|
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
|
Quote:
Originally posted by j8ear
I disagree and think this author brings to light some very interesting dichotomies.
Just because a drug company creates a drug that will keep you alive for another 10 minutes or 5 years does not mean that you have 'a right' to this drug, and that your inability to plan for it's eventuality during your productive years means that the government should step in and pick up the tab. Does it? Compassion is one thing, aging gracefully and passing on peacefully is another, but being kept alive, because it's possible, is unreasonable, imho. The only ones who profit are the pharma companies, and do so on the backs of the tax payer.
We should all realize at this point that life expectancy will only increase as the medical sciences progress, MORE and MORE 'life saving' drugs will surface, and people will continue to improperly prepare for these actualities. What is the solution? Additional government entitlements, again on the backs of future generations?
Are our resources unlimited? Is there a point in this process where needs will outnumber capability. I believe there is. Not sure when, but it will come.
JAFO,
-bear
|
I guess you miss the part where I said I was paying for my insurance AND had large copays. It's inconvenient even for me.
As for people on fixed incomes there is just your average worker who still has to pay for this type of stuff.
I never said that the pharmaceutical manufacturer (which I've worked for Pfizer, Nycomed, and Elf Sanofi) and they pend lots of money on research and they do deserve profitablity. BUT there is something called "protected profitablity" that the governement allows where the "original" company has exclusive rights to manufacturing before the "secondary" companies are allowed to make similar generics, which as we all know generic is always cheaper than brand name.
Open your eyes and look at what it costs for you to live, then think about how much your CURRENT nest egg will last you if you were incapacitated and couldn't be gainfully employed, and maybe it will allow you to walk in someone else's shoes for a moment. I have been earning for some time, I've saved lots of money, and I tell you I'm ALREADY worried about my retirement.
__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.
|