mrken30

So if you paint it pink , it's no longer an assault weapon?

scrubbedexpat099

Correct

dc koop

I'd sooner put my trust in just about anyone when it comes to economics than the Caped Crusader, six times a declared bankrupt, a known dead beat when it comes to paying off sub-contractors for work performed, a hypocrite who spouts off a never ending stream of vitriol about China and our lousy one sided trade agreement, promises to bring back jobs yet buys boatloads of stuff from that country

How in God's name can anyone make the slightest sense of an agenda that promises a massive lowering of taxes but at the same time a major rebuilding of the Armed Forces, scrapping the ACA yet promising a "better health program", massive aid for the working poor and the disenfranchised youth in the nation's inner cities ?

I looked at the faces of the people cheering him on at the Convention. They didn't look any more stupid than the rest of us but as WC Fields once said "There's one born every minute" In Trump's case there's a few million of them

robin1234

It is puzzling, but there is the tendency towards a willing suspension of disbelief. Unfortunately, it's a strong argument against democracy.

Steve_

Look the fact that no-one has travelled back in time from the future to assassinate Trump indicates he's either going to be a brilliant President, or he will lose the election.

And anyway getting back to the thread, the comparison with the ACA and Medicare is a bit off because presumably if you're on an ACA plan when you hit Medicare age it's because you haven't paid enough Medicare tax, so add on $407 for part A premiums. A fairly decent ACA plan doesn't cost that much and then you've got to add on Parts B, C and D.

Honestly the main thing that gets me about American healthcare isn't how much it costs (which is insane) it's how complicated it is. It's soooooooo hard to understand. I think basically the only point that anyone actually comprehends it is about five seconds before they die. Sudden realization comes across you at that point that the doctor looking after you is probably out-of-network and also you haven't been properly enrolled in whatever Medicare program you should be to cover the rest of the bill.

"Any last words grandpa?"

"Yes, yes, I just realized that... bugger.... urgh..."

"Oh he's gone, I've got his Will here, I wonder what it says... hmm... 'Move to Canada immediately'."

Steve_

https://www.gungoddess.com/magpul-ar...e-3-piece-set/

morpeth

It is indeed complicated. A few years ago I helped someone who needed translation to deal with a proposed medical procedure, and talked to the person handling the bills. The same procedure if you asked on the phone they quoted $15,000, if one had insurance the insurance company would accept only $12,000 in charges, they said Medicaid would only pay $9000 normally but if the right codes used on the submission to Medicaid, Medicaid might pay $13,000. Then after some discussion they said there was a different charge if one didn't have insurance and earned under $30,000, and that charge was $5,000..The same doctors office two years later raised their rates and stopped taking Medicaid patients.

High costs and complication.

Asg123

Yes, even more complicated now with Obamacare. And very inefficient.

morpeth

Obamacare is certainly not an overall solution to the problem of access to medical care- it is inefficient and judging from news reports premiums are going up quickly. Many people who earn too much for Medicaid simply cannot afford Obamacare.

The reality though is also that it gave access to medical care to several million people. That is certainly a positive thing.

Any plan to be successful in long run has to address the costs of medical care.

Pulaski

The problem is that some people try to treat medical insurance like a piggy bank, not insurance, and so they expect their insurance to pay for everything. If people took some responsibility themselves for "routine medical expenses" such as doctors visits, antibiotics, minor outpatient procedures such as warts, etc. and used insurance for major expenses then it would be much more affordable.

"Traditional" health insurance is expensive because of the amount of coverage it gives - if car insurance paid for oil changes, replacement tyres, and brake pads then car insurance would be outrageously expensive too!

morpeth

If a visit to a doctor can cost $140 to $240 for a half hour visit, how would one expect someone making $10 an hour who cant afford insurance take "some responsibility" to be able to pay for the visit ?

Yes you are correct insurance premiums would be less if less is covered, but less regular doctor visits can certainly mean left medical issues untreated or not identified early enough, more major expenses down the line. Sure some people may because they have insurance go to a doctor more frequently than necessary, but that doesn't change that for a significant percentage of US population they don't have proper access to health care, or that it is so expensive they end up having to declare bankruptcy.

mrken30

Totally agree.
Those maintenance packages for cars are outrageously priced.

Pulaski

You're ignoring entirely the savings in premiums by accepting less coverage. If you save $500 in monthly premiums you can pay for a doctors visit and course of antibiotics every month and still be better off than paying big bucks for traditional insurance. .... Granted people on $10/hr usually aren't very good at budgeting and saving.

mrken30

I thought the minimum wage was going up to $15/hr in many places. That's an extra $800 a month to pay for medical expenses.

Pulaski

FIFY.

And you seriously think that people on minimum wage in those areas are going to set all their rise aside to pay for health insurance? I see bonanza time at the local rim dealers and fashion stores.