Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Should people be billed for being rescued?

View Poll Results: should people be charged for the aid they received in NO?
yes
8
16.33%
no
41
83.67%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

Should people be billed for being rescued?

Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:36 pm
  #1  
@matthewb76
Thread Starter
 
Manc's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Manc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond repute
Default Should people be billed for being rescued?

If people are in danger with a potential health crisis in New Orleans, should they be billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston?

Last edited by Manc; Sep 2nd 2005 at 9:39 pm.
Manc is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:39 pm
  #2  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,266
TouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really niceTouristTrap is just really nice
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by Manc
If people are in danger with a potential health crisis in New Orleans, should they be billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston?
Yeah. They should garnish their entire welfare and SS checks for the next 10 years.
TouristTrap is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:41 pm
  #3  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,894
doctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to beholddoctor scrumpy is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

People like Fats Domino who had the wealth to get out should be, personally word slike 200 mph winds and one of the biggest hurricanes ever would have me loading up the Scrump-mobile and heading for safety.
doctor scrumpy is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:41 pm
  #4  
Homebody
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Elvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by Manc
If people are in danger with a potential health crisis in New Orleans, should they be billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston?

I don't think your question is entirely clear - care to clarify?
Elvira is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:42 pm
  #5  
@matthewb76
Thread Starter
 
Manc's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Manc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond reputeManc has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by izibear
Yeah. They should garnish their entire welfare and SS checks for the next 10 years.
What if I rephrased the question...........

If people are in danger with a potential health crisis and need a triple heart bypass, should they be billed for the time they spent in the hospital / food / water / medicine / ambulance


sounds earily similar to me.
Manc is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:44 pm
  #6  
Never going back
 
Sleeping Beauty's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: New South Wales!!!!!!!
Posts: 3,656
Sleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond reputeSleeping Beauty has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by Manc
If people are in danger with a potential health crisis in New Orleans, should they be billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston?

do they have any choice of being in the super dome? i'm sure they would sooner be elsewhere given half the chance
Sleeping Beauty is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:46 pm
  #7  
Homebody
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Elvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by Manc
What if I rephrased the question...........

If people are in danger with a potential health crisis and need a triple heart bypass, should they be billed for the time they spent in the hospital / food / water / medicine / ambulance


sounds earily similar to me.

I believe in universal healthcare, free at the point of delivery.

I believe that people who have to be rescued through no fault of their own, due to a natural disaster, crime or whatever, should not have to pay.

If a mountain climber has to be rescued and doesn't have insurance, yes I think he should be billed.

Still not sure what you're on about. Are you saying those poor people who are stranded in NO should eventually be presented with a bill? A bill for what?

Still puzzled...
Elvira is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 9:55 pm
  #8  
Lapine Member
 
snowbunny's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
snowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

They should be billed unless they are indigent, in the same way that hospitals are forced to care for indigent patients if they are in danger of dying.
snowbunny is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:03 pm
  #9  
Homebody
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Elvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by snowbunny
They should be billed unless they are indigent, in the same way that hospitals are forced to care for indigent patients if they are in danger of dying.

I must be very dim today, but I'm puzzled by your response also...

What exactly should they be billed for, and who is going to asses who should pay, and on what basis would such an assessment be made?

Elvira is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:06 pm
  #10  
Not living a 9 to 5 life
 
NC Penguin's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
NC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond reputeNC Penguin has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Jumping the gun here a bit, Manc. All the folks haven't been evacuated yet...



NC Penguin
NC Penguin is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:08 pm
  #11  
Lapine Member
 
snowbunny's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
snowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond reputesnowbunny has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
I must be very dim today, but I'm puzzled by your response also...

What exactly should they be billed for, and who is going to asses who should pay, and on what basis would such an assessment be made?

Sorry.

In this country we tend not to bill people for emergency services involving rescue. The thought is that to try and determine whether it's someone's "fault" they are in a predicament, is pretty difficult; that rescues are relatively rare; and we pay for it through taxes to emergency services districts.

In that sense, no one should be billed.

I think Manc's point is that people WOULD be billed for hospital care even if they were dying. (They are in fact billed even if they die. Their estate is supposed to pay.)

So what is the difference?

Well.... to me.... everyone dies eventually. That's a certainty. With universal health care, you're covered from cradle to grave. Without, you pay from cradle to grave.

With insurance against unlikely events, someone needs bailing out on a regular basis, but it's rare for it to be the same person multiple times. These sorts of things are usually paid for by low-cost insurance (because risk is low) or through taxes to emergency districts.
snowbunny is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:20 pm
  #12  
Powder Maggot
 
AdobePinon's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
AdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond reputeAdobePinon has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Eureka!!!! I should bill Manc for the time I've sat here trying to work out the meaning of this thread!
AdobePinon is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:26 pm
  #13  
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 157
Terrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to beholdTerrier is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by Manc
If people are in danger with a potential health crisis in New Orleans, should they be billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston?
Depending on the pre-game show and the opposition?
Terrier is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:48 pm
  #14  
Homebody
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Elvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond reputeElvira has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

Originally Posted by snowbunny
Sorry.

In this country we tend not to bill people for emergency services involving rescue. The thought is that to try and determine whether it's someone's "fault" they are in a predicament, is pretty difficult; that rescues are relatively rare; and we pay for it through taxes to emergency services districts.

In that sense, no one should be billed.

I think Manc's point is that people WOULD be billed for hospital care even if they were dying. (They are in fact billed even if they die. Their estate is supposed to pay.)

So what is the difference?

Well.... to me.... everyone dies eventually. That's a certainty. With universal health care, you're covered from cradle to grave. Without, you pay from cradle to grave.

With insurance against unlikely events, someone needs bailing out on a regular basis, but it's rare for it to be the same person multiple times. These sorts of things are usually paid for by low-cost insurance (because risk is low) or through taxes to emergency districts.

Oh sorry, I thought we were still referring to his original question which seemed to refer to whether people should be "billed for the time they spent in the Super Dome / food / water / aid / bus tickets to Houston"...

Confusion reigns!
Elvira is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2005, 10:50 pm
  #15  
Forum Regular
 
Roadster280's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 249
Roadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to beholdRoadster280 is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Should people be billed for being rescued?

The thought of monetary concerns at this stage is outrageous to me. There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of people suffering and dying at the hands of dehydration, starvation and disease.

To my mind, this could be rapidly eased by the DoD. Speaking as an ex soldier, the DoD have:

Field hospitals
Hospital ships
Aircraft carriers (huge mobile "halls" with catering, water and shelter)
Thousands of helicopters
Tens of thousands of troops
Amphibious and 4x4 trucks by the thousand
The means to rapidly move large numbers of people in military transport planes that can operate on poorly prepared surfaces (i.e roads)
Empty army barracks and aircraft hangars
A million tents, cots, sleeping bags, etc
MREs (military rations, quick and easy, hygenic food)
A couple of battalions of MPs to quell the disorder

To my mind, this disaster will see people dying unneccessarily. Who was asking about money in NYC on the fateful day? It isn't about money now, it is about saving lives.

I was in NO a few weeks back. I could cry at the scenes now.
Yes, those that stayed may have made a poor judgement call, but who could have predicted this?
Roadster280 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.