Comments on: Sicko isn’t convincing everyone

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:25:00 +0000

As someone who adjudicates Medicaid appeals, I would just like to ask anon and Mike to please point out an actual example of these modern-day cadillac "welfare queens."

This is eerily similar to the ignorant musings of one Mr. Reagan way back when describing these examples of abuse and fraud that would be eggregious . . . had they actually existed.

In my experience calling Medicaid patients on a daily basis - rather than making thinly-veiled bigotted assumptions about what "they" are doing based on something I see on the subway - I have found it quite difficult to track many Appellants down specifically because THEY DON'T HAVE PHONES.

But that doesn't fit the nice little narrative that Mike and anon have constructed to make themselves feel better about the plight of others.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:55:00 +0000

Yes, I love the patients on Medicaid who cry “poor”.. and then bust out theri cellphones and portable DVD players/iPODs/Nintendos, etc. You know, the ones who can’t afford health insurance in this country (supposedly)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:16:00 +0000

But they have kickass cell phones with awesome ringtones so they have that going for them. Which is nice.

By: IndieRN

IndieRN — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:10:00 +0000

He also completely discounts the large quantity of working poor. People who work at or just above minimum wage with no benefits.They work everyday and get further behind. ANY medical problem for them can spell financial and family ruin.

By: Evan

Evan — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:14:00 +0000

What a wonderful sentiment that person has. If you dislike the place you are living, rather than working to change it, he suggests you go somewhere else. I'm sure this means he must be a strong supporter of easing restrictions on immigration into the US.

Also, I think it must mean that he is 100% totally satisfied with every aspect of his life and never complains about anything.

You can see how such advice would lead to utopia.