How do people live without medical insurance?

[jvalentine98]

I understand insurance can be expensive and not everyone can get it. However, if you get really sick or injured and have a prolonged hospital stay, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands, even millions in debt.

Now none of us asked to be born, or be on this earth. Life is not a matter of choice, at least in the beginning, like how say going to see a movie is a matter of choice. But, living healthy is seemingly a privilege for those who can afford it.

If something major happened, and you knew you were going to be under the stress of major bills, that you will likely never pay off, even it takes the rest of your life, would just rather say "Pull the plug doc, I'd be better off dead than working just to pay you back?"

[bryan_65]

If I would have had insurance through my work for my wife and I, I would have thrown away over $15k in premiums. I have not went to the doctor once. Hell most people's deductibles are 5k now plus 1k or 2k in premiums. So you would have to pay at least 6k ever year before insurance would even pay a dime.

[jvalentine98]

If I would have had insurance through my work for my wife and I, I would have thrown away over $15k in premiums. I have not went to the doctor once. Hell most people's deductibles are 5k now plus 1k or 2k in premiums. So you would have to pay at least 6k ever year before insurance would even pay a dime.

I think that's what pisses me off about Obama's insurance thing. If I didn't all ready have insurance through my job, I would say screw you Obama, fine me and take it out of my federal income taxes (which is how they will collect the fine.)

[prfsnl_gmr]

If you don't have insurance and require medical attention, you basically say, "Screw you, society! I am a free-rider! I take medical care and don't pay for it! Suckers!!!!" (Not having health insurance in our society also violates the categorical imperative.)

.....

Personally, I think that the United States should universal, basic health care paid for through everyone's taxes (basically, medicare for everyone paid through something close to a head tax). We can, as a society, afford to provide basic health care to all of our citizens; providing basic health care to all of our citizens (coupled with reducing the barriers to entry in medical professions) would drastically reduce the costs of health care over the long term; and nothing about providing basic health care to all of our citizens would prevent certain members of our society from purchsing better or extra health care if they so desired.

"Obamacare" is a small step in that direction; so, as much as the people complain about it, I think it is sound policy.

[JsGameRoom]

If I would have had insurance through my work for my wife and I, I would have thrown away over $15k in premiums. I have not went to the doctor once. Hell most people's deductibles are 5k now plus 1k or 2k in premiums. So you would have to pay at least 6k ever year before insurance would even pay a dime.

Your logic is flawed..

What happens IF you get sick? You just go into debt? You have insurance because of WHAT IF.. .. Trust me.. you may think it's throwing away money.. .But let's just say you DO get crazy sick or your wife does.. then what?


And wait wait... most peoples deductibles are 5k? ....Jesus christ what kind of shit insurance do you think a lot of people have?

My deductible is 1/5th of that, with zero premiums.

[marurun]

Deductibles of 5k are pretty normal, but keep in mind that most insurance features co-pays for preventative care like regular doc visits and prescription coverage. Now look at how much major surgeries cost: into the 6-digits. Plus, insurance companies often negotiate reduced procedure rates with medical facilities, so instead of paying $1k for treatment for a broken arm, you are now paying $750, instead. The guy without insurance? He's the one paying $1k.

[pepharytheworm]

Easy. They live in a country with free healthcare.

[ninjainspandex]

I wonder, if someone without health insurance attempts to commit suicide like put a gun to your head and pull the trigger but it doesn't kill you and the surgeons bring you back without your consent. Would you be required to pay the $15,000+ hospital bill? I mean that would be the ultimate fuck you haha, oh hey I know you tried killing yourself because your life sucks but hey we brought you back. Oh yeah and now your are permanently disfigured and will be in debt for the next decade or so. Your welcome.


Sorry I had that discussion with my best friend is in medical school right now and he didn't know what would happen.

[jp1]

I wonder, if someone without health insurance attempts to commit suicide like put a gun to your head and pull the trigger but it doesn't kill you and the surgeons bring you back without your consent. Would you be required to pay the $15,000+ hospital bill? I mean that would be the ultimate fuck you haha, oh hey I know you tried killing yourself because your life sucks but hey we brought you back. Oh yeah and now your are permanently disfigured and will be in debt for the next decade or so. Your welcome.


Sorry I had that discussion with my best friend is in medical school right now and he didn't know what would happen.

I'm thinking at that point in someone's life the medical debt probably doesn't mean a whole lot. Drop in the bucket kind of situation. Now, on the other hand if you were the victim of a violent crime and did not have insurance...then we have a dilemma.

[emwearz]

Because I live in Australia.