Health Thin shaming

[ShanDog]

Yes, and the merit and need for this change, when properly analysed, is minimal.

Opens up a Pandora's box of trying to determine on a case-by-case basis of what illnesses people (overweight or not) have been self-caused and what haven't, which is a whole lot of costly and time-consuming wank around, when we could just treat the sick and move on.



So if "cost" is the issue, how is a solution that requires greater costs and greater administration to implement then a good and worthwhile solution?

As I implied earlier, I think the cost argument is just a smokescreen for people's aesthetic dislike of overweight people.



It's totally relevant, because the proposed reason to take away/deny Medicare to overweight people is because their health care is costing the taxpayer money. If Medicare didn't cover anything more than a GP's visit at a bulk billing surgury, then health care for serious medical issues caused by being overweight (which would require more than a simple doctor's visit to treat) wouldn't be costing the taxpayer hardly anything, would it?

OK I am going to leave all the semantics aside and get back to what this issue is for me, since it seems like I am not explaining myself well or you aren't understanding it.

1. In a just world, those who knowingly contribute to their own health issues should bear the cost of treating them.
2. Unfortunately, there is no cost effective or fair way to administer a policy that would reflect this.

Is that not fair?

Ok, genuinely wasn't aware of the bolded.

If that is genuinely the case, what exactly are people (including myself) paying for private health cover (and hospital cover) for then?

Yeah I keep wondering the same thing...

 

[TheFreshBanana]

In regards to the use of your taxpayer money, there are problem much more concerning things to be worried about rather than the money that is used to actually cover the health of yourself and other people.

Is it unfair or useless to you that you have to pay the medical bills for someone else who chooses a lifestyle that increases the incidence of diseases? Probably.

But in terms of unfair or useless in regards to taxpayers money, I think there would be just as worse that is being used where that effort should be focused towards.

Also, realise this, you may be covering their medical bills.... but you're not the one sick. You're not the one who has to undergo treatment. You're not the one facing morbidity or mortality.

They are.

 

[Damon_3388]

OK I am going to leave all the semantics aside and get back to what this issue is for me, since it seems like I am not explaining myself well or you aren't understanding it.

1. In a just world, those who knowingly contribute to their own health issues should bear the cost of treating them.
2. Unfortunately, there is no cost effective or fair way to administer a policy that would reflect this.

Is that not fair?

I can see how it can be deemed as "fair", but I'd rather that not be the system we work under or strive for. As TheFreshBanana reminded us above, the sick person isn't exactly getting a "free ride" out of being sick, either.

Yeah I keep wondering the same thing...

Well, if the majority of costs for things like GP visits (if you can find a bulk-billing surgury), hospital and specialist visits are covered by Medicare anyway, extras cover seems like it's really the only cover worth paying for, and even then, its worth is very dependent on how much you use it. Veering off-topic I know, but makes you wonder whether paying a fortnightly/monthly/yearly premium just to be covered for occasional things like dental, optical, chiro, physio etc. is really worth it.

 

[ShanDog]

I can see how it can be deemed as "fair", but I'd rather that not be the system we work under or strive for.

Very generous of you

Well, if the majority of costs for things like GP visits (if you can find a bulk-billing surgury), hospital and specialist visits are covered by Medicare anyway, extras cover seems like it's really the only cover worth paying for, and even then, its worth is very dependent on how much you use it. Veering off-topic I know, but makes you wonder whether paying a fortnightly/monthly/yearly premium just to be covered for occasional things like dental, optical, chiro, physio etc. is really worth it.

Yep it's pretty much about the extras cover and the ability to utilise a private hospital. We just had a baby and the service provided by the private hospital was excellent, but geez, it cost a pretty penny despite having top hospital and extras cover.

 

[Damon_3388]

Yep it's pretty much about the extras cover and the ability to utilise a private hospital. We just had a baby and the service provided by the private hospital was excellent, but geez, it cost a pretty penny despite having top hospital and extras cover.

Yeah, I'm really tossing up whether to continue with it or not myself. As a single male, I've used my private health cover once in the two years I've had it - to get a discount on frames and lenses when I got glasses earlier this year. I could use it for things like chiro, massage, etc., but they're not really needs per se. Nearly $50 every fortnight is turning into a lot to fork out for something you don't actually see anything tangible from.

 

[ShanDog]

Yeah, I'm really tossing up whether to continue with it or not myself. As a single male, I've used my private health cover once in the two years I've had it - to get a discount on frames and lenses when I got glasses earlier this year. I could use it for things like chiro, massage, etc., but they're not really needs per se. Nearly $50 every fortnight is turning into a lot to fork out for something you don't actually see anything tangible from.

You almost need to actively use the benefits to really justify paying for them. Unless you earn enough to pay the medicare surcharge, I would seriously think about canning it.

 

[WALDENPOND]

but there's no shortage of birds

It's amazing to hear a female still called a bird outside the UK.

 

[Handsuper47]

Thin shaming? Pfft! I've been underweight all my life and I rarely get shamed.. maybe I'm just perfect.

 

[WeetBixKid]

There's an often referenced study that found unhealthy people cost less because they die earlier. So this entire argument could be based on a flawed assumption

 

[Gough]

Removing universal healthcare, this PM is validating the opinion of a lot cranks.

 

[ShanDog]

Removing universal healthcare, this PM is validating the opinion of a lot cranks.

Love you too.

 

[Gough]

Seriously, you don't like fat people, and don't want to pay for them. I don't like the thick necks in our army, or the abuse that takes place on Nauru, and Manus in my name, but I still have to pay for it. That's how society works.

 

[ShanDog]

Seriously, you don't like fat people, and don't want to pay for them. I don't like the thick necks in our army, or the abuse that takes place on Nauru, and Manus in my name, but I still have to pay for it. That's how society works.

You hateful little shit.

You don't know me in the slightest so you can shove your assumptions where they belong.

Here's another way society works - when people put across an opinion, you discuss it. Not have a go at them.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

 

[Good_Old]

Only dogs like bones.

 

[No.19]

Only dogs like bones.

Bones as in anorexic? No thanks.

What some chicks are calling thin or skinny? Sign me up.

 

[Good_Old]

Bones as in anorexic? No thanks.

What some chicks are calling thin or skinny? Sign me up.

Sign you up to be thin or skinny?
You might want to go to a gym for that.

 

[No.19]

Sign you up to be thin or skinny?
You might want to go to a gym for that.

I meant in terms of preferences, like you said, 'only dogs like bones'. I don't like bones but I like girls who are thin or skinny, so sign me up for one of them.

And I agree with your encouragement of going to the gym. It seems that physical activity in this country has declined, I rarely see kids on their street playing footy or cricket. Any activity is good - sport, play, gym, whatever.

 

[Good_Old]

I meant in terms of preferences, like you said, 'only dogs like bones'. I don't like bones but I like girls who are thin or skinny, so sign me up for one of them.

Women are not objects you "sign up for", they're not personal property.

 

[No.19]

Women are not objects you "sign up for", they're not personal property.

Just a figure of speech

 

[Good_Old]

Just a figure of speech

Never heard of it, sounds oppressive. Oppression is evil, people should avoid taking part in it where they can.

 

[ShanDog]

Never heard of it, sounds oppressive. Oppression is evil, people should avoid taking part in it where they can.

Telling people what to do sounds oppressive.....

 

[Good_Old]

Telling people what to do sounds oppressive.....

Merely a suggestion, hence the word should and not must.

 

[ShanDog]

Touche

 

[Hoops]

Fat people eat more than they realise. Skinny people eat less than they realise.

More or less.

What is it more or less? Completely changes the argument