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Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

richardlynch.blogspot.com

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Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#121

Post by doktrin »

colechristensen wrote: post #116
amix wrote: post #104

I donated $50, but I really wish US (and other countries) would reconsider their broken healthcare systems. My dad died of cancer a few years ago and I am really glad we lived in Denmark when he got it - - with a great public healthcare system. He lived 2 years with his cancer, which is a lot when you are counting days. Not many normal people can afford these things (as each of my dads treatments cost about 20.000USD…

I don't particularly see this as being a strong problem with American healthcare. You can buy health insurance to pay for any and all medical expenses. The healthcare system is broken if you do an honest day's work and can't afford insurance, but that's not what we're talking about here. There is a reason that most of the best hospitals in the world are American, and the way we fund our healthcare is that reason. Yes…

> The healthcare system is broken if you do an honest day's work and can't afford insurance, but that's not what we're talking about here.

Isn't it, though? If you replace "insurance" with "appropriate medical care" that does in fact sound like what we're talking about.

This individual was a programmer, who based on his blog only quit his job once he was physically unable to perform the duties required - and yet, is clearly unable to cover all his medical expenses.

The system is broken. Anyone who says different is either delusional or selling something.

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#122

Post by bovermyer »

jcromartie wrote: post #69
bestham wrote: post #9

It's so sad that the country where Richard lived, worked and paid taxes for about 30 years can't provide for him. I'm glad to be able to help. But what happens to those that don't reach the front page of HN? No one enduring the stress of a terminal cancer should have to stress about getting ends to meet during their last months alive. EVER

There are homeless people out there with cancer who will die alone and without a hope in the world.

And what are you doing to fix that?

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#123

Post by pbharrin »

amix wrote: post #104

I donated $50, but I really wish US (and other countries) would reconsider their broken healthcare systems. My dad died of cancer a few years ago and I am really glad we lived in Denmark when he got it - - with a great public healthcare system. He lived 2 years with his cancer, which is a lot when you are counting days. Not many normal people can afford these things (as each of my dads treatments cost about 20.000USD…

I don't understand, I thought the AFA (Obamacare) won and all those curmudgeons fought it all the way to the Supreme Court and lost and we now have healthcare for everyone.

What am I missing?

Why does this gentlemen have to loose his house to get medical treatment if healthcare is affordable?

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#124

Post by colechristensen »

doktrin wrote: post #121
colechristensen wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't particularly see this as being a strong problem with American healthcare. You can buy health insurance to pay for any and all medical expenses. The healthcare system is broken if you do an honest day's work and can't afford insurance, but that's not what we're talking about here. There is a reason that most of the best hospitals in the world are American, and the way we fund our healthcare is that reason. Yes…

> The healthcare system is broken if you do an honest day's work and can't afford insurance, but that's not what we're talking about here. Isn't it, though? If you replace "insurance" with "appropriate medical care" that does in fact sound like what we're talking about. This individual was a programmer, who based on his blog only quit his job once he was physically unable to perform the duties required - and yet, is…

You can buy insurance which covers home health care and doesn't cost a cent after a deductible of a few thousand dollars. You can buy insurance which provides income if you can't work because of an illness... there are also several government programs that help the disabled.

You can also save money for emergencies and not live in debt beyond your means your whole life as too many Americans do. Sometimes bad luck strikes and you'll need to ask for help from friends, family, and the community and there's no shame in that.

If you get sick and can't work, is the health care system supposed to pay your mortgage too?

The American system is based on choice, and Americans will not give up that choice no matter how many discussions are had calling the system broken. It is not a broken system in which a person with appropriate means choses risk over safety.

If we were talking about people without the means to pay for insurance then this would be an entirely different discussion.

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#125

Post by piratebroadcast »

amix wrote: post #104

I donated $50, but I really wish US (and other countries) would reconsider their broken healthcare systems. My dad died of cancer a few years ago and I am really glad we lived in Denmark when he got it - - with a great public healthcare system. He lived 2 years with his cancer, which is a lot when you are counting days. Not many normal people can afford these things (as each of my dads treatments cost about 20.000USD…

My mom just got diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer (thats spread to her brain) and I am fucking terrified about whats going to happen to us financially. I can't even focus completely on my mother as a person because I'm wondering about the bills, then I feel bad for worrying. It fucking sucks.

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#127

Post by ewoodrich »

pbharrin wrote: post #123
amix wrote: post #104

I donated $50, but I really wish US (and other countries) would reconsider their broken healthcare systems. My dad died of cancer a few years ago and I am really glad we lived in Denmark when he got it - - with a great public healthcare system. He lived 2 years with his cancer, which is a lot when you are counting days. Not many normal people can afford these things (as each of my dads treatments cost about 20.000USD…

I don't understand, I thought the AFA (Obamacare) won and all those curmudgeons fought it all the way to the Supreme Court and lost and we now have healthcare for everyone. What am I missing? Why does this gentlemen have to loose his house to get medical treatment if healthcare is affordable?

I can't tell if this is snark or not, but the "ACA" does provide subsidies on a sliding scale based on income, however, I can't comment on his situation. More likely though, it would be Medicaid, not subsidized private insurance at lower incomes, and the ACA expanded eligibility to 125% of the poverty level.

But single-payer it is not.

(edit: Medicaid is very limited in recurring residential care and support, so this potentially be a contributing factor).

Re: Richard Lynch, an awesome PHP community guy and former colleague needs our help

#130

Post by mynameishere »

gmazzotti wrote: post #114
DasIch wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that you have to compare the USA to a developing country to be able to say that "it's still much better" speaks volumes.

I am also from a developing country (Uruguay) but if any of my family ever has cancer all our concern will be in the emotional issues, the economic issue are already resolve: basically the health system coveres all diseases that you could get. I do not understand the countries that don´t have this, it is just logical that if you pay when you are healthy you must be 100% covered when you are sick (without excuses or h…

Uruguay isn't really a developing country. Not like India, that's for certain. Anyway, the health care system in the US isn't something that was willed into existence. It came from a series of accidents and circumstances.
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