Gregory Morrow wrote:
> John Kane wrote:
>
> On Sep 17, 2:19 pm, Omelet > wrote:
>> In article >,
>> blake murphy > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:21:11 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>> Omelet wrote:
>>>>>>> Heh! Tell me about it! That's what I'm running into right now.
> Insurance
>>>>>>> is not always a good thing. I'm supposed to see a cardiologist and
> get
>>>>>>> regular physical therapy, but cannot afford it even with insurance!
>>>>>> why not go to the emergency room, since treatment there is so
> peachy?
>>>>>> your pal,
>>>>>> blake
>>>>> Because the co-pay is $100.00, not to mention the ER physicians
> separate
>>>>> fee.
>>>> It is a shame that you don't have government health insurance like we
>>>> have in Canada. Everyone is eligible regardless of pre-exisitng
>>>> conditions. In Ontario we pay a yearly OHIP fee and employers pay a
>>>> health tax per employee. It is also funded through other tax revenues.
>>>> It costs me nothing to go to a doctor. It costs me nothing to go to
>>>> emergency. It costs nothing for X rays or other tests. Prescriptions
>>>> drugs are not covered, but there is supplemental health insurance
>>>> available for that. It isn't a perfect system, but people don't face
>>>> financial crisis because of medical care.
>>> yet it's an article of faith among u.s. conservatives that 'socialized
>>> medicine' is madness. go figure.
>>> your pal,
>>> blake
>> I'm a conservative liberal. To me, socialized medicine is not a bad
>> thing IF it's administered properly! When it finally comes to pass,
>> there is no doubt it'll make my job even more "challenging", but I
>> understand the necessity/need of it.
>
>
> I'm not exactly use about your job but "one source payments" may
> actually make your job redundent if I understood what you mentioned in
> an earlier post in this thread. There is no question of who is
> billed for what. In my case if I go to the doctor, I show them my
> Ontario Hospital Insurance Program card, and that's all the
> administration for my visit. [1]. Hospital visits from the patient's
> point of view are the same.
>
> I. I'm sure I'm exagerating a bit but there is no need to work out
> what insurance company is paying what, if a deductable amount is owed
> and so on.
> ---------------------
>
> GM replies:
>
> Here in the states a HUGE amount of the cost of health care is a result of
> the overhead in having to deal with hundreds of insurance companies, large
> numbers of employees are needed for this Kafka - like bureaucracy...
>
> Some doctors will negotiate a discount if you pay in cash, it saves them the
> cost of having to bill an insurance provider, plus which that cash goes
> right into the bank...
>
> Decades ago "health insurance" was often simply "hospitalisation insurance",
> folks had it to cover the eventuality of major hospitalisation costs.
> Doctor visits and prescriptions were often paid out - of - pocket. Costs
> for these was reasonable, an average working stiff could afford them. Now
> with the morass of various insurance plans, plus increasingly
> exotic/expensive/complex medical treatments and nostrums costs have of
> course risen to the point where working folks who make a decent living need
> increasingly expensive insurance to cover even routine medical care...
>
> And as far as "abuse" goes, it's not just the poor who engage in this.
> Affluent people with good health insurance will often get expensive
> procedures (MRI's, etc...) and treatments for the most routine and even
> silly things...this drives up the cost for everybody.
>
>
And the primary reason for the "abuse" is caused by the medical people
and the insurance companies. The U.S. is a very litigation conscious
country. A lot of our citizens are just looking for someone to sue so
they can retire and live a life of luxury, or at least get another
six-pack or two. I have doctor friends who decided to retire early so
they wouldn't have to pay the malpractice insurance anymore. Others have
left private practice and gone with HMO's that will protect them.

I'm not familiar with Canada's socialized medicine but have worked in
the past with lots of Brits, who worked foreign in order to get in to
see a doctor or provide a family member with medical care outside the
National Health system, because it wouldn't take as long to get taken
care of.

I don't think there are any perfect medical insurance or health
insurance plans out there.

In article >,
"cybercat" > wrote:

> "Mike Pearce" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Omelet" wrote in message
> > news
> >> "Mike Pearce" > wrote:
> >>
> >>> Who would want to live near shiftless and criminal types? Those kind
> >>> of folks can be found just about anywhere. New Orleans has no monopoly
> >>> on scumbags.
> >>
> >> ROFL!!!
> >>
> >> Thanks for the morning chuckle!
> >>
> >> I see you've never been there. I have.
> >
> > Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
> >
> > How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
> >
> You're addressing a racist, Mike.

Liar. You are the "Anne Coulter" of democrats. An extremist.
You think that just because someone is not an Obama supporter, they are
"racist".

Is you who are racist for playing that card. How sad, and typical of a
rabid extremist.

The hatred you're carrying is a live coal in your heart, far more
damaging to yourself than to them.

Extremism on either end of the scale is idiotic...

Om -> Who is still capable of seeing both sides of the equation

On Thu 18 Sep 2008 07:12:59a, John Kane told us...

> On Sep 17, 5:04*pm, (Steve Pope) wrote:
>> Graham > wrote:
>> >"blake murphy" > wrote in message
>> >> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>> >>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should
cos
> t
>> >>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". * Cost p
> er
>> >>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>> >>>http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>> >> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and
canadia
> ns
>> >> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>> >> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
>> >> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>> >U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says
>> >Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide
>> >By Jeff Green
>> >CNN
>>
>> I noticed the July issue of the AARP magazine (hardly a
>> left-communist publication) had an article concluding that in
>> the U.S., 1/3 or healthcare procedures made the patient worse
>> off, and another 1/4 were unnecessary.
>
>
> US doctors are apparently known for 'agressive treatment" of
> problems However it is likely that a lot of treatments in the rest
> of the world are similar. Medicine is still as much an art as a
> science and not all doctors are a Van Gogh.

That could be a good thing. I wouldn't want my ear cut off. :-)


--
Wayne Boatwright

*******************************************
Date: Thursday, 09(IX)/18(XVIII)/08(MMVIII)
*******************************************
Countdown till Veteran's Day
7wks 4dys 15hrs 19mins
*******************************************
Why do cats have canine teeth?
*******************************************

In article >,
"Mike Pearce" > wrote:

> "Omelet" wrote in message
> news
> > "Mike Pearce" > wrote:
> >
> >> Who would want to live near shiftless and criminal types? Those
> >> kind
> >> of folks can be found just about anywhere. New Orleans has no
> >> monopoly
> >> on scumbags.
> >
> > ROFL!!!
> >
> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
> >
> > I see you've never been there. I have.
>
> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
>
> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
>
> -Mike

I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I just
know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a lot
of hostility.

Other than that, NO was interesting.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
(Steve Pope) wrote:

> Graham > wrote:
>
> >"blake murphy" > wrote in message
>
> >> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>
> >>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
> >>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". Cost per
> >>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>
> >>> http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>
> >> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
> >> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>
> >> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
> >> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>
> >U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says
> >Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide
> >By Jeff Green
> >CNN
>
> I noticed the July issue of the AARP magazine (hardly a
> left-communist publication) had an article concluding that in
> the U.S., 1/3 or healthcare procedures made the patient worse
> off, and another 1/4 were unnecessary.
>
> "Just say no!".
>
> Steve

Also, the death rate from medical mistakes exceeds all the deaths from
traffic accidents.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > I'm a conservative liberal. To me, socialized medicine is not a bad
> > thing IF it's administered properly! When it finally comes to pass,
> > there is no doubt it'll make my job even more "challenging", but I
> > understand the necessity/need of it.
>
>
> FWIW, I read an article a year or so ago that Canadian auto companies
> had an edge on their American counterparts because between the
> government run OHIP and supplemental health insurance it was much
> cheaper to provide medical coverage to their workers.
>
>
> > But once again, there is the issue of the abusers. Those who go to the
> > ER for every cough, sniffle and scratch. :-(
>
> We have walk in clinics for that. If I can't get an appointment with my
> doctor and it's not serious enough to go to ER I can go to a walk in
> clinic..... and it costs me nothing.

We have a clinic in town too, but it's not open 24 hours.

> > That problem already exists. Socializing it will probably exacerbate it.
> >
> > You think the wait and lines are long now? Since when did
> > governmentalizing anything improve it? <sigh>
>
> Wait lists are an issue. It takes longer to get an MRI or CAT scan, but
> if it is urgent people are bumped up the line. At least they can still
> get the tests, unlike places where they are available only if you have
> insurance or the money to pay for it.

There are social programs for that.
Ask Kili. :-)
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
"Graham" > wrote:

> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Omelet wrote:
> >
> >> I'm a conservative liberal. To me, socialized medicine is not a bad
> >> thing IF it's administered properly! When it finally comes to pass, there
> >> is no doubt it'll make my job even more "challenging", but I understand
> >> the necessity/need of it.
> >
> >
> > FWIW, I read an article a year or so ago that Canadian auto companies had
> > an edge on their American counterparts because between the government run
> > OHIP and supplemental health insurance it was much cheaper to provide
> > medical coverage to their workers.
> >
> >
> >> But once again, there is the issue of the abusers. Those who go to the ER
> >> for every cough, sniffle and scratch. :-(
> >
> > We have walk in clinics for that. If I can't get an appointment with my
> > doctor and it's not serious enough to go to ER I can go to a walk in
> > clinic..... and it costs me nothing.
> >
> >
> >
> >> That problem already exists. Socializing it will probably exacerbate it.
> >>
> >> You think the wait and lines are long now? Since when did
> >> governmentalizing anything improve it? <sigh>
> >
> > Wait lists are an issue. It takes longer to get an MRI or CAT scan, but if
> > it is urgent people are bumped up the line. At least they can still get
> > the tests, unlike places where they are available only if you have
> > insurance or the money to pay for it.
> >
> I remember American journo Diane Francis recounting that as her father had
> had back trouble, he couldn't get insurance. Therefore, when he later
> developed cancer, he couldn't afford the chemo and died much sooner than he
> should have.
>
> There was also an interview with a young Dr working in a hospital in a
> large US city. He had a patient in ICU whose insurance ran out and the
> insurer ordered him to send her home!!
>
> How many tales do we read or hear of like this?
>
> Graham

Too many. It's why I don't oppose socialized health care.
Remember, I get to see it first hand.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Her health situation really sucks, but it would be a lot worse if they
> had to pay for all that. I will try to be optimistic about the outcome,
> but it is not going to ruin them financially.

I'll light a candle for her Dave. :-(
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article
>,
John Kane > wrote:

> On Sep 17, 5:04*pm, (Steve Pope) wrote:
> > Graham > wrote:
> > >"blake murphy" > wrote in message
> > >> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
> > >>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
> > >>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". * Cost per
> > >>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
> > >>>http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
> > >> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
> > >> coming south for 'good' medical care...
> > >> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
> > >> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
> > >U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says
> > >Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide
> > >By Jeff Green
> > >CNN
> >
> > I noticed the July issue of the AARP magazine (hardly a
> > left-communist publication) had an article concluding that in
> > the U.S., 1/3 or healthcare procedures made the patient worse
> > off, and another 1/4 were unnecessary.
>
>
> US doctors are apparently known for 'agressive treatment" of
> problems However it is likely that a lot of treatments in the rest
> of the world are similar. Medicine is still as much an art as a
> science and not all doctors are a Van Gogh.
>
> John Kane Kingston ON Canada

They also do a lot of unnecessary stuff to cover their asses in case of
lawsuits...
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article
>,
John Kane > wrote:

> What abusers? The suspicion is that the Canadian system actually
> saves health costs as aliments get treated earlier and at a less
> serious stage than in the USA. I don't remember ever seeing a study
> on this, though, just some anecdotes.
>
> I think the Cuban systems has something going for it. Your family
> doctor is supposed to see you for a routine checkup twice a year.
>
> John Kane Kingston ON Canada

Real health care. <g>
Trust me, there are those that abuse the free health care in our ER's...
I wish it was not true.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article
>,
John Kane > wrote:

> On Sep 17, 2:19*pm, Omelet > wrote:
> > In article >,
> > *blake murphy > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:21:11 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> > > > Omelet wrote:
> >
> > > >>>> Heh! Tell me about it! That's what I'm running into right now.
> > > >>>> Insurance
> > > >>>> is not always a good thing. *I'm supposed to see a cardiologist and
> > > >>>> get
> > > >>>> regular physical therapy, but cannot afford it even with insurance!
> > > >>>> *
> > > >>> why not go to the emergency room, since treatment there is so peachy?
> >
> > > >>> your pal,
> > > >>> blake
> >
> > > >> Because the co-pay is $100.00, not to mention the ER physicians
> > > >> separate
> > > >> fee.
> >
> > > > It is a shame that you don't have government health insurance like we
> > > > have in Canada. Everyone is eligible regardless of pre-exisitng
> > > > conditions. In Ontario we pay a yearly OHIP fee and employers pay a
> > > > health tax per employee. It is also funded through other tax revenues.
> > > > It costs me nothing to go to a doctor. It costs me nothing to go to
> > > > emergency. It costs nothing for X rays or other tests. Prescriptions
> > > > drugs are not covered, but there is supplemental health insurance
> > > > available for that. It isn't a perfect system, but people don't face
> > > > financial crisis because of medical care.
> >
> > > yet it's an article of faith among u.s. conservatives that 'socialized
> > > medicine' is madness. *go figure.
> >
> > > your pal,
> > > blake
> >
> > I'm a conservative liberal. *To me, socialized medicine is not a bad
> > thing IF it's administered properly! When it finally comes to pass,
> > there is no doubt it'll make my job even more "challenging", but I
> > understand the necessity/need of it.
>
>
> I'm not exactly use about your job but "one source payments" may
> actually make your job redundent if I understood what you mentioned in
> an earlier post in this thread. There is no question of who is
> billed for what. In my case if I go to the doctor, I show them my
> Ontario Hospital Insurance Program card, and that's all the
> administration for my visit. [1]. Hospital visits from the patient's
> point of view are the same.

My job won't be redundant. Somebody still has to do the lab work.
It's one item that _could_ be outsources to a reference lab, but that
would take too long. Docs need their answers in a limited amount of time.

>
> I. I'm sure I'm exagerating a bit but there is no need to work out
> what insurance company is paying what, if a deductable amount is owed
> and so on.

Like I've said before, I'm not opposed to socialized medicine. It's
become too big of an issue. Too many dying because they cannot afford
the asinine cost. I saw one bill the other day, 12 days in the ICU at
around 120K. Who the hell can afford that?

Part of the answer too is to bring the costs down. The EMS unit I
bought on line was only $80.00. They used to be $800.00 when you had to
have a prescription to purchase one! The presumption was that with an
Rx, insurance would pay for it. And it really is the same darned machine.

I'm using it right now and am OH so glad to finally have some real pain
control. ;-) But I paid out of pocket... Spent an extra $40.00 for 10
more sets of electrodes for it too. Ought to last me awhile as they are
reusable.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
George Shirley > wrote:

> And the primary reason for the "abuse" is caused by the medical people
> and the insurance companies. The U.S. is a very litigation conscious
> country. A lot of our citizens are just looking for someone to sue so
> they can retire and live a life of luxury, or at least get another
> six-pack or two. I have doctor friends who decided to retire early so
> they wouldn't have to pay the malpractice insurance anymore. Others have
> left private practice and gone with HMO's that will protect them.

Good insight. :-)
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
> "Mike Pearce" wrote:
>
>> "Omelet" wrote in message
>> >
>> > ROFL!!!
>> >
>> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
>> >
>> > I see you've never been there. I have.
>>
>> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
>>
>> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
>>
>> -Mike
>
> I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I
> just
> know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a
> lot
> of hostility.
>
> Other than that, NO was interesting.

Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans and
its welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?

-Mike

"Mike Pearce" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Omelet" wrote in message
> news
>> "Mike Pearce" wrote:
>>
>>> "Omelet" wrote in message
>>> >
>>> > ROFL!!!
>>> >
>>> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
>>> >
>>> > I see you've never been there. I have.
>>>
>>> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
>>>
>>> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
>>>
>>> -Mike
>>
>> I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I just
>> know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a lot
>> of hostility.
>>
>> Other than that, NO was interesting.
>
> Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans and its
> welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?
>

Do you get the feeling the hostility was coming from brown people?

lol

She's not a RACIST. It's natural that the first comment she would make about
Barack Obama is that she resents that he allegedly got he is "via
affirmative action."

In article >,
"Mike Pearce" > wrote:

> "Omelet" wrote in message
> news
> > "Mike Pearce" wrote:
> >
> >> "Omelet" wrote in message
> >> >
> >> > ROFL!!!
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
> >> >
> >> > I see you've never been there. I have.
> >>
> >> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
> >>
> >> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
> >>
> >> -Mike
> >
> > I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I
> > just
> > know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a
> > lot
> > of hostility.
> >
> > Other than that, NO was interesting.
>
> Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans and
> its welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?
>
> -Mike

I'm sorry, you'd have to have been there to understand. :-(

Do look up the NO crime rates prior to Katrina tho'.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
"cybercat" > wrote:

> "Mike Pearce" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Omelet" wrote in message
> > news
> >> "Mike Pearce" wrote:
> >>
> >>> "Omelet" wrote in message
> >>> >
> >>> > ROFL!!!
> >>> >
> >>> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
> >>> >
> >>> > I see you've never been there. I have.
> >>>
> >>> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
> >>>
> >>> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
> >>>
> >>> -Mike
> >>
> >> I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I just
> >> know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a lot
> >> of hostility.
> >>
> >> Other than that, NO was interesting.
> >
> > Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans and its
> > welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?
> >
>
> Do you get the feeling the hostility was coming from brown people?
>
> lol
>
> She's not a RACIST. It's natural that the first comment she would make about
> Barack Obama is that she resents that he allegedly got he is "via
> affirmative action."

You mis-read that post you racist turd.

I stated that that was stated on some of the political lists, not by ME.

But if it feels so good to hate, be my guest...

Om -> who is probably less racist than YOU are.

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:05:56 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> blake murphy > wrote:
>
>> where is this magic land where the employer takes an unemployed person and
>> gives them the computer and the internet access and the training to
>> possibly qualify for a job working at home for them? i'd really like to
>> know.
>>
>> blake
>
> I personally know two people that were trained to be truck drivers by
> their new employers...

fine, but you were referring to people working at home:

>> On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:04:54 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>>
>>> In article > ,
>>> Saerah Gray > wrote:

>>>> What kind of work do you suggest they do (for the government, right?) at
>>>> home?
>>>
>>> Sewing, clerical work, etc. Now with the internet, even some businesses
>>> have people doing computer work from home.
>>

....or did the employers buy the trucks, too?

blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:20:07 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> blake murphy > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:47:50 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>> Omelet wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Because the co-pay is $100.00, not to mention the ER physicians separate
>>>>>> fee.
>>>>> It is a shame that you don't have government health insurance like we
>>>>> have in Canada. Everyone is eligible regardless of pre-exisitng
>>>>> conditions.
>>>>
>>>> I suspect it's coming. My main concern with Socialized health care is
>>>> what it's going to cost us.
>>>>
>>>> Nothing is free. Only time will tell.
>>>
>>> Most of us know that it is not free. There is less spent per capita on
>>> health care in the US and Canadians live a little longer.
>>>
>>
>> yes, god forbid money spent on medical treatment should actually go to
>> providers instead of passing through the hands of insurance companies who
>> take a little off the top for their trouble.
>>
>> your pal,
>> blake
>
> That's actually a valid point... but wait 'till the government takes the
> place of the insurance companies babe. ;-)
>
> Talk about graft.

believe me, private insurance could take teach the government a thing or
two about graft. the government would at least have to pretend that they
were interested in treating people, not making money by denying it.

blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:21:12 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> blake murphy > wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>>
>>> On Sep 16, 1:01*pm, Omelet > wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I suspect it's coming. *My main concern with Socialized health care is
>>>> what it's going to cost us.
>>>
>>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
>>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". Cost per
>>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>>>
>>> http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>>
>> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
>> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>>
>> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
>> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>>
>> your pal,
>> blake
>
> Exactly.
>
> The abusers cause issues for those that really need it.
> That's what has screwed up our welfare system.
>
> Which brings us back to the subject...

....upon which i've mostly provided facts for my opinions while you yammer
about 'abusers' and 'what might happen.' excuse me if i'm not convinced.

blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:21:33 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> blake murphy > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:35:39 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>>
>>> In article 7>,
>>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Figuring out most drug combinations and dosages are often difficult.
>>>
>>> I wish you well. Ideally, we can find the cause and fix it from there,
>>> but I'd rather live.
>>>
>>> I ran a high heart rate for a couple of years before it got that bad.
>>> And we've been "playing" with the Thyroid levels for about as long. It
>>> got bad tho' when the pharmacy switched me to a generic instead of the
>>> name brand without telling me.
>>>
>>> It can make a difference.
>>>
>>> The tachycardia does cause High BP but I never checked that. At 100 BPM,
>>> it was 128 over 91. Borderline high thank the gods.
>>>
>>> Right now, Bystolic is keeping my heart rate low which keeps the BP down.
>>>
>>> Cause or effect?
>>>
>>> I can't afford the Cardiology consult right now.
>>
>> but at least you're not suffering under the dreaded 'socialized medicine'
>> system.
>>
>> blake
>
> Yet...

yet, nothing. this country pays more for worse care than any other
first-world nation. yet you're teriified by 'socialized medicine.' it
makes no sense,

blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:29:57 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> blake murphy > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:12:25 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>>
>>> In article >,
>>> blake murphy > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:44:36 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In article > ,
>>>>> T > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> What is your income tax rate?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh, about 40% when you add up state and federal plus the various dips
>>>>>> for SSI, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I need to buy property so I get the interest and tax write offs.
>>>>>
>>>>> A 40% income tax rate would have me living in subsidized housing and
>>>>> eating top ramen.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mine is around 25% and that's bad enough. (That includes SSI tax).
>>>>
>>>> omgomg!!! jackbooted i.r.s. men are snatching the food from your mouth!
>>>> better stock up on canned goods and ammo.
>>>>
>>>> blake
>>>
>>> I'm glad you are rolling around in Caviar Blake. I'm eating chicken feet
>>> and rice.
>>>
>>> And can barely afford the freakin' gas for my commutes to work.
>>
>> and the one percent of the twenty-five percent of your income (i seem to
>> remeber you saying that was your tax burden) is not materially affecting
>> that. that would come to one quarter cent on the dollar. think you can
>> spare it?
>>
>> blake
>
> On top of all the other government added 1/4 percents... Perhaps.

boo ****ing hoo. a quarter cent on the dollar?

blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:31:19 -0400, cybercat wrote:

> "blake murphy" > wrote
>>
>> i tuned in 'saturday night live' for the first time in many years last
>> saturday, and tina fey had her impression of palin *down*. it was
>> uncanny,
>> even the voice.
>>
>
> I saw this! It was the only funny part of the show. The tv game show with
> the creationist family answering the questions about science had promise,
> but they botched it. I have not loved SNL since John Belushi died. I was
> only watching it last week because Barack was supposed to be on. Then he
> wasn't! I felt robbed. Robbed, I tell you.

i think part of the reason i took an instant dislike to palin is that she
reminded me of tina fey, who always seemed extremely snide on s.n.l. may
that made her impersonation easier.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:59:29 -0600, Graham wrote:

> "blake murphy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>>
>>> On Sep 16, 1:01 pm, Omelet > wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I suspect it's coming. My main concern with Socialized health care is
>>>> what it's going to cost us.
>>>
>>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
>>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". Cost per
>>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>>>
>>> http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>>
>> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
>> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>>
>> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
>> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>
>>
> U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says
> Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide
> By Jeff Green
> CNN
>
>
> http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/paren...mothers.index/
>
> Click on the link half way down and you'll see that Canada comes out ahead
> of the USA.
>
> Graham

the facts are well known. thank moneyed the interests that no one seems to
care.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:04:52 +0000 (UTC), Steve Pope wrote:

> Graham > wrote:
>
>>"blake murphy" > wrote in message
>
>>> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>
>>>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
>>>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". Cost per
>>>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>
>>>> http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>
>>> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
>>> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>
>>> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
>>> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>
>>U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says
>>Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide
>>By Jeff Green
>>CNN
>
> I noticed the July issue of the AARP magazine (hardly a
> left-communist publication) had an article concluding that in
> the U.S., 1/3 or healthcare procedures made the patient worse
> off, and another 1/4 were unnecessary.
>
> "Just say no!".
>
> Steve

as my father is fond of saying, 'a hospital is not place for sick people.'

your pal,
blake

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:10:38 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:

> On Sep 17, 2:02*pm, blake murphy > wrote:
>> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
>>> On Sep 16, 1:01*pm, Omelet > wrote:
>>
>>>> I suspect it's coming. *My main concern with Socialized health care is
>>>> what it's going to cost us.
>>
>>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
>>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". * Cost per
>>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
>>
>>>http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
>>
>> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
>> coming south for 'good' medical care...
>>
>> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
>> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
>
> Mind you, some of the stories about year long waits are true. The
> difference is that anyone from billionaire to minimum wage slave gets
> them, and with no deducatibles . For urgent problems treatment is
> fast. For electives it can be slow.
>
> Canadians don't go south for 'good' medical ca wealthy ones will
> for quicker access to care.
>
> John Kane Kingston ON Canada

i think your average insured slob in the u.s. doesn't exactly get a snappy
hip replacement either. the primary care physician has to authorize a
specialist for diagnosis; specialist has to authorize treatment; treatment
specialist has to authorize surgery - in short, make sure to bring your
lunch.

but...you don't hang around wondering how you'll get the money while you
slowly die of cancer.

your pal,
blake

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
> "Mike Pearce" > wrote:
>
>> "Omelet" wrote in message
>> > "Mike Pearce" wrote:
>> >> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you
>> >> eat?
>> >>
>> >> -Mike
>> >
>> > I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I
>> > just
>> > know that the back roads were very frightening places... There
>> > was a
>> > lot
>> > of hostility.
>> >
>> > Other than that, NO was interesting.
>>
>> Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans
>> and
>> its welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?
>>
>> -Mike
>
> I'm sorry, you'd have to have been there to understand. :-(
>
> Do look up the NO crime rates prior to Katrina tho'.

I've seen the crime rates both pre and post Katrina many time and they
aren't pretty.

I originally jumped into this thread after someone described a
situation with a woman passing on an education in order to have a baby
so she could stay home and have the state take care of her. You
responded that that appeared to be the problem in New Orleans. I
mentioned that I'd like to see an example of it. Since then you've
responded to messages as if it should just be known that this sort of
thing takes place in New Orleans. I'm not sure why it's New Orleans in
particular. There are people who try to screw the system everywhere.

Now we are talking about crime rates and a teenager feeling hostility
in an unfamiliar city. I'm not sure I'll ever get where you are coming
from with this New Orleans business.

Thanks,
-Mike

"blake murphy" > wrote
>
> i think part of the reason i took an instant dislike to palin is that she
> reminded me of tina fey, who always seemed extremely snide on s.n.l. may
> that made her impersonation easier.

One of the many things I hate about Palin is her voice and the way she uses
it. Those big broad vowels and that "golly gee" throaty "aren't I cute"
warble she has going. That vapid ****ing smile. This bitch conceived a DOWNS
baby rather than use birth control in her mid forties. I know I keep saying
it but I cannot get over it. She reminds me of the old bit where the beauty
queen says into the mike, "Ah feel passionately about mentally handicapped
children. Ah would lahhk to hayave a retarded chahld of mah vairy owen."

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:20:07 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > blake murphy > wrote:
> >
> >> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:47:50 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
> >>
> >>> Omelet wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>>> Because the co-pay is $100.00, not to mention the ER physicians
> >>>>>> separate
> >>>>>> fee.
> >>>>> It is a shame that you don't have government health insurance like we
> >>>>> have in Canada. Everyone is eligible regardless of pre-exisitng
> >>>>> conditions.
> >>>>
> >>>> I suspect it's coming. My main concern with Socialized health care is
> >>>> what it's going to cost us.
> >>>>
> >>>> Nothing is free. Only time will tell.
> >>>
> >>> Most of us know that it is not free. There is less spent per capita on
> >>> health care in the US and Canadians live a little longer.
> >>>
> >>
> >> yes, god forbid money spent on medical treatment should actually go to
> >> providers instead of passing through the hands of insurance companies who
> >> take a little off the top for their trouble.
> >>
> >> your pal,
> >> blake
> >
> > That's actually a valid point... but wait 'till the government takes the
> > place of the insurance companies babe. ;-)
> >
> > Talk about graft.
>
> believe me, private insurance could take teach the government a thing or
> two about graft. the government would at least have to pretend that they
> were interested in treating people, not making money by denying it.
>
> blake

Good point.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:21:12 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > blake murphy > wrote:
> >
> >> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:30:30 -0700 (PDT), John Kane wrote:
> >>
> >>> On Sep 16, 1:01*pm, Omelet > wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> I suspect it's coming. *My main concern with Socialized health care is
> >>>> what it's going to cost us.
> >>>
> >>> Well if you do it like most of the other OECD countries it should cost
> >>> you about 50% or less than the current US health "system". Cost per
> >>> captia in Canada $2,998, cost per capita USA $5,711.
> >>>
> >>> http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
> >>
> >> stand by for tales of year-long waits for hip replacements and canadians
> >> coming south for 'good' medical care...
> >>
> >> paying more for worse medical care (and higher mortality rates) is a
> >> god-given right according to opponents of 'socialized medicine.'
> >>
> >> your pal,
> >> blake
> >
> > Exactly.
> >
> > The abusers cause issues for those that really need it.
> > That's what has screwed up our welfare system.
> >
> > Which brings us back to the subject...
>
> ...upon which i've mostly provided facts for my opinions while you yammer
> about 'abusers' and 'what might happen.' excuse me if i'm not convinced.
>
> blake

Then we'll agree to disagree.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:21:33 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > blake murphy > wrote:
> >
> >> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:35:39 -0500, Omelet wrote:
> >>
> >>> In article 7>,
> >>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Figuring out most drug combinations and dosages are often difficult.
> >>>
> >>> I wish you well. Ideally, we can find the cause and fix it from there,
> >>> but I'd rather live.
> >>>
> >>> I ran a high heart rate for a couple of years before it got that bad.
> >>> And we've been "playing" with the Thyroid levels for about as long. It
> >>> got bad tho' when the pharmacy switched me to a generic instead of the
> >>> name brand without telling me.
> >>>
> >>> It can make a difference.
> >>>
> >>> The tachycardia does cause High BP but I never checked that. At 100 BPM,
> >>> it was 128 over 91. Borderline high thank the gods.
> >>>
> >>> Right now, Bystolic is keeping my heart rate low which keeps the BP down.
> >>>
> >>> Cause or effect?
> >>>
> >>> I can't afford the Cardiology consult right now.
> >>
> >> but at least you're not suffering under the dreaded 'socialized medicine'
> >> system.
> >>
> >> blake
> >
> > Yet...
>
> yet, nothing. this country pays more for worse care than any other
> first-world nation. yet you're teriified by 'socialized medicine.' it
> makes no sense,
>
> blake

Where did I once say I was "terrified" of socialized health care?
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain

In article >,
says...
> In article >,
> T > wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > says...
> > > In article > ,
> > > Saerah Gray > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Minimum wage doesn't pay the bills. I am barely paying the bills on 13
> > > > an hour; which is twice the federal minimum wage.
> > > >
> > > > I am all for education, but without a *college* education, or a lot of
> > > > on-the job training and promotions, (which takes a long time) it's
> > > > *very* difficult to find a job that can support a family on one income.
> > > > Even a family of two.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Saerah
> > > >
> > > > "Welcome to Usenet, Biatch! Adapt or haul ass!"
> > > > - some hillbilly from FL
> > >
> > > Sometimes even having a college education is no guarantee of a good
> > > wage... $14.00 per hour should be a living wage for my relatives, but
> > > it's not. Not with today's economy. :-(
> > >
> >
> > $80 an hour seems to cover it. When we negotiated I almost fell out of
> > my chair when they accepted my per hour rate.
> >
> > Going from unemployment insurace to this sure is nice.
>
> Congrats. My base pay is only $23.00 per hour. Fortunately I work night
> shifts...
>

Thanks. I've got 16 years in the field so that has to count for
something.

The only thing that sucks is the commute. I leave Providence at 6:30AM
and don't get in the office until about 9AM.

In article >,
says...
> T > wrote in news:MPG.233a26a86dc1107e989702
> @reader.motzarella.org:
>
> > There are just some out there who have a 70 IQ for a reason.
> >
> > What else do you propose we do with them?
>
> Aren't they being used as cannon fodder in Iraq? Wars can be very
> convenient in turning a potential criminal and worse, a ne'er-do-well, into
> a "hero of the united states" (tm applied for).
>
>

These are the ones that are so dumb you cannot even get military
training to stick.

cybercat wrote:

> "blake murphy" > wrote
> >
> > i think part of the reason i took an instant dislike to palin is that
she
> > reminded me of tina fey, who always seemed extremely snide on s.n.l.
may
> > that made her impersonation easier.
>
> One of the many things I hate about Palin is her voice and the way she
uses
> it. Those big broad vowels and that "golly gee" throaty "aren't I cute"
> warble she has going. That vapid ****ing smile. This bitch conceived a
DOWNS
> baby rather than use birth control in her mid forties. I know I keep
saying
> it but I cannot get over it. She reminds me of the old bit where the
beauty
> queen says into the mike, "Ah feel passionately about mentally handicapped
> children. Ah would lahhk to hayave a retarded chahld of mah vairy owen."
>


Was that "beauty queen" your mother...???


--
Best
Greg

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:12:59 -0700 (PDT), John Kane
> wrote:

>US doctors are apparently known for 'agressive treatment" of
>problems However it is likely that a lot of treatments in the rest
>of the world are similar.

I hear Hungary is the place to go for dental work and physical
problems that can be treated with therapy.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:15:57 -0700 (PDT), John Kane
> wrote:

>I think the Cuban systems has something going for it. Your family
>doctor is supposed to see you for a routine checkup twice a year.

Ah, preventative medicine! Just like the "good" old days. Our US
dentists certainly still prescribe it.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:02:24 -0500, Omelet >
wrote:

>Real health care. <g>
>Trust me, there are those that abuse the free health care in our ER's...
>I wish it was not true.

Those people don't have health insurance, so ER *is* their real health
care.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:02:19 -0500, "Gregory Morrow" >
wrote:

>And as far as "abuse" goes, it's not just the poor who engage in this.
>Affluent people with good health insurance will often get expensive
>procedures (MRI's, etc...) and treatments for the most routine and even
>silly things...this drives up the cost for everybody.

Oh, come one Greg. Patients can't prescribe those services for
themselves. They need a willing Dr. to write up the procedure, and
those Dr's get rich off the system.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:07:21 -0500, Omelet >
wrote:

>I saw one bill the other day, 12 days in the ICU at
>around 120K. Who the hell can afford that?


Hardly anyone can afford it, but 12 days for only 120K? That's
downright inexpensive!


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:32:44 -0500, Omelet >
wrote:

>In article >,
> "Mike Pearce" > wrote:
>
>> "Omelet" wrote in message
>> news
>> > "Mike Pearce" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Omelet" wrote in message
>> >> >
>> >> > ROFL!!!
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for the morning chuckle!
>> >> >
>> >> > I see you've never been there. I have.
>> >>
>> >> Do you think New Orleans does have a monopoly on scumbags?
>> >>
>> >> How did you like New Orleans when you visited? Where did you eat?
>> >>
>> >> -Mike
>> >
>> > I was a Sophomore in High School so don't recall where we ate. I
>> > just
>> > know that the back roads were very frightening places... There was a
>> > lot
>> > of hostility.
>> >
>> > Other than that, NO was interesting.
>>
>> Was it on this trip that you gained your insight into New Orleans and
>> its welfare situation, etc.? What sort of hostility?
>>
>> -Mike
>
>I'm sorry, you'd have to have been there to understand. :-(
>
>Do look up the NO crime rates prior to Katrina tho'.

Didn't look. Are you saying crime went down?


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

"Saerah Gray" > wrote in message
. 102...
> (Denise in NH) fnord news:15622-48CEABBC-2030

> The cost of living in New Hampshire must be very high. I make just under
> the guideline for a family of two, and while things are tight, I have no
> need for food assitance.

I see a whole new breed of Lifestyle Coaches emerging, whose advice will put
folks on the road to financial salvation.

e.g. meals means washing up, so DON'T buy washing-up LIQUID (water, mostly).
Buy the cheapest in-store own brand non-bio POWDERED detergent. It's MUCH
cheaper.



-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


http://www.gillsmith999.plus.com/

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_