Obamacare and you

[derspiess]

Do you understand how draconian that makes your society sound?

  No

[merithyn]

Do you understand how draconian that makes your society sound?

Yes, I do.

[Caliga]

I can't speak for spiess, but I personally recognize the value of welfare.  Every society has some people that cannot or will not work for whatever reason, and you can't just let these people starve to death in the streets.

I think it's ok to question people when it appears they may be abusing the system, though.

[derspiess]

I actually believe in having something of a safety net.  BUT NOT A SAFETY HAMMOCK OH SNAP

[merithyn]

I can't speak for spiess, but I personally recognize the value of welfare.  Every society has some people that cannot or will not work for whatever reason, and you can't just let these people starve to death in the streets.

I think it's ok to question people when it appears they may be abusing the system, though.

Absolutely. I agree on all points.

I was only saying that it's sometimes very hard to know if someone is faking it. There are an awful lot of illnesses out there that aren't obvious, like Crohn's, for instance.

[Caliga]

I agree, and in the example I gave, I am 100% certain she is faking it.  To give you another example, she used to claim her back hurt so bad that she just laid in bed all night and weekend, which is odd since she used to bug me nonstop on Facebook about going out on my boat.

[Syt]

I found this video about the current state of the U.S. health care system interesting, an he offers a few points on why the costs in the U.S. are so much higher than elsewhere int he world (with not much additional benefit):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjGouBmo0M

Can anyone with more knowledge on the issue advise whether he's broadly correct or if he's just a nut?

[merithyn]

I found this video about the current state of the U.S. health care system interesting, an he offers a few points on why the costs in the U.S. are so much higher than elsewhere int he world (with not much additional benefit):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjGouBmo0M

Can anyone with more knowledge on the issue advise whether he's broadly correct or if he's just a nut?

That's pretty much my understanding of the situation, too.

[derspiess]

Then without watching the video I'll vote "nut".



Just kidding, Meri

[The Brain]

I agree with whoever said we should keep the streets clean.

[Caliga]

I agree with whoever said we should keep the streets clean.

[Syt]

Then without watching the video I'll vote "nut".

Basically, he says that health care in the U.S. is too expensive (other countries have equal or very similar level at much reduced costs) and that a number of factors contribute to it, not just one monolithic item (and that some things touted as cost drivers are almost negligible). Also, that reform will be long and hard.

[The Brain]

lol

[lustindarkness]

Then what reason would you give for skyrocketing disability claims?

Doctors that diagnose it, and the lawyers that argue it.

This.

Oh, and DIB benefits are not a welfare, SSI almost is, but not DIB.

[Admiral Yi]

Basically, he says that health care in the U.S. is too expensive (other countries have equal or very similar level at much reduced costs) and that a number of factors contribute to it, not just one monolithic item (and that some things touted as cost drivers are almost negligible). Also, that reform will be long and hard.

I thought he undercut his thesis with his comments about lack of bargaining ability.