BS: 'Christianized' medicine

Subject: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:21 PM

I saw Michael Moore on Hardball with Chris Matthews the other day, and he was discussing healthcare in the US (surprise, surprise). Someone used the expression "socialized medicine" to which Moore responded that it should be called "Christianized medicine" because Christ said "heal the sick." Now THERE is a new take on an old argument.

As for me, I'll take the health care that is afforded my Congressman. If it's good enough for him, it is good enough for me.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:37 PM

Dang right, Rabbi. I think that the Congressfolk should only be given the average of what's available in their districts: prevailing wages, average health care, average vacation time, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:46 PM

Just a note of clarification: members of Congress may participate in the Federal Employees Health Insurance program. Depending upon the plan chosen, this costs from just over $100 to about $750 per month for an individual with a family...they aren't given anything.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:57 PM

All the various 'Christianizations' of medicine seek to fix the
fundamental problem which went back to the man himself--- that
medical care is only for the rich.

Solve that, and the 'do gooders' such as Danny Thomas' charity
and so on would be able to do good elsewhere.

Most of the 'First World' accepts health care as a fundamental
right of citizens. It's the US that lags here; where socialized
medicine threatens the lavish lifestyles of the medical providers
and corporations.

That said, I resist Moore's flippant analogy.

We have quite enough of 'Christian' pharmacists refusing to
dispense certain prescribed drugs, such as RU486, on 'moral'
grounds. Their job is not to impose morality; it is to dispense
duly-prescribed medications.

And we have more than enough 'Christian' hospitals refusing women
the full spectrum of post-rape care because they don't believe in
'morning after' pills.

To say nothing of Catholic employers who seek to exempt themselves
from legally mandated medical coverage of contraception for their
employees, be they Catholic or not.

No, the last thing we need is 'Christianized' medicine.

'Humanized' yes. 'Christianized' (or Islamic) medicine, NO!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:05 PM

Give me that ol time coverage!

Naming it Christianized medicine instead of socialized will make all the difference for the vast majority of the flock.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:09 PM

As artbrooks noted, health insurance is not free to the legislators. I don't know what the amount paid boils down to- perhaps $100 - $750 is correct. However:

"Members of Congress are under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, the same menu of health insurance and managed-care options offered to federal civilian employees.
Also, like federal civilian workers and retirees, lawmakers who elect to participate in FEHBP pay premiums which, by law, must be set to cover 28 percent of health benefit costs.
http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,84168,00.html

Let's see. If my health insurance costs $400 per month (a conservative figure) and I only need to pay 28%, that means I am less than $250 out of pocket. Yep, I can do that.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:38 PM

Ebbie, the figures I gave are for the employees' share. All of the rates are here.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:55 PM

Byline: "Ensuring that the Federal Government has an effective civilian work force"
That chart doesn't mention lawmakers and that sentence is ambiguous at best. So you are saying that legislators may choose to sign on to the same plans as other Government employees? Frankly, that surprises me. I should have thought that legislators are unto themselves.

According to the chart:

High (Benefits) Self (not including family)

BiWeekly: 188.9
Total Premium: 192.11
Government Pays: 141.92
Employee Pays: 50.19

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:26 PM

$50.19 is, according to the chart, the biweekly rate for self-only under the American Postal Workers Union plan.

Yes, legislators can select any plan, under the same procedures as other Federal government employees. That particular one, like others that are sponsored by an employee organization, requires that the individual either be a member of that organization or pay an additional fee to become an "associate member". Those vary from one organization to another, and I don't know how much they are without checking each plan's brochure (I checked APWU - it's $35). Under the law (5 US Code 8901), "employee" for the purpose of health insurance includes both Members of Congress and congressional employees.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:42 PM

May I barf, but you know, that might get those hypocrites to back the bloody thing.
(Not that I'm against hypocrisy, it is a necessary social skill, in social situations.)

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 08:13 PM

Personally, I'd much rather see Buddha-ized medicine.

Not only would we have a more compassionate system, but we could get rid of those ugly green scrubs and replace them with maroons and saffrons.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: MaineDog
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 08:34 PM

Jesus said --If they're not against us, they're for us (paraphrasing). He also said -- the sick need a physician--. Nowhere does the Bible suggest that doctors are to be avoided. Some churches seem to preach that modern medicine is bad, so that they can get us to give up on it, and give the savings to the church. This idea is clearly an evil, and should be avoided.
   However, miracle healings can and do happen. I have personally experienced them, and seen others experience them. The problem, of course, is how to get one when you need one. I am not jesting here. My wife has been fighting cancer for a while now, and we are using medicine as well as the best efforts of Christians who believe in Divine healing. So far, the doctors and the pastors are on the same side! Pray for us.
MD

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 09:01 PM

Well, having been the beneficiary of socialized medicine for a decade and a half now--they call it Medicare--I can only say it's a great thing.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 10:24 PM

They'll fix your dick but will they repair your
greenhouse?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Christianized' medicine
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 10:44 PM

Can we just have health care in the US? I'm soooooo fed UP!