Not Everything in America Has to Make a Profit
Thread started by
HappyLand at 07.24.09 - 9:54 am
"How about this for a New Rule: Not everything in America has to make a profit. It used to be that there were some services and institutions so vital to our nation that they were exempt from market pressures. Some things we just didn't do for money. The United States always defined capitalism, but it didn't used to define us. But now it's becoming all that we are."
Read the rest.
Thoughts?
The healthcare issue hits me the hardest as I am now learning how to navigate insurance and doctor's bills on my own. I literally cannot afford the lab bills for my annual pap smear/STD testing, which is all preventative and necessary to remain healthy. I have insurance but it's a $500 deductible with a $40 co-pay.
Btw, anyone know any solutions to this situation? Where are places I can receive affordable treatment even though I have insurance? I seriously cannot make the deductible or $100 lab fees and I need to start getting pap smears every six months now to monitor my HPV (Yup, I have an STD that you probably have too - do your research!). I haven't been to the dentist in forever either, although my teeth seem to be holding up under my cleaning regiment.
reply
Depending on your income, have you checked out the Every Woman Counts program?
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cancerdetection/Pages/CancerDetectionProgramsEveryWomanCounts.aspx
alicestrong07.24.09 - 10:07 am
reply
No I haven't checked it out, thanks for the suggestion. It's something that's kinda stressing me out : {
HappyLand responding to a
comment by alicestrong
07.24.09 - 10:14 am
reply
There is nothing glamorous in being poor. I've been poor. I've eaten enough ramen. I work hard and one of the dividends of my sweat is $$$. Always the have nots are clamoring to spread the weath because they have nothing to throw into the pot. It's up to you and you alone to get ahead in this world. You want something expect to work for it and don't expect anything to come easy.
rev106 responding to a
comment by HappyLand
07.24.09 - 10:19 am
reply
KEEP ON WORKING PEOPLE ON WELFARE RELY ON YOU
palucha66 responding to a
comment by rev106
07.24.09 - 10:22 am
reply
No, I don't expect anything to ever come easy, and I agree that being poor is not fun, and I can't even eat Ramen because I am allergic to it : { I am not in the worse situation by any means and I know there are people facing far more dire challenges. If anything, these years will help shape me into a stronger more interesting person.
But when it comes to healthcare, the system seems so sleazy, which is why the article appealed to me. At twenty-four, I am in good shape as far as my health goes, so it ain't all that bad, but perhaps I was a little naive when I went to this new gynecologist and didn't do my research (I read through all the insurance paperwork and understood the pap smear and STD testing to be part of preventative testing and covered entirely, didn't realize I'd have to also call around to check doctor prices). The whole trip cost me $200, which no, is not a lot of money, but still difficult for me to come up with.
And I'd like to think that if I ever had enough spare money, I'd be more than happy to throw it into the pot for everyone else to use. But maybe I am young and naiiiveeeeeeeee.
HappyLand responding to a
comment by rev106
07.24.09 - 10:31 am
reply
HappyLand - Check out planned parenthood. They usually have a sliding scale for people with limited funds, and should be able to help.
JB responding to a
comment by HappyLand
07.24.09 - 10:42 am
reply
Cut the medical malpractice lobby out of the general equation and doctors will be able to do their job without the threat of having to be sued for some asinine reason.
bentstrider07.24.09 - 10:44 am
reply
Yah I've been before when I had NO insurance and when I was a teenager and having sex under my parents' radar (Though I am sure they had their suspicions). When I went again, I had insurance and was told I'd have to pay like $200 upfront. At the time I didn't know I could have told them that I have insurance but cannot afford the deductible. Next time I think I will call ahead and ask many more questions. It's difficult because I don't quite qualify as low income.
Fortunately, my kindness has been rewarded and people have helped me out in several ways. My ear, nose, and throat doctor intentionally undercharged me (I have really bad sinuses, so this is something I need), but the gynecologist was awful. Her name is Nancy Goldman - don't go there. She is really insensitive and unsympathetic. I went cause she's my friend's doctor, but totally not worth it. The office's lab, however, was really sweet to me, and worked out a deal so I can make small monthly payments without interest.
HappyLand responding to a
comment by JB
07.24.09 - 10:54 am
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
I smell trolls. 