Sue

This just caught my eye on CNN because it's in the next city to me (well I use the term "city" loosely )

http://www.wcnc.com/news/neighborhoo...tml?hpt=ju_bn4

I know it's an extreme case, and not the norm, but it shows how desperate someone can get.

meauxna

The local paper just did a big story on the (excellent) level of medical care the state is supplying for prisoners (required) and how much we're spending on that vs other also-important things.
I confess, it crossed my mind that commiting a minor crime would be one solution to no health insurance.

Mummy in the foothills

Sad state of affairs isn't it.

lyonsden1193

I'm really suprised there isn't more of this, and really suprised someone has not tried to copy Denzel Washington's film role to get medical care.

katybluewater

I just think its so sad someone has to do something this drastic. I really dont understand the negativity around healthcare reform. When people say its all down to cost it sticks in my throat - how can there be a price on someones health?

lyonsden1193

The negativity about reform is perpertrated by vested interests. because I work for a Dr's office this subject is broached many times by patients. I have been reliably informed that old people in Britain are left to die!. I've been called an out and out liar when I mention that the first thing you are asked at the doctors office is 'whats the problem' and not 'do you have the copay and where is your insurance card'.

Around here its not unusual to wait up to 3-4 months to get in and see certain types of specialists...(even with good insurance) when I bring up to my Drs that this is strange considering its private healthcare and we keep hearing that means no lines no waiting... the subject gets changed real quick.

My wife got sick on one trip and we used a NHS walk in clinic to be seen.
As a USC she offered to pay for treatment but was politely refused based on my UKC and she was amazed at the way she was treated (medically) ... one convert to realising that all is not what it seems!

Bob

I wouldn't want to spend time in the Federal clink though, even for healthcare...think how much of a beating etc you'd get when found out the bank job was so lame

Well I suppose there is the possibility that you might find a none FDIC member bank to get out of the federal crime issue, but that would be rare

Sarah

But but but universal healthcare means that we'd be socialists!
This is just propaganda from the liberal agenda media!
People have to wait 5 years just to see a doctor in Canada and the UK!
The quality of surgery in those countries is akin to a teenager cutting you open with a rusty knife, and thats if you're lucky!
The taxes are 1000% higher in those countries than they are over here!


Seriously though , poor guy.

Ash UK/US

You could become someone special 'shower friend'... Bob the bitch... has a nice ring to it LOL

ottotheboar

The idea is not new a few years ago a guy who worked for me told me he thought spending the winter in a minumum security prison with food, healthcare and a roof over your head was better than being homeless on the street. He would ask the police to check for any outstanding warrants on him.

HumphreyC

Hmmmm

Ok - not that I approve of the current system, but isn't this guy eligible for medicaid? Also, according to an article I just read there is a hospital in Gastonia that offers discounts of up to 100% for low income patients and there is a free clinic 5 miles from the bank. Could also have gone to the University of North Carolina. There is a non profit called HealthNet Gaston that could have helped him with all this.

Also how is he planning to buy that condo when he gets out of jail?

lyonsden1193

Medicaid!! round here that would be like saying you have the plague. Trying to get treatment on medicaid is extremely difficult because Drs try and avoid it. The prison service healthcare is a lot better ..they pay their bills!.. that means I get a paycheque when i'm supposed to.

Bob

Getting it is much easier said than done...for a lot of middle class or even low income families, they still earn to much to qualify for it.

And the condo thing, I think he was talking by then he'd be earning his pension and would have more money than he does now.

HumphreyC

OK so he might actually be better off under the prison healthcare system than he would have been otherwise.

I'm guessing a free clinic isn't going to be able to do more than refer you to specialist treatment and the University healthcare program is going to have co-pays. He already tried filing for disability and was turned down - that rules out Medicaid. Alternative was bed and board at tax payers expense for 3 years (which he won't get because he is being charged with larceny) and all medical expenses paid for with co-pays of between 5 and 7 dollars. Condo on Myrtle beach when you get out.

This is going to set a dangerous precedent. If all 50 million uninsured people tried the same stunt it would bankrupt the federal government in nothing flat.

lyonsden1193

And then we might just have a seriously sensible debate about healthcare.