# UHC. You want public option? Get into prison **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 24, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496 "2009-12-24T23:45:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/1 "2009-12-24T23:45:38Z")
It looks like the doctors in America want the public option which is only available to congressmen and the prison inmates that they can’t shirk responsibility for. [From CNN](http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/23/news/economy/healthcare_doctors_in_prison/) > [@](#): > > More doctors are dropping their private practices, choosing to go to work behind bars treating murderers, rapists and other hardened criminals. > > Better pay, better hours, retirement benefits and free malpractice insurance are just a few of the reasons why physicians are picking prisoners over civilian patients. > [@](#): > > “I never thought of correctional health care as a career. It wasn’t even on my radar in [medical school] training,” said Johnson, now a regional medical director for PHS. > > At his private practice he had to cram in dozens of patients daily, sometimes for only five minutes, just to earn enough to cover his overhead expenses. > > He was constantly filing insurance paperwork, and malpractice insurance was eating into his income. > > With correctional health care, Johnson has a steady paycheck of about $175,000 – roughly 20% more than he made in private practice. > > “Since I was a PHS employee, my malpractice insurance was covered through them. I felt like they had my back,” he said. 5 minutes per patient for an American doctor to survive with private health care ? What’s the problem with public option ? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/2 "2009-12-25T00:58:38Z")
I saw that story, too. Naturally I thought of our very own **Qadgop the Mercotan** , Prison Doctor _Extraordinaire_. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/3 "2009-12-25T01:03:15Z")
This is what the public option boils down to: If more people can go to the doctor, then more people \*will \*go to the doctor. And if more people go to the doctor, then the people who already go to the doctor now will be troubled by the fact that people who used not be able to go to the doctor, are now going to the doctor and making them late for their foursome at the club later that afternoon. And really, what the fuck is that all about? The Underhills have places to be, ferchrissakes. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/4 "2009-12-25T01:34:18Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > This is what the public option boils down to: > > If more people can go to the doctor, then more people \*will \*go to the doctor. How many people who can go to the doctor now, go to the doctor? I have insurance, but I’ve been to the doctor once in the last three years. ---
**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:** [December 25, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/5 "2009-12-25T01:37:39Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How many people who can go to the doctor now, go to the doctor? I have insurance, but I’ve been to the doctor once in the last three years. There’s really only one thing to say to that: _SHUT UP!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/6 "2009-12-25T01:48:08Z")
Prison Prescription: Take one pill after meals and no shivving for at least seven days. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/7 "2009-12-25T02:19:48Z")
My wife just canceled my medical insurance (for real) and yes, she can do that. I can sign up for Medicare in Jan 2010 but it won’t go into effect until July 2010. I guess I’ll have to go to prison to get any medical care. I wonder what crime I might commit? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/8 "2009-12-25T02:22:38Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I guess I’ll have to go to prison to get any medical care. I wonder what crime I might commit? Want me to suggest some? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/9 "2009-12-25T02:30:40Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Want me to suggest some? Ahem. [You agree not to post material that in our opinion fosters or promotes activity that is illegal in the U.S.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347160) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/10 "2009-12-25T02:34:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How many people who can go to the doctor now, go to the doctor? I have insurance, but I’ve been to the doctor once in the last three years. That should change as you get older. I used to see a doctor at your frequency, but lately I’ve had to get help getting my blood pressure and cholesterol under control without drugs, and getting my occular pressure monitored before it is too late. I’ve just had sleep apnea ruled out, and seeing an ENT to solve my hearing problem. I just developed a tailor’s bunion which will occupy my next visit. Fortunately my naproxin prescription which I got from the doctor a month ago is handling my pain issues. No regret for all those years that I paid into the system while hardly using it. Oh, and I just quit smoking thanx to a Champix prescription I got last month. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/11 "2009-12-25T02:40:24Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > That should change as you get older. No doubt. What I was trying to say was that I don’t believe people will say, ‘It’s FREE! I have to take it because it’s FREE!’; which is the implication of the responded-to post. Most people have insurance coverage, and most people have better things to do than go to the doctor unless they really need to. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/12 "2009-12-25T03:25:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No doubt. What I was trying to say was that I don’t believe people will say, ‘It’s FREE! I have to take it because it’s FREE!’; which is the implication of the responded-to post. Most people have insurance coverage, and most people have better things to do than go to the doctor unless they really need to. Absolutely. If the government were providing, say, free chocolate, or sex, then it would be a race to see whether the Universal Chocolate and Sex Insurance Plan would go bankrupt before civilization collapsed in a chocolate-fueled orgy. But free (that is, pre-paid with your tax dollars) visits to the doctor? Generalizing wildly, as IIRC Dave Barry originally observed, half the population–that is guys–won’t go to the doctor unless we have arterial bleeding or a bone actually sticking out of our skin. (Of course, there are guys for whom this is not true, but on the other hand there are women for whom it _is_ true.) Apart from a small minority of hypochondriacs, going to the doctor isn’t any fun, and people aren’t likely to do so unless they actually really need to. As a society, we _want_ people to carry out all that inconvenient and occasionally undignified routine medical care before they stagger into the emergency room after having coughed up half a lung; not only are there humanitarian concerns but in the long run it will likely be less expensive, too. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/13 "2009-12-25T03:55:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How many people who can go to the doctor now, go to the doctor? I have insurance, but I’ve been to the doctor once in the last three years. I agree. The argument that people will just go to doctors a lot is absurd. There may be a run for a while because so many have been suffering without coverage. But once they get caught up they will avoid doctors like the rest of us. Who looks forward to doctor appointments? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/14 "2009-12-25T04:08:47Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How many people who can go to the doctor now, go to the doctor? I have insurance, but I’ve been to the doctor once in the last three years. I agree. The argument that people will just go to doctors a lot is absurd. There may be a run for a while because so many have been suffering without coverage. But once they get caught up they will avoid doctors like the rest of us. Who looks forward to doctor appointments? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/15 "2009-12-25T04:17:31Z")
For whatever it’s worth, there are several things I have that I’d like to see a doctor about, but don’t because I can’t afford it with my current insurance. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/16 "2009-12-25T04:33:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No doubt. What I was trying to say was that I don’t believe people will say, ‘It’s FREE! I have to take it because it’s FREE!’; which is the implication of the responded-to post. Most people have insurance coverage, and most people have better things to do than go to the doctor unless they really need to. Gotcha. I just wanted to make the point that young healthy people should not avoid paying into the health insurance system as that just raises the cost for everone else at the time and ultimately the high cost will hit them in later life. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/17 "2009-12-25T04:37:42Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Want me to suggest some? Just let me check in and out so you can be my family physician----its all taxpayer dollars anyway. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/18 "2009-12-25T08:43:15Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Gotcha. I just wanted to make the point that young healthy people should not avoid paying into the health insurance system as that just raises the cost for everone else at the time and ultimately the high cost will hit them in later life. Isn’t that the a basic problem with our healthy care system. There is no reason for a young healthy person to give into private insurance companies. Their doing so lowers costs for everyone else. It’s a private company just because you were more profitable early in life doesn’t mean they have any loyalty to keep your costs down later in life. In Fact it makes sense for them to drop you later in life and find some new young sucker to take money from. If the motivation of the insurance system is to make a profit, younger healthy people have every reason to stay out of it. If they offered lifetime contracts that guaranteed health care later in life for paying in while you were young that at least be a step in a stomachache direction. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/19 "2009-12-25T08:47:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Ahem. > > [You agree not to post material that in our opinion fosters or promotes activity that is illegal in the U.S.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347160) > > 😛 Yeah it would be wrong for **Qadgop the Mercotan** to suggest anyone commit criminal acts. **Qadgop** what are some examples of criminal acts committed by your patients, I’m just curious. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496/20 "2009-12-25T09:22:08Z")
Also, going to the doctor when something minor is wrong with you really doesn’t take that long, and probably saves a lot of headache later. I live in a country with UHC. Say I think I have an ear infection: I go to the doctor, he swipes my card, looks at my medical record on the screen, looks in my ear, says “yep, you have an ear infection,” prints out a scrip for antibiotics, and sends me on my way. Entire time inside doctor’s office: no more than 5 minutes. If everyone did this for ear infections, you’d have \*slightly \*busier doctors, and a much healthier, more productive population. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-you-want-public-option-get-into-prison/522496.md?page=2)