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On one hand, I think it would be great if everyone in America could have access to quality health care. But on the other hand, I'm afraid that if the federal government provides a solution we could end up worse off. I have good insurance through my employer. I don't want my care to get worse. I can't afford it to, I've got too many chronic health issues. I feel for people with a similar health situation to mine but not the means to get the coverage I have. But then again, I had the dream to try be a professional musican. I was going to college for it. But then I realized that I needed to someday get a job with health insurance and changed my major to business computer information systems. It has worked out for me. So, I knew what the playing field was and worked within the system and have been rewarded. Do people who know the system but choose to not seriously pursue an education to better their chances deserve the same coverage as someone who planned and prepared to get it? Not sure.

I do know that I have been a part of 2 federally funded and run health systems. One while I was in the Marines. Seemed to be good. Wasn't sick much til I got diabetes. They found it and got me going on controlling it. The other is the VA. Not so good. I had to spend half a day to 3/4ths of a day to get done what I do in an hour at a doctor's office. I could still go to the VA, but once I got a job with Health Inusrance, I didn't go back.

The way I see it working out is that government will mandate everyone have insurance. Those that can't pay the premiums will get assistance. But if you can't afford the premiums, can you afford the co pays? Many will still go untreated becuase they can't afford it even with insurance.

Not sure what the answer is, but something needs to be done.

goose wrote:Having lived in Mexico, I can tell you that the immigrants - legal or otherwise - do NOT gain anything in health care by coming across the border....

Okay, are you saying they have access to healhcare in Mexico even if uninsured? You're telling me that the poor areas of Mexico have as good of doctors as we have here?

Someone's dog has been snipe hunting.

ractar28 wrote:

goose wrote:Having lived in Mexico, I can tell you that the immigrants - legal or otherwise - do NOT gain anything in health care by coming across the border....

Okay, are you saying they have access to healhcare in Mexico even if uninsured? You're telling me that the poor areas of Mexico have as good of doctors as we have here?

Someone's dog has been snipe hunting.

I take it ractar28 has lived in Mexico and you do know these poor-area Mexican doctors on a personal basis?

muddyhounddog wrote: But then I realized that I needed to someday get a job with health insurance and changed my major to business computer information systems. It has worked out for me. So, I knew what the playing field was and worked within the system and have been rewarded. Do people who know the system but choose to not seriously pursue an education to better their chances deserve the same coverage as someone who planned and prepared to get it?

I can see what you are saying, but then there are cases like mine...where I trained for a high-paying position with benefits in a high demand position (occupational therapist), struggled to get my education (masters degree) and then got sick a few years later and haven't been able to work enough to get benefits. A person never knows what life will throw you...sometimes all the planning and work doesn't lead you down the path it was meant to.

Take care, Lovey

muddyhounddog wrote:On one hand, I think it would be great if everyone in America could have access to quality health care. But on the other hand, I'm afraid that if the federal government provides a solution we could end up worse off. I have good insurance through my employer. I don't want my care to get worse. I can't afford it to, I've got too many chronic health issues. I feel for people with a similar health situation to mine but not the means to get the coverage I have. But then again, I had the dream to try be a professional musican. I was going to college for it. But then I realized that I needed to someday get a job with health insurance and changed my major to business computer information systems. It has worked out for me. So, I knew what the playing field was and worked within the system and have been rewarded. Do people who know the system but choose to not seriously pursue an education to better their chances deserve the same coverage as someone who planned and prepared to get it? Not sure.

I do know that I have been a part of 2 federally funded and run health systems. One while I was in the Marines. Seemed to be good. Wasn't sick much til I got diabetes. They found it and got me going on controlling it. The other is the VA. Not so good. I had to spend half a day to 3/4ths of a day to get done what I do in an hour at a doctor's office. I could still go to the VA, but once I got a job with Health Inusrance, I didn't go back.

The way I see it working out is that government will mandate everyone have insurance. Those that can't pay the premiums will get assistance. But if you can't afford the premiums, can you afford the co pays? Many will still go untreated becuase they can't afford it even with insurance.

Not sure what the answer is, but something needs to be done.

I paid my own way through college in the early 80's then paid my way through grad school (plus indebted myself with school loans) in the early 90's. If I had to do it all over again, I would not be able to with today's cost of higher education. For my undergrad costs I paid about $600 per semester for tuition and books ... today, same tuition and books would be more like $2600 per semester. And that is in state tuition costs. I was never able to afford going to go an out-of-state university.

Shouldn't every citizen of the world's most powerful and wealthiest nation be able to pursue an education? I think so yet I have friends and relatives who cannot afford to.

DreamStalker wrote:I take it ractar28 has lived in Mexico and you do know these poor-area Mexican doctors on a personal basis?

You speak as an authority on the subject and I fail to accept that you are one. I've driven through Arkansas before, but that doesn't mean I married my sister. Heck, I've lived in a mobile home before, but that doesn't make me an expert on tornados either.

ractar28 wrote:

DreamStalker wrote:I take it ractar28 has lived in Mexico and you do know these poor-area Mexican doctors on a personal basis?

You speak as an authority on the subject and I fail to accept that you are one. I've driven through Arkansas before, but that doesn't mean I married my sister. Heck, I've lived in a mobile home before, but that doesn't make me an expert on tornados either.

I guess I should be offended because when I was in medical school I lived in a mobile home in Arkansas

ractar28 wrote:

DreamStalker wrote:I take it ractar28 has lived in Mexico and you do know these poor-area Mexican doctors on a personal basis?

You speak as an authority on the subject and I fail to accept that you are one. I've driven through Arkansas before, but that doesn't mean I married my sister. Heck, I've lived in a mobile home before, but that doesn't make me an expert on tornados either.

I'm no authority on the subject or any other for that matter nor did I claim to be. goose was the one that lived in Mexico but I don't think he claimed to be an authority on the subject either.

However, I'm confused as to how Arkansas, sisters, tornadoes, and mobile homes fit into the subject of your claims that people sneak across the border to get free health care ... please explain.

rooster wrote:

lovey wrote:I read a report about hispanic illegals a few months ago. Actually, they are in better health before they cross the border, and don't access health care during the first years. After 5 years on an "American" diet, they become as unhealthy as us "naturally born" a.k.a. "real" Americans, and that's when they access health care. Just food for thought!!! Lovey

Ah, they gotta get healthier after we give them access to:

Actually, Rooster, we forgot about their access to a good old fashioned American Breakfast:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/35060 Lovey

lovey wrote:........

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/35060 Lovey

My goodness, thanks for telling me, Lovey!

We are driving 12 hours to Sanibel Island on January 1 for a little vacation. January 1 is my birthday and Denny's has that show your driver's license on your birthday and you get a free meal. They serve breakfast all day.

Now I will plan to start the trip with a free breakfast bucket in Charlotte, another free bucket in Jacksonville for lunch and a third free bucket in Fort Myers for dinner!

Thanks so much.

WOW!!!! Now that's a bucket 'O' eggs....
Three buckets in a day?? Rooster??? You're a better man than I!!!!! (and I love eggs and sausage and bacon.......)

cheers
goose

OMG that's actually REAL??

(sigh, if only.... mmm bucket'o'eggs mmm)