# Health care horror story #13848732 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 26, 2009, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612 "2009-12-26T08:01:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/501 "2010-01-21T07:12:12Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > No, see, I assumed nothing Oh, bullshit. Are you going to make me quote you again: > [@curlcoat](#): > > He says “can’t afford”, I hear “I have this car payment, I like to party on Fridays and Saturdays”, etc." ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/502 "2010-01-21T07:23:01Z")
Well, of _COURSE_, silly, hearing isn’t the same as assuming! ETA: P.S. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/503 "2010-01-21T08:52:58Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Yes, I could go to college now, but the question is why? Why should I spend money\*\* for no reason\*\*? (bolding mine) Well, I think that pretty much says it all. I’m done here. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/504 "2010-01-21T13:36:33Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > You don’t understand the relationship with R&D costs to cost of the final product? And how that drives some of the costs of health care? Sure, R&D is related to the final price of the product. But why would it be more expensive for a company to R&D a medicine if they sell the product to a hospital or to let’s say another hospital? Clearly a company like Pfizer, Novartis **sells** their products to **any hospital** , that **can afford** to buy medicine of them, right? Also, why would a profit oriented privat company (like Pfizer or Novartis) research a product (medicine) if there is no market to sell the product to? UHC has nothing to do with that. And why would a hospital pay more for a medicine, if they get paid for their services by UHC or “hopefully” by a privat insurances? > [@curlcoat](#): > > What does this have to do with anything? Since the Police is a Government agency, that supplies a service to the public. Also the Police as a Government agency buys goods from privat companies like weapons, ammunition, phones, paper, coffee, etc… they might research what is available on the market, like if it is the right thing for their needs (like any other company as well), but they do not pay for the R&D itself. Which concludes to the following: A company tries to get the money spend on R&D back via the purchase of the end product. Emphasis is on “tries”, since not everything is a hit with the customers. > [@curlcoat](#): > > Did I say _all_ of the countries? Nope. Then name one please… I know it’s hard to tell after WW2, really? You can find a list of the EU member states [HERE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_State_of_the_European_Union) an then tell me, which one did not exist before the USA. And you blatantly ignored the fact that **each** member state of the EU already has some sort of system like UHC. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/505 "2010-01-21T17:18:45Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I have no idea. Minimum wage jobs were all I could get then and none were full time, nor particularly long term. If I remember correctly, minimum wage was about $2.50 in the late 70’s so even on the rare weeks I got 40 hours between the various jobs, that was only $100 a week, to pay rent, gas, food and whatever else was necessary that month. Apparently, those who want minimum wage to be a living wage have been at least partially successful. Right, because there is no way the cost of living has gone up since the late 70s! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/506 "2010-01-21T18:19:59Z")
“Huh,” I wondered. “This thread is still going?” So I clicked on “Last page.” And, what should I see, right there at the top, but someone quoting \*\*curlcoat \*\*and attempting to reason with her. Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. I should have seen that one coming. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/507 "2010-01-22T06:25:42Z")
> [@ntucker](#): > > Oh, bullshit. Are you going to make me quote you again: Taking something way out of context didn’t work the last time either. > [@legalsnugs](#): > > (bolding mine) > > Well, I think that pretty much says it all. I’m done here. You have a problem with me not spending a bunch of money on something I’d never use? Huh. Must be why so many people in this country are in such deep financial trouble. > [@Doughbag](#): > > Sure, R&D is related to the final price of the product. > But why would it be more expensive for a company to R&D a medicine if they sell the product to a hospital or to let’s say another hospital? It wouldn’t be more expensive to create, say a new drug, but it would very likely be worth much less if the government is fixing prices on drugs. Same with new procedures, equipment, durable medical and anything else. It isn’t like each individual hospital or doctor’s office would be buying those things they could afford, or get funding for - they would be either assigned certain products or given an allowance to work with. Under such a funding process, how often would a doctor/hosptial local to you have the latest and greatest available. > [@](#): > > And why would a hospital pay more for a medicine, if they get paid for their services by UHC or “hopefully” by a privat insurances? A hospital or doctor pays more for a new drug because it is the only or best way to treat a particular illness. Sometimes insurance companies won’t pay for brand new drugs for awhile - how likely is it that the government would? For a hint, our two government run insurance companies tend to pay for fewer brand drugs, or pay much less, than the insurance plans that I have had over the past 27+ years, and until rather recently Medicare didn’t pay for drugs at all. OTOH, they apparently pay for Hoverounds, which is just weird. > [@](#): > > Since the Police is a Government agency, that supplies a service to the public. > Also the Police as a Government agency buys goods from privat companies like weapons, ammunition, phones, paper, coffee, etc… they might research what is available on the market, like if it is the right thing for their needs (like any other company as well), but they do not pay for the R&D itself. Uh, actually they do. All prices of new products include original R&D. However, this still doesn’t apply to the current discussion, if for no other reason than your average police force doesn’t need 99 different kinds of guns, ammo, phones, paper, coffee, etc. > [@](#): > > Then name one please… I know it’s hard to tell after WW2, really? > You can find a list of the EU member states [HERE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_State_of_the_European_Union) an then tell me, which one did not exist before the USA. Well, according to Wikipedia, “The present-day Slovakia became an independent state on January 1, 1993” and Slovenia had “recent independence in 1991.” Those were the two that jumped out at me, I didn’t check any others. For reference, the USA declared independence in 1776. > [@](#): > > And you blatantly ignored the fact that **each** member state of the EU already has some sort of system like UHC. Uh, no, I haven’t. We discussed that exact fact earlier. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/508 "2010-01-22T10:33:46Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Well, according to Wikipedia, “The present-day Slovakia became an independent state on January 1, 1993” and Slovenia had “recent independence in 1991.” Those were the two that jumped out at me, I didn’t check any others. For reference, the USA declared independence in 1776. _Those_ were the two that jumped out at you? And you didn’t check any others? So you’ve never heard of Greece or Italy or Austria…France, Spain or Switzerland? Fuck off **curlcoat**. You are a complete waste of bytes _and_ oxygen. May your chooks turn into emus and kick your dunny down. 😃 Either that, or may a thousand camel fleas infest your anus, AND your med insurance refuse coverage because it was deemed a self-inflicted condition. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/509 "2010-01-22T11:50:25Z")
And before you think _you’re_ going to get the last word in… _ **Yo mamma.** _ There. That settles it once and for all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eleasarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/779978/32.png) [@Eleasarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleasarian)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/510 "2010-01-22T15:11:05Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > > [@legalsnugs](#): > > > > And you yourself said that you have endured periods of being poor in your life - so you were the irresponsible one who didn’t save and plan ahead, were you? > > Uh, no, I was born poor. > [@curlcoat](#): > > Plus, I wasn’t eligible for many scholarships **because my father’s income was too high.** Hm. ---
**Author:** ![Eleasarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/779978/32.png) [@Eleasarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleasarian)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/511 "2010-01-22T15:21:06Z")
(Sorry for the double post. Left it too late to edit.) To be fair, they cut off scholarships and other such things based on ‘poorness’ fairly early. Not taking into account differences in the cost of living in different areas and slow to account for inflation. So curlcoat’s father could have legitimately been earning too much, while the family was still struggling. That was really badly thought out and impulsive… posting that. -\_- _shame_ Move along, nothing to see. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/512 "2010-01-22T15:26:51Z")
My son has a torn rotor cuff. He has insurance. They did an MRI and he got the disc of it. Now he is looking for a doctor who takes his insurance to do the operation. Some take it some don’t. The ones that were recommended to him,want him to pay upfront and he can get reimbursed by the insurance company. So you have to have enough money of your own to pay for an operation, before you can get one. Note: he has insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/513 "2010-01-22T16:52:47Z")
Hey **curlcoat** , did you tell them about the napkin sandwiches yet? I love the napkin sandwiches story! Don’t forget to mention that their children all should have been aborted. People love that. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/514 "2010-01-22T18:56:19Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Taking something way out of context didn’t work the last time either. It’s perfectly in context, hon. We’re talking about you making dumb assumptions about his reasons for not getting healthcare. You made the dumb assumption that the reason isn’t that he has less income in the off season, but that he spent the money on other things like partying or car payments. Hey, maybe you’re even right. But don’t try to pretend you’re the one only operating on facts when everyone else is making assumptions, dipshit. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/515 "2010-01-22T20:08:02Z")
Just so ya’ll know: The top two threads in the Pit with the most replies ever are what they are because of **curlcoat**. I’m talking about [this one in second place](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=512715) (with 2,226 replies total, 343 of them **Curlcoats** ) and [this one as the most replied to Pit thread of all time](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=524753) (with 2,283 replies total, 205 of them **Curlcoats** ) True that her contributions in them weren’t on a large scale, but when you wager in that most of the rest of those two topics were all people arguing with her and trying to point out what a dumbass she’s being, you then realize it’s easily because of **curlcoat.** So what will come of this topic? :eek: Will it, too, make a new Pit record? :eek: Only about 1500 more replies to go!\* \*Those of you arguing against her can see she’s willing to go up that high for the last word. Is it really worth it? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/516 "2010-01-22T21:07:43Z")
These threads will stop happening as soon as people realize that \*\*curlcoat \*\*lives in The Magical World of Curlcoat, where everything is the way she says it is, and she will continue forever and ever amen to reject any and all evidence, no matter how well supported, that she is wrong about anything she’s already made up her mind about. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/517 "2010-01-22T21:15:56Z")
> [@Eleasarian](#): > > To be fair, they cut off scholarships and other such things based on ‘poorness’ fairly early. Not taking into account differences in the cost of living in different areas and slow to account for inflation. So curlcoat’s father could have legitimately been earning too much, while the family was still struggling. Financial cutoffs typically apply to bursaries and grants, not scholarships. Scholarships are usually based on grades and maybe other things like community involvement, etc. > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Hey **curlcoat** , did you tell them about the napkin sandwiches yet? I love the napkin sandwiches story! I also love the napkin sandwich part! Hilarious! This while earning $400 a month - the equivalant of $1171.45 in 2008 dollars (using the [Inflation Calculator](http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi) and assuming this was 1979). Truly, her budgeting skills must be incredibly awful. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/518 "2010-01-22T21:30:16Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Those of you arguing against her … Is it really worth it? Worth it? It’s not like there’s much effort involved in laughing at her idiocy. It’s like playing solitaire…mindless amusement. The beauty is the more she says the more she makes herself look stupid. Keep her talking, I say. ETA: ok, i have to ask… napkin sandwiches? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/519 "2010-01-22T22:32:12Z")
> [@ntucker](#): > > ETA: ok, i have to ask… napkin sandwiches? I first saw curlcoat talk about them [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11391000&postcount=1909). She [defined the term](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11406555&postcount=1982) a page or two later. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612/520 "2010-01-22T22:56:43Z")
That’s nothing! When I was growing up, we were happy to get a cup of tea. A cup of cold tea. In a cracked cup and all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-horror-story-13848732/522612.md?page=27)