Remember my dad's recent heart and hernia surgeries? Guess how much they cost.

[GreenPartyVoter]

Also, add in some ambulance trips and some ER visits because the first few times they didn't get it that he truly was having serious heart problems.

$150,000!!! Lucky for him he has good insurance but as a retiree even the part he does have to pay makes things a little tough.

We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO overdue for universal not-for-profit health care.

[DarkTirade]

1. And I thought the housing market was bad...

:\

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. That's about half what a house costs around here. In fact that was my first thought when he told me.

[LeftyMom]

3. my Dad's house cost less than that!

Okay, that's in 1988 housing prices (crash or no, this is California) but still...

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Yep! I was in the hospital for 6 weeks in 1982. It cost $11,000 I think.

[zanne]

5. My cardiac bypass surgery cost $100,000 in 1991.

Shortly thereafter,they built a new wing on the hospital.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Hmmm. We'll have to keep an eye on hospital construction. LOL

[Connonym]

7. unreal, eh?

If a person was uninsured (or poorly insured) how the hell would you ever be able to financially recover from something catastrophic like that? It's just wrong. I'm encouraging my daughter to become a cardiothoracic surgeon (I'm only half kidding)

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. This is how medical situations cause people to lose their homes. That is, if they

ever were able to own one in the first place.

[Connonym]

9. not to mention credit ratings, etc.

and to add insult to injury they've probably lost pay as a result of being ill, possibly even lost their job. Employers are now looking at credit ratings in some hiring situations, your ability to get security clearance is also based on your credit rating. Pretty much you're all around fucked with no way to get out with any dignity remaining.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Jeez, that is bad. I know several people who have gone bankrupt or who are filing. (including us) I

am so glad hubby is not out looking for a job right now.

[Burma Jones]

10. My Father's Throat Cancer Treatment was about $300,000

He's retired military, so he didn't pay a cent. Damned Government Socialist Health Care........

He's been cancer free for five years now, so that's good. We can all have the same level of care that he got for free.

[Longhorn]

11. I'm very happy for your dad!

I'm just starting my treatment and all I've had is a few copays at $30 each and I was told my out-of-pocket expense for radiation per year will be the copays (must be for each round of treatment because they only collected one the first day) and $1000. I'd hate to have to pull too much from our IRA mutual funds (especially the way the market is tanking right now) in order to pay more! I thought the $775 a month we pay for insurance (my employer doesn't contribute) was so expensive but I'm sure glad I got it!

[Burma Jones]

15. I've been following your posts......

I am glad you don't seem to have too much of the financial burden of illness added on. I really wish you the best and can attest to the fact that people do make it through treatment.....

[Longhorn]

17. Thank you!

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Glad your dad is ok, and man was he lucky to have been covered so well.

[Burma Jones]

14. We should all be as well insured as Government Employees

Military and Civilian........

[HughBeaumont]

16. Just like Elizabeth Warren said in the added footage from "Sicko":

"Unless you're a multi-millionaire . . . you're not safe."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9447-200...

This isn't about the US becoming a "red, creeping comm'nist" country, you fucknut lurking Republican IDIOTS. It's about a SERVICE. Just like your police, just like your fire departments, just like your libraries, just like your schools, just like your military. You pay taxes, you get a service. Same same same same SAME. I really DON'T see what the goddamned problem is.

You ask any Republican't what their problem is with universal health care, and it will boil down to an answer with either one or both subjects: "comm'nism" or "welfare queen and her nine babies".

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. My BIL is like that. Gov't is for defense and nothing else.