I believe medicaid is good for people that truly need it, but i have a hard time with people who use it to have a ton of kids.  Tax payers are paying for this.  Then to feed their kids we have to pay for them to recieve food stamps.  Does anyone else have a problem with this, or am I just too sensitive about this?
215856
No, you are not too sensitive about this. I believe that everyone needs help sometimes, whether they are fortunate enough to get it from their families, or from the state. The key is: being able to pull yourself out of a bad financial situation and give back what you have recieved ( maybe not in a literal sence, but, you know??) Maybe it would be a good idea to start denying these people help. I am sick of seeing and hearing about welfare parents, I could die. I mean, some of these people drive NICE vehicles, are draped in expensive jewelry, wear very nice clothes, and pay for thier food with an EBT card. Sickening. I would like to see them get off their lazy a*s, wake up at 5:00am, and go to fu**in work like the rest of us. I'm with ya on this one- totally.
321525
Hospitals offer everyone emergency care whether they can pay or not.  Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program that helps low income folks with their care.\n\nIt's still a problem though.  I have a friend with leukemia, and she doesn't have health insurance and she earns too much money to qualify for government assistance, but not enough to pay for her treatment.  The American Cancer Society is paying for her treatment, but not her prescriptions.  It's far from a perfect system.\n\nI have another friend in Canada, where health care is socialized.  She had a worrisome spot on her skin and also a lump under her skin.  Her doctor was concerned and referred her to a specialist.  She had to wait 6 months before she could get an appointment.  It turns out it wasn't cancer, but if it was, that wait could have killed her.  That system is very far from perfect too.\n\nAs far as bankruptcy, there's not a whole lot of shame in it anymore, and if it was for medical reasons, it won't hurt your chances for a loan as much as you may think.  Bankruptcy only stays on your financial records for 7 years, so it won't haunt you for your whole life.\n\nBut your general premise that being poor is not as advantageous as being wealthy is right.  It's true in many ways including in health care.
424780
I think this country has gone over the edge as far as helping others.  My tax dollars go to pay for other peoples education and when I need money there is none for me.  I knew someone who got flown in from a different country to have heart surgery completely free of charge.  Would anyone in this country who works and pays takes get that for free ?? Hell no.  My own grandmother got money from the govt for being old.  She had never worked a day in this country.  I think those things are wrong.  The people who live here and pay taxes dont get as much as people from other countries do.
259414
I have had a devastating illness in the family. I am a Citizen. I did NOT receive help for my son. Just a kiss off. The programs are bloated with people who should NOT even qualify but by false documentation or the rules of that state of not being ALLOWED to ask if they are legal citizens take away from the LEGAL CITIZENS who have paid into the system for years. I know I am blessed my son is still alive there are sooooo many others who have lost their child through inadequate medical care due to money constraints.
521662
I am one of 45 million people without access to affordable health care. It affects my life every day as I am a diabetic and I do not take all the prescribed medicines that I am suppose to. It will probably shorten my life but it is the best I can do. I do not think it is a big issue for the general public, they are not effected by it one way or the other. But for those of of us that need to be able to see a Dr. regularly, It is a dangerous situation. I think that the real answer is to do away with the private insurance company's and offer national health care so that everyone has access to it if they need it. I understand that this would not be free health care as it has to be paid for by taxes, however I would rather see my money going for people like me then to send 10 billion a month to a war in Iraq that should have never been.
466488
people like me can't get it. 3 kids and a husband that is disabled. i work my butt off for minimum wage. a job they say Americans wont do. but its all good. i survived this long. the govt don't seem to care about their own citizens in any country.
381390
it is very bad now\n\nmy father lost his job during a strike, he had broken his hip 7 years ago, SO he could've just applied for welfare, BUT my dad went to therapy and got back in shape, and he continues to work hard \n\nbut, i know someone who had a back problem, and QUIT his construction job, applied for welfare, and now he gets the following\n\nFREE HEALTHCARE, FREE PERSCRIPTION DRUGS, FOOD STAMPS, $550 A MONTH, AND HE DOES NOT PAY FOR CAR INSURANCE OR GAS, THAT IS ******* REDICULOUS\n\nwe need another welfare reform now, abolishing welfare for illegal aliens, lazy people, or people who fake disabilities\n\nit should go for REALLY disabled Americans
71370
Maybe the payment to married people is to pay them to put up with the other person... But ya I like the idea of it going to  people with children instead.  Although it bothers me when people have kids just to get money from the government then starve their kids... So it has its drawbacks.
320848
yes i agree with you I think the laws should be strict.  but like you said you are a broke, poor college student (I am too) yet we do not qualify for this assistance. The question is why?  I tend to believe some people might get it because of their skin color.....sorry but that what i think.  If they were denied this assistance, they could go an report the government for discrimination.  I go to school and fund my education independently - through loans, scholarships, etc.  I do not qualify for grants, state or federal.  why?  I am broke, poor!  then there are these people that go to school that have kids and get everything payed for.  (I am 23)  I have often thought that maybe my responsibility has not payed off, if i spread my legs and had babies, then i could live in a free apartment, get foodstamps, and get my college education payed for, and wear nicer clothes than everyone else, even people who actually do work. it's sick.  i think a lot of people take advantage of it all
408680
Hit it right on the head. I was in England a while back and there was an issue where people were pissed because a stripper had her breast enlargement paid for via the health care system. Her claim was that it helped her earn more money. People here (in the US) need to stop trying to get the government to pay for everything. If a person will just get a job they can take care of their needs. People who can not work for legit reasons I have no problem with helping but the idea that everything should be taken care of by the gov is a socialist view. I do not want to live in that type of world. Survival of the fittest or at lest the hardest working works for me.
438325
EXACTLY! When I was younger I used to feel sorry for the people on the streets... I never gave them money but I did drive through a fast food place a couple of times and buy them food and go back and drop it off. Then I seen library park in Phoenix, AZ., and the food lines, etc! The only reason a person is homeless is because they choose to be! We have an overabundance of help programs and some states even have welfare for single men! I live in a city where there are an extreme amount of people getting SSI and Social Security and working (or hustling) under the table for cash and they live much better or at least have many more $$ flow through their hands each month than alot of people. I don't believe that drug addicts and alcoholics should be eligible for these benefits... In addition, I think the funniest thing I have seen is a huge man walking into the grocery store in the middle of the afternoon with his food stamps going to buy groceries.... instead of giving him food stamps and a check... make him get off his duff and work... then we won't have to pay for his stomach staple proceedure either! A friend of mine that is a millionaire went to our local Dr. that has been doing all of those proceedures and he wanted to have it done. He carries private blue cross and the Dr. would not even schedule him for a interview because he didn't have title 19.My friend told the Dr.s office that he has cash...... they said they couldn't take cash because in the case of complications it can run upwards of $100,000.00 again my friend said.... I have cash. They just told him they were sorry they couldn't help him.... however, I personally know 7 people that have had the surgery lately and another couple that are scheduled for it and they are all on welfare! Now if that ain't something! Now don't get me wrong... we do need programs that can assist.... but they need to know when enough is enough and their is a big difference between a hand up and a hand out!
303132
the problem is our country can not afford to care for many of the illegal immigrants and though we want to give everyone equal rights and medical care and social security, and all the rights of a human regardless of what race or religion they are, but the bottom line is we don't have it and it is like closing the door to the neighbors who are hungry because your children do not have enough to eat. When we get older there will be barely any SSI and retirement benefits...do you want to have less and go hungry so you can help others come to our country?  I wish we could screen the ones WHOo need to come here for their safety and the ones wh come here just to get  away from their own government from illegal actions, drugs, or employment.\nI want to share with others and I have compassion but I am a nurse and I see old people every day who are hungry, get meals on wheels from the church and can not afford to buy their medicine.  I have seen people who are young and poor die because the insurance would not pay for certain drugs they needed. we have to draw the line some place, don't we?
301584
Unfortunately, there is strong and heated debate with little headway.\n\nSome would argue that this country supports poor ( needy ) families that seem to bring more children, and needs upon themselves.\nMany of these families make a strong case against themselves when they abuse help programs by claiming more children than they have, working cash jobs and collecting, selling food stamps for drugs while their children are not fed.\n\nStill others will claim that it is not ethical to suppress a humans most inherent instinct, to procreate.\n\nThere is far too much drug abuse and careless sex, resulting in unwanted or unmanageable pregnancies. Still many of the young expectant mothers are entitled to aid, especially when a child is involved. The new parents find there is income with the child and keep it. Far too often the income does little or no good for the child.\n\nI do not think you are crazy, I do think we need far more sophisticated checks and balances.
20903
Welfare is essentially a negative tax, which goes right in hand with the ability-to-pay tax principle. They so lack an ability to pay that they are instead paid by the Social Security Insurance tax that everyone who can pay does.
203388
I get foodstamps b/c I have a lot of people to support and some of which are not able to work, some are too young. I hate people that cheat the system. It makes the gov't make all these new rules that make it harder on us who need them. I work hard,but I still need some help.
79332
I can't answer for others, but I can speak for myself.  I have more money than the rest of my family and I have worked very hard for what I have.  Members of my family are always coming to me for money.  I am tired of it.  I have a sister and a other family members that do not work and look at me like a bank.  I do not mind giving a hand up, but I am sick of giving hand outs.  I now refuse to help those that refuse to help themselves.  However, that doesn't mean I don't help others.  Two weeks ago I paid for an eye exam and a pair of glasses for a woman I didn't know.  I met her in the doctors office and she was crying, they wouldn't accept medicaid as payment.  I talked to her and heard her story.  I then told the lady I would pay her bill and I did.  It cost a few hundred dollars, but I felt it was the right thing to do.
442856
I agree with the concept, yes. I've seen way too many times where people make blanket statements, and it's annoying to no end. You'd rather your tax dollars go to unjust wars? To hike government salaries? \n\nThere are plenty of people, women and men alike, on welfare programs that NEED it, that could not exist any other way. Many times it's due to circumstances that are entirely beyond their control, and most often they are ashamed to admit it and can't wait to be independent and self supporting. Gee, I wonder why they're ashamed when the general majority makes them feel like sponges.\n\nThere are others that take advantage of the system, and this is WHY people get jaded and judgemental. However, they tend to forget that this is not the majority, that there are people out there that could not exist without it, and that it's our responsibility to help those less fortunate ... our moral responsibility.