71–80 of 233 posts
Not only do they suffer, but numerous people in progressive states also suffer because right-leaning states like Kansas vote the country towards these types of repressive laws.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't have a financial strain bankruptcy would fix. I cannot walk away from current needs for medical care, housing, food etc. I am getting worse not better which equals more needs and cost with less to no resources. You cannot sign up for a post paid life in America and just ignore the costs. The featured article shows how that debt snowballs into worse issues. There won't be seven years in my future at this rate…
Im sorry to hear about your situation. I asked the question because I have a family member who was in a similar situation to you and rather than make prudent choices, he made decisions based on pride and not wanting hand outs. Years later if cost him dearly. Not saying this js you, but I know there are people who pay debts because it's. "the right thing to do" without realizing it may be the worst thing to do for the…
I'm reminded of some lines from "A Christmas Carol." "Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons?" ... It's wild how many changes to embolden debt collections happens in so many places, often snuck in by a few legislators that just don't think they'll get called out and generally don't. I'm lucky to live in a state that to my knowledge has a lot of protections in place and makes it harder to charge interest or sue…
My life was ruined by badly done, and even worse ultimately unneeded surgery. That privilege initially cost me many thousands, along with career and insurance going away, and the subsequent struggle to survive since has cost multiples of that. My entire future billed away. For a time I was able to avoid collectors because of a significant savings a frugal life had left me, but as time goes on you have to choose betwe…
It would be nice if HN did a better job of treating statements like this as testimony regarding the problem space and not an invitation for personal critique. The odds are extremely poor that some random internet stranger can fix a mess like this by making one good suggestion in a public comment.
If you are genuinely willing to give someone like this scads of money or do a fundraiser (or otherwise actually try to help them in earnest), cool. But my experience suggests you probably aren't and multiple public personal questions easily comes across as invasive and blamey, especially for someone living with a lot of duress already.
A quick suggestion. If things are really this dire sign up for platinum coverage under a total in-network HMO like Kaiser. Platinum 90 0/10 as an example. If you have serious medical costs these plans are MAJORLY subsidized because they don't discriminate on pre-existing conditions. You CANNOT go out of network.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you wanted a small fix as opposed to my preferred solution of burn it to the ground as an example to every other shitty industry. That fix would be to require insurance companies to be the primary bag holder. Not the patient. AKA a the 'independent' anesthesiologist can't sue the patient, he has to sue the insurance company. At least in that case everyone involved has deep pockets and a strong hand. The reason I s…
I agree. The idea is the insurance negotiates on my behalf. If they don't pay, I don't pay, and I don't understand how we arrived at the existing status quo.
This is happening in Kansas. Everyone feels bad, but not enough to actually vote based on the issue. That suggests it isn't really a major issue for them. Not only do they suffer, but numerous people in progressive states also suffer because right-leaning states like Kansas vote the country towards these types of repressive laws.
The voters do respond, eventually. But the ship is slow to turn. With the wave of rural Kansas hospital closures, farmers going out of business due to the tariffs, and stories like the one linked, Medicaid expansion is very popular with the voters. The pressure is only going to grow.
Can someone cc the Sanders or Warren campaign. This is ripe for national debate. Hard to imagine this isnt a good wedge issue.
My life was ruined by badly done, and even worse ultimately unneeded surgery. That privilege initially cost me many thousands, along with career and insurance going away, and the subsequent struggle to survive since has cost multiples of that. My entire future billed away. For a time I was able to avoid collectors because of a significant savings a frugal life had left me, but as time goes on you have to choose betwe…
Stories like these are why I feel like the medical system in America is extremist, and not a rational, pragmatic, or effective system. We are like the North Korea of healthcare.
[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_North_Korea#Heal...
My life was ruined by badly done, and even worse ultimately unneeded surgery. That privilege initially cost me many thousands, along with career and insurance going away, and the subsequent struggle to survive since has cost multiples of that. My entire future billed away. For a time I was able to avoid collectors because of a significant savings a frugal life had left me, but as time goes on you have to choose betwe…
People, please vote for medicare for all candidates, it might not affect your life now, but you don't know what the future holds for you.