Thank you Tirk. I've been arguing this for the last ten pages but hadn't found the report that outlined it. Like said earlier, almost 95% have healthcare or a reasonable way of getting it. Tirk, the only thing your numbers didn't show is how many of those people have access to Medicare and Medicaid but just don't sign up. They're in the 47 million too. And while we we're on the topic of statistics. This one pisses me off "60% of bankruptcies are linked to medical bills".......bullchit as Mr. Red would say. That's how many bankruptcies of any nature have any kind of medical bill whether it contributed or not. The real number is closer to 27 to 28% You did make one mistake though tirk, Obama has addressed tort reform....by saying it absolutely will not be a part of this bill.
14 million of the uninsured were eligible for Medicaid and would be signed up automatically if they went to the hospital. also, the law mandates everyone who shows up at emergency rooms must be treated, insurance or not.
So if you assume that everyone making over 75k can afford insurance (probably not true but the percentage that can't is offset by the percentage who can afford that make between 50k and 75k), then you come up with 13 million or so uninsured.
I think a distinction has to be made between the cost of healthcare and the cost of health insurance.
Pretty much says it all right there! blah blah blah, quit being an ass you know the comparison I was making. It is clear to me that he is in over his head. I of course don't expect you to agree because of the above mentioned Kool-Aid (someone get MM out of d-fib, I just said something derogatory about the prez). Never said the hockey mom was all that smart, she is hot though:grin:
Where did you get this number? It didn't come from the Census Bureau that tirk cited. Those numbers don't show the working people who are between jobs and have no coverage. They don't show that only 60% of employers offer health insurance. They don't show the ones who are willing to pay for coverage but the insurance companies won't take them because of pre-existing conditions. They don't show the self-employed who can't get group rates. Source for 27%? According to the American Journal of Medicine last month, the figure is 62% of bankruptcies where medical bills contribute to the bankruptcy. LINK
regardless, most are happy with their health care as reported. the overwhelming majority. but we need to make sure not to be bogged down by the numbers as long as we get the message. most agree something needs to be done to reform it. Not wipe out one of the best systems in the world for an obviously worse system. and this is whats happening. there will be inefficiencies and problems in all systems. none are foolproof. this utopian view the government is attempting to sell is misguided at best and malicious at worse; yet some people believe it. many think they will get something for nothing. though many are realizing the plan being introduced is far, far worse than what they have. Anything run by government is inherently inefficient. there is no way they can run a better anything than private business. theres no incentive to do so. thats not how it works. And once its in place, there is no going back. i mean they're already trying to control every facet of your life as it is. do we really need them determining our quality of life by putting it in their hands? denying you treatment because youre too old or too sick like they do in all other socialized health systems? not sure how anyone could think that is a good idea on any level.
This is one part of the argument that makes no sense. Insurance companies are in the risk business. It's a gamble. You set rates based upon known risks. How can a health insurance provider take on a person with cancer without charging a prohibitive premium? It goes against fundamental underwriting principles. Should auto carriers take on someone with 3 DWI related accidents just so everyone can have auto insurance?
