Politics: Onward from New Hampshire

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Why don't we provide everyone with catastrophic coverage and tax ourselves -- except for those who cannot really afford the premiums -- to pay for it?

A single payer system like in Canada and socialist Europe would lead to all the problems that Canada and socialist Europe have with their health care systems.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Where did Club and Skekky go?

As Hank says, like a good republican I've been billing.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I predict that it would end up costing 50% more that way.

And be 50% lower in quality.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Not Me
A single payer system like in Canada and socialist Europe would lead to all the problems that Canada and socialist Europe have with their health care systems.

Bravo! Letter-perfect rendition. Rove would be proud.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I predict that it would end up costing 50% more that way.

What's the difference? Near as I can tell, you could remove the only difference by starting two (or four, or eight) government entities to compete with each other to provide the insurance. And my way, you don't have to spend money enforcing your requirement that people sign up.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Why don't we provide everyone with catastrophic coverage and tax ourselves -- except for those who cannot really afford the premiums -- to pay for it?

Why not have the government collect all fruits of production, and then distribute it all back to the people in an equitable manner?
Confidential to SAM
did I misunderstand Ty's post?

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Bravo! Letter-perfect rendition. Rove would be proud.

What is now an attractive catfight, could become a domestic problem.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
Wow. You really did miss the boat. Go back and reread my posts, the ones that explain what the other people said. If it helps, I can have it translated into Fortran.

S_A_m

When you come back to the office, and have to explain to the billing partner about another lost motion, do you emphasize that the Judge just didn't get it?

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Why not have the government collect all fruits of production, and then distribute it all back to the people in an equitable manner?
Confidential to SAM
did I misunderstand Ty's post?

Another knee-slapper from Hank! How are we solving the healthcare issue in your ideal world? Or is there not a problem with the status quo in your ideal world? Since we are talking about your ideal world and not whether it is politically feasible in the current environment, "there is no problem with the status quo" is a perfectly fine answer. However, making over the world so that everyone in the US has plenty of money etc. because they all made all the right choices is not really a good answer because, well, because that's just dull.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
What is now an attractive catfight, could become a domestic problem.

Don't I have to consent to be your wife? Am I not able to move out if you get another wife that I find extremely displeasing?

Your world is fascinating.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
if you have a catastrophe happen to you, you get taken care of.

That is only true if you can be treated through an ER. If you have something non-acute like cancer or diabetes, you have quite a problem on your hands. You can generally only get treated at the county hospitals or teaching hospitals that will take self-pays (with little ability to pay) and indigents.

Some states now have high risk insurance for those who cannot get it, say because they were uninsured when the illness struck them and now they have a pre-existing condition. It works differently in each state, but the principle is the same - basically the state subsidizes the premiums. Here is a link on CA's program, the subsidy of which comes from tobacco taxes:

http://www.mrmib.ca.gov/MRMIB/MRMIPBRO.pdf

It would be so much more efficient to just force everyone to have catastrophic coverage than to take care of these things after the fact.

[Secret_Agent_Man]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Why not have the government collect all fruits of production, and then distribute it all back to the people in an equitable manner?
Confidential to SAM
did I misunderstand Ty's post?

I'd guess not, though your response was a non sequitur.

S_A_M

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
What's the difference? Near as I can tell, you could remove the only difference by starting two (or four, or eight) government entities to compete with each other to provide the insurance. And my way, you don't have to spend money enforcing your requirement that people sign up.

That would be pseudo-competition so long as the entities are staffed by government employees/appointees and could be propped up with tax revenues to the extent necessary. Not to mention subject to Congresses porkbarrel funding abilities.

Did you read Hillary's healthcare plan? There were actually some good ideas but I haven't read it in awhile, so I don't remember what the major flaws were. The good ideas were disperse the risk widely over as many people as possible by having the largest possible pool of insureds, and get rid of free riders.

[Secret_Agent_Man]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
When you come back to the office, and have to explain to the billing partner about another lost motion, do you emphasize that the Judge just didn't get it?

No, I usually just say that he had a "graduate degree in SCIENCE". Res ispa loquitur.

S_A_M

P.S. You do realize that is a quote from you (including capitals)?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
What's the difference? Near as I can tell, you could remove the only difference by starting two (or four, or eight) government entities to compete with each other to provide the insurance. And my way, you don't have to spend money enforcing your requirement that people sign up.

In theory you are right. In theory, communism works. In theory.