Comments on: On Romney, health care in America, and dying in your apartment http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:05:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1558064 That_Anonymous_Coward Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1558064 and many others... Like - Socialism is bad!!!!  HANDS OFF MY SOCIAL SECURITY! and many others…
Like
- Socialism is bad!!!!  HANDS OFF MY SOCIAL SECURITY!

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1558055 That_Anonymous_Coward Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1558055 1 - What is it like to be white and privileged? 2 - Government udders.  So you paved the sidewalks you walked?  You plowed the roads of snow?  I would continue but you get the drift. The Me Me generation started in the 80s.  The poor did not tank the world economy to make a few extra bucks.  You have NEVER been poor in your entire life, and presuming your life experience is the same for every other person shows low intellect or self deception of huge magnitude. Let me know when Mitt is paying more taxes than I am. Its nice to pretend this is all 1 man's fault because it helps you avoid having to accept your own responsibility in all of this.  The system you lay out as being Obama's fault... you helped create. Take your tea party wackiness back to Yahoo where it sells better troll. 1 – What is it like to be white and privileged?
2 – Government udders.  So you paved the sidewalks you walked?  You plowed the roads of snow?  I would continue but you get the drift.

The Me Me generation started in the 80s.  The poor did not tank the world economy to make a few extra bucks.  You have NEVER been poor in your entire life, and presuming your life experience is the same for every other person shows low intellect or self deception of huge magnitude.

Let me know when Mitt is paying more taxes than I am.

Its nice to pretend this is all 1 man’s fault because it helps you avoid having to accept your own responsibility in all of this.  The system you lay out as being Obama’s fault… you helped create.
Take your tea party wackiness back to Yahoo where it sells better troll.

]]> By: Ana Villarreal http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557765 Ana Villarreal Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557765 So sorry to hear that you have to go through all of this BS danimagoo. I have been saying so much about this pre-existing condition that Obama wants to do away with. But republicans want to get rid of it, sounds like they are already siding with the many insurance companies that line their pockets. Did you know that not long ago some of the major insurance companies threw parties for the republican party? Hmmmmm. Romney is so out of touch that it's scary. How does he not know that the reason why hospitals have to take care of you is because it's the law. There is a federal law called Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act passed in 1986. What does this mean? Any hospital that receives medicare dollars must treat someone who comes into an emergency room. If it is classified as an emergency, then the hospital is only responsible for stabilizing your condition. They don't have a duty to treat you after that point or to give ongoing treatment. If they don't think it's an emergency then they can turn you away. An example used in the article I read says that if you bring in a baby with a sore throat and fever, the doctor can say that it was not an emergency and send you home. If it turns out to be fast-moving strep, your child could be dead before bed time and the hospital would have no responsability. If it turns out to be cancer, their duty is to stabilize you, after that you are on your own when it comes to pain management, chemo, and any other treatment associated with the cancer. So, I find it funny that Romney does not know this. His idea is that the hospital will treat and take care of you is totally wrong. Being in government, he should have known that. And that money that pays for the "treatment" is money from medicare. It all has to do with medicare money. If you treat someone on medicare and receive money from the government then you are entitled only to stabilize a patient. He should have known that. So sorry to hear that you have to go through all of this BS danimagoo. I have been saying so much about this pre-existing condition that Obama wants to do away with. But republicans want to get rid of it, sounds like they are already siding with the many insurance companies that line their pockets. Did you know that not long ago some of the major insurance companies threw parties for the republican party? Hmmmmm. Romney is so out of touch that it’s scary. How does he not know that the reason why hospitals have to take care of you is because it’s the law. There is a federal law called Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act passed in 1986. What does this mean? Any hospital that receives medicare dollars must treat someone who comes into an emergency room. If it is classified as an emergency, then the hospital is only responsible for stabilizing your condition. They don’t have a duty to treat you after that point or to give ongoing treatment. If they don’t think it’s an emergency then they can turn you away. An example used in the article I read says that if you bring in a baby with a sore throat and fever, the doctor can say that it was not an emergency and send you home. If it turns out to be fast-moving strep, your child could be dead before bed time and the hospital would have no responsability. If it turns out to be cancer, their duty is to stabilize you, after that you are on your own when it comes to pain management, chemo, and any other treatment associated with the cancer. So, I find it funny that Romney does not know this. His idea is that the hospital will treat and take care of you is totally wrong. Being in government, he should have known that. And that money that pays for the “treatment” is money from medicare. It all has to do with medicare money. If you treat someone on medicare and receive money from the government then you are entitled only to stabilize a patient. He should have known that.

]]> By: Ana Villarreal http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557733 Ana Villarreal Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557733 So sorry to hear about your brother in law. So sad to hear but I can fully understand. My dad suffered a heart attack after being forced to retire due to a plant closing. So by all accounts he didn't have health insurance, wasn't old enough for social security, and because he was getting what the system calls good money from unemployment, didn't qualify for any help. Because he didn't have insurance the hospital kept talking to him about going to another hospital. One that could "help him out better", translated to one that would give him care for free because they were not going to do it. So, while he was waiting for someone to tell him what his options were, he suffered another heart attack. He was finally able to collect social security and medical help. At that point the doctors told him that he had sustained about 15 to 20 damage to his heart. Last year I lost my wonderful father to a heart attack while he was walking to the store. I was the last one to talk to him on the phone, about half an hour before he passed. So when someone says that the Romney's know what it's like for the average American, I say please don't feed me any BS, I've had enough thank you. Again, sorry to hear about your brother in law. I know how hard that can be So sorry to hear about your brother in law. So sad to hear but I can fully understand. My dad suffered a heart attack after being forced to retire due to a plant closing. So by all accounts he didn’t have health insurance, wasn’t old enough for social security, and because he was getting what the system calls good money from unemployment, didn’t qualify for any help. Because he didn’t have insurance the hospital kept talking to him about going to another hospital. One that could “help him out better”, translated to one that would give him care for free because they were not going to do it. So, while he was waiting for someone to tell him what his options were, he suffered another heart attack. He was finally able to collect social security and medical help. At that point the doctors told him that he had sustained about 15 to 20 damage to his heart. Last year I lost my wonderful father to a heart attack while he was walking to the store. I was the last one to talk to him on the phone, about half an hour before he passed. So when someone says that the Romney’s know what it’s like for the average American, I say please don’t feed me any BS, I’ve had enough thank you. Again, sorry to hear about your brother in law. I know how hard that can be

]]> By: TimRowledge http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557723 TimRowledge Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557723 Evidently the education you got didn't include any learning about compassion, or how some people get sick or have accidents or have other bad luck events that can ruin them. You didn't "nurse off the government's udders"? Really? You didn't even use public roads? Looks like the rightwingnuts are after reducing yet another 'entitlement' for you (might want to check your dictionary) by getting rid of PAYING TAXES. At least, for the murderously rich; and after all, they're the only actual people. Evidently the education you got didn’t include any learning about compassion, or how some people get sick or have accidents or have other bad luck events that can ruin them. You didn’t “nurse off the government’s udders”? Really? You didn’t even use public roads?
Looks like the rightwingnuts are after reducing yet another ‘entitlement’ for you (might want to check your dictionary) by getting rid of PAYING TAXES. At least, for the murderously rich; and after all, they’re the only actual people.

]]> By: Ana Villarreal http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557703 Ana Villarreal Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557703 Here is a little help. The free phone service was started under George Bush not Obama. It was paid for by telecomm companies and not the tax payers. And the president, any president, has nothing to do with it. Here is the link. Always pays to be educated. And you went to school where? http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/the-obama-phone/ Here is a little help. The free phone service was started under George Bush not Obama. It was paid for by telecomm companies and not the tax payers. And the president, any president, has nothing to do with it. Here is the link. Always pays to be educated. And you went to school where? http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/the-obama-phone/

]]> By: Ana Villarreal http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557695 Ana Villarreal Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557695 That was the dumbest thing I have ever read. First of all, not every can go back to school. Some people need to work to support their families. Second, there are working poor with lousy health insurance, where it would only take 1 health scare to set someone back by months. I put myself through school, worked in a large law firm then was let go after 9 years. I was without health insurance for me or my kids. Luckily, I have been able to buy their medications. If you leave one job to go to another, and it could be the best paying job in the world, if you have a pre-existing condition before you could not get insurance with a new job. Obama wants to change that, Romney doesn't think that matters. There are so many people out there with insurance but will not cover alot of life saving procedures. There are people out there with insurance but still have to pay an arm and a leg. So, before you claim to know it all, you should always do a little fact finding That was the dumbest thing I have ever read. First of all, not every can go back to school. Some people need to work to support their families. Second, there are working poor with lousy health insurance, where it would only take 1 health scare to set someone back by months. I put myself through school, worked in a large law firm then was let go after 9 years. I was without health insurance for me or my kids. Luckily, I have been able to buy their medications. If you leave one job to go to another, and it could be the best paying job in the world, if you have a pre-existing condition before you could not get insurance with a new job. Obama wants to change that, Romney doesn’t think that matters. There are so many people out there with insurance but will not cover alot of life saving procedures. There are people out there with insurance but still have to pay an arm and a leg. So, before you claim to know it all, you should always do a little fact finding

]]> By: catgrin http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557567 catgrin Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557567 Marja, I've never believed that those who suffer from autism or any related disorders lack empathy. In fact, the best explanation I've heard of autism is that it is a condition which removes your ability to filter thoughts and emotions, thus making social contact difficult. If anything, you may feel too much at one time to quickly form appropriate responses. That's what causes the "resolute" responses of constant pleasantries or off-puttingness that Antinous mentioned.  Sociopathic behavior is another thing altogether. You're absolutely right that true sociopaths mimic standard human emotional behavior while not genuinely feeling any standard emotions at all. The emotions they do feel are blunted and misdirected - often toward anger or violence. They are highly manipulative, and lie easily because they are so very good at mimicking needed responses. You're also right in thinking that politics is a field in which people with some sociopathic tendencies will excel. Unlike autistics, who do have genuine trouble in social settings, sociopaths are by nature charismatic. They thrive in social settings. Since the two conditions are at opposite ends of the pysch spectrum, it would be very difficult for a person to function as both. People who confuse the two concepts just don't truly understand either. They're not actually making a solid claim against anyone based on good knowledge. Most people have been supplied with a poor understanding of autism, and that's never been corrected. If you ask those same people what the difference is between: sociopath, psychopath, and schizophrenic they probably won't be able to tell you what the defining characteristics of each are. It's not surprising that they don't know better. Patience, and a clear explanation are the best response you can give. (Having epilepsy myself, I'm familiar with explaining misunderstood health conditions.) Marja, I’ve never believed that those who suffer from autism or any related disorders lack empathy. In fact, the best explanation I’ve heard of autism is that it is a condition which removes your ability to filter thoughts and emotions, thus making social contact difficult. If anything, you may feel too much at one time to quickly form appropriate responses. That’s what causes the “resolute” responses of constant pleasantries or off-puttingness that Antinous mentioned. 

Sociopathic behavior is another thing altogether. You’re absolutely right that true sociopaths mimic standard human emotional behavior while not genuinely feeling any standard emotions at all. The emotions they do feel are blunted and misdirected – often toward anger or violence. They are highly manipulative, and lie easily because they are so very good at mimicking needed responses. You’re also right in thinking that politics is a field in which people with some sociopathic tendencies will excel. Unlike autistics, who do have genuine trouble in social settings, sociopaths are by nature charismatic. They thrive in social settings.

Since the two conditions are at opposite ends of the pysch spectrum, it would be very difficult for a person to function as both. People who confuse the two concepts just don’t truly understand either. They’re not actually making a solid claim against anyone based on good knowledge. Most people have been supplied with a poor understanding of autism, and that’s never been corrected. If you ask those same people what the difference is between: sociopath, psychopath, and schizophrenic they probably won’t be able to tell you what the defining characteristics of each are. It’s not surprising that they don’t know better. Patience, and a clear explanation are the best response you can give. (Having epilepsy myself, I’m familiar with explaining misunderstood health conditions.)

]]> By: Terazilla http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557388 Terazilla Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557388 Just wanted to clarify that there's no such thing as an 'obama phone'.  The subsidized phone service program was started under Reagan, with the (fairly sane sounding) rationale that it's hard to get a job without a phone number. Not sure what 'obama bucks' references. Just wanted to clarify that there’s no such thing as an ‘obama phone’.  The subsidized phone service program was started under Reagan, with the (fairly sane sounding) rationale that it’s hard to get a job without a phone number.

Not sure what ‘obama bucks’ references.

]]> By: Ted Bautista http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557335 Ted Bautista Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557335 i think you forgot:  - Corporations are people, and they need handouts. - (Actual) People should not be given handouts (that would be socialism) i think you forgot: 
- Corporations are people, and they need handouts.
- (Actual) People should not be given handouts (that would be socialism)

]]> By: Paislee http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557281 Paislee Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557281 Getting further educated, allows more opportunity to get jobs with large company's that offer full time employees insurance.  I went 10 years without insurance and didn't nurse off of the government's udders either.   I also got my self back in college, with loans, to further my education to get a better job that pays for insurance.  NOTHING stops those uninsured to do the very same.  If they are generally dumb people, which there is an abundance of, they will have a hard time.  No one will come knocking at their door, grab them by the hand and say, "Hey Jane Doe/John Doe, I have a perfect 50K a year with benefits job just for you". Obama has proliferated the Me Me generation with all the "obama bucks", "obama phones" free free free....just come and get it.  Who do you think is paying for all that?  The ONLY sure entitlement in this life is PAYING TAXES and DEATH. Getting further educated, allows more opportunity to get jobs with large company’s that offer full time employees insurance.  I went 10 years without insurance and didn’t nurse off of the government’s udders either.   I also got my self back in college, with loans, to further my education to get a better job that pays for insurance.  NOTHING stops those uninsured to do the very same.  If they are generally dumb people, which there is an abundance of, they will have a hard time.  No one will come knocking at their door, grab them by the hand and say, “Hey Jane Doe/John Doe, I have a perfect 50K a year with benefits job just for you”.

Obama has proliferated the Me Me generation with all the “obama bucks”, “obama phones” free free free….just come and get it.  Who do you think is paying for all that?  The ONLY sure entitlement in this life is PAYING TAXES and DEATH.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557215 awjt Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557215 Get well soon, dude. Best wishes, and I hope you get a few more boingers to contribute besides just me and cow killer Get well soon, dude. Best wishes, and I hope you get a few more boingers to contribute besides just me and cow killer

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557209 awjt Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557209 I totally agree. The system must grow a heart, but the Grinches are in charge right now. I totally agree. The system must grow a heart, but the Grinches are in charge right now.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557207 awjt Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557207 I concur. Many people, self included, are working to change this unfair practice. But unfortunately, it's going to take awhile. I concur. Many people, self included, are working to change this unfair practice. But unfortunately, it’s going to take awhile.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557203 awjt Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557203 If there's always short term profit, then long term loss is easily written off as non-factual scare-mongering. The agar in the petri dish is all mine dammit. Get off my colony, parasite! If there’s always short term profit, then long term loss is easily written off as non-factual scare-mongering. The agar in the petri dish is all mine dammit. Get off my colony, parasite!

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557170 teapot Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557170 I love how Romney, thanks to his privileged upbringing, assumes that everyone has access to all the things he has access to. <i>"No, you go to the hospital, you get treated, and it's paid for, you know by dad.. or a magic fountain.. or wherever the heck it is that money comes from."</i> PS: I hope everyone saw this: https://www.google.com/search?q=completely+wrong&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N I love how Romney, thanks to his privileged upbringing, assumes that everyone has access to all the things he has access to.

“No, you go to the hospital, you get treated, and it’s paid for, you know by dad.. or a magic fountain.. or wherever the heck it is that money comes from.”

PS: I hope everyone saw this: https://www.google.com/search?q=completely+wrong&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N

]]> By: Fred Talmadge http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557164 Fred Talmadge Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557164 What Romney also doesn't say is that indigent is eventually paid for by us either thru taxes, increased health care costs or our charitable gifts.  Somehow these costs need to be taken care of so that everyone can reliably get decent health care. What Romney also doesn’t say is that indigent is eventually paid for by us either thru taxes, increased health care costs or our charitable gifts.  Somehow these costs need to be taken care of so that everyone can reliably get decent health care.

]]> By: Work_Watch_Buy_Repeat http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557159 Work_Watch_Buy_Repeat Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557159 <a href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/education/community/cafeped/Documents/mello%20costs%20of%20med%20mal.pdf" rel="nofollow">"Overall annual medical liability system costs, including defensive medicine, are estimated to be $55.6 billion in 2008 dollars, or 2.4 percent of total health care spending."</a> “Overall annual medical liability system costs, including defensive medicine, are estimated to be $55.6 billion in 2008 dollars, or 2.4 percent of total health care spending.”

]]> By: Freddie Freelance http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557107 Freddie Freelance Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557107 *"It's what he didn't say, and likely doesn't understand because he simply can't relate to <b>99</b> percent of us" Fixed. *”It’s what he didn’t say, and likely doesn’t understand because he simply can’t relate to 99 percent of us”

Fixed.

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557088 bcsizemo Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557088 As one of the few conservatives on here I don't agree with Mittens and I don't agree with Obamacare. It's not that I don't think the idea of universal coverage isn't a good one, it's the fact we are now pulling along the same broken system that has existed for years.  The vast majority of the system sucks, and no one has put forward what I consider a reasonable plan to fix it. I don't have any personal experiences to share, but I was talking to my neighbor a week ago and learned that he had recently been in for surgery.  I inquired what happened.  Well he had some kidney stones so the decided to do a CT....which also revealed some complications from a previous prostate operation and a tumor pressing into his colon.  So preventative is a good idea, but frankly we have the technology to find things before they become real problems.  IMO things like CT and MRI should be free and suggested every 5 years once you hit 30. This country put a man on the moon and built an atomic bomb yet we can't throw some resources/technology at helping everyone live a healthy life.  It's things like this that make me angry.  Frankly the president, congress, and senate should all be forced to use a medical plan that is representative of the average/majority of plans in America (pre-existing conditions and all). As one of the few conservatives on here I don’t agree with Mittens and I don’t agree with Obamacare.

It’s not that I don’t think the idea of universal coverage isn’t a good one, it’s the fact we are now pulling along the same broken system that has existed for years.  The vast majority of the system sucks, and no one has put forward what I consider a reasonable plan to fix it.

I don’t have any personal experiences to share, but I was talking to my neighbor a week ago and learned that he had recently been in for surgery.  I inquired what happened.  Well he had some kidney stones so the decided to do a CT….which also revealed some complications from a previous prostate operation and a tumor pressing into his colon.  So preventative is a good idea, but frankly we have the technology to find things before they become real problems.  IMO things like CT and MRI should be free and suggested every 5 years once you hit 30.

This country put a man on the moon and built an atomic bomb yet we can’t throw some resources/technology at helping everyone live a healthy life.  It’s things like this that make me angry.  Frankly the president, congress, and senate should all be forced to use a medical plan that is representative of the average/majority of plans in America (pre-existing conditions and all).

]]> By: danimagoo http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557084 danimagoo Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557084 The really bizarre part of all this is that Romney actually does understand all of this. He even wrote about it in his book, No Apology. "After about a year of looking at data -- and not making much progress -- we had a collective epiphany of sorts, an obvious one, as important observations often are: the people in Massachusetts who didn't have health insurance were, in fact, already receiving health care. Under federal law, hospitals had to stabilize and treat people who arrived at their emergency rooms with acute conditions. And our state's hospitals were offering even more assistance than the federal government required. That meant that someone was already paying for the cost of treating people who didn't have health insurance. If we could get our hands on that money, and therefore redirect it to help the uninsured buy insurance instead and obtain treatment in the way that the vast majority of individuals did -- before acute conditions developed -- the cost of insuring everyone in the state might not be as expensive as I had feared." I really don't get this guy. It's like in the past couple of years, he decided to just shit on everything he's done before. On a personal note, I am self employed, and can finally afford insurance. So, I applied ... and was rejected. They said I was rejected because of a pre-existing condition, but the pre-existing condition is relatively minor (sinusitis), and I strongly suspect that they turned me down because I'm transgendered. Regardless of why they declined me, the bottom line is I can't get insurance. In 2014, this will change (unless the Affordable Care Act is repealed). I get really mad when Republicans say to let the free market work all this out. The free market has decided that I am not worthy of affordable health care. I refuse to accept that. I work, I have never drawn unemployment, or gotten any form of welfare or food stamps or anything. I'm not actually part of the 47%, they just won't let me play the game. The really bizarre part of all this is that Romney actually does understand all of this. He even wrote about it in his book, No Apology.

“After about a year of looking at data — and not making much progress — we had a collective epiphany of sorts, an obvious one, as important observations often are: the people in Massachusetts who didn’t have health insurance were, in fact, already receiving health care. Under federal law, hospitals had to stabilize and treat people who arrived at their emergency rooms with acute conditions. And our state’s hospitals were offering even more assistance than the federal government required. That meant that someone was already paying for the cost of treating people who didn’t have health insurance. If we could get our hands on that money, and therefore redirect it to help the uninsured buy insurance instead and obtain treatment in the way that the vast majority of individuals did — before acute conditions developed — the cost of insuring everyone in the state might not be as expensive as I had feared.”

I really don’t get this guy. It’s like in the past couple of years, he decided to just shit on everything he’s done before.

On a personal note, I am self employed, and can finally afford insurance. So, I applied … and was rejected. They said I was rejected because of a pre-existing condition, but the pre-existing condition is relatively minor (sinusitis), and I strongly suspect that they turned me down because I’m transgendered. Regardless of why they declined me, the bottom line is I can’t get insurance. In 2014, this will change (unless the Affordable Care Act is repealed). I get really mad when Republicans say to let the free market work all this out. The free market has decided that I am not worthy of affordable health care. I refuse to accept that. I work, I have never drawn unemployment, or gotten any form of welfare or food stamps or anything. I’m not actually part of the 47%, they just won’t let me play the game.

]]> By: Marja Erwin http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1557064 Marja Erwin Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1557064 Is it just me, or is search broken on twitter? Is it just me, or is search broken on twitter?

]]> By: Adam Greenfield http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556996 Adam Greenfield Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556996 It's always been my understanding that a great deal of the cost in healthcare is because hospitals are required to treat even the uninsured and only on an emergency case basis. Emergency medicine being the most expensive so they often can’t afford it so the hospital has to eat their costs and pass it on to those people who they can get money from, the insured. Emergency medicine is also higher stress and higher risk, so from the Dr.’s standpoint he faces less hazard when he treats a patient thus reducing risk of lawsuits. You’re not preforming emergency heart surgery, you’re catching it, providing therapy and treatments to prevent the heart surgery in the first place. Or at least scheduling the surgery so you and the patient are prepared and the guy isn’t crashing on your table about to die. The idea is that if you insure more people, the hospitals can charge less for services because they are able to offer cheaper, preventative medicine, and they get paid. It’s always been my understanding that a great deal of the cost in healthcare is because hospitals are required to treat even the uninsured and only on an emergency case basis. Emergency medicine being the most expensive so they often can’t afford it so the hospital has to eat their costs and pass it on to those people who they can get money from, the insured. Emergency medicine is also higher stress and higher risk, so from the Dr.’s standpoint he faces less hazard when he treats a patient thus reducing risk of lawsuits. You’re not preforming emergency heart surgery, you’re catching it, providing therapy and treatments to prevent the heart surgery in the first place. Or at least scheduling the surgery so you and the patient are prepared and the guy isn’t crashing on your table about to die. The idea is that if you insure more people, the hospitals can charge less for services because they are able to offer cheaper, preventative medicine, and they get paid.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556985 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556985 I don't think that it's possible to lack empathy while believing that you lack empathy. If you truly lack empathy, then you don't believe that empathy really exists. That's entirely different from being unable to read emotional cues. The former is a psychopathic trait; the latter is (sometimes) an autistic trait. I've known autistic people who know that they're terrible at reading other people, so they just resolve to be pleasant and apologize if they cause offense. I've also known autistic people who refuse to believe that there's anything going on that they can't perceive, and they generally act like assholes. And also gravitate to managerial positions where they can do the most damage. I don’t think that it’s possible to lack empathy while believing that you lack empathy. If you truly lack empathy, then you don’t believe that empathy really exists. That’s entirely different from being unable to read emotional cues. The former is a psychopathic trait; the latter is (sometimes) an autistic trait.

I’ve known autistic people who know that they’re terrible at reading other people, so they just resolve to be pleasant and apologize if they cause offense. I’ve also known autistic people who refuse to believe that there’s anything going on that they can’t perceive, and they generally act like assholes. And also gravitate to managerial positions where they can do the most damage.

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556978 That_Anonymous_Coward Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556978 <blockquote>who die in their apartment</blockquote> Because a cardboard box is not an apartment.

who die in their apartment

Because a cardboard box is not an apartment.

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556974 That_Anonymous_Coward Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556974 It was also a great reminder of the human ability to assume everyone else has the same life experience as them. People outside of the US were shocked at how horrible it looked for people here because they assumed everyone has a system similar to theirs. It was also a great reminder of the human ability to assume everyone else has the same life experience as them.
People outside of the US were shocked at how horrible it looked for people here because they assumed everyone has a system similar to theirs.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556959 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556959 <blockquote>My theory was that the video was shot by a caterer. Fun fact: food service personnel are actually completely invisible to people of Romney's approximate net worth.</blockquote>In that case, sir, may I advise against the lady eating the clam chowder?

My theory was that the video was shot by a caterer. Fun fact: food service personnel are actually completely invisible to people of Romney’s approximate net worth.

In that case, sir, may I advise against the lady eating the clam chowder?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556949 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556949 Short term profit and long term loss have been the primary model for capitalism for a while now. Short term profit and long term loss have been the primary model for capitalism for a while now.

]]> By: Allison Hom http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556913 Allison Hom Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556913 The more Romney keeps talking, it completely boggles my mind how out of touch he is with actual Americans. On such a variety of issues, he has NO idea (and more disturbingly, seems to have no idea that he has no idea). If you haven't seen it, search #insurancepoll on Twitter. Yesterday Amanda Palmer started an informal poll about health insurance looking for an interesting cross section on the issue, and wound up with 2k+ responses from all over the world. She asked for country/job/insured or not/why not and for how much if you are. Eye opening to say the least. Our healthcare system is a catastrophic mess. I have no idea what I'm going to do in 2 years when I turn 26 (thanks Obama) and can no longer be covered by my parent's plan... The more Romney keeps talking, it completely boggles my mind how out of touch he is with actual Americans. On such a variety of issues, he has NO idea (and more disturbingly, seems to have no idea that he has no idea).

If you haven’t seen it, search #insurancepoll on Twitter. Yesterday Amanda Palmer started an informal poll about health insurance looking for an interesting cross section on the issue, and wound up with 2k+ responses from all over the world. She asked for country/job/insured or not/why not and for how much if you are. Eye opening to say the least.

Our healthcare system is a catastrophic mess. I have no idea what I’m going to do in 2 years when I turn 26 (thanks Obama) and can no longer be covered by my parent’s plan…

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/on-romney-health-care-in-amer.html#comment-1556906 Brainspore Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187470#comment-1556906 Those stories are tragically common. My mother-in-law would likely be alive today if she hadn't tried to "tough out" the last few months of her life instead of seeing a doctor before it became so bad she had to be carted off in an ambulance. Her final agonizing weeks accrued a debt that my father-in-law will probably be paying off for the rest of his life. And yet he <em>still</em> opposes universal health coverage and is planning to vote for Romney. The ability of the human mind to rationalize ideology is mind-boggling. Those stories are tragically common. My mother-in-law would likely be alive today if she hadn’t tried to “tough out” the last few months of her life instead of seeing a doctor before it became so bad she had to be carted off in an ambulance. Her final agonizing weeks accrued a debt that my father-in-law will probably be paying off for the rest of his life.

And yet he still opposes universal health coverage and is planning to vote for Romney. The ability of the human mind to rationalize ideology is mind-boggling.

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