AFL-CIO: Union Worker Asks Health Care Question

[glazierEd]

The problem is for (PROFIT) insurance companies, Get rid of them now before where all done.

[hadenufnow]

Kill the bill..

nobody wants it...

[SEIUlicksballs]

Looks like your union has left you high and dry. You dumb ass. Take it up with your union bosses and have them pay for your care. They have been bleeding you for dues every paycheck. My union takes our money and doesnt do shit for us. Fuck you and fuck all unions.

[livegems]

It is kind of amazing some people think health costs are like buying a car or any other commercial proposition (eg: all the insurance co-sponsored posts on Youtube, by varying "people"). You can plan to buy a car or a house: it's your own responsibility and your money allocation--but you can't plan a medical affliction. Not the same. I simply note one anti-health plan person on Ytube had her two fave videos as a) a revolver shooting into a tank, and b) a clip of Milton F'man on "Greed". True!!

[mrrimfire]

Wait till you assholes hit 40 and have kids and hoise payments. You won't be crying for assholes who got paid a shitload on old gravy union contracts and blew the money (never investing it).  I might be a cold-hearted son of a bitch, but you get that way when entitlments pricks who cry in public for attention rub you the wrong way. I will not ask for public money if I ever get cancer from smoking.

[mrrimfire]

correction: houses

[downwithbutter]

no we'll probably be sympathizing with them idiot.

[funkyflights]

Dude .... you are so outta touch .... YOUR ASSUMING he had a gravy union contract.... your a very ignorant person ... and watch what you wish for .... you might get cancer FROM NOT SMOKING ..... watch out dude... and when the insurance company find a way to save money and let you die.... dont bitch ...

[downwithbutter]

shut the fuck up. you try paying 500 a month for meds like me you little bitch.

[mrrimfire]

Go die

[downwithbutter]

no why dont you go die then the world will be a much better place without you.

[downwithbutter]

correction now make that 1000 a month.

[mrrimfire]

She ahould have quit smoking , takem vitamins, and put down the potato chips. Boo hoo. You live-you die. Yes, lets make all the young people pay for the old who squandered their wealth. The guy put in 34 years. Can we do that today at one job? And he wants sympatjy? Boo-fucking hoo. And the fairy cried on national tv. Where the hell are his kids in all of this? He is a plant or just a fairy who cries "Help me."

[michmj77]

So shameful it's actually repulsive.

[mrrimfire]

Who cares what a millenial thinks

[extraspecialbayman3]

It's reading shining pieces of maturity like this when I start to seriously lose faith in humanity.

[mrrimfire]

What's a 16 year old know about anyhting

[LeeroyFan101]

That just broke my heart

[taoistcowboy123]

For perspective check out "Driving Chomo Chomsky on Film, Rare Footage" a 2:30 minute clip from empireburlesque. Note 1:45 ... then hold on to your hats and note what he says at 2:08. Leadership?

[soul416]

Don't worry, Flixette is just another typical uninformed, rich, arrogant Republican who's only looking out for itself. If the Repubes actually did research, I think the world would end. Republicans don't believe in science, because if they did then they wouldn't screw up healthcare everytime one gets in office. And they certainly wouldn't have any argue against stem cells, if they knew anything about science.

[skaggmo]

I feel for this guy in the video, if what he says is true. I know he's not telling the truth about the health care because if he is disabled he will get SSI and Medicaid. The part about losing his pension might be true, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that. But the SSI should offset some of that pension loss too. I feel sorry for him simply because he gave his heart and soul to one company. Let this be a lesson to us all- don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

[nystreetfighter]

He's not talking about healthcare for him. He's saying his wife isn't insured.

[skaggmo]

You're right, I stand corrected. It's a shame, what this poor man and his family had to go through. I have a brother in law who is about to retire from a union job and they have huge pensions too. I think many of these companies that offer these huge pensions have to go broke at some point, as the retiries stack up on their payroll.

[McMilo500]

Some more food for thought... back in 1982 when I joined the US Navy, I was promised health care for life if I gave 20 years service. Well, I did just that. When I retired and applied for a VA Medical card, I was denied - know why? Because my military pension check amounted to exactly $100.00 over the annual cut-off to receive benefits from the VA... chew on that while you consider what lies are being told to get our kids to fight a war against an unidentified enemy in this generation.

[skaggmo]

That's not true. All veterans who put in their 20 years get lifetime coverage. Worst-case scenario is Priority group 8- Depending on income, benefits go down and deductables go up, but as long as you stay enrolled or re-enroll you will have lifetime coverage. There is no cut-off point, unless you forget to enroll. If someone told you that, I urge you to call someone else. Go to military dot com and re-apply or re-enroll.

[McMilo500]

Thanks for the reply... but I'm a retired E-9 and believe me I know what's going on. I've had the case reviewed and have the letter clearly stating that the VA (now remember that the VA is not TRICARE which you must pay for like any insurance) has turned down my request for a medical ID and services. Truth... Believe me I sincerely fear for our sons and daughters serving today...

[skaggmo]

I believe you, and I think it's a damn shame that a 20 year vet can't get full coverage. I didn't know the difference between Tricare and VA though. I am former Army, only 3 years though. I was just passing along what I read on military dot com. But as for todays service people, the bennies are much better for anyone in active war duty, especially injured or certain medals.

[McMilo500]

Thank you for your 3 years - sincerely. 3 years is a major contribution - one that makes me genuinely proud of you.

[McMilo500]

It is a shame about the promised coverage, isn't it? I just felt it was important that I got the word out to folks.

[McMilo500]

The bennies may appear very pretty on paper, but the reality, after loopholes and budget cuts, is that our kids fighting today are most likely being fed a plate of #@$% when it comes to their benefits.

[McMilo500]

Tax-free military pay while in the theater of 'war' is still a good benefit that keeps another $500 or so (depending upon pay-grade)in their pockets, but compared to what our taxes are paying to contracted soldiers... well, its tough to swallow. I honestly love my Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen, and I don't want them to be screwed over for their sacrifices.

[skaggmo]

I'm with you 100% on this. I think anyone who volunteers for war, or even anyone that puts in a certain amount of time during peace should get lifetime family health coverage, period. They are laying their life on the line for us. The least we should do is keep them healthy.

[skaggmo]

I agree. They have a stack of paperwork with all kinds of exceptions and clauses. It's ridicuous. Health care ought to be simple- pay your premium and get coverage. But they put limits and deductables on everything. Even with the military, or Medicare and Medicaid, they are a long way from really covering you on everything.

[rlittlej]

its not the taxes its how they are distributed and to whom. the middle class pays most of the taxes while the top 1 percent enjoy all the benifits. for the money we already spend in this country on health care we can have universal health care ten times over. it is the most important issue facing all americans today.

[drocloce]

Sadly, the powers that be do not care about our mortality; simply our vote.

[soniatx]

This former union worker speaks his heart. This is what's wrong with the American health care system. A family that worked hard all their life can't afford basic health care. And pretty soon, many in America will never be able to retire. This is not right.

[BrockMasters9]

Can you imagine the republicans leaving the sanitary, invitees only, events that they do and take questions from blue collar union members and retired steel workers? They'd all have that I smell shit look on their face if they ever did.

[Flixette]

There is a lot wrong with health care but don't look to the democrats to fix it. Sure they promise you Universal Health care but you will be paying for it with huge tax increases, so it will be a wash.

[HNK222]

What's wrong with a tax increase if it will ensure universal healthcare? Are you that brainwashed by our media and the fiscal insanity of the rightwing (endless spending, delayed payments, and fleecing of our treasury) that you think our stolen money should go to Bush and his cronies without them ever offering any ensured healthcare to the American citizens? I doubt most people would mind a tax increase to ensure universal healthcare!

[Flixette]

anything that the government runs is headed for disaster. Do you want the government to pick your Doctors. Talk to some real folks in Canada and ask them how universal health care works and not the plants in the Michael Moore movies. I would mind a tax increase if it meant the Government was in charge of my health care. Look at the Hurricane Katerina mess, thats what happens when the government helps people.

[priceblythe]

this isn't meant to be criticism, but how many "real folks in Canada" do you know? I'm just curious... I know a lot of insured "real folks" in the U.S. who are deathly afraid of getting sick because they can't afford health care even though they have insurance. Maybe they are not the majority. I don't know. I do know however that my insurance company currently picks my doctors and my pharmacist at that, and I certainly can't elect a new head of the insurance company, or their boss.

[Sharoney]

The Katrina debacle happened because the government DIDN'T help people. They utterly and completely failed the people of NOLA.

If it wasn't the government's job to step in at such a moment, who should have been there to help? Superman?

Idiot. Fool. There's no excuse for the criminally stupid. Like you, Flixette. You are an utter waste of skin.

[msgibbons]

"Sure they promise you Universal Health care but you will be paying for it with huge tax increases, so it will be a wash."

Do you know how many millions we already spend for Medicard/care and uninsured visits to the ER? We'd save money if we could provide better preventative care and stop the uninsured ER visits, which are more costly. Secondly, health insurers have so much red tape that is wasting millions, too.

[Eurobubble70]

This video should have 300million views

[buddchiefer]

Nothing's wrong with America. Always take a pay raise over a pension increase. Lesson learned here is when a company claims it will match your pension savings DONT BELIEVE THEM! It's a crack head scam, e.g. "Lend me 20 today and I'll give you 40 ;ater." Learn from this poor man's mistake. Even if you belong to a union, they won't protect you. "Oh, Mr. Doe... today makes 30 yrs at our company... Your fired... for uh... um... sexual harassment... yeah that's it... no pension for you! Sucker!"

[Blahcetera]

I'm speechless now, and that's a shame.

Ever since Bush and the media-machine threw around the word "Hero", it's as if a new word is needed to describe this man.

He's certainly deserving of much more than what America has offered.

[dafttool]

Good question and good questioner. Very moving. Some people say those that are without healthcare who want reform because they think socialized medicine is for lazy people to live off of our money. This guy shows the real face of the healthcare crisis in America.

[mikeysfbay]

This is a sad, but honest look at what is wrong with the United States. America, we need to get off our lazy butts and make things right again! Support Kucinich!

[IronGuitarist]

This story has made me shed a tear.