Michael Moore :SiCKO

[Turf1600]

We don't need an improvement in healthcare. The problem is our society.

[Turf1600]

I hate the fact that I feel in a similar way.

I´ve learned on my own that you always have a choice. Always on everything you do.
Even the things you think that you don´t.
Today people don´t want to take any responsibility in their choices and demand that somebody else must be to blame and pick up the tap.

You can choose not to pay your phone bill,
You can choose not to dress your children in warm clothing when it´s cold out
You can choose to drive over people on purpose in traffic
You can choose to do drugs

I believe that people should choose, but also take the responsibility of their actions.
I once had a discussion with a single young mom, I was asking her if she knew that she had a choice in NOT feeding, clothing and providing for her children. Her response was that she would never do anything like that ever, It took a while for me to get her to understand it´s all about choice. Of course she doesnt choose any of those things, but the choices are there. It again reflects in your everyday lives.

When you realize that your future wellbeing is YOUR CHOICE and not something that might and might not happen on it´s own , your aspect on things will change.

Yea I know it´s long and ranty.

You know - I used to say that I wasn't lucky - That I earned what I have and I worked hard for it. Sure, that's true.

But I'm lucky to have had the oppertunity to work hard and make something of myself. Yeah, we choose some shit. But I didnt choose what I am now over lets say an afghan refugee. For that, I'm damn lucky and incredibly thankful.

[speedhop]

We don't need an improvement in healthcare. The problem is our society.

DING DING DING

Societal constraints won't allow us to cope with our current healthcare. You want a change...look at society first, then blame the rest.

[1991 318is]

Down here people on welfare just have medicaid. They don't have to pay a fucking dime - which sucks - but when it comes to transplant time guess who's at the bottom of the list?

As someone on the waiting list for a transplant, I feel the need to correct the context of that statement. Organs availability, in my case is handled by UNOS -look it up - and is based on medical criteria. Rich and poor have equal access to organs if they are on the list. The ability to pay the costs of the surgery is a separate issue. A liver transplant costs about $250,000 plus expensive ant-rejection drugs following that. A quarter of a million dollars cash out the door would bankrupt most Americans. Insurance is a determining factor in this case. If you want your money to talk (buy you preferential treatment) simply go to Thailand or some place like it.

[Turf1600]

As someone on the waiting list for a transplant, I feel the need to correct the context of that statement. Organs availability, in my case is handled by UNOS -look it up - and is based on medical criteria. Rich and poor have equal access to organs if they are on the list. The ability to pay the costs of the surgery is a separate issue. A liver transplant costs about $250,000 plus expensive ant-rejection drugs following that. A quarter of a million dollars cash out the door would bankrupt most Americans. Insurance is a determining factor in this case. If you want your money to talk (buy you preferential treatment) simply go to Thailand or some place like it.

Sample the next 20 people who get transplants and ask what health insurance they carry.

[1991 318is]

Sample the next 20 people who get transplants and ask what health insurance they carry.

I am Medicare eligible. I do not have the choice of foregoing Medicare and buying my own health insurance. I can only buy a supplemental policy or a Medicare Advantage Plan that is basically out-sourced Medicare. If anyone knows of a company that will sell me a regular health insurance policy I would like to hear about it. Once you are disabled or turn 65 you are locked into a Catch 22.
Although organ availability is basically fair for people on the waiting list, there are discriminatory practices involved in getting on the list itself. I would be interested in data on payee rates for people who are disabled or over 65 only.
The greatest beneficiaries of Medicare/Medicaid are younger people with private insurance. Their carriers do not have to include the elderly in their rate calculations.