Have you ever donated money to someone who was sick and couldnt afford the hospital bill..

[mstrmac1]

Have you ever donated money to someone who was sick and couldnt afford the hospital bill/doctor bill..


In light of RP response at the debate on the hypothetical question with the guy who could not afford it.



Im interested in the amount of charity that we have.

please explain...

[QueenB4Liberty]

I've never had the opportunity to.

[minuteman76]

Yes. Not recently. But, when I was a child and teen, the church my parents attended would routinely take offerings for people with serious illness. The congregation was large and significant amounts of money could be raised by that method. Blitzer's question presents a false dilemma in that the absence of government "charity" does not mean people will lack charity.

[Bruno]

Yes, through my county propery taxes which go the county hospital.

Otherwise, no, though we do donate our time and contribute to various charities including the United Way, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and sponser dinners at the homeless shelter.

[mstrmac1]

sometimes I think if we had more of our own money (NOT PAY TAXES).. we would be even more charitable!

[AggieforPaul]

I've never had the opportunity to.

If you want that opportunity I bet it wouldnt be too hard to someone who'd be really grateful for your charity.

[ForLiberty2012]

Nope, I'm a tea-bagger... I believe people should die if they can't take responsibility for themselves. /sarcasm

[TexMac]

Yes, but not hospital, doctor bill.

[LBennett76]

Where I live there are benefit dinners and poker runs. There are some motorcycle guys that hold bike runs too. The local businesses also allow people to place change jars on the counters for people to give. The church I used to attend had the Gabriel Project for poor pregnant women that collects and gives out diapers, clothes, cribs, whatever people donate. The church also has a benevolence fund and aids various families with bills they have. I know it's not the only church in our town that does this. The community I live in is very good about helping others. We are a village of about 4500, so it's very tight-knit.

[MelissaWV]

I have in various ways.

I have contributed to hospitals by volunteering. This allowed them to save money, which allows them in small part to provide for those who cannot readily afford care.

I have donated change, or bought things at grocery stores where the money went to someone who was ill. A lot of times this is someone's child with a rare cancer, etc..

I have paid my own way at a hospital, which means that I paid over and above what I would have if my insurance had picked it up, especially if there was a capitated contract. I likely paid twice as much. That money goes to the hospital which cycles it back to its patients.

* * *

The question assumes that total strangers will need to toss coins in a jar to pay your way, or the plug will be pulled. This could not be less accurate. Right now, hospitals have programs for "medically needy" persons who cannot afford care. This can even include money towards home health (yep, a house call!) programs and physical therapy at the local gym. It is not limited to stabilization and being tossed out the door.

I have worked in Medical Billing several times under a variety of circumstances, and as long as we have an idea that we were going to get most of our money back we will work with the patient. People who owe thousands of dollars can pay $20/week, and that's what they do. There are programs with large universities where you get reduced or free care if you go to their "teaching hospital" portion and get worked on by budding doctors under the watchful eye of more experienced ones. This works great for dental care!

These are not mandated things. This is not the Government swooping in and providing healthcare or demanding a certain level of care.

[mstrmac1]

I have in various ways.

I have contributed to hospitals by volunteering. This allowed them to save money, which allows them in small part to provide for those who cannot readily afford care.

I have donated change, or bought things at grocery stores where the money went to someone who was ill. A lot of times this is someone's child with a rare cancer, etc..

I have paid my own way at a hospital, which means that I paid over and above what I would have if my insurance had picked it up, especially if there was a capitated contract. I likely paid twice as much. That money goes to the hospital which cycles it back to its patients.

* * *

The question assumes that total strangers will need to toss coins in a jar to pay your way, or the plug will be pulled. This could not be less accurate. Right now, hospitals have programs for "medically needy" persons who cannot afford care. This can even include money towards home health (yep, a house call!) programs and physical therapy at the local gym. It is not limited to stabilization and being tossed out the door.

I have worked in Medical Billing several times under a variety of circumstances, and as long as we have an idea that we were going to get most of our money back we will work with the patient. People who owe thousands of dollars can pay $20/week, and that's what they do. There are programs with large universities where you get reduced or free care if you go to their "teaching hospital" portion and get worked on by budding doctors under the watchful eye of more experienced ones. This works great for dental care!

These are not mandated things. This is not the Government swooping in and providing healthcare or demanding a certain level of care.


Well said..

[sailingaway]

And through a group of parents at my kids' schools we scheduled blood drives when people needed transfusions, not only did they know where the blood would come from it greatly reduced the costs, etc. We had a bunch of stuff on medical related services we tried to do for people. It wasn't a school thing, exactly, just the parents.

But now there IS managed care and medicaid, so it is a different world. People don't take responsibillity because the government has.

And in college we had fundraisers for a private hospital near the university, and I ran some of those. And my kids' cub scout group had stuff, some of which I helped organize and always participated in. Charity is a lifestyle, not a one time event.

[ctiger2]

Yes, cancer.

[LBennett76]

I'll also mention a doctor I work for. There are certain patients he reduces his fees for. He is also known to reach into his own pocket and give patients money. He's given me money on various occasions when times were tough.

The high school in my town also hosts the largest school-sponsored blood drive in the country, getting usually between 500-700 units of blood. That's my contribution. I'm super poor, but I do have blood I can give, so I give every time I'm allowed to.

[mstrmac1]

Yes, cancer.

Directly to someone specific?

[AggieforPaul]

I dont particularly agree with the audience members or Ron Paul on this issue. I've had Crohn's disease since I was 13, and my hospital bills have been pretty substantial. Luckily I've always had health insurance (Im currently 23 and paying my own premiums and all other costs). I've never gone to the ER and asked Joe taxpayer to foot the bill. But I do recognize that I've benefited from some insurance regulations that have been passed over the years. Specifically, my dad kept me on COBRA for a few months in between jobs because there was no way an individual plan would cover me with a pre existing condition. And because he kept me covered continuously until I got my first job, the health insurance I got from my job could not legally refuse to make me wait a year before it started covering my pre existing condition. To be honest, I'd probably be dead without health insurance. You wouldn't be able to tell looking at me, because I eat extremely healthy and work out all the time because of this stupid disease, but I also have to take immunosuppressants every couple months that I'd never be able to afford without insurance. I know some of you think that's wrong, and I should either pay all my medical costs out of pocket or bite the dust, but from my vantage point, Im not for anyone who's willing to work and take care of their body being left to die.

[brandon]

Why? There's no reason to help the sick when the government will do it anyway. They already take so much of my money that I don't have enough left to help anyone but myself.

[Sola_Fide]

Bro, we do this in the south all the time in our churches and in our towns. There is nothing like a great barbecue benefit with some music and friends and family.

[mconder]

No...but I give away at least 10% of my significant income to charitable causes on top of what the government extracts from me.

[brandon]

but I also have to take immunosuppressants every couple months that I'd never be able to afford without insurance. I know some of you think that's wrong, and I should either pay all my medical costs out of pocket or bite the dust,

I don't think many people here think that.

In a society that hasn't been completely fucked from a century of government misallocation of resources and overbearing regulation, medical insurance would only be used to protect someone against unforseen disasters. Management of chronic conditions should not be paid for by insurance, but that doesn't mean you would be left to die. Your Immunosuppressants would probably cost about as much as tylenol, and if you needed help paying for a specialist there would be tons of groups standing by to help.

[sailingaway]

I dont particularly agree with the audience members or Ron Paul on this issue. I've had Crohn's disease since I was 13, and my hospital bills have been pretty substantial. Luckily I've always had health insurance (Im currently 23 and paying my own premiums and all other costs). I've never gone to the ER and asked Joe taxpayer to foot the bill. But I do recognize that I've benefited from some insurance regulations that have been passed over the years. Specifically, my dad kept me on COBRA for a few months in between jobs because there was no way an individual plan would cover me with a pre existing condition. And because he kept me covered continuously until I got my first job, the health insurance I got from my job could not legally refuse to make me wait a year before it started covering my pre existing condition. To be honest, I'd probably be dead without health insurance. You wouldn't be able to tell looking at me, because I eat extremely healthy and work out all the time because of this stupid disease, but I also have to take immunosuppressants every couple months that I'd never be able to afford without insurance. I know some of you think that's wrong, and I should either pay all my medical costs out of pocket or bite the dust, but from my vantage point, Im not for anyone who's willing to work and take care of their body being left to die.

How could it possibly be wrong to buy insurance? Ron Paul (and most of us, I would think) would want people to have major medical... the point is MAJOR. If insurance/government covers every little thing you become price insensitive and the prices shoot up for all. But it isn't immoral of the insurance consumer, it is just a cause and effect that hits everyone and should be considered.

[chudrockz]

On further reflexion, I would have to change my "no" vote to "yes" instead. During and for awhile after college I "sponsored a child," a boy in Nicaragua, through Children International. It was really pretty neat. Anyhow, I have to think that at least some of that $ went to medical care, or vaccinations, etc.

[eleganz]

Maybe you should add more poll options like:

Yes, if the healthcare industy wasn't so inflated

An ambulance ride, E.R. visit cost an arm and a leg, and don't even get started on multiple night stays in the hospital.

[pacelli]

I work in a hospital and provide services to many people who can't afford services. I don't discriminate. I provide them with the care they need, regardless of whether they are paying or not.

I donate my time and services instead of money. I feel my time and the services I provide are worth more than money for these folks, whether I get paid or not. They need legitimate help.

[MelissaCato]

Yes, once a year for homeless people to get teeth pulled and dentures.

[Revolution9]

Have you ever donated money to someone who was sick and couldnt afford the hospital bill/doctor bill..


In light of RP response at the debate on the hypothetical question with the guy who could not afford it.



Im interested in the amount of charity that we have.

please explain...

At the produce stand where a family member got into a wreck totalling her face and it needs reconstruction. A few other donation drives I have contributed to as well as a funeral. Not much though so no big pat on the back due here. If I had some big bucks I know I would. Probably children's medical charities.

Rev9

[jolynna]

I live in a community where the majority are Amish/Mennonite. There is always a dinner, benefit or fish fry to help neighbors out with medical bills. Participating is a looked forward-to break from cooking and the best food ever. My Amish neighbors are the FIRST to offer help to their "English" friends and neighbors by bringing over food or babysitting or helping fix a fence after a storm crisis. We've reciprocated with money donations when there is debt from illness besides just buying food at the benefit dinners.

It is against the Amish/Mennonite religious beliefs to accept an employer insurance plan, let alone to accept money from the government. The Amish and Old-Order Mennonite do not put money into social security and they do not get social security benefits.

The Amish don't stiff their doctors, no matter what the cost. They work out plans and the family, neighbors, friends and community pays off the medical bills that are incurred by illness. The doctors and hospitals in my area do NOT hesitate to treat the Amish.

Many doctors in my area no longer accept medicaid patients because of the red tape and unreliability that goes along with dealing with the federal government.

I am not saying I don't believe in insurance. My husband and I are self-employed and pay premium prices to be insured. I am saying that those that insist that humans have to be FORCED to take care of other humans or even themselves are wrong. Those that grow up, knowing each individual is the master of his or her own fate and that it is also everyone's responsibility to aid family and neighbors in need, DO exactly that. Expecting nanny care from birth to the grave, I think, severs ties and feeling of responsibility that people in communities used to have toward each other.

[Birdlady]

I haven't had the chance to and right now I am barely able to afford my own healthcare, however, if I did have the money, you better believe I'd help someone out. I'd be even more willing to help if they were interested in alternative treatments which no insurance companies cover.

I know LOTS of doctor's offices have given me breaks on treatment too. You have to just be honest and upfront with them. "Hey I'm broke, can we figure something out" and most of the time they will.

[jdmyprez_deo_vindice]

I have personally given money or things to sell to friends who needed to pay medical expenses. I have also helped with food and household chores for people who were in need. I have contributed time to volunteer organizations which take care of people in bad situations, conducted charity auctions for worthy causes and if I am in a store that has charity jars for local families who are having a medical problem that is not insured or some other crisis, I will often just take whatever change I am given and put it into the jar. I know I am not alone and there are a lot of people out there who do a whole heck of a lot more than I probably ever will and it is living proof that we don't need government mandated charity. In fact if it was not for how much I am taxed, I would most likely give even more.

[phesoge]

Yes-The Catholic Church and various charities.

[musicmax]

Yes. A local woman was severely injured at a lake party and a fund was established for her.

[wongster41]

I was recently in a charity poker game, helped raised money for a 2 year old baby girl who had leukemia. There were 30 people in the poker game and we raised $1,500 that night. Everybody had a great time for a great cause. If the government would give the money back to the people and take out the Federal income tax, I'm sure we could have raised more.

[satchelmcqueen]

yes. i really dont like to say this as i dont think one should brag or claim recognition for giving, but i will keep it as simple as possible. a man i know lost his job and his wife was prego and wasnt working. i put $100 in an unmarked envelope in his mailbox. i also had groceries delivered to him the same day.

hospital bills??? yes. i have gave many times to my church who gives money monthly to families in our area who need medical debt relief.

[tremendoustie]

Yes, I donated to help a friend who's part of the liberty community here in nh, who fell and hurt her back. We raised many thousands of dollars within a day, and there was ongoing support after that.

I've also donated to general charities that help provide medical care overseas, if that counts.

[neverseen]

No. Why you ask? Because the government will. Or my insurance rate will just go up when the hospital pays for it. Or someone else will.

If the gov didn't pay, and wasn't involved in big insurance, and I had little/no taxes + extra cash from cheaper insurance (since no gov, think how cheap cutting your eye open and lasering your vision to perfection and it only costs as little as $600 now!!!), then maybe with all my extra money and the fact that the only one who would be able to help that person is someone who donates... maybe I would. I'm very charitable with material donations and with helping other people out that i know... but money is tight. *shrug* ?

[ronpaulitician]

Yes, a couple grand to my (ex) sister-in-law.

[Lmata]

In my family we've had a great example of how these situations should work. My mil needed knee surgery several years ago. She had what she thought was health insurance but ended up being a horrible policy that cost her a bunch of money. This was provided to minimum wage workers at Lubby's. Anyways, the max benefit for the year was 1K on a surgery and that was no where near what she needed. So, the three brothers got together and split the cost of the surgery. We worked out a deal with the surgeon to pay cash upfront for a discount. Same for the out patient surgery center. We found someone we knew who was a PT and they showed us the therapy for her at a reduced amount and she did the excersices herself (saved her not having to go in a few times a week). It was costly for each of our families but we did it and we came out ok in the end. We were all young families at the time so none of us really had the $$ to spare but it was Mom so we did it.

[mstrmac1]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories... It looks like we are a charitable bunch. I think it proves we could take care of people in hardship. If only the government would allow us to be free and give us back what we earned.

[jeremiahj13]

I've donated to things like cancer research, Pro-Life organizations, and gave a poor man 5$ digging in my trash (mind you this was when the dollar was a bit stronger, and i never had a job before this because I was 16 at the time).

[Xenophage]

Ever dropped some money in a donation jug at your local supermarket to help kids with leukemia?

[mstrmac1]

Ever dropped some money in a donation jug at your local supermarket to help kids with leukemia?

Your heart is in the right place... but...No. Its a Little to shady for me, I'm not confident that it would make it to the right people. However, once I'm completely sure on the money getting in the actual hands of the person in need I become more charitable.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Had a dinner fundraiser for a friend a while back, at least 150-200 people showed up and it raised well over $10k (and he received much more on the side). Not once did I think, "gee, this really should be the government's job, not ours."

[citizendave]

I loaned $3000 to a Mexican employee whose baby was sick in a Mexican hospital. He paid me back, right on time.

[amy31416]

Helped set up a fundraiser for a young fellow with brain cancer. He'd just gotten married and it turned his brain to mush far too soon--he was a good guy.