Thog's Science Masterclass #6

[realthog]

Jason Roberson writes in yesterday's Dallas Morning News:  

Texas once again led the nation with the highest percentage of residents without health insurance, a U.S. Census Bureau report showed Tuesday . . . 

But the numbers are misleading, said John Goodman, president of the National Center for Policy Analysis, a right-leaning Dallas-based think tank. Mr. Goodman, who helped craft Sen. John McCain's health care policy, said anyone with access to an emergency room effectively has insurance, albeit the government acts as the payer of last resort. (Hospital emergency rooms by law cannot turn away a patient in need of immediate care.)

"So I have a solution. And it will cost not one thin dime," Mr. Goodman said. "The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care.

"So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."

Seems logical. ER won't check your breast for tumours, which means you get cancer. Neither will ER offer you chemotherapy or a lumpectomy when those become necessary, so you die. And this way you're no longer counted as one of the uninsured.

So that nice Mr Goodman's absolutely right! Whoopee! Let's all party!

(By the way, anyone got a bridge to sell? The one I bought on eBay a few weeks ago has never arrived and they won't answer my e-mails . . .)

Comments

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

No, no, we simply redefine liver cancer as 'headache'. And then nobody dies of liver cancer.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"No, no, we simply redefine liver cancer as 'headache'. And then nobody dies of liver cancer."

A very, very good point.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I like your idea much better than mine and fully endorse it. I'll be happy to give the fellow a headache. Hell, I'll be happy to have a headache for the rest of my life if no one gets liver cancer and call it justice, since I brought it up.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"I'll be happy to give the fellow a headache."

Giving him a headache might be sorta fun . . .

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I think it would be particularly poetic to share a headache with him. Honestly, I wish him the epiphany that makes him realize what a shit he's being in time to mend and the strength of spirit to make something of it with the time he has left, but, that said, I won't wait for it to happen under water.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"I wish him the epiphany that makes him realize what a shit he's being"

I think that's what we all wish would happen to these swine. Trouble is, it never does. They think differently from the way we do. Still, I'd rather think the way we do and thereby feel I have an iota of integrity, somewhere, no matter how deeply buried it might be.

At the same time, I do wish the Dems would learn that the concept of "conscience" is unknown to most of those who oppose them.

Forget the "con" part of that. The concept of "science" is unknown to most of those who oppose them, too.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

Indeed. But then, the democrats, are, despite my membership in that party and support, married to the same system, lie down in the same bed. It's just that there are some things they won't do, or, at least won't do as eagerly, that keep me trying with them. Heaven knows, I miss the illusion of moral superiority that came with being a Green.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"the democrats, are, despite my membership in that party and support, married to the same system, lie down in the same bed"

True, dat. But, as you say, less readily.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

One day, maybe we can keep them out of that bed. Not that its worked with any of my other friends (of both sexes) with harmful lovers, but what can you do?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"One day, maybe we can keep them out of that bed."

And I think we've actually started on this. Whatever the reality, both Edwards and Obama have been at pains to emphasize they're not beholden to lobbyists. The message is slowly getting through from the public to (some of) the pols.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I hope it's true, and to some extent, I am willing to believe that there are some people who actually believe it is no longer feasible to govern that way. Maybe. I hope Obama gets his chance to prove me right and prove me wrong at the same time, and I hope he proves the right parts right and wrong.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"I hope he proves the right parts right and wrong."

Ha! Me likewise.