Trick or treat

[Edwina's Secretary]

Sara,
Talk to Nommilyn or Slick about their healthcare system. While geographically similar in size, but not exactly in population. Slick has to PAY for a supplement just to get into a Doctor WHEN SHE WANTS and for TESTS THAT SHE NORMALLY HAS TO WAIT FOR. Have YOU ever had an HMO? I don't have to try drugs to know they're bad for me....or go to a quack doctor to know its not a good idea.

You've had experience with American bureaucracy, have you seen many well-run, consumer/people-benefiting government agencies that actually DO what they're supposed to do? When ones health is at stake....you have NOTHING else without it.

I do have experience with Healthcare right here. If you want a PPO rather than an HMO...so you can see a doctor of your choice -- you pay more. The very same thing as Slick has to do. I fail to see the difference.

Kelly, have you ever been down on your luck and had to collect unemployment insurance? If so, you're welcome. My taxes pay for that. And I will not call you any of the names you have plastered on others who accept assistance from the government.

I don't like to see anyone -- especially children -- who cannot get medical care because of our system.

I think I can safely guarantee I pay more taxes than you do. Of course I do not enjoy paying them. But I consider it the price I pay to live in what I hope is a civilized society.

I have been fortunate in the parents to whom I was born, the education I receive, my ability to use my talents to make a good living. I do not take those things for granted.

But I do recognize not everyone has had the same advantages. And I have compassion for those who are less fortunate -- who have a more difficult time in life.

If some of the money I earn goes to helping them have adequate medical care -- I am okay with that.

[Puckstop31]

The health care thing.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

The most telling quote, IMHO.

"People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying for it so they could get it for free," said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. "I don't believe that was the intent of the program."

Well, DUH.

Now, what do we think happens when this happens on a national scale?

I understand a need for a better way to cover more people. Whatever that answer is, it is NOT the government doing it.

[NoahsMommy]

Oh jeesh! You know very well what I mean....

Again, please take what I say with your knowledge of ME!

Sara, I love you to no end, but please, read what I write with some context in mind. I don't have time to argue each and every comment I make, although I stand by them.

I strictly stated that this was regarding people that CHOOSE to only work part-time and CHOOSE to rely on the government for the rest of whatever they owe, want or are responsible for. We ALL know these people. Also the people that complain they only make a certain amount of money, but don't TRY to get another p/t job or educate/train themselves to better their situation - WITH government help is FINE with me!!! I agree that we ALL need help now and then, but don't take $$ from people who've earned it the hard way to give to people that EXPECT IT.

I hope that's clear.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I strictly stated that this was regarding people that CHOOSE to only work part-time and CHOOSE to rely on the government for the rest of whatever they owe, want or are responsible for. We ALL know these people. Also the people that complain they only make a certain amount of money, but don't TRY to get another p/t job or educate/train themselves to better their situation - WITH government help is FINE with me!!! I agree that we ALL need help now and then, but don't take $$ from people who've earned it the hard way to give to people that EXPECT IT.

I hope that's clear.

Sorry Kelly. I am not with you on this one. You are prepared to judge the worthiness of others' claims. I am not....nor will I not judge your worthiness to receive assistance from the government.

I don't expect other people to live the way I do, to want the things I want, to make the choices I made to get where I am.

Somewhere I read "Judge not lest you be judged." It seems to me to be a good rule to live by.

[Nomilynn]

Since I am Canadian I won't be voting, but I feel the need to mention something about the Canadian health care system.

I am a diabetic, and have been for a long time now. I pay for basic health premiums (MSP), based on my income, that allows me to see a doctor at any time or go to a hospital at any time without having to concern myself with a hefty bill later on. It adds up to a piddly $54 a month. In my opinion, that is not a very large cost for piece of mind.

I was just laid off from my job, so I have now been unemployed for 2 weeks. I am looking for work every day, but I at least know that because I pay this premium, I will be able to continue to see my doctors, get blood tests, and go to the hospital if needed, even though I have no income.

When I get a job, I will hopefully be able to sign up for an extended medical program through the employer that will cover any medications that aren't covered by my MSP (such as antibiotics, etc). However, even if I can't get an extended plan, I will still be covered by MSP once I have paid my deductable, which I believe is $500. Since I pay that in one month for medication, I would be fine after January of next year. I just have to keep paying my $54 per month.

I had surgery last year that was covered, I will be seeing a specialist in a month or so due to a knee injury that will be covered, and when that needs surgery, I won't have to pay for that either. I would be in a very serious condition if I didn't have this MSP to help. This system can and does work - I don't know about other countries or even other provinces but I know that without this program, I would not be able to afford the medication needed to keep me alive.

[Glacier]

This system can and does work - I don't know about other countries or even other provinces but I know that without this program, I would not be able to afford the medication needed to keep me alive.

We don't pay health care premiums in the Yukon. We did when we lived in Alberta. Each province sets that up differently. I can say that the system works when it's truly needed. My husband suffered a serious head and neck injury last fall, potentially life threatening. We did not wait in the ER. We went straight in, had a doctor in with him immediately, a CT scan in under 30 minutes, pain control almost immediately, a hospital stay.....no bill when we left.

Because of where we live we have limited access to specialists locally. A few come up here throughout the year for clinics and surgeries. However, costs are covered to fly to Vancouver or Calgary to see specialist. The wait list for non-urgent referrals, about 3 months. For urgent referrals, serious injuries ect, a medi-vac plane is on stand-by 24/7, 365 days a year.

I have a 15 year old nephew currently battling cancer. The time from initial suspicions to diagnosis to starting treatment...72 hours. Financial cost to his family, nothing. No risk that they will loose their savings, their home, ect while they try to save their son. I can't imagine having to worry about the hospital bills when my child or my spouse is fighting for their life.

I have a great benefit plan at work that covers 80% of all prescriptions. If a Yukon resident develops a chronic disease, like diabetes, MS ect, all costs for drugs, adaptive equipment, doctors ect are covered under the Chronic Disease Program.

I won't drive to Alaska for the afternoon(an easy trip from my house) without buying medical coverage. Just not worth the risk.

The portion of my taxes that goes towards our medical system is the one part I don't mind paying at all!

[Catlady711]

Ron Paul for President!


If that fails.....

Pat Pauson for President!


If that fails....

Gallagher for President!!!

[JenBKR]

Somewhere I read "Judge not lest you be judged." It seems to me to be a good rule to live by.

It's from the bible, book of Matthew.


I do agree with you Kelly, in a sense. I think that welfare can be a good thing, but that it is abused by some people. I believe that people who can work, should work. I hope I can explain this well...I believe that you can't help someone who can't help themselves. People who can work, but choose not to and live on welfare, are actually hurting themselves by not getting out into the workplace. Earning your own money and place in the world gives one a sense of belonging and accomplishment.

I am not saying that welfare, unemployment, and other such programs are bad, and I want to make that clear. I think that there are lots of people who use them who seriously need them, and I don't look down on anyone who is on welfare or the like. I myself was on unemployment for three months years ago when the company I was working for suddenly closed. Personally, I didn't like it. To me, I get more of a sense of worth by earning my pay. I hope that what I am saying is making sense...it's making sense in my head but sometimes that's hard to convey in writing

[NoahsMommy]

I understand a need for a better way to cover more people. Whatever that answer is, it is NOT the government doing it.

AGREED!!

I agree that EVERYONE deserves care and treatment - 500%!!! If you cannot afford it, there are programs, if they aren't in place, they SHOULD BE!