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Please try to keep it Hawaii gentleman.
Thank you esnap for explaining and solving Health Care in America. Very thoughtful of you to do so.
Now perhaps you could solve the dilemma of a Hawaiian single mom, unemployed, and her 5 year old with a high fever and cough at 3 am.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
DrJ. The state government is giving itself 35% pay raise while at the same time cutting funds for education and health care.
So you are right. Apparently there are limits to where the money can go (unless it's Wall St.).
Well I agree with you there... I don't think any elected official should receive any pay whatsoever. The government can provide some basic needs like an apartment with a cafeteria... but otherwise you ran for office to serve the people, not a paycheck.
I agree that they shouldn't get any money, let alone a pay raise in the midst of economic downturn. That mindset is similar to raising taxes on businesses and hoping that it creates more jobs in the middle of an economic crisis.
Of course, this was supported by voters when the state Constitution was amended to permit a single commission to set the pay for judges, state executives and the legislature. Hopefully people will take a closer look at their vote this year to avoid this problem in the future.
I agree with you esnap, again. I also think if people pay for their own health care, they will actually value it and maybe take the appropriate steps toward a healthier lifestyle. People don't value handouts as much as something they have to work and pay for themselves.
loffel... you missed my point entirely if you think I advocate emergency room care at all.
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Cute answers. But what do they accomplish besides being cute?
The Emergency Room is the MOST expensive way to deal with health care. Even you say that preventives are where efficiency lies. Health care for children is primarily preventive and cost effective.
You will be the one paying the emergency room fees for the unemployed single mom. But that is your best advice.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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This is tough topic to get a handle on. If I read the HTH right, the coverage was dropped because people who could afford insurance were dropping it to let the state pay. CHIP here has a means test to qualify. Why not screen for availability of insurance and income, then provide care for those really in need. If you have played games to get your kids on the state program. "Oh Well, to bad"
dick wilson
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
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Can you blame families for trying to save some money? I know that if I was in that situation, I would have probably done the same thing regardless of the programs intent.
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quote:
Originally posted by macuu222
Can you blame families for trying to save some money? I know that if I was in that situation, I would have probably done the same thing regardless of the programs intent.
There are always people willing to take advantage of other people's good intentions.
Are you really that greedy? You would rather they drop the program from helping low-income children to save a few bucks? I can't even get my head around how selfish you would have to be to take advantage of a program like that.
I know that's harsh, but it's true. The whole reason they ended up dropping the program is because of people with that same selfish attitude.
As a conservative, I'm not against helping people with real needs. I'm all for it. I donate to charities, churches and volunteer when I can. But, when people take advantage of the situation it just infuriates me. That's the problem with a welfare state system. You try to help a few people with needs and you end up getting taken advantage of by people without needs.
When are we going to stand-up for personal responsibility? Wouldn't we all be better off if we would stop trying to get what we can for ourselves and help one another? Wouldn't Hawaii and Puna be better off?
ok, I'm off my soap box now... [
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Somehow I don't think that was the whole reason they dropped the program. It would not have been terribly difficult to make adjustments to the program criteria.
I also think that survival for people is rarely a matter of greed. Greed is by definition a compelling desire for excess. Excess, even in Hawaii, is most often found at the top of the economic ladder not the bottom.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Exactly my point...It's not greed that makes parents who are currently paying for health care for their children switch over to a free program...it's survival. The money they save from the program can put food on the table to feed their kids. And yes all the state had to do was change the requirements for acceptance...not get rid of the program. Makes me think that something else made them close it down that they don't want to make public.
