I am in favor of people "Opting-out" of the Affordable Health Care Act...

At the Insurance Company office:

Joe "Not-till-I-need-it": "Okay, I'm here to get some health insurance."

Insurance Company rep: "Well, let's see Mr. "Not-till-I-need-it", I see you 'Opted-out' of the "Affordable Health Care Act 20 years ago."

Joe "Sign-me-up-later": "Yeah, I didn't want the Govmint pokin' its nose in my business. But I'm here now to get my insurance."

Insurance Company rep: "Okay, Joe, you'll have to have a physical taken to see what,.. I mean, IF you have any pre-existing conditions."

Joe: "Pre-existing conditions?! Hey, you aren't allowed to deny me converage for pre-existing conditions. That's against the law."

Insurance Company rep: "Oh, but Joe, you 'opted-out' of the Affordable Health Care Act. You aren't covered by the provisions of that law. So, you see (smiling) we CAN use pre-existing conditions to deny YOU coverage."

Joe: "Okay, fuck you, I'll go get free care at the Hospital emergency then."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Hospital Emergency room:

Admittance Clerk: "Okay, what's your problem. Why do you need to see a doctor?"

Joe "gimme that 'free' heath care": "well, I want to have a doctor check me out."

Admittance Clerk: "Check you out? Sir, I need to know what's wrong with you. Are you sick, or shot or dieing in some way?"

Joe: "Well no. But I'm starting to not feel so well."

Admittance Clerk: "Sir, this is the Emergency room. It's for 'EEE-MERR-GENN-CEEE'S'. You got an emergency or not?"

Joe: "I just want a doctor to check me out. See if I'm okay, like."

Admittance Clerk: "Okay, sir. Take a seat. As soon as we can get to you, after taking care of the emergencies and people who are actually sick, we'll get to you. .....Did you bring a lunch?"


...... Finally, after a couple hours Joe leaves, pissed off.

Admittance Clerk: "Yes, sir, what's the problem. Why are you here."

"super-man" Joe: "I've had really bad chest pains for several hours. I think I'm havin' a heart attack."

Admittance Clerk: "Okay, sir. I'll need to see your insurance card."

Joe: "I don't HAVE any insurance card"

Admittance Clerk: "okay, you got some ID, then?"

Joe: "yeah, here's my driver's licence."

Admittance Clerk: "Okay, sir, I'll just be a second. ...... Oh, sir. I checked your ID in the database and it shows you 'Opted-out' of the Affordable Health Care Law"

Joe: "OH DAMMIT, WHAT IF I DID?! What's that matter? Hey, I'm really hurtin here."

Admittance Clerk: "Well, how much cash do you have on you?"

Joe: "HOw much CASH? well, (checking) about 20 bucks. But what's that got to do with it. I'm havin' a HEART ATTACK HERE!"

Admittance Clerk: "Well, you see sir, since you 'Opted out' of the AHC act, ...PLEASE sir, don't bang on the plexiglass... since you 'Opted out' of the AHC act, that means you said - you didn't want the "Govm'nt" messin' with your health care, so that means that the Government won't reimburse us for care given to those who 'Opted-out' of the AHC Act who don't have their own insurance and can't pay for it themselves... and the diagnostic procedures we will need to do to see if you have actually had - or are having a Cardiac Event will cost $7,000 (note: this is 20 or more years in the future so figure in inflation to $2,800 in 2009 costs)."

Joe "too soon old, too late smart": "The GOVERNMENT WON'T PAY FOR IT? What kinda shit is that?! I'm a citizen of this country."

Admittance Clerk: "Well, I'm sorry sir, but when you 'Opted-out' that meant you didn't want the community (represented by your government) helping you out with your health care. That's why the Government will not reimburse us for your care if you can't pay for it yourself. That's what 'Opting-out' meant. Now, can you come up with $7,000 dollars or not?"

Joe: "Well, can I use a credit card?"

Admittance Clerk: "Well, by law, we can only accept a Goldman Sachs credit card. That was put into law during President Palin's administration."