Does anyone else rely on the emergency room alone for medical care?

[Anonymous]

Im 23 living in America. I work 2 part times jobs. Neither one offers health insurance. And I can't afford it out of pocket. And I don't qualify for state Aid either. If I ever get seriously injured or sick I'm doomed. Anyone else have this problem?

[moaterboat]

I'm 31, going back to school after serving in the military, working a part time job that doesn't offer insurance. So I am pretty much in the same boat, though I never go to the emergency room because I never need to. Regardless it sucks, and the root cause of the problem is all the government regulation on health insurance that makes it impossible to get bare-bones coverage for young healthy people. All companies have to ensure all the really sick/unhealthy people, which drives up the costs for everyone. It is legally impossible for an insurance company to offer me a cheap plan to protect me if I get hit by a car or fall off my roof or something stupid like that. It has to be bundled with a whole bunch of other coverage I don't need.

[jacquesvol]

Congratulations.

That's the way Teabaggers like it. Moreover, they hope you aren't overpaid.

[ladsin]

the teabaggers have nothing to do with that, I believe your talking about the people who don't want even higher taxes to pay for people who have every opportunity for health care, and I do not know about this mans particular but I know my dad works two full time jobs to provide for his family, he does not ask for others money like many people do...

[moaterboat]

Actually, the typical tea-partier would love it if health insurance could be sold across state lines, because competition always drives down costs, but government regulation screws things up, as always. Once again you are off base jacquesvol, but at least you are consistently off base, that's got to count for something

[DebiPie]

You can go to your county health dept. & see a dr. there. You will be put on a sliding fee scale, based on income. Call ahead & see when & where the dr. will be. You can make an appt. You will get good care because they are they regular dr.s from your community that volunteer there.

[goflipaburger]

I'm on the same boat. I worked 3 part time jobs and a weekend job last year without healthcare. It was so scary.

Thankfully, my university gave me an extra 2k in scholarship, so I'm using it go get student healthcare.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm in the same boat, but I'm never ill. I don't spend my time worrying about something that may or may not happen. If I get sick, so be it. It doesn't bother me. Insurance companies try to rip you off anyway. That's why I have a problem the government stepping in. Two entities coming together to f*** us every way from Sunday. Awesome!

[ladsin]

you have two jobs and can't afford 100 bucks a month? that doesn't seem very likely you must have some sh*tty jobs and you probably don't qualify because you are, or can be claimed as a dependent if so you might want to ask parents and or family for help. no I don't have that problem though I'm covered by two health cares (my mom is one, and my dad is another)

[DebiPie]

It's very easy to be judgmental of others when you have others taking care of you or you have for yourself. That is true ignorance. Turning your head away from those in need. I hope you are never in need & people turn away from you.

[ladsin]

hmm being ignorant and believing everything you hear without questioning is terrible. yes I have been in need and people have turned away every time so its not something I would like someone like you commenting on without a single f***ing clue as to who I am... thank you, as well I was never being judgmental I asked a question and made a suggestion when I was working one part-time job I made ~1000 dollars a month at minimum wage so if he's working to full time jobs that's 24000 a year...

[Shaun]

Health insurance isn't 100 a month, when I lost mine it would have cost me 1100 a month to continue coverage.

[ladsin]

its hard to believe that you cannot afford minimum healthcare on that salary and I know because I've worked in shelters before that if you are below the poverty line you can get free healthcare

[ladsin]

and @ shaun I would recomend looking at other companies because I had to do some research not long ago and found a base minimum coverage with a few companies for less than 600, I did not mean to say 100 that you got me on

[Shaun]

Our system is broken ladsin. We can and should do better.

[goflipaburger]

ladsin, I don't think you have an understanding for this situation.

Not everyone has the support systems and access that you do. Just because you have 100+ at leisure doesn't mean I do.

[ladsin]

oh I definitley agree that our system is very broken, very broken indeed, but I see the problem as being the socialistic ideals that are we are turning to. government health care is not the answer. it should not be the riches responsibility to take care of the poor, I'm sorry but that is simply stealing to take money from them to pay for people who do not have the work ethic to make money on their own. (I understand that not all people who need government money are lazy or whatever, but many )

[ladsin]

abuse the system

[ladsin]

@ goflipaburger thank you for the comment. sure my parents have some money, my mother went to college and graduated with an acting degree but when she had me switched to law (paralegal to provide for me), my father did not go to college and now works two full time jobs 18+ hours a day and sleeps in his car most nights, so I do have a bit of leisure but it is because of the work ethic and sacrifices of my parents, and I have to pay for my own things I used to work 38 hrs a week so I could save

[ladsin]

money and now I don't have to work during the school year. if I need money I have connections (that I went out and made) to get myself a job

[Shaun]

ladsin, the US pays TWICE as much PER CAPITA as any other nation with universal health care.

We're far more expensive and our care is worse. jaquesvol is 100% correct. It's the teabagger mentality which is to blame.

[goflipaburger]

Like I said access and leisure. Your parents seem to sacrifice a lot, not everyone has parents who can sacrifice. Not everyone has parents. Having an understanding of work ethic and struggle isn't the same as having an understanding for poverty. Your opinion is no different from most of middle/upper class Americans who don't understand poverty.

By the way, when I go to the emergency room without health insurance the average tax payer pays twice of what they would pay for universal healthcare.

[ladsin]

at guy democratic views (taxes and minimum wage) are what makes employers not want to employ people the teabags merely want less taxes (as far as I see) and that would promote national wealth, and really because I hear that al of the people from countries that have national health care hate it... (yes I know some russians and canadians) as for the girl, whether or not your parents provide for you does not dictate whether or not your poor. under that impression my dad who had no father after 15

[ladsin]

and had absolutely no money with 6 brothers and sisters who merely worked any job he could to now make over 100,000 dollars is not possible. or my aunt who worked her ass off in school and got accepted at west point and is now rich, or my uncle who also had all the shortcomings and joined the military and is now the richest of them all could not do it. I'm saying every person has opportunities whether or not they accept those is another matter entirely, and cool you take money from all those

[ladsin]

hardworking people in the form of taxes, I understand that some people have it harder than others but still say all have opportunities look at most of the rappers. I also know a girl who sold herself at the age of 13 to provide for her brothers and sisters (now of course I'm not saying that tihs is good in any way shape or form, just again showing that all have the ability its just a matter of what your willing to give up)

[goflipaburger]

Okay, so because you know people who have done it everyone should be able to. Haha, alright. Humble beginnings don't mean much in terms of understanding when you clearly don't understand.

And yes, I do take from the system. Shamelessly, too. They're my taxes just as much as they are yours. You aren't the only ones paying taxes, and if you genuinely want to put up a fight about it we should just get universal healthcare.

Countries who have it don't complain. They take pride in it.

[ladsin]

ok, so because some people can not afford health care the wealthy must pay for their health care? and yes my taxes are actually more than urs since you like to comment on the fact that my parents are wealthy. we have a graduated income system which means my family must pay substantially more than you or your family will/ would have to. taking taxes from me and my family to use for others health care is stealing in the most basic sense and if a government starts by stealing from me to pay for

[ladsin]

your healthcare it will also then probly go to your secondary education, then your ease after.

[Asker]

ladsin wether you like it or not you are ALREADY people for other peoples healthcare right now. There called prisoners. It is considered unconstitutional to deny them medical care. Maybe its not the highest quality. Who do you think pays for them since they have no income? You and I the taxpayers. You would rather see you taxes spent on a pointless war in the middle east killing people and paying for prisoners rather than your fellow Americans?

[goflipaburger]

I never mentioned my family income, so you can go ahead and take all those statements back. and my secondary education is entirely funded by a private university-- which has nothing to do with your taxes.

And it's not stealing, it's part of the system. Don't like it? Leave or do something about it.

[ladsin]

ah now that you ask thank you no, I think that we should not be in a war in the middle east, I see no need for it and it is merely a drain on our economy and that people in prison should have much much less, there are even cases where people commit crimes to get sent into prison in order to receive healthcare free food and a bed. they can also get education etc. so I think it is completely wrong that they get so much I would love for my money to go to people who try to work hard and get out of

[ladsin]

their predicament please do not misunderstand me for a moment. but I am forced to pay for them, and prisoners, and war, and for whatever the government wants so I would like to limit my spending where I can. plus if I had control over punishment there would be much much less people committing crimes but alas I have no control over it.

[ladsin]

ur right you did not you merely talking about poverty like it was your cross to bear and for that I assume I should say sorry, OK then your family pays for your specific stuff I was more talking about poor people, I can forsee it changing from healthcare to education, then to leisure... and just so you know I give to charity and work at a place where people receive free healthcare so I do no it is possible for people who are under the poverty margin.

[goflipaburger]

I vouch for public education. I don't want the people around me to be dumb as shoes when I grow old. I want to live in a functional society, with minimal crime. The biggest reason for crime is poverty, poverty can be averted with education because education provides you with skills. With skills you can work at a job that does provide healthcare. It's circular logic to think otherwise.

As a society, we provide almost nothing yet complain about crime rates and such. It's nonsensical and illogical

[ladsin]

hmm I've never complained about crimes if you are mentioning me, and we already have public education... people just drop out or refuse to do the work. again back to my thing about work ethic

[goflipaburger]

I didn't mean you specifically. And it's not about work ethic. Public education in America means squat; I would know, I write policy for the Dep of Education AND teach part-time. It's not made to work, especially not in the poor areas. It's built to fail, and that's a fact.. but aside from the point :P

[ladsin]

a fact? hmm no that's an opinion... fact can be proven your stance can be taken different by many different people. as well I live in the state the has the second lowest education. yet I am a fairly smart individual and have been selected to go to many prestigious medical conventions because of this. and I am one of the dumbest people in my grade (grade wise). education is merely facts that are taught, math is not false, perhaps a teacher will not teach all that is needed or students get passed

[goflipaburger]

You're just an exception that proves the rule. Places like Brazil and Mexico have better education than we do when it comes to reading proficiency. link

But of course it's easier to blame it on the children and the families and their work ethic :P It could never be the system, no.

[Asker]

Alirght guys I appreciate the answers but can we please end the arguement now? Thanks.

[moaterboat]

$100 a month is way off, insurance companies need to make money off the young healthy people, because they lose money on the old sick people.

[ladsin]

im going to respect the QA and not go into this again but I did mention in this that I was exasperating but was making the point that with two jobs he should be able to afford it

[Sk8ergirl]

What about your parents if you aren't 21 yet? Are you American or a green card holder? You should consider switching jobs if wages are that bad lol.