Former GOP. Rep who once voted against the Affordable Care act becomes paralyzed in accident and is asking for $2.5 million on GoFundMe

[HikerGuy83]

If he plays polo and lives where he lives, he is surrounded by money. The average contribution appears to be about 2 grand.

He'll be fine.

 

[struth]

No, it’s by far the best way for most of us.

Very few people have access to the resources necessary to deal with a severe medical illness.

Not sure how you expect people with no savings to get money when they get sick.

I am sad that you have savings, but how’s that my fault or anyone else’s fault you are so irresponsible?

 

[HikerGuy83]

I am sad that you have savings, but how’s that my fault or anyone else’s fault you are so irresponsible?

While I appreciate your point, I think it gets a little more complicated than that.

However, in this ccase....I am not sure they are focused on the right things.

 

[Marener]

I am sad that you have savings, but how’s that my fault or anyone else’s fault you are so irresponsible?

It’s not. That’s why people should get health insurance instead of sponging off charity.

 

[Marener]

Not the way we currently use it. Group insurance is a doomed pyramid scheme that drives spiraling health care costs. Actual insurance, catastrophic insurance for unforeseen emergencies, can make sense. ACA outlawed this kind of insurance.

And our abuse of insurance, and abuse of the regulatory state, has created that problem. More of the same won't solve it.

I don't. They need charity. Insurance isn't charity.

Catastrophic insurance incentivizes catastrophic health problems.

Health insurance, when effective, prioritizes preventative care and early treatment before health problems get catastrophic.

It’s way cheaper to treat hypertension rather than dealing with a stroke.

 

[struth]

It’s not. That’s why people should get health insurance instead of sponging off charity.

He has insurance, he's a Veteran. The issue is that the Xiden/Harris VA has let him down and he has to ask for more help from charity.

With that said, charity isn't a bad thing, I get that most people that ID as leftist don't believe in it, and in fact don't donate, but there are great ones out there, for example, Shriner's Hospital, and St Jude Hospital come to mind

 

[Marener]

He has insurance, he's a Veteran.

You don’t know that. Not all veterans are covered.

 

[dblack]

Catastrophic insurance incentivizes catastrophic health problems.

??? That's a bizarre claim. Are you saying people have an incentive to get cancer so that can cash in on their insurance?

Health insurance, when effective, prioritizes preventative care and early treatment before health problems get catastrophic.

What does "when effective" mean?

It’s way cheaper to treat hypertension rather than dealing with a stroke.

Ok.

 

[Marener]

??? That's a bizarre claim.

Not at all. Not if you know anything about how healthcare works.

What does "when effective" mean?

When it makes it cheap and easy to get cost effective management of chronic conditions that when untreated cost much more.

It’s like when conservatives complained that birth control had to be covered. Guys, it pays for itself. Having a baby is expensive.

 

[struth]

You don’t know that. Not all veterans are covered.

Was he dishonorably discharged?

• Eligibility
  Veterans may be eligible if they:
  
  
  • Served in the active military, naval, or air service
    
    
    
  • Didn't receive a dishonorable discharge
    
    
    
  • Were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving
    
    
    
  • Served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11
    
    
    
  • Served as a Reservist or National Guard member and were called to active duty by a federal order
    
    
    
  • • Served for at least 24 continuous months, unless they were discharged for a disability caused by their service, for a hardship, or served before September 7, 1980

 

[Marener]

Was he dishonorably discharged?

Ask him. It’s not the only condition. It’s complicated and we aren’t going to be able to figure it out.

 

[dblack]

Not at all. Not if you know anything about how healthcare works.

Do tell.

When it makes it cheap and easy to get cost effective management of chronic conditions that when untreated cost much more.

Insurance doesn't make health care cheap. It makes it more expensive. That's just a fact.

It’s like when conservatives complained that birth control had to be covered. Guys, it pays for itself. Having a baby is expensive.

I don't think they complain about birth control being covered. They complain about laws forcing insurance companies to cover it.

 

[Marener]

Insurance doesn't make health care cheap. It makes it more expensive. That's just a fact.

Makes it cheap for the user. That makes them more likely to actually get their medical conditions treated before they’re a catastrophe.

I don't think they complain about birth control being covered. They complain about laws forcing insurance companies to cover it.

And they complained that they didn’t want to have to pay for it and it would drive up costs.

But it lowers costs.

 

[struth]

Ask him. It’s not the only condition. It’s complicated and we aren’t going to be able to figure it out.

He wasn't. He was entitled to VA Benefits. The Harris/Xiden admin failed him,

 

[dblack]

Makes it cheap for the user.

But it makes it more expensive to the payer. Which means insurance rates go up. Which drives further cost increases, wash, rinse, repeat. It's an unsustainable cycle, which is why the insurance industry lobbied government for the bailout.

That makes them more likely to actually get their medical conditions treated before they’re a catastrophe.

People should be allowed to decide for themselves how to manage their healthcare.

And they complained that they didn’t want to have to pay for it and it would drive up costs.

I think they complained about it because they oppose abortion.

 

[struth]

Makes it cheap for the user. That makes them more likely to actually get their medical conditions treated before they’re a catastrophe.

And they complained that they didn’t want to have to pay for it and it would drive up costs.

But it lowers costs.

insurance doens't lower the cost of something. It pays the cost, an individual pays monthly to an insurance company, then if needed the insurance company pays the cost.

 

[dblack]

insurance doens't lower the cost of something. It pays the cost, an individual pays monthly to an insurance company, then if needed the insurance company pays the cost.

Exactly. Plus, it alleviates the consumer of making prudent price decisions. It gives them upside down incentives. If a patient is "covered" they have incentive to choose the most expensive option at every opportunity.

 

[Marener]

He was entitled to VA Benefits.

You don’t know that.

 

[struth]

You don’t know that.

I do, I just told you. He is a combat vet, that was honorably discharged, he is entitled to full VA Benefits.

 

[boevans]

He is entitled to VA benefits. I don't know if that means "full VA benefits."