It’s purely insane that the term ‘financial ruin’ is even in TFA. I’m glad I live in a country where I can’t wake up from a coma a million dollars in debt.
Someone will reply: Medical costs are responsible for X% of personal bankruptcies in America.
Someone will reply: Most Americans don't have to worry about medical bills because they have coverage through their employer.
Someone will concur: Yeah, I have fantastic benefits with my company.
Someone will provide a counter anecdote: I also have great benefits with my employer. But I still have to pay a $5000 deductible before coverage kicks in.
Someone will reply to the parent with: The US has the best health care in the world. Why do you think people fly from overseas to receive treatment in the US?
Then someone will reply: The US has the best health care ... if you can afford it. The last time I saw my doctor, he looked at me for five minutes and prescribed me a bottle of aspirin.
Someone will reply: You need a new doctor. I once had an experience like yours. I found a new doctor, who truly cares about my health and well being.
Someone else will reply to the comment two spots above:
> The US has the best health care ... if you can afford it.
"No, the US has the best health care in the world, including for middle class people and poor people. I once injured myself in [insert first world country] and their health care system was practically third world."
_______
I know it's real people suffering and because of personal relationships with US citizens I feel for them.
Yet it's a fascinating lesson in how complex social problems can be acknowledged by pretty much everyone while at the same no-one is able to implement a workable solution.
PS: I'm glad there will always be someone who reminds me that here in central Europe I can not choose my doctor, have to wait months for an appointment and that we don't have health insurance here because it's covered by taxes. Since that's not how it works at all I always forget ;)
PPS: Obviously it's not all sunshine and roses here either and we have our fair share of problems but large unexpected bills for scheduled or emergency procedures just don't happen frequently enough to matter in the grand scheme of things.
One of my app ideas was to make it so you can have that "graph" for every issue, and then instead of rehashing the same debate every time, you just tell people to find where their argument is in the graph, and they can link it or improve what's there.
It's the middle class that takes it in the neck.
Not all of them have, of course. Without going through every single state, Texas allows you to make up to $25,503 for a household of one and still be eligible for Medicaid.
Those who make more are eligible for free or subsidized Obamacare plans.
What do you mean by "cripplingly poor", and what state was this?
For example, in Florida, to be eligible for Medicaid, you must be below the poverty line AND:
> You must also be one of the following: Pregnant, or Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or Blind, or Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or Be 65 years of age or older.
Expanded Medicaid in states that accepted it cuts people off at 100% to 138% of the FPL, meaning if you make more than $12k to $16k a year, you're ineligible for Medicaid.
If you have more than $2k worth of assets, you must sell them before being eligible for Medicaid.
And if you live in certain states, they throw in all sorts of impossible restrictions and surprises. Sometimes they’ll suggest that you move.