This page was last updated on February 25, 2014.
In rural Kentucky, health-care debate takes back seat as the long-uninsured line up; Stephanie McCrummen; The Washington Post; November 23, 2013.
Carl Davidson (a self-described Marxist) is a lefty activist with Beaver County Reds (BCR, aka Beaver County Blue) among other leftist groups. You can learn more about BCR’s leftster management here. “Leftster” is the combination of leftist and gangster, inspired by the left-originated “bankster.”
On his Facebook page, Mr. Davidson linked to the Washington Post article noted above and commented:
“You want to know why the GOP has a seemingly irrational hatred of Obamacare? Why Obama is going to come out on top in the end? Read this story about the reality behind all the cable news chatter, all the way through, then wipe away a tear or two, resolve to wage a wider struggle against poverty and capitalism, and you’ll get it…”
I agree with Mr. Davidson that we should “read this story … all the way through.” In fact, please read the story twice. After the first reading, “wipe away a tear or two” if necessary. Before you read the story the second time, however, put on your thinking cap.
The first person, Woodrow Wilson Noble, ended up on Medicaid, not Obamacare. According to the article, Mr. Noble will pay no premium (“My mom gets that WellCare, and she don’t pay nothing.”). Further, Mr. Noble’s out of pocket cost will be close to zero according to the person who signed him up: “‘If you go to the doctor, all you’re going to pay is $1,’ she began. ‘If you’re in the hospital for an extended period, you should only be billed $5. … If you get medicine, generics are $1 and brand is $4. … You can go to the dentist once a month — exams, X-rays and cleanings are covered. … Now for your teeth, the plan does take care of having them pulled and does take care of fillings, but not bridges, because that’s considered cosmetic.”
Who gets to pay for Mr. Noble’s effectively-free healthcare?
The second person, Jeff Fletcher, is a heavy smoker (“right- and left-handed”) and likely already has lung cancer (“a spot on his lung discovered during a visit to the emergency room”). “[Mr.] Fletcher pulled out documents showing that he and his wife live on about $500 a month in food stamps and her disability check.” The average price for a pack of cigarettes in Kentucky is reported to be $4.96. I wonder how much Mr. Fletcher pays for his smoking habit, money that could go toward things like food and healthcare. The article said Mr. Fletcher is “covered” but didn’t say by what. My educated guess based on the article’s content would be Mr. Fletcher was signed up for Medicaid, like Mr. Noble.
The third person, Ruth Strong, “qualified for a subsidy of $228 a month and could choose from plans with a monthly cost ranging from $115 to $300.” Though significantly cheaper than adding onto her husband’s school-district plan (The article didn’t say if that was monthly or yearly, but $400 per month sounds high.), Mrs. Strong said the heavily-subsidized Obamacare price is “still high.”
The fourth person, Ronald Hudson, earns only $14,000/year yet has five children. The article doesn’t mention any extenuating circumstances, so let me ask this question: with a salary of only $14,000/year, why did Mr. Hudson and the mother [(The article didn’t mention the mother(s).] have five kids? In any case, Mr. Hudson was told “You’re going to qualify for a medical card.” Mr. Hudson responded, “Well, thank God. I believe I’m going to be a Democrat.” Again, the article didn’t mention if the person qualified for Medicaid or Obamacare.
The fifth person, Gary Gross (36 years old), smokes and used to drink (Breathitt County is a “dry” county.) to the point he has cirrhosis of the liver (“two on the scale of four”), plus he says he needs to get all of his teeth removed. When Mr. Gross learned whatever he qualified for doesn’t cover dentures, his mother, who signed up earlier and brought her son in, said, “I think that should be covered. Try to eat an apple without teeth.” Mr. Gross was told, “You’re covered for a medical card.” With no income, I’ll go out on a limb and guess Mr. Gross is another Medicaid enrollee.
The sixth and final person, Mary Stamper, appears to be unemployed but previously worked part-time jobs “at the check-cashing place and as a nurse’s aide.” The “household income [comes] from food stamps and a disability check drawn by her husband, a county maintenance worker.” Finally, the Stampers have 11 children. I don’t know about the cost of living in Kentucky, but, even in good times and circumstances, I doubt the Stampers could afford 11 children with the jobs mentioned. Again, the person qualified for Medicaid and went for the effectively-free WellCare option.
You probably noticed a common theme; none of these people will come close to paying for their healthcare. It appears only one of these people will have to pay any premium, but even that’s after a heavy subsidy. So, how many Obamacare taxpayers who actually have to pay for their own full ride will it take to pay for the above charity cases?
Readers know I oppose using tax dollars for “charity.” There is nothing compassionate about the government taking from one family’s paycheck to give to someone who didn’t earn it. Compassion is when a family freely chooses to use its own paycheck(s) to help someone in need. Should people in need get help? Of course, but from private charities funded by voluntary contributions, not by confiscated family income.
We all would like everyone to have access to healthcare when needed, but Medicaid is no answer because not all healthcare providers accept Medicaid. Having healthcare coverage doesn’t mean treatment is accessible. If you need proof, take a spin through the emergency treatment area of Heritage Valley Beaver (formerly The Medical Center). I don’t know about today, but as recently as May 2012, signs stated HVB didn’t admit patients covered by Medicaid. HVB would only do what was required to stabilize a patient sufficiently to allow his safe transfer to a facility that accepted Medicaid. This is one of the things that happens when doctors and other healthcare providers are not reimbursed adequately. The Beaver County Times provided an example in “In poor health.” Likewise, not all Obamacare policies provide access to healthcare providers near the policyholder.
In Peace, Friendship, Community, Cooperation, and Solidarity. <g>
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