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Farmerkev wrote:

It's strange isn't it, mankind survives for eons without medical insurance and now it's a critical necessity.

You forgot the important part about privatization of medicine so it's now a money maker, as opposed to a basic right. People need insurance, smurf.

Farmerkev wrote:

iBubba wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

It's strange isn't it, mankind survives for eons without medical insurance and now it's a critical necessity.

You forgot the important part about privatization of medicine so it's now a money maker, as opposed to a basic right. People need insurance, smurf.

I didn't say they didn't smurf for brains.

*getting jabs in before mods show up*

What the smurf does that mean? Is that even English?

Farmerkev wrote:

Sternum wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

It's strange isn't it, mankind survives for eons without medical insurance and now it's a critical necessity.

Back in the old days, if you broke your leg, the doctor would come over and patch it up for a reasonable fee and be on his way. Medical expenses remained affordable because they were controlled by a free market economy.

Insurance companies changed this by joining forces with pharmacutical companies and tampering with the prices. They jacked up the prices of pills, medical equipment, and malpractice insurance, which drove the price of medical expenses beyond the reach of the average patient. They also used connections in Washington to cement their hold on the industry through protectionist regulations and laws. Your broken leg now costs as much to fix as a downpayment on a reasonably-sized, middle-income house.

Personally, I don't want insurance. I think it's a mafia-esque scam -- pay now in case you'll get hurt later. But with prices the way they are, there isn't much choice. I don't know if universal health care is the answer, but the medical industry needs some sort of reform, and the insurance and pharmacutical industries need to taken down a few pegs.

Resedit ignorantly complains about communism, but the current system is about as protectionist and anti-free market as it gets.

Depending on how far back you want to go, there was very little if any medication other than what the doctor made up himself. The doctor also couldn't actually do much more than splint a broken leg. The free market really had little to do with it.
As far as insurance, after years of it breaking me financially I was able to get one of the new HSA policies effective this month. I'd love to see that as a national model truth be told.

So whats your point about the past?
Its like pointing out there were no traffic jams before cars were invented.

Farmerkev wrote:

iBubba wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

I didn't say they didn't smurf for brains.

*getting jabs in before mods show up*

What the smurf does that mean? Is that even English?

Of course it is, you want me to find you a link?

Pretty please. With sugar on top. I still have no idea, though, what "I didn't say they didn't smurf for brains" means in the context of being any sort of rebuttal to my statement.

Pariah wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

Sternum wrote:

Back in the old days, if you broke your leg, the doctor would come over and patch it up for a reasonable fee and be on his way. Medical expenses remained affordable because they were controlled by a free market economy.

Insurance companies changed this by joining forces with pharmacutical companies and tampering with the prices. They jacked up the prices of pills, medical equipment, and malpractice insurance, which drove the price of medical expenses beyond the reach of the average patient. They also used connections in Washington to cement their hold on the industry through protectionist regulations and laws. Your broken leg now costs as much to fix as a downpayment on a reasonably-sized, middle-income house.

Personally, I don't want insurance. I think it's a mafia-esque scam -- pay now in case you'll get hurt later. But with prices the way they are, there isn't much choice. I don't know if universal health care is the answer, but the medical industry needs some sort of reform, and the insurance and pharmacutical industries need to taken down a few pegs.

Resedit ignorantly complains about communism, but the current system is about as protectionist and anti-free market as it gets.

Depending on how far back you want to go, there was very little if any medication other than what the doctor made up himself. The doctor also couldn't actually do much more than splint a broken leg. The free market really had little to do with it.
As far as insurance, after years of it breaking me financially I was able to get one of the new HSA policies effective this month. I'd love to see that as a national model truth be told.

So whats your point about the past?
Its like pointing out there were no traffic jams before cars were invented.

Let's no forget bartering. Or the intimate, small community where everyone knew - and basically trusted - everyone else. You'd make good on you debt, or word would get out and you'd be up the crick next time you needed help.

I'd gladly trade some design work for a physical or 'script.

Pariah wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

Sternum wrote:

Back in the old days, if you broke your leg, the doctor would come over and patch it up for a reasonable fee and be on his way. Medical expenses remained affordable because they were controlled by a free market economy.

Insurance companies changed this by joining forces with pharmacutical companies and tampering with the prices. They jacked up the prices of pills, medical equipment, and malpractice insurance, which drove the price of medical expenses beyond the reach of the average patient. They also used connections in Washington to cement their hold on the industry through protectionist regulations and laws. Your broken leg now costs as much to fix as a downpayment on a reasonably-sized, middle-income house.

Personally, I don't want insurance. I think it's a mafia-esque scam -- pay now in case you'll get hurt later. But with prices the way they are, there isn't much choice. I don't know if universal health care is the answer, but the medical industry needs some sort of reform, and the insurance and pharmacutical industries need to taken down a few pegs.

Resedit ignorantly complains about communism, but the current system is about as protectionist and anti-free market as it gets.

Depending on how far back you want to go, there was very little if any medication other than what the doctor made up himself. The doctor also couldn't actually do much more than splint a broken leg. The free market really had little to do with it.
As far as insurance, after years of it breaking me financially I was able to get one of the new HSA policies effective this month. I'd love to see that as a national model truth be told.

So whats your point about the past?
Its like pointing out there were no traffic jams before cars were invented.

I was just noticing how it's become "critical" to our first world mentality. It wasn't always so.
Meanwhile millions are staving to death as we type this, I don't think they think health insurance is too critical.

Farmerkev wrote:

Pariah wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

Depending on how far back you want to go, there was very little if any medication other than what the doctor made up himself. The doctor also couldn't actually do much more than splint a broken leg. The free market really had little to do with it.
As far as insurance, after years of it breaking me financially I was able to get one of the new HSA policies effective this month. I'd love to see that as a national model truth be told.

So whats your point about the past?
Its like pointing out there were no traffic jams before cars were invented.

I was just noticing how it's become "critical" to our first world mentality. It wasn't always so.
Meanwhile millions are staving to death as we type this, I don't think they think health insurance is too critical.

...and you have MANY people in America not starving, but very ill because they are choosing to eat instead of going to get medical care because they don't have insurance and can't afford basic medical care. I don't think a discussion about the woes of other countries' food supplies has much of a bearing on this domestic topic.

Mine of course is private and can build until I'm 65 in whatever I want, simple interest account or stock market or blend of both, all of my choosing. Even funding it is my option. The only limit is the amount per year that can be put in. It covers everything medical including OTC.
There is a lot more detail yet but it gets kind of long.

Farmerkev wrote:

Mine of course is private and can build until I'm 65 in whatever I want, simple interest account or stock market or blend of both, all of my choosing. Even funding it is my option. The only limit is the amount per year that can be put in. It covers everything medical including OTC.
There is a lot more detail yet but it gets kind of long.

Does your have a limit? I can only contribute yearly up to my deductible (total, including the grand from my employer).

Farmerkev wrote:

iBubba wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

Mine of course is private and can build until I'm 65 in whatever I want, simple interest account or stock market or blend of both, all of my choosing. Even funding it is my option. The only limit is the amount per year that can be put in. It covers everything medical including OTC.
There is a lot more detail yet but it gets kind of long.

Does your have a limit? I can only contribute yearly up to my deductible (total, including the grand from my employer).

Yes, that's the law for all.

Ahh... I see.

Probably the way the plan is pitched.

In California maybe. Texas isn't so liberal, and Cobra is both expensive and limited in term.

Farmerkev wrote:

It's strange isn't it, mankind survives for eons without medical insurance and now it's a critical necessity.

Yeah, and life expectancy was... what?  24 years?