why that was nice

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Yes, because Vonnegut is the master of all issues involving equality.
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Since you want to be taken seriously why not respond to the original post?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

or even better come play in the thread you ran away from yesterday.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

or even better come play in the thread you ran away from yesterday.

Well, I was waiting for this to come up.

Curious how jman feels about the patent system. It's government "meddling" that creates a support system for entrepreneurship.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Well, I was waiting for this to come up.
Curious how jman feels about the patent system. It's government "meddling" that creates a support system for entrepreneurship.

excellent point and subject suggestion.

I know little about the patent system, but i know some about intellectual property rights in a digital context. DMCA, fair use ect..

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

life isn't fair. A main component why life isn't fair is because the balance of inequality all around us. So socioeconomic inequality is thus expected. Even the Bible says "there will always be poor among you" and there will also be rich.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

life isn't fair. A main component why life isn't fair is because the balance of inequality all around us. So socioeconomic inequality is thus expected. Even the Bible says "there will always be poor among you" and there will also be rich.

LoL are you really trying to use the bible to justify ignoring the poor and inequality?

Ever heard of a guy named JESUS?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

excellent point and subject suggestion.
I know little about the patent system, but i know some about intellectual property rights in a digital context. DMCA, fair use ect..

I know that it discourages competition post-invention. It's funny how many "free-marketers" support a system which discourages competition.

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

LoL are you really trying to use the bible to justify ignoring the poor and inequality?
Ever heard of a guy named JESUS?

no I'm saying there will always be poor people and saying even God knew this would be even though that was never His plan.

God also says to take care of the poor and be giving instead of always taking. our human nature does not agree with this practice unfortunately.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

no I'm saying there will always be poor people and saying even God knew this would be even though that was never His plan.
God also says to take care of the poor and be giving instead of always taking. our human nature does not agree with this practice unfortunately.

So should we ignore what God tells us and never try to bring about some level of equality?

Or should actually at least try to bring about some equality?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I know that it discourages competition post-invention. It's funny how many "free-marketers" support a system which discourages competition.

I hear it in health care all the time. We dont need reform, but instead we need to just let competition in the system work out all the kinks.

Then they complain that a private insurance company couldn't compete with a public option.

wtf is that?

Is competition good in health care or not?

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

we should try.

but everything in our natural being shouts "NO!" when we do unless we are looking for praise for our giving. its an interesting phenomenon that has been going on since the beginning of time (this is the reason I referenced the Bible, because such isn't new).

Here's a piggyback question, if equality is achievable do you think a country could have a healthy form of communism?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

we should try.
but everything in our natural being shouts "NO!" when we do unless we are looking for praise for our giving. its an interesting phenomenon that has been going on since the beginning of time (this is the reason I referenced the Bible, because such isn't new).

Here's a piggyback question, if equality is achievable do you think a country could have a healthy form of communism?

Pure communism is nice in theory, like pure capitalism. Unfortunately neither ideology is palatable to the masses when put into practice.

Some combination of the two is what we and most developed countries have and it seems to work well so.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I hear it in health care all the time. We dont need reform, but instead we need to just let competition in the system work out all the kinks.
Then they complain that a private insurance company couldn't compete with a public option.

wtf is that?

Is competition good in health care or not?

Depends.

I heard some of Obama's town hall meeting and it appears that those who take the public option will still have to pay a premium and co-pay.

If that is the route, then there is competition. However, I think it's being touted as 100% free.

If the people who select the public option and have to pay co-pays and limited networks like normal insurance, I see no problems at all with the competition. Actually, it won't be competition. It will be like fedex/ups vs the postal service.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Depends.
I heard some of Obama's town hall meeting and it appears that those who take the public option will still have to pay a premium and co-pay.

If that is the route, then there is competition. However, I think it's being touted as 100% free.

If the people who select the public option and have to pay co-pays and limited networks like normal insurance, I see no problems at all with the competition. Actually, it won't be competition. It will be like fedex/ups vs the postal service.

I believe its income based. Washington State has something similar called basic health. If you're poor you pay like $15 a month, but if you make normal money you pay a normal amount.

Basic Health contracts with health plans all over Washington State to provide reduced-cost health care coverage to qualified Washington State residents.
Cost

Monthly premiums are based on age, income, family size, and health plan chosen

No copayments for preventive care services

Low copayments on some services

$150 annual deductible

20% coinsurance on some services

$1,500 annual out-of-pocket maximum

Choice of Provider

Select your own doctor or other provider affiliated with the health plan you choose

Choice of health plans in most counties

Decide on the health plan that offers the best value, location, and providers for you

Benefits

Doctor and hospital care, including preventive care

Emergency services

Prescription drugs

All health plans in Basic Health offer the same basic benefits, but monthly premiums, providers, and some details of coverage vary (such as which prescription drugs or preventive services are covered). The amount the state contributes to your monthly premium depends on:

Your age;

Your income;

The number of people in your family; and

The health plan you choose.

See Health Plan and Premiums for more information about monthly premiums. Call 1-800-660-9840 if you need help with your estimate.

How it All Works

Eligibility

Basic Health is for Washington State residents who are:

Within Basic Health's income guidelines

Not eligible for free or purchased Medicare

Not institutionalized at the time of enrollment

Not attending school full-time in the United States on a student visa.

Your Monthly Premium

Once enrolled in Basic Health, you'll get a bill for your monthly premium about six weeks before the month covered by that payment. (For example, the bill for December coverage is sent in mid-October; payment is due November 5.) Your monthly premium payment must always be received by the fifth of the month prior to the coverage month. If you do not pay your premiums when due, you will lose your coverage for at least one month, so it is important that you pay each monthly premium on time. Partial payment or checks that cannot be processed for any reason (for example, checks returned for non-sufficient funds or no signature) will be considered nonpayment.

Group Applicants

If you are covered through a home care agency or financial sponsor will be paying all or part of your monthly premium, Basic Health will bill them directly. You may be required to contribute toward your monthly premium through them. Contact your group representative for more information.

Cost-Sharing Responsibilities

Each Basic Health member is responsible for sharing the cost for his or her health care coverage. Cost sharing comes in the form of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. In addition, each member will have an out-of-pocket maximum. (See Definitions and examples.)

If a Basic Health member changes health plans any time during the year, the amount paid toward the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum for covered family members will start over with the new health plan.

These cost-sharing responsibilities do not affect coverage for Basic Health Plus or the Maternity Benefits Program.

How the health plans work

The health plans require each Basic Health member to select a primary care provider (PCP). To receive benefits, you must receive care from your health plan's authorized providers. Your PCP may provide or coordinate your care. Each covered family member may have a different PCP. If you don't choose a PCP, your health plan may choose one for you. You may change your PCP during the year. Contact the health plan for more information on changing a PCP or for a current list of providers.

In an emergency, you may receive Basic Health benefits for care without prior PCP approval. However, you must report this to your primary care provider or health plan within 24 hours or as soon as possible. In addition, women may self-refer to a plan-designated women's health care professional for medically necessary services or medically appropriate follow-up for maternity care, routine gynecological exams, and reproductive care. Check with your health plan for details.

Any care not approved by your health plan is not covered under Basic Health. If you receive care that is not covered under Basic Health, you must pay the entire cost for those services.

Important!

Once you are enrolled in Basic Health, you need to let Basic Health know when you have any changes in family status or income. These changes may affect your monthly premium. If you do not keep income current, the state may require you to repay the state-paid portion of your premium.

I see nothing wrong with a national version of this..

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I see nothing wrong with a national version of this..

It's not nearly as good as my insurance, but I pay more for it.

But as a "basic" insurance option open to everyone...I don't either really. However, I do agree with the philosophy of forcing everyone to have it if they are going to do this to make the pool large enough to offset the costs of the uninsurable.