Why tinker with our health care when it's the best in the world?

[Mike Johnson]

I just returned from the pharmacy. The man in line in front of me had a nasty cough, and prescriptions for both cough syrup and antibiotics. He didn't have enough money for both. He paid for the cough syrup & asked the pharmacy tech if they could keep hold of his other prescription for two weeks. He was waiting for his next payday. The tech said No, they could only hold it for a week, but maybe they could schedule it to be filled in a week, and then he could pick it up a week after that? So that was the plan.

As he walked away, I asked him how much the antibiotics cost: $15. So I paid for the man's amoxicillin. He got all teary eyed when the tech handed it to him.

[Greg]

He probably didn't plan well enough. Take responsibility. Bootstraps. Etc.

(Good on ya, Mr. Johnson.)

[RgrF]

The side of the argument those supporting the monied interests won't address, sad you had to make that choice MJ.

[Surfrider]

But you forget, without government intervention he was able to make the choice, medecine...or food.

It's all about freedom. You get to decide how much blood to sell this week so you can eat, no nasty government taking your freedoms away!

[john dough]

COMMUNIST! (just channeling the Glenn Becks of the world).

That the GOP keeps driving home that they don't want the system to change and come up with some BS statistic that 85% are happy with our system, show how out of touch they are with reality and how they will say anything to appease their wealthy constituents.

It is disgusting that we have a system that puts profits and shareholders ahead of health of our citizens. All of those who support such a system can go f**k themselves.

Thank you Mike for doing that!

[cbelt3]

quite simply because it's life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Healthcare ain't in there. Nor are wooden false teeth.

Good on you, personally.

I'll make another point... what most people (especially the media) don't realize is that small town USA has less 'free healthcare' available than big urban USA. But when it exists it's on the classic 'grange' philosophy- person to person. Just like you did it.

And Rg.... "monied interests"... snicker.... they're ALL "monied interests" on either side of the argument. You musta drunk the 'bad rich people" kool-aid the Dems have been serving up for... forever.

[Black]

cbelt3 wrote:
I'll make another point... what most people (especially the media) don't realize is that small town USA has less 'free healthcare' available than big urban USA.

Good point.

[OWC Jamie]

If he was on medicare he would only have had to wait two weeks to come up with 5 bucks.

[the_poochies]

Let's all sing along, folks!

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least healthcare ain't free.

And I wont forget the men who died, who made him pay that fee.

And I gladly stand up, next to Cigna and defend her still today.

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love Big Pharma, God bless the USA."

[rgG]

Here in metro Atlanta, you can get some generic prescriptions for free at Publix pharmacies. Amoxicillian is one of them. I know this because I had my daughter's prescription filled there and they told me there was no charge. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not or if you can pay or not, they will just give it to you, up to a 14 day supply.

I was just bringing that up as an FYI, as I think the health care system is severely in need of a major overhaul. I am in favor of a public option but in the very least they need to make it so that individuals can be treated as if they are part of a group, to make individually purchased policies in line with what groups pay.

Here is the info from Publix, in case you know someone who can benefit from it:

Publix wants to help you with your health-care costs, so we're happy to be able to give you a great deal on certain generic antibiotics doctors often prescribe. New or current customers: bring in your prescription for one of the generic oral antibiotics listed below to your neighborhood Publix Pharmacy and receive it FREE, up to a 14-day supply. There are no limits on the number of prescriptions you can have filled. And they're FREE to you regardless of your prescription insurance provider.

* Amoxicillin
* Cephalexin (capsules and suspension only)
* Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)
* Ciprofloxacin (excluding Ciprofloxacin XR)



* Penicillin VK
* Ampicillin
* Erythromycin Stearate and Ethylsuccinate
* Doxycycline Hyclate (capsules)