Who should save the sight of an uninsured South Carolina man who can’t afford eye surgery? That’s the question the Charlotte Observer asks in a story about a 49-year-old Republican who declined to sign up for Obamacare because he “prided himself on paying his own medical bills,” and is now upset that the Affordable Care Act won’t bail him out.
Luis Lang, a self-employed handyman from Fort Mill whose clients include the federal government, told the Observer he “knew the act required him to get coverage but he chose not to do so. But he thought help would be available in an emergency,” like the mini-strokes and deteriorating vision he suffered in February.
It’s not available though, because that’s not how insurance works. Insurance companies are profitable because they take your money before you incur major medical expenses, not because they save new customers’ eyes for free. It’s almost like the needs of the market aren’t aligned with the needs of actual human beings, as if the American healthcare system encourages people to gamble that they’ll stay healthy instead of getting insurance, and forces society to bear the costs when the house wins (which is always).
If only there were some way to make people get insurance, and maybe even help them pay for it to save all of us money in the long run.
Nahhh, that’s crazy.
Anyway, Lang is now stuck in a position where, suddenly having come around on this whole insurance thing with the impending loss of his eyesight, it’s too late for him to sign up under what his wife calls “The Not Fair Health Care Act.” Furthermore, his income has dropped now that he’s out of work, making him ineligible for a federal insurance subsidy. (What about Medicaid, you ask? Well, South Carolina was one of 17 states that opted out of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion.)
For now, Lang’s doctor, Malcolm Edwards, will keep treating him for free, but he doesn’t have the expertise to do the surgery Lang needs. And he can’t force his patient to take care of himself.
“There’s a lot of talk about personal responsibility in health care reform,” the Observer observes, “so it’s probably fair to note that Lang is a smoker who has, by his own account, been inconsistent in his efforts to control his diabetes.”
Cool.
Lang has set up a GoFundMe page, and people are donating—because even though it’s insane to blame Obamacare, the system really is fucked up—but they’re also chastising him for being “a poster child for what you claim to be against” and “voting against [your] own self-interest.”
Is this another example of someone who has no idea what ObamaCare is and hates it anyway because talk radio told him he should, or is he dumber than that?
Elsewhere, his wife was quoted as saying: “(My husband) should be at the front of the line because he doesn’t work and because he has medical issues,” Mary Lang said last week. “We call it the Not Fair Health Care Act.”
When I first read the headline I was thinking that this was going to be a man with conviction who was going to stand for his beliefs and go blind with his pride intact. I guess not. He sure doesn't seem like the type who is afraid to take a handout despite his hatred of people who takes handouts. I shouldn't be surprised. I don't think he's going blind, I think he's been blind all along.
Didn't Etta James have a song about this?
Poor guy is in a tough spot. But it's a neat political story and he had it coming. We should all get together and celebrate.
Poor guy is in a tough spot. But it's a neat political story and he had it coming. We should all get together and celebrate.
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.
I read this yesterday. The story made me think of alloak's former situation. I thought of posting the story as a cautionary tale, then thought no, alloak will just think I'm making political hay.
It is a tragic story. The greatest tragedy is how confused the guy and his wife are about what the Affordable Care Act actually does.
He isn't the only person hit like this. I have a good friend, former house mate from New Orleans who now lives in Los Angeles. He is a very active member of the Tea Party and hates Obama more that brussels sprouts. My friend decided not to participate in the health care exchange as a protest. One night at the dinner table his son thought he swallowed a tooth pick. An emergency room visit ensued. The kid was fine. Apparently just dropped the tooth pick. But when all was said and done at the hospital my buddy got hit with a bill exceeding $30 K.
He has money. He and the wife are solidly middle class and he prides himself on staying as debt free as possible. Unfortunately that hospital visit and a quick couple of other unplanned financial needs caused him to take a pretty big loan at a high interest rate.
The bottom line? Not carrying health insurance is a risk people cannot afford. You jeopardize your standard of living and quality of life. Lang's "blind allegiance" to the Republican Party has cost him dearly. I hope others learn from his mistake.
I hear he is doing well with his "GoFundMe" site. I sure wouldn't want to be in a position where I had to panhandle because of my personal irresponsibility.
I won't be putting any money in that guys tin cup.
[Edited on 5/14/2015 by BillyBlastoff]
unfortunately there are not more stories out there being reported by the media or politicians. i'm sure there are many. hopefully others who share his position on the ACA will help him out but it won't be me.
I hear he is doing well with his "GoFundMe" site. I sure wouldn't want to be in a position where I had to panhandle because of my personal irresponsibility.
I won't be putting any money in that guys tin cup.
The interesting thing is that if you go to his "GoFundMe" site, it is all liberals donating money to him. Obviously this bothers him, because one of his updates asks why no conservative bloggers are getting the word out to help him. Looks like he is about halfway to his goal, will probably get the surgery he needs thanks to liberals donating to him, and he'll learn nothing in the process.
Unless the liberals are just being mean and don't plan on paying. You know how we are 2112. A hateful bunch of do gooders. 😉
I hear he is doing well with his "GoFundMe" site. I sure wouldn't want to be in a position where I had to panhandle because of my personal irresponsibility.
I won't be putting any money in that guys tin cup.
The interesting thing is that if you go to his "GoFundMe" site, it is all liberals donating money to him. Obviously this bothers him, because one of his updates asks why no conservative bloggers are getting the word out to help him. Looks like he is about halfway to his goal, will probably get the surgery he needs thanks to liberals donating to him, and he'll learn nothing in the process.
The RW aholes spent all their money donating to memories pizza so they could retire after not catering a gay wedding.
Serves them all right.
Wow. That GoFundMe site is pretty interesting.
After reading the comments I almost feel sorry for the guy.
http://www.gofundme.com/s78e9w
The other thing is that Obamacare has nothing at all to do with his situation. If Obamacare didn't exist, he would be in the exact same situation, with no insurance to pay for the procedure. So why is he mad at Obamacare?
Just one more reason why the country needs some form of healthcare (nationalized.) Everyone says it is a persons right to do what they want - but no one is willing to let them deal with those consequences. So at 2:00AM in the ER everyone is entitled to emergency care whether they pay or not. Ultimately someone will pay for this guys care (or work for free and not get paid)
And Obamacare is not the solution. Deductibles and co-pays are so high that even if this guy had it he couldn't afford the care.
The current American Medical Insurance System is smoke and mirrors for a lot of the population
Just one more reason why the country needs some form of healthcare (nationalized.) Everyone says it is a persons right to do what they want - but no one is willing to let them deal with those consequences. So at 2:00AM in the ER everyone is entitled to emergency care whether they pay or not. Ultimately someone will pay for this guys care (or work for free and not get paid)
And Obamacare is not the solution. Deductibles and co-pays are so high that even if this guy had it he couldn't afford the care.
The current American Medical Insurance System is smoke and mirrors for a lot of the population
The ACA is not the ultimate solution to the healthcare crisis in this country but it did give this person access to affordable healthcare and he refused to enroll so he has no one to blame but himself.
Funny how he hates Obama and ACA until it impacts him directly. You can't sign up when you need it you have to sign up as protection in case you will ever need it. As someone pointed out that is how insurance works.
At some point people need to hold themselves accountable for their screw-ups and not look to blame others.
JMO but we will never see anything close to Socialized Healthcare in this country, like many civilized countries have, as long as the GOP has a say in it.
Just one more reason why the country needs some form of healthcare (nationalized.) Everyone says it is a persons right to do what they want - but no one is willing to let them deal with those consequences. So at 2:00AM in the ER everyone is entitled to emergency care whether they pay or not. Ultimately someone will pay for this guys care (or work for free and not get paid)
And Obamacare is not the solution. Deductibles and co-pays are so high that even if this guy had it he couldn't afford the care.
The current American Medical Insurance System is smoke and mirrors for a lot of the population
The ACA is not the ultimate solution to the healthcare crisis in this country but it did give this person access to affordable healthcare and he refused to enroll so he has no one to blame but himself.
Funny how he hates Obama and ACA until it impacts him directly. You can't sign up when you need it you have to sign up as protection in case you will ever need it. As someone pointed out that is how insurance works.
At some point people need to hold themselves accountable for their screw-ups and not look to blame others.
JMO but we will never see anything close to Socialized Healthcare in this country, like many civilized countries have, as long as the GOP has a say in it.
Even if he bought into the insurance it is not really affordable health care. It is affordable premiums with back end loaded costs. I'm in the field; trust me. Poor people can't afford their health care under the ACA if they really get sick
Just one more reason why the country needs some form of healthcare (nationalized.) Everyone says it is a persons right to do what they want - but no one is willing to let them deal with those consequences. So at 2:00AM in the ER everyone is entitled to emergency care whether they pay or not. Ultimately someone will pay for this guys care (or work for free and not get paid)
And Obamacare is not the solution. Deductibles and co-pays are so high that even if this guy had it he couldn't afford the care.
The current American Medical Insurance System is smoke and mirrors for a lot of the population
The ACA is not the ultimate solution to the healthcare crisis in this country but it did give this person access to affordable healthcare and he refused to enroll so he has no one to blame but himself.
Funny how he hates Obama and ACA until it impacts him directly. You can't sign up when you need it you have to sign up as protection in case you will ever need it. As someone pointed out that is how insurance works.
At some point people need to hold themselves accountable for their screw-ups and not look to blame others.
JMO but we will never see anything close to Socialized Healthcare in this country, like many civilized countries have, as long as the GOP has a say in it.
Even if he bought into the insurance it is not really affordable health care. It is affordable premiums with back end loaded costs. I'm in the field; trust me. Poor people can't afford their health care under the ACA if they really get sick
I will have to take your word for it but it has to be better than no insurance yes?
Just one more reason why the country needs some form of healthcare (nationalized.) Everyone says it is a persons right to do what they want - but no one is willing to let them deal with those consequences. So at 2:00AM in the ER everyone is entitled to emergency care whether they pay or not. Ultimately someone will pay for this guys care (or work for free and not get paid)
And Obamacare is not the solution. Deductibles and co-pays are so high that even if this guy had it he couldn't afford the care.
The current American Medical Insurance System is smoke and mirrors for a lot of the population
The ACA is not the ultimate solution to the healthcare crisis in this country but it did give this person access to affordable healthcare and he refused to enroll so he has no one to blame but himself.
Funny how he hates Obama and ACA until it impacts him directly. You can't sign up when you need it you have to sign up as protection in case you will ever need it. As someone pointed out that is how insurance works.
At some point people need to hold themselves accountable for their screw-ups and not look to blame others.
JMO but we will never see anything close to Socialized Healthcare in this country, like many civilized countries have, as long as the GOP has a say in it.
Even if he bought into the insurance it is not really affordable health care. It is affordable premiums with back end loaded costs. I'm in the field; trust me. Poor people can't afford their health care under the ACA if they really get sick
I will have to take your word for it but it has to be better than no insurance yes?
For routine/preventative care/mild illnesses. If you have a serious illness it will break you financially - just not as quickly. For a civilized nation so many people are a serious illness away from insolvency.
He has to find a clinic that will work on a sliding scale fee, where he can pay less than he would for health insurance to get his medical care. Most teaching hospitals have clinics. If there isn't one where he lives, he needs to find out where the nearest one is.
If it is determined he needs a surgery, then he should get catastrophic care which will pay for the surgery, this is the cheapest option among the care plans.
You can't get insurance after the open enrollment period; and catastrophic is just that (it kicks in after huge deductibles)
