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A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

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Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#71
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The danger is that people will over-use the public system. How does that work exactly? I'm trying to think of how I could even deliberately overuse health care, in the event that I decided health care were something desirable rather than something I tend to avoid because it's boring. The best I can come up with would be to hit myself with a hammer occasionally, necessitating treatment of the injury. I'm not sure wh…

The problem isn't that demand is insatiable for all people. Economists assume that every individual's demand is insatiable for ... dubious reasons. I think it's more the "80/20" customers - old people who are bored. Drug addicts begging for pain killers. Hypochondriacs. People who have done their own diagnosis and want the doctor to give them their antibiotics (when it's really a common cold, and antibiotics won't he…

The RAND study on health insurance and healthcare consumption showed that healthcare is indeed an elastic product.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#72
post #36

I would gladly pay 5% more income tax to be on par with Canada as far as rates go, if the USA got single-payer healthcare.

Well I have great news for you. Right on the 1040 form there is a spot where you can elect to pay more. I suggest that you do next year. Or just send the treasury a check.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$ cd kernel ; git log | egrep -i starks $ Nothing there. It would help if they told us what his contribution actually was.

I could be wrong but I don't think he was a developer. From the pieces I've read it looks like his contribution to linux, seems to be distributing it through donations of old computers with linux installed to people / organizations in need.

He runs an organization/project called Reglue (http://reglue.org/). They give out computers to children who otherwise would not be able to get one.

If you live in Texas you should consider cleaning out your closet and donating some computers to the cause. They're basically looking for P4 class machines and better. Something gathering dust in your closet can changes a kid's life forever.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#76
post #62

Donated $50. I realize we're trying not to rant about the healthcare system too much, so all I will say is that this is exactly why the system is a problem. What's the point of all our technology and "progress" if we still don't provide reasonable care to all?

How do you define reasonable?

How about surgery to deal with a metastasizing cancer that is highly efficacious? That seems very reasonable to me.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#77
post #43
post #3

SSI disability payments should not count against Medicare income limits. The United States fucking sucks sometimes.

I simply cannot comprehend our [as a nation] almost religious stance vis a vis public healthcare. Hearing stories like this literally upsets me, because it is totally unnecessary . We are better than this.

You think our health care is bad?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/US/hunger-children-america-slow...

5% of our 300 million population is starving/malnourished children.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#78
post #17

I just donated via Paypal given the comments about the 9% vs Paypal fees. However it got me thinking from reading the indiegogo site: "The cost just to book the OR for Ken's surgery is $50,000, and that doesn't include the surgery itself, nor any post-op medical expenses." What is the total cost of expenses, or is that unknown? Knowing how much is needed would possibly help raise more funds.

In general American health care is a giant black box. Depending on the deal your insurance company has cut is how much stuff costs. Most doctors offices cant tell you how much anything costs, which is why i opt out of all tests.

Re: A Linux dev who helped thousands needs help to fight cancer

#79
post #62

Donated $50. I realize we're trying not to rant about the healthcare system too much, so all I will say is that this is exactly why the system is a problem. What's the point of all our technology and "progress" if we still don't provide reasonable care to all?

How do you define reasonable?

Not having to resort to donations for life saving surgery?
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