Politics

[Killingtime]

Right! And I've always felt smokers should be kicked off our govt health care up here. Make them pay their own bill if they want to make themselves sick. Sure, we tax the crap out of the shit and maybe it helps pay my health bill (MAYBE) but I'd rather see my taxes go up than know I'm using another family's suffering and grief to pay for my health care.

Better go ahead and add alcohol and processed foods to that list especially since they say there are over 40 million diabetics in America and the majority is preventable…. Although it’s funny that quality food is cheaper in more affluent areas then Poorer areas

 

[Killingtime]

Sorry mdwest I just read your post after I did mine. Didn’t mean to regurgitate what you have already said.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have a good friend who lives in Oregon. He says most of the local conversation (Bend OR area) is that it has almost no chance of actually going anywhere. I've heard, can't remember if it was from him or elsewhere, that the language on the petition is extremely vague/misleading to the people they collect signatures from. It's titled something along the lines of the "Peace Act" to make the title appealing, but no one takes the time to read what it actually supports.

As you say, frightening that there are so many loonies and/or incompetent people out there to sign this in the first place.

I read an article somewhere online that said the folks behind this acknowledge it has no chance. Their goal is to begin to normalize such language so that future measures have a chance to pass.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Regarding soccer, as a huge lifelong sports fan and with a nephew who went to college on a soccer scholarship:

Soccer sucks.
The players are superb athletes.
The game sucks.

This is one of the few topics I can genuinely anger my sister on.

Anything that can go 90 minutes and end in a 0-0 tie isn't a sport; it's an exercise in futility.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I would love for the government to say, hey you smoked a cigarette so now you are on your own, also we will stop collecting Medicare, medicaid and all the other health taxes including the 3.9% Obama care tax.

If that money went into a S&P index fund and I could use that tax free for Healthcare costs, I would be set.

Now if we can figure out a way to privatize social security we might be on to something.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I read an article somewhere online that said the folks behind this acknowledge it has no chance. Their goal is to begin to normalize such language so that future measures have a chance to pass.

This is 100% spot on, they get awareness, they get to fundraiser, they get voter data, they come back water down, the use the fundraising dollars to lobby. They know this bill is dead on arrival, but what do the exit polls shows, if they focused on this area could it pass, if we changed the words, could it gain momentum.

For example, Do you believe that Oregon's wildlife should be regulated and utilized by Oregon Sportsmans as part of organic chemical free lifestyle in accordance with Oregon values and traditions.

OR

Should Oregon protect its most precious wildlife resources from the exploitation of capitalist through the wasteful death and destruction of wildlife.

 

[spike.t]

just remember when Andrew Jackson won his inauguration the party was so wild at the whitehouse that his staff put washtubs of whiskey and punch out in the courtyard so the guests would be lured out and then locked the doors on them. They destroyed have the furniture in the white house… I guess what I’m saying is even in 1829 gentlemen didn’t have all the supposed sense we give them the credit for.

Shit that sounds like it was a good party......

 

[rookhawk]

I would love for the government to say, hey you smoked a cigarette so now you are on your own, also we will stop collecting Medicare, medicaid and all the other health taxes including the 3.9% Obama care tax.

If that money went into a S&P index fund and I could use that tax free for Healthcare costs, I would be set.

Now if we can figure out a way to privatize social security we might be on to something.

While not exactly what you're looking for (e.g. justice and fairness) there is a loophole that might reward you for being heatlhy.

Step 1: Get an HSA based health account before you reach retirement age, the younger, the better.

2.) Max that account every single year with pre-tax dollars. When you hit a $1000 balance, you're permitted to invest all excess monies in S&P 500 index funds.

3.) NEVER spend the money for its intended purpose. Pay all your health expenses and copays with general funds.

4.) Upon retirement, you are permitted to reimburse yourself for all out of pocket medical costs you've spent over the last many decades.

Net result: Healthy person still spends enough to show that the out of pocket expenses are greater than the principle balance of the account. You can then withdraw the principle funds plus all growth without taxation.

Tax deferred funding of the account. Tax avoidance on growth of the investments. Tax avoidance on withdrawal during retirement.

It's a completely legitimate trick allowed by the IRS. Anyone that does for ten years should have around $125k extra in retirement. Someone doing it 25 years may have an extra $500k tax-free.

 

[deewayne2003]

I can assure you that no Physician or Hospital is paid Invoice price.

Reminds me of a recent healthcare interaction with a shoulder injury.

Blue cross insurance as a state university educator my options were…..

A. Go to general practitioner who will then refer me to specialist, who will then order MRI and all told will cost $2,600 out of pocket toward deductible.

B. Go to MRI center and pay $500 cash out of pocket and walk directly into orthopedic surgeon’s office with MRI on CD and report in hand for $50 copay.

Option B saved me multiple appointments and $2,100 by NOT using my insurance.

 

[rookhawk]

Reminds me of a recent healthcare interaction with a shoulder injury.

Blue cross insurance as a state university educator my options were…..

A. Go to general practitioner who will then refer me to specialist, who will then order MRI and all told will cost $2,600 out of pocket toward deductible.

B. Go to MRI center and pay $500 cash out of pocket and walk directly into orthopedic surgeon’s office with MRI on CD and report in hand for $50 copay.

Option B saved me multiple appointments and $2,100 by NOT using my insurance.

@deewayne2003 a similar tactic to your option B related to Rx.

Go into CVS or Walgreens and say "I don't have insurance, how much is X drug?". They have to tell you. Next, check if there is a coupon on GoodRx. Next, ask the pharmacist "how much is it with my XYZ health insurance?".

This is how the insurance companies F'd us. The pharmacist is PROHIBITED from telling you if your pills are cheaper without insurance than with insurance. They get fired if they break that rule. Often times, the drug is actually cheaper without insurance, and about 50% of the time its cheaper w/o insurance plus a GoodRx digital coupon.

When we were having kids we found the same thing to be true for delivery. My insurance out of pocket was going to be $8000. I called the hospital and said I have no insurance, they had a pre-pay option that came to $3200.

 

[wesheltonj]

Reminds me of a recent healthcare interaction with a shoulder injury.

Blue cross insurance as a state university educator my options were…..

A. Go to general practitioner who will then refer me to specialist, who will then order MRI and all told will cost $2,600 out of pocket toward deductible.

B. Go to MRI center and pay $500 cash out of pocket and walk directly into orthopedic surgeon’s office with MRI on CD and report in hand for $50 copay.

Option B saved me multiple appointments and $2,100 by NOT using my insurance.

ERS is see.

 

[Tanks]

I have better uses for my money than wasting it on people who choose to get hooked on poison.

It is no longer your money once the government gets it. Also, I thought all your medical expenses were being taken care of by the VA?

 

[Flipper Dude]

No coverage for poor life choices then, huh?

Let’s say a fella was to get his nose repositioned on his face because of one lil’ innocent dalliance with a lady that might or might not have an ol’ man back at home

He would have to go out of pocket?

Asking for a friend.

 

[pilar]

@deewayne2003 a similar tactic to your option B related to Rx.

Go into CVS or Walgreens and say "I don't have insurance, how much is X drug?". They have to tell you. Next, check if there is a coupon on GoodRx. Next, ask the pharmacist "how much is it with my XYZ health insurance?".

This is how the insurance companies F'd us. The pharmacist is PROHIBITED from telling you if your pills are cheaper without insurance than with insurance. They get fired if they break that rule. Often times, the drug is actually cheaper without insurance, and about 50% of the time its cheaper w/o insurance plus a GoodRx digital coupon.

When we were having kids we found the same thing to be true for delivery. My insurance out of pocket was going to be $8000. I called the hospital and said I have no insurance, they had a pre-pay option that came to $3200.

My diabetes Rx’s are all 50%+ cheaper paying out of pocket than filling with insurance
And as mentioned a catscan or mri is much cheaper cash pay then insurance

 

[deewayne2003]

@deewayne2003 a similar tactic to your option B related to Rx.

Go into CVS or Walgreens and say "I don't have insurance, how much is X drug?". They have to tell you. Next, check if there is a coupon on GoodRx. Next, ask the pharmacist "how much is it with my XYZ health insurance?".

This is how the insurance companies F'd us. The pharmacist is PROHIBITED from telling you if your pills are cheaper without insurance than with insurance. They get fired if they break that rule. Often times, the drug is actually cheaper without insurance, and about 50% of the time its cheaper w/o insurance plus a GoodRx digital coupon.

When we were having kids we found the same thing to be true for delivery. My insurance out of pocket was going to be $8000. I called the hospital and said I have no insurance, they had a pre-pay option that came to $3200.

My chiropractor clued me into the “cash discount” option; he told me we can run your insurance or pay cash; if you pay cash in full we can offer you a substantial discount that we can’t offer with a payment plan.

I have a friend who is 100% uninsured cash payer, goes to every check up with his wife that’s on Obama care and just asks the doctor……
“Can I the same tests done and pay you cash?”

While I fully admit that insurance is a racket, I also notice I can’t go into a doctors office without being pummeled with efforts to sell me every elective bullshit they can think of.

Dentists are the worst….. $300 electric tooth brushes, $300 for a mouth piece that I can buy for $5 at any sporting goods store; not to mention the $20K for porcelain veneers!

 

[deewayne2003]

ERS is see.

ERS?

 

[deewayne2003]

I can assure you that no Physician or Hospital is paid Invoice price.

You sound like a buddy of mine who is a retired anesthesiologist when somebody mentioned their surgery a the anesthesiologist was billed at $1075 per hour and he blasted out…….

“Just because that’s on the bill doesn’t mean that’s what the doctor got paid!”

The room went quiet as everyone looked around like WTF? Until the silence was broken by our friend who is a civil engineer……..

“Awwww poor baby, does the insurance company beat you down to $500 hour? I mean no wonder you only built a 9,000sqft house!”

 

[Brent in Az]

Doctors, Dentists, and Chiropractors, are all trying to upsell services these days. Highly annoying.
It's almost as bad as dealing with the sharks when buying a new vehicle

 

[SaintPanzer]

(if you haven't watched that brilliant comedy, it's worth a watch)

Comedy? And here I thought it was a documentary...

 

[Wheels]

Took a bunch of those in different denominations years ago back for finn...he was bout 8 or so at the time....he was very excited and said daddy can I go buy a house with these?....I said I like the way you thinking....but maybe a bag of sweets if you are lucky...he was not impressed

I gave a couple hundred of the 100 Trillion Dollar notes to friends and family.

Now I see this on eBay.