("Maybe try this button.")

I did. Also the reply button. Neither works. Just open a new blank tab.

Interesting..... The last time I got shot I was taken to the VA Hospital, since I was a veteran (and had no insurance). I was told that they would only cover service-related injuries.

Medicare insurance cost me $4,743.96 in 2024. Not sure how that is socialized medicine.
This does not include the 2.9% of every dollar I earned for 55 years went to pay for Medicare.

If you paid what it really cost it would be a lot more- definitely socialized.

Interesting..... The last time I got shot I was taken to the VA Hospital, since I was a veteran (and had no insurance). I was told that they would only cover service-related injuries.


Damn man. How many times you been shot!!

The Part A 80% may be socialized but I did pay $56,333 in Medicare tax over 55 years. Adjusted for inflation that is $82,730.
I guess even if everyone agrees that Medicare is Socialized medicine, we still pay for it.
As of 12/31/2024 I have paid a total of $104,128 for five years of coverage. Not so sure I like those numbers.

I figure most everyone knows I have racked up some pretty large medical bills recently-

Ive never lived in another country other than the good ‘ol USA-

I will say have always chosen a career that came with employer provided healthcare -
I could have taken a different path but I always felt having insurance was important for myself and my family-

For many years when I was younger I remember making comments about paying for insurance although not needing it-
I guess it worked the way it was designed to work because I have certainly got my moneys worth now lol-
Overall personally I am lucky I had United Health insurance, and this year I turned 65 so medicare is insuring me now-

For sure. Like I said, insurance should go up quite a bit when you start needing it. Young folks don't hardly need insurance and I wish someone had told me when I was 20 that it was a complete waste of money for 2 decades.

I already told my daughter and son not to take insurance at age 20 unless things change drastically. Just pay for the $100 urgent care visit when you need it and you'll be $150k ahead by the time you turn 35.

Stevejam:

Don't know what your situation is with regard to sepsis right now but a brand new class of antibiotics has been discovered that is effective against all drug resistant bacteria. If you still have some lingering sepsis issues I would check into it.

Teams at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada and the University of Illinois, Chicago — led by researcher Gerry Wright — collaborated in the discovery of lariocidin, which was found to be effective against drug-resistant bacteria.

I appreciate the heads up on this, i will check it out-

Just heard about this last week, via a cardiologist buddy of mine. Steve, you need to look into this ASAP...

So you are seeing how bad socialism sucks…

You're just 1 heart attack away from making those numbers look more reasonable....lol

Already there, two heart attacks and thyroid cancer. These were covered by Blue Cross while I was still working. 2009 - 2011
Medicare billed vs Medicare paid 2020 - 03/31/2025
Billed $306,642.77
Paid $73,610.34
This does not include drugs. If I included drug cost, I am probably thousands ahead.