I just got off a Seattle to Chicago train that lasted two days. The amazing thing about riding on a train is you have to sit with other couples at dinner. It sure opened my eyes.
We sat with one traveling to Philly because their daughter-in-law had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and to top it off the son had just been laid off.
The Dad talked about a neighbor of his that had a similar condition and was told that there was a new pill that "might" work to "somewhat" lengthen their life for the cost of $100K/yr and he couldn't understand why insurance wouldn't pay for it. His son was a national sales manager for a pharma firm in Philly that just lost his job in a M&A. I'm sure someone can figure that one out.
The Mom never made the connection with the son losing his job and COBRA, and "from what she knew" all a doctor had to do was sign a paper stating disability and they would be guaranteed treatment.
I sat at my Goddaughers rehearsal dinner tonight and chewed on the utter disconnect we all have between caring for others and the profit motive. If you have a sick loved one I'd like to throw out a proposal. Pick one:
-We're all entitled to health care, and we should all foot the bill.
-Got a sick one? Figure it out.
To me it's as simple as that. Bring up political talking points from either side and you can shove it up your ass. I pick door #1.
/rant