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Post by oreobitsy on Jul 26, 2019 7:36:37 GMT -6
enchanted Wow, that's a big change. Just because you can swing it doesn't mean that's ok. I'm mad on your behalf.
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Post by Uncaripswife on Jul 26, 2019 8:00:17 GMT -6
jaygee, thanks. We are done now and enjoying life without treatment. I'm glad to hear this.
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jkjacq
Ruby
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Post by jkjacq on Jul 26, 2019 8:02:57 GMT -6
jaygee , thanks. We are done now and enjoying life without treatment. Thats great news!
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Post by enchanted on Jul 26, 2019 8:17:12 GMT -6
jaygee, thanks. We are done now and enjoying life without treatment. ❤️
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dc2london
Admin
Press Secretary
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Post by dc2london on Jul 26, 2019 8:26:06 GMT -6
enchanted Wow, that's a big change. Just because you can swing it doesn't mean that's ok. I'm mad on your behalf. I was furious and still am. He's technically a state employee so his benefits truly are on the better end of things when it comes to coverage so it was a surprise that changed. Even the pharm tech was angry. It's ridiculous. I always love when the pharmacist rings up a prescription, does a doubletake at the screen, and then whispers the cost to me. Yes, yes, trust me I am aware that my insurance is absolute shite.
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jkjacq
Ruby
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Post by jkjacq on Jul 26, 2019 8:31:13 GMT -6
I was furious and still am. He's technically a state employee so his benefits truly are on the better end of things when it comes to coverage so it was a surprise that changed. Even the pharm tech was angry. It's ridiculous. I always love when the pharmacist rings up a prescription, does a doubletake at the screen, and then whispers the cost to me. Yes, yes, trust me I am aware that my insurance is absolute shite. That happened a bit when my dad first got out of the hospital.
"Its four dolla...Four HUNDRED?? oh my gosh is that ok?"
I was all ONLY 400? cool.
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Post by hawkeye2015 on Jul 26, 2019 8:59:52 GMT -6
Re waiting for care. I have available to me what is widely considered some of the best health care coverage in the US. MH's doctor ordered an MRI in early June. He finally got it on Tuesday. The delay was caused by the health plan's utilization review. So anyone who alleges that waiting for care in the US doesn't already happen is kidding themselves. I have to call 3 months in advanced to see DD2's allergist. It took us 6 months to get in initially. So yeah, we have to wait. And if I want to see my primary and not one of her Nurse practitioners, it's at least a month wait. I don't really see it getting worse We have insurance through my husband's job. My son's pediatrician wants him to see a developmental pediatrician. Last month I called every office within 50 miles, the earliest appointment we could get is in April.
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Ls2012
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Post by Ls2012 on Jul 26, 2019 10:01:55 GMT -6
MH is self-employed and I'm a sahm, so we have to buy insurance through the marketplace. 1st year of the aca was great, 2nd year was worse but tolerable. Now we have the most absurdly high-deductible plan. It's ridiculous. A medicare buy-in would be amazeballs.
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athn64
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Post by athn64 on Jul 26, 2019 10:34:12 GMT -6
enchanted Wow, that's a big change. Just because you can swing it doesn't mean that's ok. I'm mad on your behalf. I was furious and still am. He's technically a state employee so his benefits truly are on the better end of things when it comes to coverage so it was a surprise that changed. Even the pharm tech was angry. It's ridiculous. I have been having GERD issues so the doctor perscribed me something to help with the symptoms. $120 just to manage symptoms. It's not been that bad so we declined. But if it was a life saving medication I don't know what we'd do.
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Post by flippinchica on Jul 26, 2019 11:23:16 GMT -6
MH is self-employed and I'm a sahm, so we have to buy insurance through the marketplace. 1st year of the aca was great, 2nd year was worse but tolerable. Now we have the most absurdly high-deductible plan. It's ridiculous. A medicare buy-in would be amazeballs. My parents are/were self employed (semi retired now) and it just sucked. Luckily my family was pretty healthy but there was no reasonable coverage to be had. This was pre-ACA so even mucho expensive plans wouldn't cover anything cardiac because my dad had high cholesterol. So we were uninsured and really tried to avoid going to the doctor. Now my parents are on Medicare and all the kids have jobs or spouses with jobs so we made it through without bankruptcy by sheer luck but I know others are not so lucky. This is really the main thing that turned me from ambivilant to a Democrat. We are a rich nation we just can't let people not get care or go bankrupt.
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dc2london
Admin
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Post by dc2london on Jul 26, 2019 12:06:09 GMT -6
MH is self-employed and I'm a sahm, so we have to buy insurance through the marketplace. 1st year of the aca was great, 2nd year was worse but tolerable. Now we have the most absurdly high-deductible plan. It's ridiculous. A medicare buy-in would be amazeballs. The insurance companies are going to get their money one way or another
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Post by enchanted on Jul 26, 2019 12:53:07 GMT -6
I was furious and still am. He's technically a state employee so his benefits truly are on the better end of things when it comes to coverage so it was a surprise that changed. Even the pharm tech was angry. It's ridiculous. I have been having GERD issues so the doctor perscribed me something to help with the symptoms. $120 just to manage symptoms. It's not been that bad so we declined. But if it was a life saving medication I don't know what we'd do. People take risks and ration it out. Instead of every day they do every other day or every three days to stretch it out. Or they don't take it at all . They're having to choose between dying because they can't afford their meds or paying bills/buying food. It's criminal that this is how people have to live just to live.
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Minerva
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Post by Minerva on Jul 26, 2019 13:40:46 GMT -6
My ex-brother-in-law is diabetic and he only takes his insulin once a day because he can't afford to take it as prescribed. He's a complete and total douche, but it still makes me angry that he has to do that so that he can put a roof over his head (and his kids' heads on his weekends with them). The situation with insulin is just so wrong in so many ways. There is no reason it shouldn’t be affordable and accessible other than greed.
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Post by blurnette989 on Jul 26, 2019 14:04:51 GMT -6
My ex-brother-in-law is diabetic and he only takes his insulin once a day because he can't afford to take it as prescribed. He's a complete and total douche, but it still makes me angry that he has to do that so that he can put a roof over his head (and his kids' heads on his weekends with them). The situation with insulin is just so wrong in so many ways. There is no reason it shouldn’t be affordable and accessible other than greed. There really is no reason. Any lifesaving medication is 100% free in Portugal with a prescription. When my dad first moved here he didn't have his residency yet so he paid out of pocket for his diabetes medications. One of his pills he found cost $18 a pill without insurance in the US. In Portugal it is 0.60 a pill for the exact same medication. And that is without insurance. With insurance he pays nothing.
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Post by Uncaripswife on Jul 26, 2019 14:59:59 GMT -6
I thought of another thing.
::resumes position on soap box::
Some economists have suggested that wage stagnation is related to increasing health coverage costs. Basically, the money employers would have used to increase wages has instead been used by employers to cover the increasing cost of health insurance benefits for employees.
Or that's the argument, anyway. I'm no economist and I don't recall exactly where I read that. But it is an interesting idea. If correct, then perhaps wages would increase once employers were no longer shoveling money at health benefits.
Medicare for All might be really good for the economy.
::leaves soapbox::
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jkjacq
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Post by jkjacq on Jul 26, 2019 15:12:22 GMT -6
The situation with insulin is just so wrong in so many ways. There is no reason it shouldn’t be affordable and accessible other than greed. There really is no reason. Any lifesaving medication is 100% free in Portugal with a prescription. When my dad first moved here he didn't have his residency yet so he paid out of pocket for his diabetes medications. One of his pills he found cost $18 a pill without insurance in the US. In Portugal it is 0.60 a pill for the exact same medication. And that is without insurance. With insurance he pays nothing. My boss is diabetic He had to change brands when we switched plans. This year the same brand wasn’t covered. No notification. Gets to the pharmacy and it’s 400-500 bucks. He can afford it or a reduced number of days until his dr could send in a new rx because of course it was Friday when he found out But that kind of crap is something that would be avoided with M4A.
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dc2london
Admin
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Post by dc2london on Jul 26, 2019 15:53:54 GMT -6
I have been having GERD issues so the doctor perscribed me something to help with the symptoms. $120 just to manage symptoms. It's not been that bad so we declined. But if it was a life saving medication I don't know what we'd do. People take risks and ration it out. Instead of every day they do every other day or every three days to stretch it out. Or they don't take it at all . They're having to choose between dying because they can't afford their meds or paying bills/buying food. It's criminal that this is how people have to live just to live. During the govt shutdown there was a story about a person with diabetes going to sleep every night knowing they might die bc they couldn't get their Insulin. The wealthiest fucking nation on the planet.
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Post by enchanted on Jul 26, 2019 16:09:24 GMT -6
People take risks and ration it out. Instead of every day they do every other day or every three days to stretch it out. Or they don't take it at all . They're having to choose between dying because they can't afford their meds or paying bills/buying food. It's criminal that this is how people have to live just to live. During the govt shutdown there was a story about a person with diabetes going to sleep every night knowing they might die bc they couldn't get their Insulin. The wealthiest fucking nation on the planet. I remember that. Criminal.
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Post by blurnette989 on Jul 26, 2019 16:30:18 GMT -6
There really is no reason. Any lifesaving medication is 100% free in Portugal with a prescription. When my dad first moved here he didn't have his residency yet so he paid out of pocket for his diabetes medications. One of his pills he found cost $18 a pill without insurance in the US. In Portugal it is 0.60 a pill for the exact same medication. And that is without insurance. With insurance he pays nothing. My boss is diabetic He had to change brands when we switched plans. This year the same brand wasn’t covered. No notification. Gets to the pharmacy and it’s 400-500 bucks. He can afford it or a reduced number of days until his dr could send in a new rx because of course it was Friday when he found out But that kind of crap is something that would be avoided with M4A. Yeah that is the kind of stuff that is awful to hear. Most medicines you can buy without a prescription and they just cost a bit more. My kids Flonase is 9€ without prescription and 5€ with prescription. So it's also nice that in a pinch I can buy stuff from a licensed pharmacist without a prescription. So your boss would've been able to buy his medication, at an affordable rate. My mom's friends always stock up on birth control when they come back to Portugal. Without a prescription a whole years worth is 40€.
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Post by cougarette on Jul 26, 2019 19:18:12 GMT -6
Speaking of birth control, I decided I wanted to go back on the pill, so my dr sent in the prescription. When I went to pick it up the pharmacist asked, "did you know this is $58?" I said I would call my insurance and left.
I called and they said that brand wasn't listed as a preventative. I was like, "uh wut? That's literally the purpose". So they said I need to write a letter and appeal for it to be reclassified. Such bullshit.
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Jul 27, 2019 0:42:06 GMT -6
For those looking for cheap rx Check Costco, walmart and kroger. Some of dhs meds are free at kroger with their rx savings club. It does have an annual fee of $36, $72 for a familt of up to 5 including pets or whoever. hes got 2 meds on the free list. Most everything else is $6 for 3 mos supply. www.krogersc.com/drugsWe compared to walmart and that was more than kroger annually even with the kroger fee. But it will depend on what meds you take. Shop around and talk to your doc about a similar med that might work for you that is cheaper. Thats why dh is on plavix $6 for 90 days with kroger instead of brilinta $360 per month.
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richard
Emerald
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Post by richard on Jul 28, 2019 16:12:10 GMT -6
I thought of another thing. ::resumes position on soap box:: Some economists have suggested that wage stagnation is related to increasing health coverage costs. Basically, the money employers would have used to increase wages has instead been used by employers to cover the increasing cost of health insurance benefits for employees. Or that's the argument, anyway. I'm no economist and I don't recall exactly where I read that. But it is an interesting idea. If correct, then perhaps wages would increase once employers were no longer shoveling money at health benefits. Medicare for All might be really good for the economy. ::leaves soapbox:: My understanding is that corporate taxes would be going up to fund M4A so that money they were paying wouldn't be directed to employees as wages.
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richard
Emerald
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Post by richard on Jul 28, 2019 16:31:52 GMT -6
I'm definitely on-board with a Medicare buy-in and would be supportive for M4A with private add-on's similar to in other countries. I don't think you can feasibly fully eliminate private insurance in this country.
My main hesitation with M4A with add-on private is that I don't see anyone doing a good job of explaining what it's going to take and how it's going to effect people on the day-to-day during the transition. I feel like Liz Warren could do a great job at this but she's endorsed the Sanders plan and is just focused on that.
Harris has been super disappointing to me in this arena. She's all over the place. She could own the M4A with private add-on idea and talk the hell out of it if she'd just commit to it.
Is there a reason none of the candidates have carved out this niche for themselves? To my understanding, no one has endorsed it as their plan.
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jaygee
Diamond
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Post by jaygee on Jul 28, 2019 19:42:43 GMT -6
I feel like Harris and probably other candidates are getting stuck because of the soundbite factor. Like at the debate they didn’t ask what’s your plan for healthcare, they asked raise your hand if you would end private insurance. So if you don’t raise your hand, but you don’t have time to explain your plan, it just looks like you are not progressive enough. So, Harris keeps saying no to private insurance and walking it back which is not a great look either way.
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roloma
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Post by roloma on Jul 29, 2019 8:28:18 GMT -6
kamalaharris.org/healthcare/Kamala released her plans for M4A. I read it over fairly quickly but it seems like she has good ideas, with a decent middle ground for people who choose to keep private insurance, allowing insurers to have their own Medicare plans, that adhere to strict guidelines. I would like to know more about cost, etc. but I suppose we won't get those details from too many candidates. Can someone see a downside that I don't see in her plan? I know it doesn't appease those who want full M4A with no private options but I think those are probably necessary.
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Post by cakewench on Jul 29, 2019 8:29:45 GMT -6
kamalaharris.org/healthcare/Kamala released her plans for M4A. I read it over fairly quickly but it seems like she has good ideas, with a decent middle ground for people who choose to keep private insurance, allowing insurers to have their own Medicare plans, that adhere to strict guidelines. I would like to know more about cost, etc. but I suppose we won't get those details from too many candidates. Can someone see a downside that I don't see in her plan? I know it doesn't appease those who want full M4A with no private options but I think those are probably necessary. It's already been endorsed by Sebelius.
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roloma
Sapphire
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Post by roloma on Jul 29, 2019 8:32:02 GMT -6
kamalaharris.org/healthcare/Kamala released her plans for M4A. I read it over fairly quickly but it seems like she has good ideas, with a decent middle ground for people who choose to keep private insurance, allowing insurers to have their own Medicare plans, that adhere to strict guidelines. I would like to know more about cost, etc. but I suppose we won't get those details from too many candidates. Can someone see a downside that I don't see in her plan? I know it doesn't appease those who want full M4A with no private options but I think those are probably necessary. It's already been endorsed by Sebelius. I read that in a Politico article about it, I thought that was excellent. It seems like it's a great middle ground with a long enough phase in period to make sure all of the details are taken care of. I just wonder if my non-healthcare mind likes it because I like her and I am missing something.
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athn64
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Post by athn64 on Jul 29, 2019 8:59:27 GMT -6
kamalaharris.org/healthcare/Kamala released her plans for M4A. I read it over fairly quickly but it seems like she has good ideas, with a decent middle ground for people who choose to keep private insurance, allowing insurers to have their own Medicare plans, that adhere to strict guidelines. I would like to know more about cost, etc. but I suppose we won't get those details from too many candidates. Can someone see a downside that I don't see in her plan? I know it doesn't appease those who want full M4A with no private options but I think those are probably necessary. I like it. I agree that some private options are necessary. People will want some further coverage than the basics if they can.
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athn64
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Post by athn64 on Jul 29, 2019 9:00:15 GMT -6
A 10-year phase in period is great. We'd need at least that no matter what others think. It's a huge industry you're overhauling.
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Post by greykitty on Jul 29, 2019 9:14:14 GMT -6
IMO, Harris is trying to have her cake and eat it too with this plan. And, LOL on the skating over at how this would be paid for and making it sound as though taxes would not go up for most people....and what this tax on stock trades? Sure, sounds fun about 'sticking it to Wall Street' - but what if it's taxing every single trade incurred in a retirement IRA or 401k. That might sound different to voters. Including all the much denigrated 'olds' that are the group that historically comes out to vote every election.
Granted, Harris walks back and forth on policy announcements all the time from what I've read (including healthcare), but I hope she's got actual payment details to back this up. Sure, she wants to appear more moderate than Sanders, but even he admits, correctly, taxes have to go up for everyone to pay for Medicare for All. And Harris' plan sounds like a very generous version of Medicare, more akin to Medicare Advantage, which has restricted physician and hospital networks.
I do admit I have never liked Harris mostly for her waffling on policies and lack of focus on cold hard how to we pay for said policies.
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