Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (Full Version)

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juliaoceania -> Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/24/2010 5:26:28 PM)

I did a quick search and I did not find this story which I think needs to be told...

Hawaii has some of the most socialist medical programs in the USA... if you work 20 or more hours a week, for example, your employer must provide medical insurance for you...  I just wanted to put in a backdrop to the story...


quote:


According to Rush Limbaugh, the health care reform that may be passed by Congress is socialism. Yet, it bears a striking resemblance to the universal healthcare system that just treated him in Hawaii that prompted his remark: "there is nothing wrong with the American health care system. I received no special treatment." Yes, Rush. That's the point! American medicine is superb--for those who can get it. And, in Hawaii, no one gets special treatment, because everyone can get it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/limbaugh-lauds-socialist_b_409378.html



Also... I thought this was hilarious when I saw it on John Stewert

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-9-2010/rnc-meeting-in-hawaii



FatDomDaddy -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/24/2010 8:32:23 PM)

No, he lauded the hospital, its staff and its doctors and nurses. He also paid his bill in full, in cash for which he was given a substantial discount, the amount of the discount as he stated on his show was equal to the price of a small SUV. This is a very old story and it did not have “legs” well… because he was praising his care, that he…ya know… paid for and it was WAY cheaper to get then if it had been billed to insurance.

Now julia... why do you suppose its cheaper to pay in cash?



juliaoceania -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/24/2010 8:40:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy

No, he lauded the hospital, its staff and its doctors and nurses. He also paid his bill in full, in cash for which he was given a substantial discount, the amount of the discount as he stated on his show was equal to the price of a small SUV. This is a very old story and it did not have “legs” well… because he was praising his care, that he…ya know… paid for and it was WAY cheaper to get then if it had been billed to insurance.

Now julia... why do you suppose its cheaper to pay in cash?



Here is the thing, he was seen in Hawaii that has some of the best medical care in the country... and doesn't ask who your insurance provider is when you are admitted. Do you think that medical care takes place in a vacuum?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/health/policy/17hawaii.html

quote:

But perhaps the most intriguing lesson from Hawaii has to do with costs. This is a state where regular milk sells for $8 a gallon, gasoline costs $3.60 a gallon and the median price of a home in 2008 was $624,000 — the second-highest in the nation. Despite this, Hawaii’s health insurance premiums are nearly tied with North Dakota for the lowest in the country, and Medicare costs per beneficiary are the nation’s lowest.



Brain -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 1:21:52 AM)

This guy, Weiner,  was on Jon Stewart and what he did in the House was awesome.

Weiner: GOP Is 'Wholly Owned Subsidiary Of The Insurance Industry'

The Republican Party is "a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry," Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) charged on the House floor.

When Republican Rep. Dan Lungren (Calif.) objected to the accusation and took the extraordinary step of asking that Weiner's "words be taken down," Weiner pushed back.

"You really don't want to go here, Mr. Lungren," Weiner said. Asking that words be taken down is a move on the House floor that is rarely made and carries great weight.

Weiner, after a pause, asked to have his words withdrawn and said he'd substitute new ones. "Make no mistake about it. Every single Republican I have ever met in my entire life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance industry," Weiner clarified.

Somehow, that failed to satisfy Lungren, who asked that those too be taken down. After a long pause, before the chair ruled, Lungren withdrew his request.

The House was debating a bill to repeal the insurance industry's exemption from antitrust laws, which passed overwhelmingly. Nineteen Republicans opposed it, including House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). Lungren supported it.

WATCH:
Weiner Clarifies His Calling The GOP An Insurance Subsidiary
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOQ2GEGm3v0&feature=player_embedded
 
Dear Mr. Boner
The Health Insurance Industry and their "wholly owned subsidiary" the GOP can suck America's collective c*ck! #



Vendaval -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 1:26:16 AM)

How many people could afford to pay their entire bill in cash when leaving a hospital after a series of tests for possible heart attack?


From the Hawaii Health Guide -

"Suffice it say that the vast majority of Americans don’t have Limbaugh’s money. His net worth has been variously estimated at anywhere from $685 million to more than $1 billion.
That sort of wealth buys excellent insurance and the cash to cover those pesky out-of-pocket costs that accompany most hospital stays. Limbaugh could pay the exorbitant prices that an insurer might charge for a pre-existing condition — such as health problems that might follow prescription drug abuse — or simply pay his medical bills from cash if he needed to."

http://www.hawaiihealthguide.com/healthtalk/display.htm?id=830&hhsid=1fc8fb685f7f32bd8b03d30d46336634



Brain -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 1:32:45 AM)

and what Weiner said.

"DEAL WITH IT"



eyesopened -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 3:09:35 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy

No, he lauded the hospital, its staff and its doctors and nurses. He also paid his bill in full, in cash for which he was given a substantial discount, the amount of the discount as he stated on his show was equal to the price of a small SUV. This is a very old story and it did not have “legs” well… because he was praising his care, that he…ya know… paid for and it was WAY cheaper to get then if it had been billed to insurance.

Now julia... why do you suppose its cheaper to pay in cash?



What makes you think all healthcare is cheaper in cash??

Today I am going to have a bone scan.  I called my provider to see what I will be expected to pay.  I have insurance.  Here's what the billing office told me.

Self-pay (pay in cash) the procedure is $156
They will bill my insurance company.....$200
The HMO contract says they will accept $70 from my insurer.
My co-insurance is 10% so they will get $77... roughly half what they would expect if I paid cash.

Now with just a diagnostic code and procedure code I could make a phone call and find out what the Medicare allowed amount is.  From experience I would guestimate it's about $60. 

For me, just a poor working person, paying cash is twice as expensive as insurance.

But...if I had access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, had a nationally syndicated television and radio show, I can imagine I could say something like.... "I'll pay you what you would accept from Medicare and not a penny more.  I will pay cash today that amount.  You take it and I will go on the airways and praise you, the staff, the doctors and more.  You don't accept my payment and be sure I will blast you to the ends of the earth."

So you don't have a legitimate reason to expect it is cheaper to pay in cash for medicare care.



thompsonx -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 6:41:43 AM)

quote:

So you don't have a legitimate reason to expect it is cheaper to pay in cash for medicare care.


Do you really expect anything but spin from FDD whose spin rate at idle is 10,000rpm



Real0ne -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 6:47:27 AM)



exsqueeze me, but what was he supposed to do write new legislation before entering the hospital?

If thats the system they have and he needed immediate attention then thats it.

how is that his fault?   Is he supposed to turn it down because its a system he disagrees with and die? (or whatever)

not that I agree with that puff bag or the damns or the repulsives



juliaoceania -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 6:53:56 AM)

quote:

but what was he supposed to do write new legislation before entering the hospital?

If thats the system they have and he needed immediate attention then thats it.

how is that his fault? Is he supposed to turn it down because its a system he disagrees with and die? (or whatever)

not that I agree with that puff bag or the damns or the repulsives


He went from grateful that they gave him excellent care to an ingrate very quickly... either you are a grateful person or you are not... well he isn't



Termyn8or -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 7:25:00 AM)

FR

I am still looking for the seven grand needed to pay an eye doctor. This is for a cataract. The operation takes a few minutes.

In about a month I should have it, and it is not going to be easy. However if left unchecked, eventually I won't be able to work, and therefore might as well call myself one eye.

Of course in light of the events depicted in this thread, is has come clear to me. All I need is a TV show.

Yes, that's what I meant, look where your money is going. I guess the next best thing would be to go into advertising. I think I could do well.

T



flcouple2009 -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 7:56:15 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: eyesopened

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy

No, he lauded the hospital, its staff and its doctors and nurses. He also paid his bill in full, in cash for which he was given a substantial discount, the amount of the discount as he stated on his show was equal to the price of a small SUV. This is a very old story and it did not have “legs” well… because he was praising his care, that he…ya know… paid for and it was WAY cheaper to get then if it had been billed to insurance.

Now julia... why do you suppose its cheaper to pay in cash?



What makes you think all healthcare is cheaper in cash??

Today I am going to have a bone scan.  I called my provider to see what I will be expected to pay.  I have insurance.  Here's what the billing office told me.

Self-pay (pay in cash) the procedure is $156
They will bill my insurance company.....$200
The HMO contract says they will accept $70 from my insurer.
My co-insurance is 10% so they will get $77... roughly half what they would expect if I paid cash.

Now with just a diagnostic code and procedure code I could make a phone call and find out what the Medicare allowed amount is.  From experience I would guestimate it's about $60. 

For me, just a poor working person, paying cash is twice as expensive as insurance.

But...if I had access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, had a nationally syndicated television and radio show, I can imagine I could say something like.... "I'll pay you what you would accept from Medicare and not a penny more.  I will pay cash today that amount.  You take it and I will go on the airways and praise you, the staff, the doctors and more.  You don't accept my payment and be sure I will blast you to the ends of the earth."

So you don't have a legitimate reason to expect it is cheaper to pay in cash for medicare care.


I remember a few years back one of the medical groups in CA was going to start charging the same rates to cash paying customers as they did HMO's and the insurance companies.  Amazingly the HMO's had a fit and started bringing a lawsuit to stop them. 

Now why would they be so concerned about uninsured people paying the same prices they do? 



FatDomDaddy -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 7:53:33 PM)

Fast Reply...

The Question still remains...why is cash cheaper?

Should it not cost what it costs?



juliaoceania -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:04:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy

Fast Reply...

The Question still remains...why is cash cheaper?

Should it not cost what it costs?


As someone said, it isn't always

I saw a news story once that showed people who were private pay that have no health insurance how to deal with hospital bills. They suggested calling the billing department and telling them that they could come down in price on the bill because the person has no insurance, even suggesting that they would have to default on the bill altogether... never to get paid a dime. Often hospitals will deal with people that are medically indigent (which is anyone that lacks insurance)

My question, why isn't Rush insured?



tazzygirl -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:11:17 PM)

This may explain a part of why its cheaper...


Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) March 20, 2007 -- Administration associated with health care claims and billing accounts for nearly one out of every three dollars that patients spend, according to a nationwide survey of executives from hospitals and insurance companies.

In contrast, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of the U.S. consumers surveyed said they think that health care administration should account for just 10 percent or less of total health care costs, with a large majority indicating they would be 'highly upset' if those administrative costs were as high as 30 percent. Approximately eight in 10 consumers (79 percent) said they would like to see an itemization of the portion of their health care bills that goes to administration versus clinical care.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/03/prweb512786.htm



FatDomDaddy -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:23:19 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

My question, why isn't Rush insured?



My best guess is, he doesn't want it.



Termyn8or -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:26:39 PM)

"Should it not cost what it costs?"

FDD you hit the nail not only squarely on the head, but all the way through the log, uncut and wet.

They gouge when they CAN. Insurance of any kind makes sure that they CAN. They also make it so a new taillight lens for your car costs hundreds, maybe thousands for a fifteen cent piece of plastic. Why ? Because they CAN.

The market would adjust itself like any other if allowed the chance, but the powers that be CAN'T let that happen. The gravy train would be over.

Fix my eye for the $1,000 or so that the job is worth. Give me a CAT scan for $50. I know those things cost alot, but it's a machine. When we had industry here, people who bought those big lathes and milling machines that could make crankshafts for aircraft carriers, they insisted that they run 24 hours a day 7 days a week. People worked shifts, and companies cut costs by going to 12 hour days. This resulted in some people making fifty grand a year back in the 1970s. Things were good.

So if you tell people to show up at three in the morning for a CAT scan so what. Everybody else works when it is needed to be done, and you can surely find people who will take night shifts. Run that baby into the ground. But now, no, you need sixteen top neursurgeons and four administrators, a team of mules and Jesus Christ to get one turned on. They are not kidding me.

By not charging an arm and a leg for every hangnail removal they could make money, by providing a service like the rest of us. Market based. Nobody has health insurance, but everything is really what it should cost. There should be no problem, and it affords the utmost in personal choice.

And remember, when you entrust your own responsibilities to another, they deserve to control the conditions. Therefore they have the right to control YOU. That is why I do not have healthcare, and probably never will.

T



juliaoceania -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:31:21 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy


quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

My question, why isn't Rush insured?



My best guess is, he doesn't want it.


Yet he supports the right that seeks to mandate that we all get insurance or get fined for not having it, and if we can't afford it, just "fuck you, poor people"... what a damn hypocrite he is



FatDomDaddy -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:44:19 PM)

What???

Are you saying Rush Limbaugh supports a plan that will mandate all Americans to buy health insurance, regardless
of their wishes?



juliaoceania -> RE: Rush Lauds Socialized Medical System That Treated Him (2/25/2010 8:48:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy

What???

Are you saying Rush Limbaugh supports a plan that will mandate all Americans to buy health insurance, regardless
of their wishes?


The Republican Party is advocating for this.... on behalf of the health insurance companies.. they for stripping out all competition and then wanted to mandate we all have to get insurance... Rush backs them



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