[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

Everybody doesn't have a baby every year.

Oh, I know. But you also have to realize that $1,000 a year is for a whole family. So, if a family "happens" to have a baby, then they have basically used up their health insurance money for 10 years.

Just an example. I know you will shoot holes all in it. But there are also appendix removals, colds, gyno exams, physicals. Lots of stuff that can add up to costs.

[Banana]

Just an example. I know you will shoot holes all in it. But there are also appendix removals, colds, gyno exams, physicals. Lots of stuff that can add up to costs.

See how brilliant it all is?

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

Yeah. And the standard of my care when I had the baby was good. I was in the hospital for three days, had lactation consultants, 3 squares a day, formula for the baby (:roll: yah right)...at any rate, these aren't tent hospitals. They are good hospitals and good care (most of the time).

Well, seriously, I'm not making fun. Its just hard to conceive of any kind of "good" healthcare for that price.

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

See how brilliant it all is?

If, in fact, that is the way your system works, then it is pretty friggin brilliant. and i mean that. America would be 20 years away (if they started right now) of lowering the costs in order to make our system even halfway close to those kind of costs.

Now way is anyone in one term going to bring "universal health care". And if they say they can, they are out right lying to get votes.

[Paddy]

I wonder how much the high cost of medical malpractice insurance, due to the ridiculously litigious nature of society, contributes to the high medical insurance premiums we pay?

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

I wonder how much the high cost of medical malpractice insurance, due to the ridiculously litigious nature of society, contributes to the high medical insurance premiums we pay?

Probably half.

[Banana]

I wonder how much the high cost of medical malpractice insurance, due to the ridiculously litigious nature of society, contributes to the high medical insurance premiums we pay?

Excellent point. Medical malpractice suits rarely happen here. In fact, litigation rarely happens here. We cap our lawsuits, and make them exceptionally long drawn out processes. It's not worth it for most people. I work in teh car insurance industry. The most you will ever get out of a car accident is about $1,000,000, give or take. Ever.

Flump, our system isn't perfect, and I get what you are saying about the cost. The government is obviously funding this program and that money is coming from somewhere in our taxes. But our tax rates are still pretty low (22% for the most typical wage bracket - $37,000 to $74,000). But, like you said, if in one year, a family of four has a baby, has an appendix removed, has a broken bone, and has a tonsilectomy, it's pretty damn cheap for medically necessary procedures.

[BIRD33]

Well, seriously, I'm not making fun. Its just hard to conceive of any kind of "good" healthcare for that price.

Thats because you're used to getting screwed.

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

Thats because you're used to getting screwed.

Yeah, that and I know what it costs to run the Shrine Hospitals. There are 22 hospitals in North America and I think current costs are about $2 million per day to run them. They do not charge ONE PENNY to any patient for anything. They have no billing department. The hospitals are crazy efficient because there are no forms to fill out, no insurance documents to collect, no worry about payment, no billing to be done. Doctors love working at those hospitals because they don't have to mess with all of the paperwork and worry about collecting money. They just treat the patients.

But its still expensive.

[cLaY]

I didn't read any of this, but I will later.

My two cents...Universal health care is impossible, an empty promise. Its more of the same old politics, " I will fight every day to get every American health care"...its bullshit and will never happen.

I'm off to caucus, check in later.

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

I didn't read any of this, but I will later.

My two cents...Universal health care is impossible, an empty promise. Its more of the same old politics, " I will fight every day to get every American health care"...its bullshit and will never happen.

I'm off to caucus, check in later.

5 stars for cLaY. Rack it!

[BIRD33]

Yeah, that and I know what it costs to run the Shrine Hospitals. There are 22 hospitals in North America and I think current costs are about $2 million per day to run them. They do not charge ONE PENNY to any patient for anything. They have no billing department. The hospitals are crazy efficient because there are no forms to fill out, no insurance documents to collect, no worry about payment, no billing to be done. Doctors love working at those hospitals because they don't have to mess with all of the paperwork and worry about collecting money. They just treat the patients.

But its still expensive.

Drugs are expensive in america, Malpractice insurance is expensive in America.Do you remember what issue were trying to fix here?

[Flumper Barflusterbutt]

Drugs are expensive in america, Malpractice insurance is expensive in America.Do you remember what issue were trying to fix here?

I agree. And until they start fixing those things, I think they should keep their empty promises about "universal health care" for someone in the future that can build on their successes. So far, no one has done shit and since they've been talking about it, its only gotten worse.

At least Obama and McCain are focussed on fixing the things that are fixable. Step 1 things. Hillary is promising something that she can't come through with. She knows it. She's already been there done that. She's talking out her ass to get elected.

[BIRD33]

Do you think she herself came up with this plan?Could there possibly be experts on the subject who helped come up with this?Experts that form their opinion on more than gut feelings?I've read many editorials from people not affiliated with the campaign that spoke positively about it.

I really don't think you understand her plan because you're praising obama for being focused when he has almost an identical plan to hers.

Their positions on almost anything is pretty similar and I bet your thoughts on iraq are more in line with hers than obama's by a mile.Looking at your baseless assertions about her throughout this thread it obvious you just don't like her.Whether its her being a woman, the front runner for the democrats or you just being used to hating Clintons I think its pretty plain to see you arent looking at her objectively.

[snarg]

i got bad news, buttman:

they're all talking out of their asses to get elected

[BIRD33]

Sure they are but if a president gets elected first term on the promise of bringing health care they know damn well that they better or there won't be a second term.Its going to be a mess to get it done but when its done it will be a huge step forward.