Rosalie, if you want to provide more money for SCHIP, I suggest you pick up a few cartons of smokes.

Rosalie

Where is the money going to come from? With Obama’s unemployment rate increasing, hyper-inflation coming and increased taxes from “The Chosen One’s” desire to drive up utility costs with cap and trade, and his exorbant defecit spending, we will lucky to have the “change” he was speaking of.

Rosalie, I think that all of us should just take whatever is left from our income after the government decides what we can have after they have taken out all the money they want for whatever programs that liberals decide. After all, it’s the governments money. We are only the worker bees anyway. In fact, maybe they should have all rights to all savings and property that they want too. Hmmmmm. I know they have a name for that but it just isnt coming to me at this time. I wonder what they call that?

Health care is not a right!!!If people want health care, let them buy it like the rest of us working Americans do. I should not have to pay for someone’s doctor. Let them get a job and then they can pay to see a doctor. Simple, isn’t it? Why do these libtards think health care is a right?

“Health care is a human right not a privilege.” A right? Provided by whom?

Dave—

They call that, just like evertything ELSE you say, the same thing–BS

Rosalie,

Great Letter!

The Missouri Hospital Assoc. has agreed to donate the millions needed to receive the federal funds from our government.

It is a win win situation that must implemented NOW!

The “Pro-Life” Republicans are hypocrites and using their same old selfish one way mentality. They do not care about living humans only those in the womb or cells in a petri dish.

To use the excuse that this would only be a temporary fix for one time stimulus money is a lie. NO STIMULUS MONEY IS NEEDED. With the Hospital Assoc. paying the bill to receive federal funds is the way it would work.

Wake up you narrow minded simpletons! Citizens of this State need help NOW, even if it is a temporary, it will help the neediest down and out of our state to go to the Doctor when they need to, not the emergency room when they are on their death bed.

You selfish neocons do not get it. You are paying for the un-insured now. Your premiums, deductables, and co-pays go up every year to cover the cost of the uninsured that arrive in the emergency room and need medical attention to stay alive. You guys are clueless!!!!!
Meanwhile the Insurance and Pharmaceutical Companies get richer, the insured pay more every year, and the un-insured go without a Doctor and continue to get sicker. How is this working for ya????

Join REALITY! Think of someone besides yourself! Amazedbythelunacy has a real thoughtful suggestion, buy some smokes. What a disgrace and selfish human being. Are we not one nation under God? Dubya refused to fund SCHIP for the less fortunate children of our great Country, while allowing our tax dollars to enable Halliburton to make Billions from the War in Iraq. I guess Halliburton’s profit is okay, but giving those without a chance to see a Doctor is NOT!

HYPOCRITES IS WHAT YOU ARE!

Shame on some of you!! What would Jesus do? Would he cast these people out as you would? Or would he help them and comfort them. Shame on you!! You will have to answer for your indiscretions some day. I hope you are prepared.

Hey debra, it isn’t my idea to support SCHIP with higher tobacco tax. It’s the idea of the greatest president ever.

Define “less fortunate” for us. At what point should SCHIP or medicaid stop covering a child?

Pulled this from Missouri’s MC+ site….

#3 Q. Who is eligible and what are the income guidelines?
A. Children, ages birth to 19, whose gross family income is up to 300% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. For example, a child (or children) in a family of three making less than $4,150 per month could be eligible for MC+.

Family of 3 can get coverage making 4150 a month? Seems pretty generous to me. Why all the complaints?

http://www.mcplus.org/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=2A0EA6DE-DACE-6DD0-738E8392F91CAF40

“…Shame on some of you!!…You will have to answer for your indiscretions some day. I hope you are prepared.”
— Br. Thomas
11:17 am March 31st, 2009

amen, bother…

amen

Logic,

As of today it is estimated that 815,000 citizens of Missouri currently have NO health insurance. In 1999 there were 344,000 un-insured. This is an increase of 137% in 10 years.

Define “less fortunate”: 815,000 people without health insurance!!!

Missouri has one of the strictest eligibility standards for Medicaid. In our state a single mother with 2 kids could NOT earn more than $3,700/a year to qualify. That is 1/5th of the federal poverty level or $71.00/a week. This is how our great state of Missouri creates eligibility.

Not sure where you got your facts but they are wrong. The federal guidelines do not apply in our state. 1/5th of the Federal poverty level is used in our state per YEAR not MONTH. Ask Matt Blunt and all the Republicans in this state how their formula works.

In fact what you are saying is that I (AmazedbytheLunacy) have health insurance and I do not care about those that do not. Not my problem! They must of made bad choices are were born into the wrong family! You and your kind “have” and the “have nots” are unworthy of any assistance.

Read my link stupid. My figures come from the MC+ website. Based on their guidelines, NO child in Missouri should be uncovered unless their parents are complete idiots and selfish to boot.

The MC+ looks damn generous to me meaning all kids in Missouri have the opportunity to be covered. I’m not gonna shed tears if people are too stupid to register.

That single mother of two needs to find the fathers because she didn’t wake up with two kids. I also see no law that says they CAN’T make more than 3700. In fact, I can guarantee you they are free to make 30, 40, 50, hell 100 thousand a year. Why be a complete freaking bum just so you can get healtcare coverage provided by the state? Why not better your damn self and buy your own coverage? Why?

Read my link STUPID!

Now there you go! Your link is wrong! The state of Missouri has their OWN guidelines PERIOD. The children may or may not get the health care but MAMA does not! If the loser Republicans in our State Congress pass up this offer by the Missouri Hospital Assoc. they will have to answer to a higher being at some point in their life. You know those Senators and Reps. that work part time but get full time benefits. They get health insurance provided for them even though most have other jobs that offer the same. How great is that, they have 2 choices in health coverage, while denying the less fortunate to have any choice. Now that is Hypocrisy!

Debating an issue with a neocon is waste of time anyway. It requires thinking outside “the box” which neocons are not capable of.

Thanks for calling me stupid, it made my day!

815,000 UNINSURED IN THIS STATE AND I AM STUPID!

“…Read my link stupid…”
— Amazedbythelunacy
12:11 pm March 31st, 2009

wow…

what negotiating skills…

and you were wrong!!!

lol.

Give it time debra, soon everyone will have health coverage and we will be the third world nation you want us to be.

Wake up you narrow minded simpletons!
— debrasgd3
10:59 am March 31st, 2009

My response came after this post by Mrs. Debra.

Since you both are too stupid to realize that all children of lower income families in Missouri are eligible under MC+ according to the MC+ website, I will post the actual income breakdown chart. Hopefully, you aren’t too dumb to read it.

http://www.mcplus.org/resource/20070418/fd98070c-c09f-1e1c-6b3ed0ac407d806c/093130/MC+%20Income%20Guidelines%20April%201%202007.pdf

Amazed–

Help me out here…

Who ARE those 815,000 Missouri citizens without health insurance ?

Who ARE those 815,000 Missouri citizens without health insurance ?
— HKCHAS
2:23 pm March 31st, 2009

The answer is in you question. Most are probably Missouri citizens without health insurance due to numerous reasons.

I know one thing. None of them should be children, as the MC+ program as it sits today, is generous in my book. In fact, I’m thinking about wrapping it up and being a house husband. My wife can cover the bills, MC+ can cover the kids insurance, and I can go fishing all day.

Amazed–

That’s odd. The state says fully 10% of ALL children in the state are uninsured.

Where did you get your numbers

HK, I didn’t say no children are uninsured. I said no children SHOULD be uninsured with the generous allowances of the MC+ program.

My guess is that the 10% of children you use have parents that are either too dumb or too lazy to fill out the correct forms or parents that don’t care enough to do so.

We can’t prevent idiots from breeding, so I guess we just have to deal with the consequences.

A fairly recent study on the why’s being asked here. Seems to be some merit to parents simply not doing it. Shame on them.

http://www.rwjf.org/files/publications/other/Research%20Brief%203%5B6%5D.pdf

Bud–

Interesting stuff

Thanks

amazed: Family of 3 can get coverage making 4150 a month? Seems pretty generous to me.

I think it is only fair to point out that families pay PREMIUMS in the MC+ program. You conveniently left out that fact.

(LINK) MC+ Monthly Premiums
Premiums are between $11.00 and $282.00 a month, depending on family size and income.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And amazed, regarding your comments on Medicare earlier…
Medicare is by far more efficient than private insurance. Patients are more satisfied with Medicare than private insurance. Doctors are more satisfied with Medicare in many respects than private insurance. I provided links for all of those facts in the other thread.

You linked to an article about Medicare fraud. I already pointed out that Congress refuses to fund anti-fraud measures for Medicare. Why? Private insurance companies have lobbyists working overtime to make sure Medicare is not successful. Provide anti-fraud funding… problem solved.

You also linked to an article about the financial troubles of Medicare. Congress needs to address this issue. Obama wants to eliminate the subsidies to private Medicare Advantage policies (they can’t compete with straight Medicare - Duh!). That’s a good start. We also need to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. But do you seriously think switching all seniors to private insurance, which has at least 20% HIGHER OVERHEAD, is the solution??? That’s CRAZY talk. And how many seniors would even be allowed to purchase a private policy? I’m thinking very, very few, and even then only at exorbitant prices.

Of course, the biggest cost savings would come from a single payer system… $400 billion. We could cover all of the uninsured, take care of Medicare’s finances, and still have money left over. It’s a no-brainer, really.

amazed: I said no children SHOULD be uninsured with the generous allowances of the MC+ program.

Any family with a child with a pre-existing condition and an income over the MC+ limits will be UNABLE to purchase health insurance for that child.

(LINK) Congress tight with Medicare anti-fraud funds
For years, Medicare has begged Congress to help stop the loss of billions of dollars to healthcare scams from Miami to Los Angeles.

Congress’ blunt response: Forgetaboutit.

Since 2006, Medicare administrators have asked Congress for $300 million to fight fraud, but Congress has refused to give them any money.

Why? Distrust of the agency that runs the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. Political indifference to the Medicare fraud crisis itself. Plus, influential lobbyists and campaign donors who dislike government meddling in the huge healthcare industry.

All have undermined any attempts to cure what ails Medicare — a 43-year-old program threatened by not only runaway costs but also unbridled fraud, as a Miami Herald series documented last week.

superdave,
In the event of a serious illness or accident, would you REALLY let your daughter or your wife die before you would use Medicaid or SCHIP? Yes or No. It’s a simple question.

Lisa, I didn’t leave anything out. The link I posted shows all income breakdowns and premiums required.

Medicare is busted. The same people that allowed it to be busted, whether as a result of not funding fraud detection or wasteful spending, are the same folks you would like controlling healthcare for ALL of us. Doesn’t seem logical.

How much would the cost of medicare go up if we added in fraud detection? My guess is your “low-overhead” figure would quickly rise.

Again, you have more what-ifs than anyone I’ve ever seen in my life. To try to paint someone in the corner with a “would you let your daughter die or take government money” is the same as “have you stopped beating your wife?” Both stupid and illogical questions.

I was kind enough to answer it anyway. I would never let my kin die. I would sell everything I own and set up a payment program and work every hour of everyday to pay any debt I should owe before I resorted to taxpayer funded coverage. That’s the difference in you and me. I am willing to make the sacrifices for my family’s well-being. You are not and instead hope government will do it for you. Ultimate display of greed on your part.

‘…I would never let my kin die. I would sell everything I own and set up a payment program and work every hour of everyday to pay any debt I should owe before I resorted to taxpayer funded coverage. Thats the difference in you and me. I am willing to make the sacrifices for my family’s well-being…’–” Amazedbythelunacy
10:45 am April 1st, 2009

i can hear the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ playing in the background…

as the lunatic preaches from his soap box…

brings a tear to your eye…

doesn’t it?

hey uncle looney…

tellz uz about da time ya rassled that big bar ‘gain, will ya?

— Amazedbythelunacy
“I would never let my kin die. I would sell everything I own . . work . . to pay any debt I should owe before I resorted to taxpayer funded coverage. That’s the difference in you and me. I am willing to make the sacrifices for my family’s well-being. You are not and instead hope government will do it for you. . ”
.
Have you forgotten that you may have already paid for these services with your taxes?
.
Be easier on your family by maximizing your resources by tapping into whatever you have invested in, even if it was involuntary like through withholding tax. If you get to that situation and fit the criteria for assistance pitch your pride and reduce the stress on yourself and family by collecting on your investment. You’ve already paid in.

amazed: How much would the cost of medicare go up if we added in fraud detection? My guess is your “low-overhead” figure would quickly rise.

It is widely reported that there is $60 billion of Medicare fraud annually. Each $1 spent on anti-fraud efforts returns on average $10 (see link below). So, it would take $6 billion to eliminate $60 billion of fraud.

$6 billion/$456 billion (total Medicare budget) = 1.3%
3% (current overhead) + 1.3% = 4.3%

4.3% is STILL a heck of a lot LESS overhead than the 11-25% overhead of private insurance.

Plus, you also have the savings from doctors offices, hospitals, clinics, etc. not having so much billing expense. AND, there is also a savings from employers who no longer have to administer a health insurance benefit.

(LINK)Medicare agency stymied in quest for ‘a pound of cure’
Depending on the type of activity, there’s a return of 7 to 14 dollars based on one dollar invested to fight fraud.

amazed: Medicare is busted. The same people that allowed it to be busted, whether as a result of not funding fraud detection or wasteful spending, are the same folks you would like controlling healthcare for ALL of us.

Medicare is being sabotaged by the health care industry, which is scared to death of a successful public health insurance option. They KNOW they can’t compete. If we could stop the health insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry from pumping our representatives with big bucks and thus controlling our Congress… Medicare could be properly funded and fraud could be stopped.

However, I’m not aware of “wasteful spending” in Medicare… would you like to be more specific? Although, I DO have an example of wasteful spending in the private sector… William W. McGuire, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, received an annual salary of $124.8 million in 2005. I wonder how many claims were denied and policies canceled, in order to pay him that much money… Murder. By. Spreadsheet.

superdave,
Still waiting. In the event of a serious illness or accident, would you REALLY let your daughter or your wife die before you would use Medicaid or SCHIP? Yes or No. Even “amazed” gave me an answer… although I wasn’t asking him and I can’t figure out if he said yes or no. I already knew if his kid had a brain tumor he would do the operation himself with a chainsaw and a blowtorch.

Lisa, I wouldn’t use government healthcare because these people need it more…

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FREQUENT_ER_PATIENTS?SITE=MOPAR&SECTION=TOP_STORIES&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

If you don’t see this as a sign of wastefulness and incompetence, you are beyond help. But we already knew that.

“One thing he found shocking was how agreeable Medicare was in paying his phony claims, even after patients whose names were used without permission filed complaints. “Why is Medicare paying” he asked. “Medicare keeps on paying, so who’s at fault? I think the government is at fault, the government doesn’t have any control of this.”

The man said stealing from Medicare can be a very lucrative endeavor. “If in a year you want $6 million or $8 million you can do it.”

— Amazedbythelunacy
“Lisa, I wouldn’t use government healthcare because these people need it more…”
.
You live in Austin?

lisa, if medicare fraud costs an estimated 60 bill a year covering only 45 million a year, wouldn’t it be fair to say that the number would multiply 6-fold when you cover the entire 300 million people in this nation?

I’m looking forward to government wasting 360 billion a year. Woohoo!!

Add that to Social Security fraud and we’ll be broke as a nation much quicker.

Sweet!!!!!