I've gotta a helpful suggestion for Trump's latest "health care plan. " The funds deposited in the account will be crypto, because we all know the value will be twice as much in a single year!
Also, we'll save all kinds of money on those worthless vaccines!
Shitpants would hump any Health insurance lobbyist's leg for a piece of the pie. But it's reciprocal. They have to hump his in return. We know he doesn't give a shit. He just smells like it.
Project 2025 wants citizens to beg for their supper and be fucking grateful for the stone soup. It's all part of the plan. They're halfway there.
Converting the Social Security Trust Fund to crypto Stable Coin is probably on next year's Big Wheel of Moron. And Schumer is down for compromising on that.
No--the Craven 8 Expert Crack Negotiating Team will be in charge. You know--the Senate crew that did such a bang-up job, ending the shutdown, that the Republicans got everything they originally wanted and the Democrats (and the American people) got zippity do dah. What skill!
The wheel adds an element of suspense and danger to the post I love it, it reminds us that there are an infinite number of moronic possibilities since there is an entire library of true incidents of moron rated stories that make me all blinky like “wut?” that’s a real thing?
Two ideas what he can do with the $2000: put it on SNAP cards . . . or . . . put it where the sun don't shine . . . because it's probably crypto. I hate receiving physical mail from the U.S. g'ment any more cause I don' know where it's been. Or I do and I have to burn it. Yeech!
it's o.k. dude, these are "unpresidented" times that call for drastic measures....was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor???....damnit....I'm fucking losing it here.....
The $$$ that will be given to us (from the government, like Medicare?) to “negotiate” with, uh—Whether the govt negotiates rates or individuals do, the $$$ is still going to the insurance companies. No way around that, sadly. Or is there a magic step I’m missing? This isn’t a plan. This is worse. Talk about a boondoggle.
The first time around, when he started blathering about insane ideas, you could see sensible people around him like John Kelly or Dr. Birx, looking like they just got a migraine, who we expected would talk him down once they got him off stage. This time, he surrounded himself with idiot sycophants who will try to put his ideas into action, and the most we can hope for is their incompetence.
Rational Americans were, have been, and always will be one with Dr. Fauci--that immortalized moment when he about imploded, trying not to simultaneously roar with outrage and laughter while Donnie Demento delivered his COVID pronouncements.
He surrounds himself with Fox News talking heads. The purpose: so nothing gets done. Its all distraction. Someone please tell me who is really behind this.
I just read in an article that Peter Theil thinks that critics of technology, financial innovation (?) and artificial intelligence are, legionaires for the Antichrist.
I'm with Pete Buttigieg. Make single payer an option. Some people (like union members who got a good deal) LIKE their private insurance. Buttigieg went on to say -- during the 2020 campaign -- that if single payer is so attractive, and he believes it would be, people would be convinced to adopt it.
That is what Traditional Medicare is, but the deductibles and Co-Pays are bad. There are a lot of inefficiencies built into the system which could be fixed and we would end up with a system like the Canadians and Europeans enjoy. We don't have such a system, because Rupert Murdoch (Faux Snooze), the rest of the oligarchs, The Health Insurance Industry, etc. are against it.
I have Supplemental F via AARP/United Healthcare. It was $128 a month when it began 7 years ago. It has doubled. Cannot wait for my surprise next year. I rarely go to the doctor. Just recently had to go to a cardiologist for tests. Mostly I use traditional Medicare and above for chiropractor and ophthalmologist. Have two prescriptions (blood pressure and cholesterol) and have seen drug plan go from $28 to $115 in same 7-year period. Co-pay is now $15. It was $5 last year. All doable for me but wonder about near future.
I have the same plans but, I shattered my femur 6 years ago, had extensive surgery to put the pieces back together, spent 3 days in the hospital, spent 3 months in rehab, had first visiting nurses and physical therapist, then 3 months of physical therapy. It didn’t cost me a penny. The hospital room alone was more than $40K and I can’t imagine what a private room in the rehab facility would cost. Ditto for my broken hip two years later.
Caught my foot in a charger cord, fell and broke my hip in February. Had the same routine: surgery, recovery, rehab and home therapy. I got a copy of the hospital bill just the other day. United paid $99 ,000. I paid $245. They may be greedy uncaring bastards, but insurance can be a life savior. Medicare for all would be cheaper and save even more lives.
Yes, it's called "attained age" pricing. Transamerica used to offer an "issue age" plan, but dropped it a few years ago despite Medicare claiming it's still available. But any supplement plan is better than "Advantage" (it should be called "Advantage *wink wink*")
BTW, Cigna has a $0 premium Part D plan. If your meds are generic, get the Cigna plan but use Mark Cuban's "Cost Plus" pharmacy. The cash price is likely cheaper than the copay amount.
I have a zero premium Medicare D plan this year, but I was getting dangerous side effects from a med in their formulary, and they have the safer substitute med that I was switched to in their highest level formulary, which meant I pay, and that was only after I filrd an appeal. So... I am switching to a different D plan next year that charges a small premium, but it also includes the med I need. The comparison tool at medicare.gov shows I save $1000 on meds next year despite changing to a D plan with premiums. And the D plans also depend on zip code. What a crazy maze.
I have Medicare, but can't afford the supplemental insurance that fills the "donut hole". Medicaid has been suggested, but there's a work requirement in Ohio, even for seniors. I'll be damned if I pick up trash along the roadside to "earn" my healthcare.
So do I, both the traditional and a supplement plan not a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan which they have been trying to shove down our throats for years now. MA private insurance is paid for by taxpayers and it has a built-in need for profit to pay big returns for their executives and shareholders!
Medicare "Advantage" plans piss me off. First of all, it is NOT Medicare so how TF are they able to use that in their name? Second, you can be dropped from an "Advantage" plan for no reason -- you got cancer? Sux to be you, bye! Third, "Advantage" plans were GeeDumbya Bush's attempt to privatize Medicare. Everyfkingthing with Rethuglicans has to be transactional.
Yup, pisses me off, too. As does AARP which is a major pimp for United Healthcare’s MA plan. Whenever they have an article on navigating Medicare they often leave off the supplemental plans entirely! I admit the supplemental plans can be somewhat costly monthly, but the minute you need to use them, you understand why immediately. Two years ago my husband had a stroke, then two episodes of kidney failure, each instance requiring days of hospitalization, testing, dialysis, drugs, etc. Cost to us: not one penny. We have zero copays for everything. When my husband was sent for physical therapy, that office had a large sign in the window saying “If you have United Healthcare, please know your copayment requires an additional $30, due to their below cost payment for PT.”
Me too. I think this year it's going to be $350/month (on top of the medicare cost), but if you have a lot of healthcare requirements, it's so worth it. Also for peace of mind. And insider tip: my broker switched me to supplement plan G mid year (but on the first of the next month) when we knew I'd be facing high costs. So it seems that people can do that when needed, at least here in NYS.
Medicare advantage was W’s plan to privatize Medicare. unlike Medicare, it’s for profit so everything they deny members goes to their bottom line. I have had Medicare + supplemental insurance and haven’t paid a penny for any tests, doctor visits, or procedures. If your doctor has a valid reason to request something, Medicare pays it without questions, so refreshing after many years of corporate insurance questioning everything. At one point, we had my husband’s insurance as primary for him and our children and mine as secondary. His insurance would pay 80% and mine would pick up the other 20%. Mine did the reverse. Then, during the Reagan administration, the rules changed or were reinterpreted and the insurance companies calculated how much they should pay, then subtracted what your primary insurance paid, instead of the total cost minus what the primary paid, and they paid the difference, which was zero. I took my husband and kids off my insurance.
You are lucky to have it. Forty years ago things were a lot better before some geniuses thought to look at healthcare as a product to be sold rather than a necessity in a civilized first-world country.
In 2009, the senators put in charge of drafting the ACA bill had deep ties (i.e. lots of money) with the insurance industry. As a result, even though even Obama wanted a single-payer option, the bill that came out did not include that as an option.
Interesting comment in another blog from a nurse who thinks Cheetolini is suffering from severe untreated sleep apnea and thatʻs why he nods off during the day. She thinks when he needs to be alert his handlers shoot him up with various stimulants, which doesnʻt help with his communication skills.
Minehune, he seems more like he was in 2020 when he was already huffing Sudafed and running a sleep deficit just less dementia. He has really gone down quickly.
I have two degrees (one's a JD) and my 11th book is about to come out. I'm not trying to brag. I simply want to establish I'm not an idiot. I have no idea whatsoever how Medicare works. I just got a notice from them (that boldly states "not a bill") that goes over my recent medical visits and procedures, what they cost, what Medicare allowed, what they paid, and what I owe. The only thing I understood was that I didn't owe anything. That's good, but it might as well have been written in Sanskrit for all the sense it made to me. The notion that people like me -- who is NOT an idiot -- should negotiate with insurance companies is insane.
Exactly this. Papers arrive, I look at them; they mean nothing comprehensible; I shred them. Basically, my reaction is precisely how my cats would handle the statements.
one of the mercies of our Canadian system is there is nothing to try to understand, esp when in the throes of need: go to hospital or doc, present card, get taken care of. no needless complications, NO VAMPIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES
I used to volunteer for Medicare counseling (itʻs called SHIP, which also makes no sense). Anyway, you are absolutely right, Medicare is insanely complicated with all the various options, as well as how you have to coordinate it sometimes with employer-provided insurance or Medicaid. Medicare for All, in one simple program, is the solution.
I'm also on Mass Health (our version of Medicaid) and started getting confused by why a.) I would want a Medicare Advantage plan and b.) why my zip code was at all relevant to such plans. I spoke to senior services in my city and they told me if I had Medicare and Mass Health (plus a Plan D insurance for medications) then I was all set and should just ignore the ads. Now I also get to ignore the phone calls as well.
I know a volunteer for Medicare counseling, and by chance I happened to connect with her when I was retiring during COVID. We did not realize that we knew each other in our meeting, because everything was over the phone. We figured out later we knew each other. I was planning to get an Advantage Plan. She remained neutral - no suggestions. A few months into coverage, I caught the Advantage Plan rep lying to me that I was required to have a home visit. I was still in the first couple months of eligibility when I could switch to traditional Medicare without requiring time consuming underwriting, so I made the switch easily. Later I heard from my acquaintance who I had spoken with earlier. Whe told me she is strictly prohibited from offering opinions on either traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. It looks like interference from moneyed interests to me.
I've been on Medicare for almost five years. I am always amazed at what the original bill is, e.g., $500 vs. what Medicare will pay, say $150, and they always accept that as payment in full. There is a lot of money to be made in healthcare. However, I believe that no one should profit from someone else's pain and suffering.
My daughter is flying from Boston to Sacramento tomorrow, may God bless her connecting flight! I'll be praying for you both! Load your kindle! Bring a pillow! And be kind to airport personnel and your fellow travelers ❤️
When you have Murc's Law (where only Democrats have political agency, accountability for personal and public behavior, and responsibility to know how ANYTHING works), you're going to get this.
And of course, remember that there's no consequence for this sort of thing; because the pricktator isn't elected to know anything. He's elected to destroy the minorities that the unreconstructed in America hate. As long as he causes them pain, any of his incompetence is fine.
They think the reason prices go up or their insurance premiums are high is because there are non white, many of them immigrants, who get free health care, but dont deserve it. If free insurance and health care was denied to people in poverty. The rest of us would get affordable health care.
Magnets, Trumpcare, and the eternal promise that “everybody will be happy.” It’s like watching late-stage empire written by Dr. Seuss and edited by a hedge fund.
The center keeps playing debate club while the circus eats the tent.
I agree these are strange times we are living in. But please leave Dr. Seuss out of it. I am a big fan. Yertle the Turtle is dictatorship explained to little kids. The Lorax shows capitalism destroying the environment. Horton learns that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Hi Jeff, my morning was going great until I read a piece this morning concerning the convicted terrorist Stuart Rhodes, now pardoned. He says he’s going to “put the band together” Oath Keepers.. He says they will act as a private militia for Trump… WTAF is going on? Donald has a private army now and it’s called ICE., greasing the skids for 2026&2028 elections…..Considering all the pardons Donald handed out the other day for his legal enablers.. well the calculations indicate that if you break the law in service to your god king you will get a get out of jail card, on the federal level. So now under Ed Martin, pardon attorney in the DOJ, they are arguing that Presidential Pardons should apply to state convictions…. WTAF? Criminals love other criminals… Thanks Jeff.
Yes that's what ICE really is. Trump's private army. They are openly advertising for thugs. Previous felonies not at all a problem. Everyone hates them so Trump's handlers will use them to terrorize voters. I hope Democratic lawmakers and Governors are preparing for this.
Yes Jeff-you ARE a fucking genius! “Moron speak” is the entire administration and republicans reps in congress. And yes-a first grader knows what the fuck a magnet is and can probably count money better than that guy in the golden palace in DC. YIKES! thanks Jeff-great post!
There was a sit com a number of years ago, about a family with grown kids and the father was a congressman or senator. It was funny because the guy was a complete idiot and had to be constantly "handled."
Not I, and certainly not Mary Trump - who has laid out Donald's entire family history, and all the cruelty that began in his early childhood. He has never been anything but an entitled, selfish, and cruel bully. Military school was intended to curb his nasty impulses, but failed utterly. Might have made him worse.
The orange mofo has never had to worry about healthcare in his entire miserable fucking life. Why the cultists think that he gives one shit about them is so beyond me. I’m so over these fuckers🤬
So, the truth comes out. Along with erasing every good thing Obama did, he also wants to erase "Obamacare" and replace it with "Trumpcare". Also, individuals negotiating with insurance companies??? What the Dunning-Kruger hell? The way insurance works in the U.S. is having groups of people, some sick and some healthy, all sharing the burden to make it affordable. But try explaining that to Dumpf and MAGA.
I confess, this is at least the third time I've used the 'big wheel of moron' as a trope with which to begin a post
Blame it on the GOP, who seem determined to keep it relevant.
Sad to say, Jeff is operating in a target rich environment. 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘
I've gotta a helpful suggestion for Trump's latest "health care plan. " The funds deposited in the account will be crypto, because we all know the value will be twice as much in a single year!
Also, we'll save all kinds of money on those worthless vaccines!
Shitpants would hump any Health insurance lobbyist's leg for a piece of the pie. But it's reciprocal. They have to hump his in return. We know he doesn't give a shit. He just smells like it.
Project 2025 wants citizens to beg for their supper and be fucking grateful for the stone soup. It's all part of the plan. They're halfway there.
“We know he doesn’t give a shit. He just smells like it.” Genius! Pure unadulterated truth. I am so stealing it!
As is "He's not tough - he just smells strong. . ."
His prototype/model of his healthcare/deathcare plan is his rotting hand.
That's perfect!
Arrrg! Don't give him any ideas!!!!!
Converting the Social Security Trust Fund to crypto Stable Coin is probably on next year's Big Wheel of Moron. And Schumer is down for compromising on that.
No--the Craven 8 Expert Crack Negotiating Team will be in charge. You know--the Senate crew that did such a bang-up job, ending the shutdown, that the Republicans got everything they originally wanted and the Democrats (and the American people) got zippity do dah. What skill!
It takes years and years and years to develop that kind of expertise. Years…
What did I miss? The shutdown was not ended that I know of.
And guess Whose crypto company is going to broker all that Bitcoin buying? Shouldn’t add more than a few hundred $Billion to the price of conversion.
And when the crypto market goes down the drain in a few years carrying all our SS money with it what will we do?!?
Die. (That's what the oligarchs intend.😡😡😡)
😆🤣🫨
Chuck Schumer will send a strongly worded letter, printed with a new cartridge onto the best quality cream laid paper.
It's quite accurate. 👏👏👏
I love the big wheel of moron!
Big wheel, keep on turning
Donny’s cult keeps un-learning
Good one Paw! 😄
Magnets work by electricity from sinking electric boats electrocuting sharks. The sharks become magnets and attract Hannibal Lector. The End.
Finally, an explanation the common man can understand. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Hilarious!!!
I think he's working on Hannibal's pardon right now.
I laughed out loud at this one.
😂😂😂
The wheel adds an element of suspense and danger to the post I love it, it reminds us that there are an infinite number of moronic possibilities since there is an entire library of true incidents of moron rated stories that make me all blinky like “wut?” that’s a real thing?
You are a fucking genius. There is no doubt.
The first photo of King Moron that you used is perfect! What a shithead. 🙄
Nah, none of us know.
somad now.
https://thistleandmoss.com/p/promise-cash-erika-couchbottom-kirk-and-democratic-surrender
That said, however, Trump wants to save himself by giving us all 2000 dollars.
“tooth fairy’s offshore account!!” This is a reality check for maggots!!!
The one type of check they NEVER cash!
😅😅👏👏👏
Two ideas what he can do with the $2000: put it on SNAP cards . . . or . . . put it where the sun don't shine . . . because it's probably crypto. I hate receiving physical mail from the U.S. g'ment any more cause I don' know where it's been. Or I do and I have to burn it. Yeech!
Big wheel of moron 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂 you are the BEST
Make it a weekly feature. There's an embarrassment of riches from which to choose.
I can't believe I just laughed through the whole post.
Trademark it.
SPIN! THAT! WHEEL!
Nowhammynowhammynowhammynowhammy STOP! 🤣
it's o.k. dude, these are "unpresidented" times that call for drastic measures....was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor???....damnit....I'm fucking losing it here.....
The $$$ that will be given to us (from the government, like Medicare?) to “negotiate” with, uh—Whether the govt negotiates rates or individuals do, the $$$ is still going to the insurance companies. No way around that, sadly. Or is there a magic step I’m missing? This isn’t a plan. This is worse. Talk about a boondoggle.
I see he's going full Insane Clown Posse. Great.
Also, we've now got notebooks full of ideas to add to the shelf next to Romney's binders full of women. A veritable stationery store, our GOP.
LOL, who keeps notebooks full of notes? Tell the pious dumbbell we have computers now
He doesn't know how to turn computer on. He has to get Baron to do it.
Yeah. He might be on the spectrum but Baron is a technological genius. He can turn a computer off, too.
Amazing aptitude these Trump spawn.
That doesn’t seem to be an event that happens often. Him seeing his most recent spawn, that is.
Melanoma mostly keeps Baron hidden. I think he's on the spectrum or something.
He’s on Something, all right. He is freakishly tall !
HaHaHaHaHa
I’ve got notebooks full of ideas on what type of death penalty should be used after his short trial.
Hanging, with a bad drop would be nice.
😂
I’d like to see him be forced to dance the two- handed jerk off dance to death.
Impalement, most definitely.😂😂
The first time around, when he started blathering about insane ideas, you could see sensible people around him like John Kelly or Dr. Birx, looking like they just got a migraine, who we expected would talk him down once they got him off stage. This time, he surrounded himself with idiot sycophants who will try to put his ideas into action, and the most we can hope for is their incompetence.
Rational Americans were, have been, and always will be one with Dr. Fauci--that immortalized moment when he about imploded, trying not to simultaneously roar with outrage and laughter while Donnie Demento delivered his COVID pronouncements.
He surrounds himself with Fox News talking heads. The purpose: so nothing gets done. Its all distraction. Someone please tell me who is really behind this.
I just read in an article that Peter Theil thinks that critics of technology, financial innovation (?) and artificial intelligence are, legionaires for the Antichrist.
WT absolute F!!!!
On the shelf under those is the shelf full of Epstein files. That’s a really big shelf, bigger than anyone has ever seen…
Yeah, what is it with Republicans and notebooks?
＼(￣▽￣)／
Faboo, Alison!
I'm with Bernie Sanders, senator from Vermont: Medicare for all! Healthcare is a human right!
I'm with Pete Buttigieg. Make single payer an option. Some people (like union members who got a good deal) LIKE their private insurance. Buttigieg went on to say -- during the 2020 campaign -- that if single payer is so attractive, and he believes it would be, people would be convinced to adopt it.
That is what Traditional Medicare is, but the deductibles and Co-Pays are bad. There are a lot of inefficiencies built into the system which could be fixed and we would end up with a system like the Canadians and Europeans enjoy. We don't have such a system, because Rupert Murdoch (Faux Snooze), the rest of the oligarchs, The Health Insurance Industry, etc. are against it.
Part C isn’t really a fix, just another money funnel to big insurance companies.
I have Supplemental F via AARP/United Healthcare. It was $128 a month when it began 7 years ago. It has doubled. Cannot wait for my surprise next year. I rarely go to the doctor. Just recently had to go to a cardiologist for tests. Mostly I use traditional Medicare and above for chiropractor and ophthalmologist. Have two prescriptions (blood pressure and cholesterol) and have seen drug plan go from $28 to $115 in same 7-year period. Co-pay is now $15. It was $5 last year. All doable for me but wonder about near future.
I have the same plans but, I shattered my femur 6 years ago, had extensive surgery to put the pieces back together, spent 3 days in the hospital, spent 3 months in rehab, had first visiting nurses and physical therapist, then 3 months of physical therapy. It didn’t cost me a penny. The hospital room alone was more than $40K and I can’t imagine what a private room in the rehab facility would cost. Ditto for my broken hip two years later.
Caught my foot in a charger cord, fell and broke my hip in February. Had the same routine: surgery, recovery, rehab and home therapy. I got a copy of the hospital bill just the other day. United paid $99 ,000. I paid $245. They may be greedy uncaring bastards, but insurance can be a life savior. Medicare for all would be cheaper and save even more lives.
Yes, it's called "attained age" pricing. Transamerica used to offer an "issue age" plan, but dropped it a few years ago despite Medicare claiming it's still available. But any supplement plan is better than "Advantage" (it should be called "Advantage *wink wink*")
BTW, Cigna has a $0 premium Part D plan. If your meds are generic, get the Cigna plan but use Mark Cuban's "Cost Plus" pharmacy. The cash price is likely cheaper than the copay amount.
I have a zero premium Medicare D plan this year, but I was getting dangerous side effects from a med in their formulary, and they have the safer substitute med that I was switched to in their highest level formulary, which meant I pay, and that was only after I filrd an appeal. So... I am switching to a different D plan next year that charges a small premium, but it also includes the med I need. The comparison tool at medicare.gov shows I save $1000 on meds next year despite changing to a D plan with premiums. And the D plans also depend on zip code. What a crazy maze.
I have Medicare, but can't afford the supplemental insurance that fills the "donut hole". Medicaid has been suggested, but there's a work requirement in Ohio, even for seniors. I'll be damned if I pick up trash along the roadside to "earn" my healthcare.
I have single-payer (traditional Medicare) plus a "G" supplement and love it. I can go to any doc and never get a bill for services.
So do I, both the traditional and a supplement plan not a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan which they have been trying to shove down our throats for years now. MA private insurance is paid for by taxpayers and it has a built-in need for profit to pay big returns for their executives and shareholders!
Medicare "Advantage" plans piss me off. First of all, it is NOT Medicare so how TF are they able to use that in their name? Second, you can be dropped from an "Advantage" plan for no reason -- you got cancer? Sux to be you, bye! Third, "Advantage" plans were GeeDumbya Bush's attempt to privatize Medicare. Everyfkingthing with Rethuglicans has to be transactional.
That's what I've always wondered, how they are able to call it Medicare. Makes absolutely no sense. Ugh.
Yup, pisses me off, too. As does AARP which is a major pimp for United Healthcare’s MA plan. Whenever they have an article on navigating Medicare they often leave off the supplemental plans entirely! I admit the supplemental plans can be somewhat costly monthly, but the minute you need to use them, you understand why immediately. Two years ago my husband had a stroke, then two episodes of kidney failure, each instance requiring days of hospitalization, testing, dialysis, drugs, etc. Cost to us: not one penny. We have zero copays for everything. When my husband was sent for physical therapy, that office had a large sign in the window saying “If you have United Healthcare, please know your copayment requires an additional $30, due to their below cost payment for PT.”
Me too. I think this year it's going to be $350/month (on top of the medicare cost), but if you have a lot of healthcare requirements, it's so worth it. Also for peace of mind. And insider tip: my broker switched me to supplement plan G mid year (but on the first of the next month) when we knew I'd be facing high costs. So it seems that people can do that when needed, at least here in NYS.
Medicare advantage was W’s plan to privatize Medicare. unlike Medicare, it’s for profit so everything they deny members goes to their bottom line. I have had Medicare + supplemental insurance and haven’t paid a penny for any tests, doctor visits, or procedures. If your doctor has a valid reason to request something, Medicare pays it without questions, so refreshing after many years of corporate insurance questioning everything. At one point, we had my husband’s insurance as primary for him and our children and mine as secondary. His insurance would pay 80% and mine would pick up the other 20%. Mine did the reverse. Then, during the Reagan administration, the rules changed or were reinterpreted and the insurance companies calculated how much they should pay, then subtracted what your primary insurance paid, instead of the total cost minus what the primary paid, and they paid the difference, which was zero. I took my husband and kids off my insurance.
A broker? Where do you get information. I've been on the same plan for forty years (Kaiser). I mostly pay little to nothing.
You are lucky to have it. Forty years ago things were a lot better before some geniuses thought to look at healthcare as a product to be sold rather than a necessity in a civilized first-world country.
In 2009, the senators put in charge of drafting the ACA bill had deep ties (i.e. lots of money) with the insurance industry. As a result, even though even Obama wanted a single-payer option, the bill that came out did not include that as an option.
The big roadblock was sanctimonious Joe Lieberman who would not vote for it unless it excluded a single payer option.
They sure shot the old bastard full of pep drugs. He was everywhere this weekend, blathering, getting booed…
Interesting comment in another blog from a nurse who thinks Cheetolini is suffering from severe untreated sleep apnea and thatʻs why he nods off during the day. She thinks when he needs to be alert his handlers shoot him up with various stimulants, which doesnʻt help with his communication skills.
"Cheetolini" - perfect. First time seeing.
Minehune, he seems more like he was in 2020 when he was already huffing Sudafed and running a sleep deficit just less dementia. He has really gone down quickly.
He ruined my weekend but not my magnet collection.
I had the same thought- T was speaking so fast- he had to be on steroids or some amphetamine. Health issues!?
It started when as a child seeing his mothers hair style that affected his speech patterns. It's a common problem. His hair might be a clue.
Do steroid make you talk fast? IDK. I know that amphetamine does that. I think it makes you sweat, too. I'm not an expert on drugs.
I have had lots of experience with steroids, due to MS. I feel like I can run a Marathon, win a debate, due to being very amped up.
He must get amphetamines on the regular, then sleeps for a week. I wish he would make the sleep part permanent.
I so AGREE!!!
1. Maybe we can get the band Rare Earth to explain magnets to Donny.
2. That Wheel of Moron must be as large as a Ferris wheel.
The London Eye comes to mind..
And the cars are full of more moron(s).
He's still flummoxed by those little black and white Scottie dog magnets we had as kids.
Rare Earth was the only Rock band that Barry Gordy signed at Motown.
I have two degrees (one's a JD) and my 11th book is about to come out. I'm not trying to brag. I simply want to establish I'm not an idiot. I have no idea whatsoever how Medicare works. I just got a notice from them (that boldly states "not a bill") that goes over my recent medical visits and procedures, what they cost, what Medicare allowed, what they paid, and what I owe. The only thing I understood was that I didn't owe anything. That's good, but it might as well have been written in Sanskrit for all the sense it made to me. The notion that people like me -- who is NOT an idiot -- should negotiate with insurance companies is insane.
Exactly this. Papers arrive, I look at them; they mean nothing comprehensible; I shred them. Basically, my reaction is precisely how my cats would handle the statements.
I thought it was just me, it looks like I have lots of company.
Hahahaha! A picture of that just went through my brain.
And the concept of calling United to negotiate: “The answer is NO!”
Luigi Mangione told us what it's like to negotiate with United Healthcare.
one of the mercies of our Canadian system is there is nothing to try to understand, esp when in the throes of need: go to hospital or doc, present card, get taken care of. no needless complications, NO VAMPIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES
I used to volunteer for Medicare counseling (itʻs called SHIP, which also makes no sense). Anyway, you are absolutely right, Medicare is insanely complicated with all the various options, as well as how you have to coordinate it sometimes with employer-provided insurance or Medicaid. Medicare for All, in one simple program, is the solution.
I'm also on Mass Health (our version of Medicaid) and started getting confused by why a.) I would want a Medicare Advantage plan and b.) why my zip code was at all relevant to such plans. I spoke to senior services in my city and they told me if I had Medicare and Mass Health (plus a Plan D insurance for medications) then I was all set and should just ignore the ads. Now I also get to ignore the phone calls as well.
Ignoring phone calls is my superpower. They can leave a message.
I know a volunteer for Medicare counseling, and by chance I happened to connect with her when I was retiring during COVID. We did not realize that we knew each other in our meeting, because everything was over the phone. We figured out later we knew each other. I was planning to get an Advantage Plan. She remained neutral - no suggestions. A few months into coverage, I caught the Advantage Plan rep lying to me that I was required to have a home visit. I was still in the first couple months of eligibility when I could switch to traditional Medicare without requiring time consuming underwriting, so I made the switch easily. Later I heard from my acquaintance who I had spoken with earlier. Whe told me she is strictly prohibited from offering opinions on either traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. It looks like interference from moneyed interests to me.
I've been on Medicare for almost five years. I am always amazed at what the original bill is, e.g., $500 vs. what Medicare will pay, say $150, and they always accept that as payment in full. There is a lot of money to be made in healthcare. However, I believe that no one should profit from someone else's pain and suffering.
In all likelihood these insurance companies are the same ones T called evil greed pigs.
Hard to even post a witty or wtf comment when the layer of stupid is this fucking thick.
Exfuckingactly Neal!
Yep. I’m out. 😡🤬😡🤬😡💔🇺🇸
Yep!
"spin the Big Wheel of Moron" 🤣🤣
"President Gas Leak" Tee Tee!!!!
"Preznit Fuckwit is an imbecile who doesn’t know shit about shit." That right there sums it up.
'notebooks full of ideas' reminds me of when Mitt Romney said he had binders full of women. 😂
And yes, Jeff, you ARE a fucking genius.
And now, I have plane to catch! I might not ever come back. Love y'all. ✌️💙
My daughter is flying from Boston to Sacramento tomorrow, may God bless her connecting flight! I'll be praying for you both! Load your kindle! Bring a pillow! And be kind to airport personnel and your fellow travelers ❤️
Always kind. 👍🏻💙
Bon voyage Susan, I wouldn’t come back to this clown fuckery if i left this country!
travel safely Susan!!
Have a great time!
Have fun! Wish I were going with you!
Safe journey. We will forgive you if you decide to stay away. I would if I could.
Oh I have to come back for a little while. This time is 6 weeks away. I have saved enough points to go somewhere else soon.
Hey, you promised!
😂😂. I promise!!
So your flight didn't get cancelled. Have fun, and stay in touch.😀😘
When you have Murc's Law (where only Democrats have political agency, accountability for personal and public behavior, and responsibility to know how ANYTHING works), you're going to get this.
And of course, remember that there's no consequence for this sort of thing; because the pricktator isn't elected to know anything. He's elected to destroy the minorities that the unreconstructed in America hate. As long as he causes them pain, any of his incompetence is fine.
Exactly!
A-Effen-Men!!!!!!!
They think the reason prices go up or their insurance premiums are high is because there are non white, many of them immigrants, who get free health care, but dont deserve it. If free insurance and health care was denied to people in poverty. The rest of us would get affordable health care.
whereas it's insurance companies, who provide no actual service, who suck out the $
Magnets, Trumpcare, and the eternal promise that “everybody will be happy.” It’s like watching late-stage empire written by Dr. Seuss and edited by a hedge fund.
The center keeps playing debate club while the circus eats the tent.
More thoughts: https://www.stewonthis.com/p/two-silences
I agree these are strange times we are living in. But please leave Dr. Seuss out of it. I am a big fan. Yertle the Turtle is dictatorship explained to little kids. The Lorax shows capitalism destroying the environment. Horton learns that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Hi Jeff, my morning was going great until I read a piece this morning concerning the convicted terrorist Stuart Rhodes, now pardoned. He says he’s going to “put the band together” Oath Keepers.. He says they will act as a private militia for Trump… WTAF is going on? Donald has a private army now and it’s called ICE., greasing the skids for 2026&2028 elections…..Considering all the pardons Donald handed out the other day for his legal enablers.. well the calculations indicate that if you break the law in service to your god king you will get a get out of jail card, on the federal level. So now under Ed Martin, pardon attorney in the DOJ, they are arguing that Presidential Pardons should apply to state convictions…. WTAF? Criminals love other criminals… Thanks Jeff.
I really feel for Rhodes' family. They're terrified of him. There was an interview with his son several years ago that was heartbreaking.
Yes, I saw the interview… this guy is a very nasty piece of work..threatened his wife and his son for exposing him…
Deborah. Thanks. I just read this bbc story from 3 years ago about Dakota Rhodes’ escape: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63709446
Yes that's what ICE really is. Trump's private army. They are openly advertising for thugs. Previous felonies not at all a problem. Everyone hates them so Trump's handlers will use them to terrorize voters. I hope Democratic lawmakers and Governors are preparing for this.
Saw the same article. That guy is as nutty as a bushel of pecans.
Ed Martin needs to just fucking die. A just God will disbar him before sending him with the other goats to hell.
If they touch my groove, I'll go Paddy Mayne on their asses!
I love Medicare, too. Medicare for all. Cut OUT the insurance companies which just obfuscate, deny and steal our money.
Yes Jeff-you ARE a fucking genius! “Moron speak” is the entire administration and republicans reps in congress. And yes-a first grader knows what the fuck a magnet is and can probably count money better than that guy in the golden palace in DC. YIKES! thanks Jeff-great post!
There was a sit com a number of years ago, about a family with grown kids and the father was a congressman or senator. It was funny because the guy was a complete idiot and had to be constantly "handled."
I can’t remember the name, but I loved it! It didn’t last, sadly. It had a great cast and insightful writing.
Has everyone forgotten how Trump cut off his very disabled nephew from the family health insurance plan as soon as Trump’s father died.
Not I, and certainly not Mary Trump - who has laid out Donald's entire family history, and all the cruelty that began in his early childhood. He has never been anything but an entitled, selfish, and cruel bully. Military school was intended to curb his nasty impulses, but failed utterly. Might have made him worse.
The orange mofo has never had to worry about healthcare in his entire miserable fucking life. Why the cultists think that he gives one shit about them is so beyond me. I’m so over these fuckers🤬
So, the truth comes out. Along with erasing every good thing Obama did, he also wants to erase "Obamacare" and replace it with "Trumpcare". Also, individuals negotiating with insurance companies??? What the Dunning-Kruger hell? The way insurance works in the U.S. is having groups of people, some sick and some healthy, all sharing the burden to make it affordable. But try explaining that to Dumpf and MAGA.
It’s called Risk Pooling but he confuses that with the contents of his soiled-un-adult diaper 💩