Universal Health Care

“*waves at Stovie*”

“
That reminds me of these two surgeons�. They were talking about
how they great they were, one day on some golf course.

One surgeon looks up and sees an owl asleep in a tree. He says, �I
bet I can take this pen-knife, climb up this tree and give that owl a
tonsillectomy and he won�t even wake up.�

The other surgeon says, �Go for it!� And he does. There�s not a peep
out of the owl.

The other guy says, �I�ll bet I can climb up there and give that owl a
*vasectomy* and he won�t wake up!�

The first surgeon says, �You�re on!� and the second guy climbs the
tree� snip-snip!

They walk off with even more inflated opinions of themselves.


A couple of weeks later, the owl and his girlfriend are talking and she
says, �Why don�t we go over to that big ol� tree over on the tenth
fairway and fool around?�

The owl says, � I dunno�. I took a nap over there a few weeks ago
and ever since then I can�t hoot worth a #&%!$ or #&%!$ worth a hoot!�

� � � � < rimshot >

”

““Nah. Firefighting should be returned to private enterprise and all the firefighters hired as independant contractors. Then you can shop for your own health insurance on the open market.”
Tllt


The Police, too, right?”

“Why not, Icky?

The military has been supplanted in part with private soldiers.
(I make joke)

Make that CONTRACTOR soldiers.
last edited: 1/05/09 10:14:54 AM”

“Gawd, yer FUNNY! LOL”

“Is that like the french foreign legion?”

“Seriously, I believe that private armies are a threat to democracy.”

“I kid our rightwing Public Servants, Icky.

SURE, police, too! � LOL

Like Wackenhut.”

“yup, thats a bandage scissor LOL”

“�Certain states are virtually "third world", Euro.

]The tax money from wealthier states goes to help offset the inadequacies of those poor states.
Otherwise things would be downright medieval.�
MarkO
10:58:58 AM

HA HA
Thank you for all that money from your check, MarkO, but you are not sending enough. We have Democrats that have been sucking off that free money for at least four generations and they demand more free money.
last edited: 1/05/09 11:48:29 AM”

“Casinos ?”

“LOL...Mark...I have to know...how exactly does government health care money come from rich states to poor states?

this is such a trite argument. As usual Marko uses theoretical attacks as pushed by the major media (granted with the same freaking accuracy as their great Global Warming debate) it is just not true and they know it.

But then lying has always been a strong part of the left.”

“Some states are "donors" and some are "recipients" in regard to federal tax money.

Take your theoretical attacks and go play with yourself.”

“Well, in the case of MEDICAID (State Rx Program), the State does have to pay a large part... but the Fed Gov't says, "If you meet these criteria: X,Y, &Z, we will provide this much money $$$..."

One such example (that was thankfully shot down!) occurred over this past summer.

The Fed Gov told the State that there would be a NEW Reimbursement Schedule for Rx's dispensed.

Instead of AWP (Average Wholesale Price) - X% + $4.25 The new formula would be AMP (Average Manufacturer Price) - X% + $4.00 (or so...)

i.e. The reimbursement pharmacies received would be LESS than the WHOLESALER paid for the drugs... The pharmacies can't buy it at that price because the wholesalers have to mark it up a little before selling it to us.

This new formula would have meant that pharmacies would have LOST a LOT of money on each Rx filled (for Generic Rxs). I will see if I can find the links, but the GAO (?) determined pharmacies would lose something like 36% on every sale...

I found this:
GAO has concluded that pharmacy reimbursement for generics under Medicaid would be less than their acquisition costs by an average of 36% under the planned switch to average manufacturers price (AMP). GAO reached its conclusions by looking at AMP data from CMS that have not been made publicly available for a list of 77 of the most commonly prescribed and most expensive drugs. For 59 of the 77 drugs, the AMP was lower than the estimated acquisition cost. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 required Medicaid to begin to use 250% of ..

AND THIS:

[PDF]
Page 1 Maine Pharmacy Association Capsule February 2007 Volume 5 ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Mar 5, 2007 ... GAO researchers looked at a list of 77 of the most commonly prescribed and ... unavailable AMP data from CMS to reach its conclusions. ...

www.mparx.com/Feb07Newsletter.pdf



Effectively this would mean pharmacies would STOP accepting medicaid. It's a heavy handed way of eliminating a "Social Program" and denying medication to the poor and needy (the most unhealthy)...

But the point is: The Federal Gov't does provide funding to States for Medical care... and poorer states are likely to get more money because they can't afford to fund as much as the wealthier states...
last edited: 1/05/09 12:52:24 PM”

“MarkO has been caught "fibbing" on TT several times. It's nothing new.”

“That's all I was saying, Icky.

I believe it's similar with highway funds.
There isn't enough of a tax base in some states and federal money is shared.

Good Grief, is that socialist?!?!
(mock horrification)

What, dirt roads ain't good enough?”

“I don't know how many of you actually "have" been involved in emergency services....but the abuse and fraud are incredible. If you find a way to punish the people that abuse the system you will find a heck of a lot more money there than you thought.
I have told about one little sweetie who was almost so regular with calling 911 with a "Chest Pain" call that you could schedule her.

Each Wednesday or Thursday she would call 911 saying she was feeling like she was having a heart attack. When EMS arrived she was standing there with her grocery and shopping bags. They would ride her in the the Hospital in town (yes she had a choice) where she would sit in the ER for a couple of hours, then get a chit to get a free cab ride home.
After the obligatory " I feels better" check she would go shopping and then grab a free cab home.

LOL..then one day she came in on a friend of mine's call. The attending checked her chart and decided to runt he gamut on her. Over the next 4 days she got upper and lower GI, scopes, and tests as disgusting and demeaning as possible. The food was cold, the TV for some reason didn't work in her room. And yes we the taxpayer paid for it. But you know...she never came back.

You want to end the abuse. When you get a frequent flyer who is not in a life threatening condition, they are given a list of "approved" private carriers. Then you find a way to bill their "Free Money" check for each free ride. Yeah $20 is not a whole lot but it makes em think before they show up at the ER or call EMS>”

“Federal taxes being redistributed to the states that vote for the controlling party of the times - Early not NY.”

“If they love the current system, let
'em Pay the Going Rate. No more group rates, LOL”

“LOL..Sale...good idea, kinda a patronage system....which if you were in class in Government you would have learned turned out kinda badly for James Garfield.

The patronage system is kinda what the Clintons have.”

“They don't give a crap about the poor, until they Become the poor.”

“WOW...what nice sentiment Tilt...maybe you can tell us about this....lets see if I can remember the stastistics...the really only LONG TERM Poor are usually there by their own design and stay there out of choice.”

“Dang little poor kids!”

“XL400...

I am in no way advocating for a "Nanny State"... I have never done so. I do NOT advocate for a system wherein individuals can choose to live off "Wellfare" or whatever you wanna call it.

I do think there should be help for those who've fallen on hard times (because Enron left them without a job or any retirement, etc... or for many other reasons that are far beyond the control of the individual).

But that's not what this thread is about now, is it?

I think a healthcare system that guarantees doctors and care to those in need only makes sense. :shrug:”

“I see tilt is still dehumanizing his enemies. He would've made a good commanding officer in the Imperial Japanese Army in China during the early 40's.”

“Nawwwwwwwwwwwwww...his own troops would have fragged him in less than two days.”

“I highly agree with that which Water Gremlin said on page one:
“I think we should get the same free health care our politicians have"!

There is no perfect system but most of the alternatives are better than the current system...”

“Here's a good question: If on your tax forms you could choose where your tax dollars go (or even say 50% of it) and you were given a list of non profit charities approved by the state/feds is there anyone here who would willingly check the box beside the federal government as their trustee of there tax dollars?”

“Starved to death in an NHS hospital: Damning inquiry highlights case of patient left without food for 26 days

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1110054/Starved-death-NHS-hospital-Damning-inquiry-highlights-case-patient-left-food-26-days.html”

““Here's a good question: If on your tax forms you could choose where your tax dollars go (or even say 50% of it) and you were given a list of non profit charities approved by the state/feds is there anyone here who would willingly check the box beside the federal government as their trustee of there tax dollars?”

Nigal
8:11:38 AM
1/06/09

I didn't think so. So WTF would the American people allow such an inept entity forcibly take out money and squander it?”

“http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1110054/Starved-death-NHS-hospital-Damning-inquiry-highlights-case-patient-left-food-26-days.html
***********************

I think the 43 year old who "starved to death" was more of a legal matter than "Oops! We forgot to feed this guy!". From the Telegraph:

Last year an independent inquiry into the deaths said laws to protect people with learning disabilities were being ignored by the NHS in England.

A 43 year old with Downs and having suffered a stroke that was server enough to require a feeding tube?

He's better off IMHO.”

“Idiot”

“Troll.”

“The truly amazing thing about these threads is that we have thread after thread after thread where not "deregulation" or "free Market Economy" is to blame but the involvement of self serving politicians seeking personal gain (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to Some MAJOR extent ENRON, etc etc) Yet,...and this is the killer, part, the same people who complain about Government abuse, and the disconnect of government from real life, are the same people who have ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM with letting TRUST FUND BABIES like Teddy Kennedy, (lol or Caroly...UHn) actually RUN THEIR HEALTH CARE.

Imagine, some multiMILLIONAIRE politician, (no didn't start out that way but they made money the old fashion way with Lobbyist Kickbacks) is going to tell them the best health care????????

And none of the little libbies has any problem with that?
Guys I spent 20 years in Public Housing. I watched the daily grind of the "piglets" sucking off the Federal Teat. The really crappy thing is that Yolanda with 10 yunguns and a new "Man who be stay here". Gets the SAME EXACT RESPECT, as Ms. Smith who worked her whole life to raise kids and whose husband died (without insurance or prior planning).

The Government is designed to give "subsistence" to the Lowest Common Denominator. Imagine if you hike or backpack (drop me an email and I will explain it) and you get to a Trail Head and a FEDERAL PARKS OFFICER is standing there and asks to inspect your pack.

After you pull out all your ultra light $$$$ gear he explains,"Well sir thats great, but the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT has decided that due to all the unprepared people we are going to require that you take some additional stuff.

Then he hands you a new Pack (heavy canvas) becuase it will hold up better (oh and a local Congressman has an interest in the firm making the pack) etc etc etc....

How would you feel about MOMMY GOVERNMENT then?”

“Rubber Room Ranger
last edited: 1/09/09 5:50:20 AM”

“Fireman fumes cause imagination blooms.”

“Ah..................so perhaps toxic fumes are responsible for the irresponsible pronouncements and incalculable mental machinations and terrifying imagery.”

“Over and out!”

“The lights are out and somebody's home.”

“Prez Elect was speaking as that was posted and sounded just as calm and upbeat---Yah!”

“When Hobama rails sale quails.
He hears the things he wants to hear
If life for Marko is not fun
He downs another case of beer.”

“With More Oversight on the Horizon, Drugmakers Work to Polish Image
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010703869.html?sid=ST2009010800563&s_pos=

Daschle and Democrats to Get a Dose of Pharma's Medicine
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/01/daschle-and-democrats-to-get-a.html”

“Snake oil will still be legal in 4 years-go back to bed. Each and every lawmaker has had a dose of the 'D' from the astronomical R&D budgets.
last edited: 1/12/09 8:55:39 AM”

“They spend four times as much on advertising and lobbying as they do on R&D.

Instead of having Montel Williams try to rebrand them as "America's Pharmaceutical Research Companies" he ought to call them what they are.”

“YAAWWWWN...yeah yeah...evil, blah blah blah....but strangely enough they do produce a product that saves people. Sadly Tiltys little Marxists only kill people.”

“Read the article, dumbass. � LMAO

Let me see if I can help you out (better have your eyes checked out --- at government expense, LOL)

In a speech last month, Roche Pharmaceuticals chief executive William Burns hinted that the Swiss company may go further than the PhRMA guidelines.

"Direct-to-consumer promotion was the single worst decision for the industry," he said. "When industry says, 'We're spending all the money on [research and development],' but actually it's spending it on DTC advertising to preserve margins, it doesn't get much credibility."

”

“YEAH....YAAAWWWWWN...yep evil corporations...evil evil successful companies...(LOL) how bout that evil WalMart doing the $10 or whatever for a month of prescription meds? Yep the government can do it better....(LOL)

OH not on a "government salary" anymore”

“dont forget the commies and FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELINGS”

“LOL..I am guessing I hit a nerve there crash, now whats wrong been too long with out "company that could be purchased for a can of spam"?”