As self-righteous a post as you'll see on CB

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

plus... if you don't meet medicaid standards and are still unable to pay they will either give you a discount or outright charity care

Some will. Others will give you over to the collectors. An ER I worked at, that saw many indigent, did this.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here is what it says in Texas:





I fail to see how this applies to the 25 year old guy working at McDonalds. Looks like he is SOL.

I don't believe TANF or any other Medicaid program can disqualify you for assistance based on marital status. They certainly can create additional opportunities for children and mothers, but indigent unmarried males can qualify. If you are employed, you probably don't qualify under most circumstances.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here is what it says in Texas:





I fail to see how this applies to the 25 year old guy working at McDonalds. Looks like he is SOL.

In Utah the medicaid rules are different but again if you are still poor then you will get charity care plus there are other options as well

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Some will. Others will give you over to the collectors. An ER I worked at, that saw many indigent, did this.

Most hospitals will work with you to be put on a payment plan or outright charity care.

Most hospitals in the US are non-profit and if they are in the city center their mission statement will indefinitely include caring for the poor

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

In Utah the medicaid rules are different but again if you are still poor then you will get charity care plus there are other options as well

Say you have severe depression. And you don't qualify for medicaid. Tell me, where is this outpatient charity care?

I work for the state, and they make it extremely difficult for me to provide charity care at my discretion. Even reduced fee.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Say you have severe depression. And you don't qualify for medicaid. Tell me, where is this outpatient charity care?

I work for the state, and they make it extremely difficult for me to provide charity care at my discretion. Even reduced fee.

Mike, you forget Texas, is not exactly known for its aid to the poor. Most other states are more generous than Texas.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Say you have severe depression. And you don't qualify for medicaid. Tell me, where is this outpatient charity care?

I work for the state, and they make it extremely difficult for me to provide charity care at my discretion. Even reduced fee.

I agree about mental health... that is the one area even for the insured where coverage is absolutely horrible. However, I am not sure its any better in Canada or England

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

I agree about mental health... that is the one area even for the insured where coverage is absolutely horrible. However, I am not sure its any better in Canada or England

You truely believe that it is likely that for the person in this scenario, Canada wouldn't be better?

I have a hard time believing that.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Mike, you forget Texas, is not exactly known for its aid to the poor. Most other states are more generous than Texas.

My point is that a socialized system exists in Dallas, that steps in where medicaid does not, and takes care of people.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

My point is that a socialized system exists in Dallas, that steps in where medicaid does not, and takes care of people.

The key to the debate is that we should minimize socialization of the payment system for medicine to allow as much market intervention as possible and intervene only where the market does not pick up the tab. Economic incentives need to exist so that there are rewards for working.

A system where a health care consumer's sensitivities to costs are removed are ill-advised and not worth duplicating. I have experienced health care in other countries, and still prefer our system. For the working who can afford premiums, we still have a superior system.