scrubbedexpat091

They can mandate it all they want, but if someone can't afford insurance, they can't afford it, mandating it wont solve that problem.

Giantaxe

"Disappear" as in effectively passed on to those that can pay for treatment at the hospitals, especially those that are uninsured but have assets. The hospitals are doing the right thing in the circumstances, but this really illustrates how messed up the current system of healthcare access is, as does the fact that some families are already resorting to asking for donations for their injured relative's care.

nun

I agree, which is which is why healthcare is best provide according to this simple maxim

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need"

If the shooting had happened almost anywhere apart form the US the medical bills of the victims wouldn't be an issue.

This principle is nicely applied and explained in the original NHS leaflet.

http://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/60th/Leaflets/leaflet.pdf

Lion in Winter

Exactly. To quote from your attachment. "It is not a charity." Everyone pays in, a bit at a time, so that it is there for anyone when it is needed.

Much as the contributors mean well, this business of "special funds" and charity events to fund medical care drives me insane. What is everyone else who never comes to the public eye supposed to do? It is a fundamentally unjust and unequal system, and ought to be against everything this country says it stands for.

So ought getting shot in cinemas to be, if it comes to that.

ian-mstm

She'd roll over in her grave if she heard you extolling the concept.

Ian

nun

The ridiculousness of the US health insurance system is highlighted by the cinema shooting. The fact that the hospital is reducing or eliminating the charges for some of the victims, presumably because it's a national story with lots of press and we can't ask for money from folks who have had such a terrible experience, just shows the hypocrisy and unfairness of the system. If we eliminate the charges for these people why not for everyone?

Bink

I couldn't agree more.

This cuts very close to the bone for me. My Brother-in-law was a passenger in a car that rolled early this year, is now paralyzed (he has a small amount of movement in his arms but his motor skills are poor and his movement in his hands is severely limited).
I'm not entirely sure where he stands on the medical bill right now but he couldn't afford the insurance premiums and wasn't covered. He spent 30+ days in Neuro ICU so you can bet it's over $1M.

There are charities that help out but it does highlight a fundamental flaw that if you're involved in a serious incident, not only do you have to deal with the injuries but also, in all liklihood, bankruptcy too.

I never realized how crazy the system was over here until I came and lived here. You hear about it but don't appreciate the severity of the situation. Even with insurance the bills can still be pretty high depending on your insurance, deductible and out of pocket maximum...

Sad times...

Bluegrass Lass

+1 I can't stand when I see those donation jars at places. There shouldn't be a need for them in the first place!

nun

I live in MA so we've had a healthcare mandate for a few years. It has increased the proportion of people with insurance in MA to 98%, which is good and you cannot de denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. Also, there is a subsidized plan for low waged people, but for the people who fall just above the definition of low waged the insurance premiums can be hard to pay. Also most people go for plans with large deductibles so they have to pay say the first $5k of any costs. That's ok for catastrophic illness and emergencies, but it doesn't encourage people to see the doctor for the small things that if caught early are inexpensive to treat, but if left can become chronic or severe conditions.

scrubbedexpat099

Is it Bob? who lives in MA and has commented on the issues they have there?

We have the fund raisers here as well and I am thinking do you not get it, a plaster on a major trauma.

I wish the Government would mandate that people have to buy from my Business.....

Lion in Winter

Disease of the month.

If you have a low-profile disease that lacks PR, too bad.

Giantaxe

Without some kind of mandate - be it through direction taxation (like Medicare or the NHS) or otherwise (like the ACA) - you will not get anything approaching universal coverage because of the free loader issue: people - especially the young and healthy - would merely buy insurance in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, thus removing healthier people from the insurance pool. You like to snipe at the (now constitutional) mandate, but you never explain how you would get us universal coverage without it.

Giantaxe

Or a low-profile disaster. There was a compensation fund for 9/11 health victims, but not for the Oklahoma City bombing. It's all so screwed up.

Lion in Winter

And don't even get me started on New Orleans...

MostlyYank

I have personal experience. My good friend, no insurance, young daughter got leukemia (I'm 'Uncle Pete') ...

Treated like a queen in a fine hospital (the Cleveland Clinic). For MONTHS. No questions asked. Fortunately it's now in full remission.

Because he's genuinely working poor he's got few assets, and he hasn't been hassled for them.

Ideal? Perhaps not. But it does work and the care is outstanding.

Anyone associated with the horrible shootings in Aurora will become wealthy here shortly. Notice I don't say it will make up for it. But medical bills won't be a problem.

It's easy David. Dress it up as a social issue and hire a good PR agent

Pete