Jeff Stahler for November 01, 2013

If someone can’t afford private health insurance on their own, it’s highly doubtful they can afford the cost of an emergency room visit. My last ER visit cost nearly $5,000. Two years ago a family friend had 3 ER visits in two weeks time that ended with her being hospitalized for about a month with several surgeries. She had to declare bankruptcy because there was no way she’d ever be able to pay the near $100,000 bill generated. The hospital had to eat the costs, which then increases everyone else’s bill.On the plus side, she was forced to quit smoking cold turkey during her hospital stay and she’s been smoke free ever since.

Malnourishment is another way to boost the need for medical care. A little forward thinking would be beneficial.

Again with the socialism. Doesn’t anyone know what socialism is, or is it just the new epithet for the right?

Do you have insurance of any kind? If so, you are a socialist. You throw your money into a pot (paying premiums). If you need the money, you get some back (the amount is decided by free-market capitalists, which is why you also pay deductibles and co-pays and “out-of-pocket expenses”). If you don’t need it, it’s gone. Socialism, pure and simple.

I guess the Donkey was disguised as “The Grinch” stealing working people’s insurance… Except that the Grinch had a change of heart.

ZING!