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Originally posted by scottishinnzOf course, I agree.
It could be that the Gaza strip has a high birth rate - that'd throw the numbers out.
I'm not saying the numbers are wrong, I'm saying that death rates don't seem very good as a proxy for medical services. Like you said, the more pyramidal the population's age distribution, the lower the number will be, for a given quality/range of medical services.
Originally posted by PalynkaAbsolutely agreed. But what is a good measure for how good medical services are? Waiting times? Average life expectancy (probably one of the better things IMO)? "Quality" of care?
Of course, I agree.
I'm not saying the numbers are wrong, I'm saying that death rates don't seem very good as a proxy for medical services. Like you said, the more pyramidal the population's age distribution, the lower the number will be, for a given quality/range of medical services.
Originally posted by scottishinnzRead about the negative income tax. Everybody pays 25% of their salary -- even if they make $1, they still pay 25 cents in tax. But everyone gets $10,000 per year from the government. So everyone up to $40,000/yr gets net aid from the government -- and yet everyone has an incentive to earn as much as they can.
And this leaves the destitute and the disabled to die in the gutter. How very social Darwinistic.
A little thought could result in a similar structure for health care. For example, if you borrow at zero interest for health care but die before repaying, OK, the government forgives the debt. Otherwise, your will takes care of any money you accumulated but don't use.
My point is (actually, Milton Friedman's point is) you can have a safety net and fair incentives at the same time -- they are not mutually exclusive.
As much as I despise Michael Moore, his condemnation of America's lack of universal medical care is on the money. The cost of health insurance in America is ungodly, most people can't afford it, and socialized medicine is kept out of our reach by the big insurance companies and their influence in Washington. They make billions, we suffer for it.
Before I decided to swallow my pride and go to the Veteran's Administration for free medical care, my wife and I were paying almost $500 per month for medical insurance, and it was poor insurance at that. Many items and prescriptions were only partially covered.
Now it's only $200/month for my wife. Thank God I'm a veteran. That's a benefit military recruiters don't use as a selling point, don't know why. Serve in the US military, you have free medical care for life. The quality may vary depending on which facility you live close to, but in my city, it's one of the best in the country.
Originally posted by Sam The ShamYou shouldn't have felt shame by going to the VA. You earned it dammit.
As much as I despise Michael Moore, his condemnation of America's lack of universal medical care is on the money. The cost of health insurance in America is ungodly, most people can't afford it, and socialized medicine is kept out of our reach by the big insurance companies and their influence in Washington. They make billions, we suffer for it.
Be ...[text shortened]... which facility you live close to, but in my city, it's one of the best in the country.
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Originally posted by sonhouseMy God....a perfect example of what I said. If you recieved an honorable discharge, you may apply to the VA for free (almost)medical care. For life.
When you say serve in the force, get medical for life, don't you mean if you RETIRE from the force? I put 4 years in the air force but get zero from the VA unless there is some program I don't know about.
There is a small charge for services, dependant upon your income, but it's laughable. Like pennies on the dollar.
Go to the VA and apply, get an ID card, and take advantage of it. Bring your DD-214. Simple.
Here again, it's something recruiters don't tout up. it's an incredible benefit.
It has been the policy for something like a HUNDRED YEARS . You should have been counseled on your benefits upon discharge. You also would have had one year of free dental care had you taken advantage of it. I did it twice, after serving in the army, then the air force.
Jebus.
Originally posted by Sam The ShamHe is correct. While I get free Medical due to retiring with 20 years you can still go to the VA and get Medical care. While not free it's still cheaper than the alternative. You might have to wait in long lines but if the Dem's get their way and Socialize medicine you should be used to lines by then.
My God....a perfect example of what I said. If you recieved an honorable discharge, you may apply to the VA for free (almost)medical care. For life.
There is a small charge for services, dependant upon your income, but it's laughable. Like pennies on the dollar.
Go to the VA and apply, get an ID card, and take advantage of it. Bring your DD-214 ...[text shortened]... en advantage of it. I did it twice, after serving in the army, then the air force.
Jebus.
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Originally posted by slimjimHere in Tucson we have a great facility, my wait time is rarely more than a few minutes past my appointment time. I've waited hours in civilian doctors offices.
He is correct. While I get free Medical due to retiring with 20 years you can still go to the VA and get Medical care. While not free it's still cheaper than the alternative. You might have to wait in long lines but if the Dem's get their way and Socialize medicine you should be used to lines by then.
Prescriptions cost 7 dollars for all mediations, period, regardless of how expensive they'd be elsewhere. Office visits are free/lab work/blood tests/x-rays, etc. are free. A hospital stay and surgery is next to nothing, in fact it is nothing if your income is below a certain level.
You can actually apply online and do it through the mail.
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Originally posted by Sam The ShamWell I must say nobody ever mentioned that before. I have a brother in law who did a full retirement, a full bird and he gets total free med but even he never said the average joe with a good 214 can get help.
Here in Tucson we have a great facility, my wait time is rarely more than a few minutes past my appointment time. I've waited hours in civilian doctors offices.
Prescriptions cost 7 dollars for all mediations, period, regardless of how expensive they'd be elsewhere. Office visits are free/lab work/blood tests/x-rays, etc. are free. A hospital stay a ...[text shortened]... income is below a certain level.
You can actually apply online and do it through the mail.
Don't know if you read my tirade against the health system because of my experience being treated like an indegent but if I had known about the VA stuff 20 years ago when all that happened I could have just gone to the local VA. Do you know of a VA hospital in the Allentown Pa area? I haven't even thought about the VA in decades.
So you take in your 214 and sign up and get some kind of card?
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Originally posted by sonhouseI'd just go to the VA's website and do it online. It's really simple. They just get you in their system, after which your SSN is used, getting an ID card is optional, I went to the VA for a few years before I took the time to get one.
Well I must say nobody ever mentioned that before. I have a brother in law who did a full retirement, a full bird and he gets total free med but even he never said the average joe with a good 214 can get help.
Don't know if you read my tirade against the health system because of my experience being treated like an indegent but if I had known about the VA s ought about the VA in decades.
So you take in your 214 and sign up and get some kind of card?
Originally posted by sonhouseIf you bought a house via the VA you should already be in their system.
Well I must say nobody ever mentioned that before. I have a brother in law who did a full retirement, a full bird and he gets total free med but even he never said the average joe with a good 214 can get help.
Don't know if you read my tirade against the health system because of my experience being treated like an indegent but if I had known about the VA s ...[text shortened]... ought about the VA in decades.
So you take in your 214 and sign up and get some kind of card?