCrown
Please share your source for health insurance companies being 1/6 of the US economy.
UncleSamsOpSec
Up vote just because I see you asking for proof and see you get down voted for it
eight08
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS?year_high_desc=true
RedIronCrown
That's health spending in general, not health insurance alone. Doctors and nurses would still be paid if insurance companies were out.
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
That *is* a big issue. Probably the biggest one. It'll be massive unemployment to just cut health insurers out suddenly. Best way I can /2
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
see is to slowly expand Medicare. Every 5 years, lower the eligible age by 5 years. The number of people using insurance will slowly get /3
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
smaller while the number of people on single payer slowly gets larger. That'll allow the insurance companies to shrink bit by bit /4
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
instead of collapsing all at once. /5
RussellJackman
So, insurance companies are too big to fail? Not getting rid of an obsolete system, just to keep jobs, is lunacy.
ReleaseTheBeeees
It's one of those things that you'd feel silly explaining to an alien. "oh my life is ruined forever" "why?" "I broke my ankle" "lolwut?"
UnluckyLunkhead
You don't need an alien. Anyone from the UK will do.
jprvs
That would actually be consistent with the life experiences of 99.99% of people who have ever lived. Good healthcare is relatively new.
GenerallyKenobi
But for another animal like a horse to break it's leg, its life would be over, maybe humans are more resilient than other space races
DigitalBang
That would be the thumb and higher learning, not resilience.
HopeHubris
The reason the horses life would be over is that no one is willing to spend money fixing a horses leg
SmolTenk
considering that humans, at least by earth standards, have amazing healing, an alien probably wouldnt see this as strange.
HopeHubris
There are plenty of things on earth that heal better than humans, plus, any alien that can make it to earth likely has healthcare
GraffitiHeysoos
Um. ET would. He'd be like "Let me finger your ankle, bro."
bluefacepaint
What's the co-pay on magical finger healing? I'm not sure my HMO will cover it.
GraffitiHeysoos
A bag of Reese's pieces.
completelyandtotallyperverted
With all the bad news about the VA hospitals, I don't understand why people would be anxious for government ran healthcare.
CouchCarrot
An alternative to the VA would be... what, exactly? Like the VA, Obamacare isn't perfect, but for many it's better than nothing.
completelyandtotallyperverted
Would regulating that an insurance company can only charge a certain percentage based on ones income and regulating their co- pays and
completelyandtotallyperverted
deductible, etc. be more likely to get passed and approved? Or are there flaws with that plan as well?
superbob201
With minor tweaks, that is the ACA silver plan; insurance has to offer certain terms, and you get a subsidy based on your income.
hovelhopper
Yes. If you do that, then insurance companies would simply refuse to service poor regions. It already started to happen with the ACA.
completelyandtotallyperverted
True, what about restricting them from leaving those reasons without a 5year notice,and only if there is already another provider available?
hovelhopper
Because the government can't force a company to stay in business. What happens if a company goes bankrupt under your proposed idea?
GraffitiHeysoos
Actually, the VA has VASTLY improved and continues to improve. The problem wasn't that the government ran the VA. It was they weren't ready.
GraffitiHeysoos
Modern warfare changed the game. More people come home more fucked up and needing long term care. Wounds that you'd have died from in Korea+
GraffitiHeysoos
Are now very treatable on the battlefield. They were woefully unprepared for the amount of service members they'd have to care for.
ThePickle
The VA has been shitting on my family for three generations. This isn't a recent problem, people are just noticing it now.
GraffitiHeysoos
Veteran culture. "I can't complain." Most of them felt guilty for the little bit of help they were getting.
completelyandtotallyperverted
As a user of the VA, i only partially agree. So if suddenly everyone had free health insurance in America the same wouldn't happen? I mean
GraffitiHeysoos
No. Because you're not suddenly treating people that weren't getting treatment. You're just covering people that would have racked up debt.
completelyandtotallyperverted
the VA was hit with an influx, no disagreement there. But it is still government ran. And while many of their issues may have been internal
cosinewave
Something has to give. Anyone can lose their health insurance. No one should have to go bankrupt because they got sick.
boingboingboingboing
BUT HER EMAILS!!!!!
metalmorgan
God I love the NHS. Waiting times aside, it's always sorted me out
Carefuler
Really it depends on what your income is and how expensive your treatment is. You can't just make blanket statements like this.
cosinewave
Anyone can lose their insurance. It does not matter what your income is.
johnsoninabox
You idiot. If sick people would have worked harder in the womb choosing the right genes for their immune system, they wouldn't be sick.
TraitorousTrump3
Well the party in power doesn't remotely want this, so ain't gonna happen this decade. Fuckers.
Beelsebooob
It's only 18 months until mid terms. We get to make them not in power soon.
TraitorousTrump3
'Get to'. Dems aren't generally good at midterms. Gotta make sure everyone possible is registered to vote and votes. But more motivation now
Strostkovy
I'd personally prefer the uneducated to not vote, and let people who know what they are voting for decide.
Beelsebooob
Really, that's just another way of saying "I want to say what happens, and screw anyone else but me"
TraitorousTrump3
I'd prefer everybody be educated than an 'intellectual' class.
BoopBoopBeepBoop
As nice as this is, there's a lot of people who have a problem and no willingness to fix it, so they keep getting treated for free.
BoopBoopBeepBoop
And in turn ruins it for the people who actually need it.
Strostkovy
There are a few, but I doubt that's a major factor in driving up costs.
BoopBoopBeepBoop
It's a major factor on why people want it repealed, I didn't say they were right. This community jumps to conclusions as much as Trump.
motherhoodlum
because diabetes can be fixed?
BoopBoopBeepBoop
Did I specify that diabetes was the problem here? No, I didn't.
motherhoodlum
pointing out that you made a generalized statement that doesn't really fit, unless you are referring to obesity.
cyno01
So because a few people might abuse the system no one should get anything. Got it.
BoopBoopBeepBoop
I never said this, you twat. This is why no one takes you seriously.
cyno01
Then im not clear what are you arguing against?
Daydreamingchad
I like the idea of Healthcare co-ops with catastrophic coverage
Daydreamingchad
https://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2013-fall/dr-josh-umbehr-on-concierge-medicine-revolution/
BiteMyShinyMetalTopComment
never gonna happen when lobbies are still allowed to buy politicians. they aren't even that expensive
eroso
This is why Justice Democrats, led by Sanders, are becoming a thing - their goal is to replace every corporate-backed member of Congress.
dryerlint777
Replace all of congress? I'm down.
johnvictor
I'd be happy to get rid of Mitch McConnell.
dryerlint777
I wish everybody understood this on a fundamental level. Like 2 + 2 = 4 fundamental.
DrClaww
There are four lights!
Odie4Prez
But the party said 2+2=5? Who am I to question that?!?
ThisIsGod
Lobbyists are necessary to the function of our government. Without them, government would essentially shut down.
SilverCycler
Study the history of lobbyists.
ThisIsGod
I have. I'm not saying that it didn't go off the rails, but when they were first implemented, they provided a very necessary purpose.
JohnHarder
Lobbyists are important to avoid tyranny of the majority but buying an elected official is not the intended use.
ThisIsGod
No, no it's not. And I never defended that aspect.
JohnHarder
Then it sounds like we agree that the lobbyists system needs to change.
PaintedSlate
Because politicians wouldn't know what to support and would wander the streets aimlessly searching for purpose?
ThisIsGod
I'm gonna get downvoted to hell because most people have no idea what a lobbyist does, all they know is what other people tell them.
PaintedSlate
That's true of a lot of things, yeah.
ThisIsGod
Do you actually know what lobbyists do or do you think they just show up with a check and say support me and this is yours?
PaintedSlate
I was thinking contracts appear in fire and are sealed with the blood of the innocent. But I also meant it as that question. ;)
ThisIsGod
Basically bogging down the entire system because a lawmaker doesnt have time to read every single bill from start to finish.
ThisIsGod
The original concept is that a lobbyist takes a bill to a congressman and interprets the bill for consideration.
ThisIsGod
Basically bogging down the entire system because a lawmaker doesnt have time to read every single bill from start to finish.
ThisIsGod
Without lobbyists, lawmakers would get flooded with potential new bills, with no one to help read or interpret them
twiceroundforapound
I find it amusing/interesting that the P.M (UK) or president (USA) actually have no power at all . We vote for figure heads to blame .
twiceroundforapound
The same old boys brigade have been running the counties for decades. Pointless voting if their ideas good or bad get railroaded
OverwhelmingNeedForSources
The President has a large amount of power but writing laws isn't one of them.
IreallyMGur
I hate when people say this BS. His EPA & DoJ can do / are doing a lot of damage by ignoring red states' oppressive & regressive laws.
BubbaRunski
The president has a lot of power if they do their job right. A ton has changed as a result of the last 2 presidents
grovberg
Checks and balances is literally the foundation of democracy.
JosephSelah
You don't know the role of the president? You may wanna read the constitution
Damnenginelight
Exactly.
ilsalta
Just like hitchhikers guide to the galaxy!
nightookami
Why are you putting spaces before your periods ?
UtherCLX
Too much blood loss at one time can be fatal.
nightookami
I still think about this comment sometimes
nightookami
Ok that is the best response possible
igotbannedfortryingtofaceswapmytesticle
I wouldn't say they have no power at all that's a bit silly
IreallyMGur
I hate when people say this BS. His EPA & DoJ can do / are doing a lot of damage by ignoring red states' oppressive & regressive laws.
boomslander
More importantly, he picks SC Justices, who have FAR too much power.
Raggart
The Prime Minister in a modern Constitutional Monarchy has A LOT of power because he/she forms the government (e.g. legislative branch).
DevilsArsehole
An elected dictatorship...
kudichan
The Prime Minister's position (at least in Britain) is *very* precarious. It's common for them to lose their job after a single big failure.
bucky0125
Neither one is a monarch. That's why US and UK are representative democracies. PM and President are head of executive, they don't write laws
twiceroundforapound
Our queen does nowt .Not even open her bedroom curtains it's the big businesses and oil companies backhanders that write the laws i fear.
bucky0125
Sure, Elizabeth II devolves her power to Parliament, but other monarchs do set law such as Saudi Arabia.
Beelsebooob
No, the PM is the head of the legislature in the UK. They are a member of the house of commons (the UK's version of congress).
bucky0125
She is a member of the legislature. She's still the head of executive though. Parliamentary systems combine executive and legislative
TheElMarsiano
Here's the most recent chancellor of Germany who could do as he pleased. Is this what you'd prefer?
SirKhan
You needa leader!
KABARU
Uh, the most recent Chancellor is Angela Merkel.
igotbannedfortryingtofaceswapmytesticle
But she's not a nazi
TheElMarsiano
As opposed to Hitler. Dr. Merkel has to go through checks and balances. Parliament enacts law.
FlightRisk3154
I think the key point is 'who could do as he pleased'
TheElMarsiano
Reading is remarkably hard for some.
ChloeRed
No, the US votes for a figure head, the UK votes for a party, and the figure head is whoever is the leader of that party, there's no 1/2
ChloeRed
simple vote for who that is, the selection is left up to the party's own rules. Hence the PM can change with no public vote. 2/2
Eidodk
Well, that's kind of the whole point of a representative democracy. The US doesn't, it has electoral college, ignoring the popular vote.
ChloeRed
Yes, but the original comment was we (UK) vote for a figure head to blame, where as in the UK we don't actually do that.
Strostkovy
I don't think anyone is saying Obamacare was as successful as it was supposed to be. But it's like replacing one ply TP with sand paper
toxcrusadr
Possiblythe best comment on the whole affair that I've seen yet. +1
dontdisstotal
I like 1 ply
Strostkovy
Confession bear material.
PennnnnyLane
the most accurate.
QuasiIntellectualChimpanzee
The ACA was made massively weaker by a vain effort to get Republican votes in the Senate by Sens Nelson & Nelson plus Lieberman being a dick
TGWeaver
It's not like Obamacare didn't WANT to do more, but it was hard enough to push through even as it was.
ImgurMadeMeChangeMyNameCauseItsDumb
Actually they probably could have done more. The ACA was a compromise to try to get Republicans on board, but in the end they all backed out
Amythyst
The problem is that Obamacare was pushed as healthcare reform, but it's not. It's health insurance reform.
BSemisch
Healthcare sucks BECAUSE insurance sucks. Gotta fix the corporate bullshit first.
ipokeangrycats
It was also healthcare reform. It targeted hospital systems to be more efficient and focus on patient-centered care and value-based care
ipokeangrycats
Instead of the cost-based care seen pre-ACA.
MoreLikeLawlSchool
Health insurance reform is the more pressing of the two issues in the U.S.
Amythyst
If we fixed the underlying problem of healthcare pricing, insurance wouldn't be as much of an issue.
Sloppydrunkcatlady
Exactly. Got the job done to the bare minimum, but every once and a while your finger pushed through to tickle your asshole. Now give me
Sloppydrunkcatlady
that sweet 2 ply of health insurance.
CanadianThemedName
2ply would be the Canadian system. What you really want is that magic 3-ply cloud stuff
imonewiththeforceandtheforceiswithme
What about those Japanese toilets that do all the weird bum cleaning? That when we transcend Capitalism altogether & find something better?
deadrabbbit
I want to wipe my ass with live rabbits.
ARSONlST
What economic system is after capitalism?
FussyZeus
It's worth noting though that the ACA was made a lot worse by Republicans so they could spend the next 7 years bitching about it.
thisiswhyicanthaveanythingnice
Now they and the ins co's are going to sabotage it like the selfish bitter little bitches they are.
Notme68
That seems to be all they really do now anyway.
adezio
How did they do that? I don't believe they contributed to any language in the bill. Passed in each house without any Republican support.
Believemefolks
They spent the last 7 years refusing to help fix it.They also lied about it as much as possible.Like when Trump says hes going to make it1/2
Believemefolks
legal to sell across state lines.There is n law saying they cant do that already.They wanted Americans to suffer so they could use it to 2?3
Believemefolks
help get them elected.Now they are going to keep doing nothing to help fix it and going to let Americans suffer more because they refuse 3/4
ipokeangrycats
The ACA aimed to expand Medicaid coverage in all states, but the republican Supreme Court justices ruled the states can decide (2012) to
ipokeangrycats
Expand or not. The ACA aimed to put everyone on insurance, and for those who could afford it to go on Medicaid.
ipokeangrycats
Without that Medicaid expansion in many states, poor, high-cost pts were forced onto the exchanges, increasing premiums for others w/