UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 10.2%

[mook]

Healthcare workers are the latest scapegoats.

Again, what services do you provide your people in need?

My wife's business keeps 6 people over the age of 55 employed when none of them would have jobs because other employers deemed them too old to be worth anything. One of them just had cervical cancer surgery and is on chemotherapy. We've done everything possible to work around her illness.

Another one of our employees has a wife who is about a month or so away from death. He basically uses his job for my wife to keep him going. To be honest, we should've let the guy go six months ago because we can't really afford his services, but we just don't have the heart to do it. So we eat out less and watch our personal budget more than we really should have to. We'd rather do that than ask him to cut his pay.

I've volunteered through the CASA program, although with a 2 and 4 year old I don't have time anymore.

In my other job I recently completed a major proposal that created around 30 jobs in Seattle. I've played a significant part in helping a company grow over the past decade from $5mil/year in sales to $60 mil, making lots of money and creating lots of jobs for others.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn here. But you keep asking.

I'm also fairly certain you don't know how Kaiser operates, but I'll leave you alone in your ignorance.

Thanks. I'm also ignorant about how the Large Hadron Collider, the McDonald's fry machine and the NBA ref vetting process works. Yet I somehow feel comfortable about forming opinions about the current state of science, fast food and Tim Donaghy.

 

[yakbladder]

Actually, it was 7.6% at the end of Janurary 2009.

http://perotcharts.com/2009/02/unemployment-rate-continues-to-climb-january-2009/

Actually it was both.

You are using seasonally adjusted numbers, I am not.

 

[maxiep]

I really don't know where to start. From the doctors to the bureaucracy to the terrible customer service.

Again, I'm not saying anything about your wife, jsut the organization . . . and I know I'm not the only one who has bad feelings about Kaiser.

And you don't believe you would have those same critcisms with government-run healthcare? Have you ever dealt with Medicare?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

And you don't believe you would have those same critcisms with government-run healthcare? Have you ever dealt with Medicare?

If the health care bill creates a system that everyone would have to have Kaiser or it's gov't run equivalent . . . I would not vote for Obama again.

 

[PapaG]

I really don't know where to start. From the doctors to the bureaucracy to the terrible customer service.
Again, I'm not saying anything about your wife, jsut the organization . . . and I know I'm not the only one who has bad feelings about Kaiser.

Government-run healthcare is going to improve these things?

 

[PapaG]

If the health care bill creates a system that everyone would have to have Kaiser or it's gov't run equivalent . . . I would not vote for Obama again.

So ... why not drop Kaiser and go to one of the dozens of other options available to you in Oregon?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Government-run healthcare is going to improve these things?

Will I be forced to give up my blue cross/blue shied if the bill gets passed?

Anything will an improvement from K-health.

 

[PapaG]

Actually it was both.

You are using seasonally adjusted numbers, I am not.

I was using the BLS number, which is the generally accepted number.

 

[PapaG]

Will I be forced to give up my blue cross/blue shied if the bill gets passed?

Anything will an improvement from K-health.

Depends on if you buy your own insurance or get it through an employer. If you get it through an employer, you will likely be dumped onto the gov't plan. If you purchase your own, your private rates will skyrocket as employers dump employees onto the public plan.

 

[PapaG]

My wife's business keeps 6 people over the age of 55 employed when none of them would have jobs because other employers deemed them too old to be worth anything. One of them just had cervical cancer surgery and is on chemotherapy. We've done everything possible to work around her illness.

Another one of our employees has a wife who is about a month or so away from death. He basically uses his job for my wife to keep him going. To be honest, we should've let the guy go six months ago because we can't really afford his services, but we just don't have the heart to do it. So we eat out less and watch our personal budget more than we really should have to. We'd rather do that than ask him to cut his pay.

I've volunteered through the CASA program, although with a 2 and 4 year old I don't have time anymore.

In my other job I recently completed a major proposal that created around 30 jobs in Seattle. I've played a significant part in helping a company grow over the past decade from $5mil/year in sales to $60 mil, making lots of money and creating lots of jobs for others.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn here. But you keep asking.

Neat story. I hope your wife is able to keep employing them.

Thanks. I'm also ignorant about how the Large Hadron Collider, the McDonald's fry machine and the NBA ref vetting process works. Yet I somehow feel comfortable about forming opinions about the current state of science, fast food and Tim Donaghy.

So you admit that you are ignorant, yet you openly post about wanting millions of people to lose their jobs.

 

[PapaG]

Will I be forced to give up my blue cross/blue shied if the bill gets passed?

Anything will an improvement from K-health.

Whatever. Best of luck to you.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Whatever. Best of luck to you.

Don't get all offended by me making fun of Kaiser.

I have friends that work at comcast and have never taken it personal when you attack comcast. because I understand you aren't attacking my friends, you are attacking the organization (what do you think of comcast's customer service?)

You must know that many people complain about Kaiser. Just go to consummer affairs wesite and see all the complaints logged about the organization. I'm sure the people in the organization are good people, but the organization itself leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[PapaG]

Don't get all offended by me making fun of Kaiser.

I have friends that work at comcast and have never taken it personal when you attack comcast. because I understand you aren't attacking my friends, you are attacking the organization (what do you think of comcast's customer service?)

You must know that many people complain about Kaiser. Just go to consummer affairs wesite and see all the complaints logged about the organization. I'm sure the people in the organization are good people, but the organization itself leaves a lot to be desired.

I am worried about my wife's job situation. Another poster in this thread advocates her losing her job. I wonder what will change under Obamacare other than the folks that can't even get H1N1 vaccines to their citizens messing things up even more than the are now. If you want keep picking, so be it. A lot of organizations leave a lot to be desired. I don't see people openly cheering for them to be unemployed.

Obama is splitting this country right down the middle with his demonization of the people who work in certain industries.

 

[mook]

So you admit that you are ignorant, yet you openly post about wanting millions of people to lose their jobs.

Yes, I admit to complete ignorance about the inner workings of Kaiser. Never used them. For all I know it's a delightful company. I wasn't the one who brought them up.

But I'm pretty fucking fed up with our current health care system. I'm pissed that I can't get decent coverage for a couple of people who work for my wife. I'm tired of my own insurance company fucking around time after time, losing paperwork, denying coverage, yadda yadda yadda.

I'm to the point where I tell myself, to quote Aliens, let's nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

I can see how you'd take offense at it. I probably would too if somebody was capturing my own wife in such a blanket statement. And I regret that I've offended you.

But nothing here has changed how god damn tired I am of the current system and how anything has got to be better than this.

 

[mook]

Obama is splitting this country right down the middle with his demonization of the people who work in certain industries.

Gee. Sounds like an entire generation we just lived through of lambasting all government employees.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I am worried about my wife's job situation. Another poster in this thread advocates her losing her job. I wonder what will change under Obamacare other than the folks that can't even get H1N1 vaccines to their citizens messing things up even more than the are now. If you want keep picking, so be it. A lot of organizations leave a lot to be desired. I don't see people openly cheering for them to be unemployed.

Obama is splitting this country right down the middle with his demonization of the people who work in certain industries.

Really . . . I have read alot about posters hoping comcast goes down, as in the business being shut down (and those are the kind anti-comcast posts). If comcast goes down, then that means a lot of people would lose their jobs.

So when you wish the worst on comcast, aren't you advocating for comcast employees to lose their jobs. Because when a company goes down or loses large revenue, it is usually followed by job losses.

 

[PapaG]

Gee. Sounds like an entire generation we just lived through of lambasting all government employees.

Obama was going to change all of that, wasn't he? I also have no clue what you're talking about. When did Bush talk about the evil of governmental workers?

 

[PapaG]

Really . . . I have read alot about posters hoping comcast goes down, as in the business being shut down (and those are the kind anti-comcast posts). If comcast goes down, then that means a lot of people would lose their jobs.

So when you wish the worst on comcast, aren't you advocating for comcast employees to lose their jobs. Because when a company goes down or loses large revenue, it is usually followed by job losses.

When did I say I hoped Comcast went down? You're just making things up now to argue a less-than-compassionate point.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

When did I say I hoped Comcast went down? You're just making things up now to argue a less-than-compassionate point.

Yes . . . because K-Health is a very compasionate subject.

First and foremost I would like to caution anyone who is considering choosing Kaiser for their health insurance. I have experienced continual negligence and incompetence. The few Kaiser physicians I have encountered who are of a higher caliber seem to be leaving. I have had several instances:

-I was having bloodwork done for potentially serious issues. However to my dismay when I got the reults back I found they tested for NOTHING the doctor had ordered, but they did manage to test for my blood type...despite already being entirely aware I am type A positive. The person drawing my blood at the time it was taken had a pretty poor attitude and said with exasperation "great, no veins!" as if I'd intentionally made it difficult for them to draw my blood. And despite the countless times I've had blood drawn I've NEVER experienced bruising like this time. Eventually they got it right though.

- I've been having pain in my lower abdomen, going on five months now and no one is helping me. They keep telling me it is just a muscle even while I'm protesting I feel the presence of SOMETHING on my side. One of the good docs I met with referred me to have pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds. She made it a point to tell me to ensure they do the abdominal ((inference there is that she's fully aware her orders are often not followed)). Well I made sure they physically did the abdominal and received test results for both as negative. Two months later and the doc I'm seeing this time tells me they never even did the abdominal ultrasound, despite me getting negative test results back! Upon finally realizing they didn't do what was asked ((yet again)) the doc had me get an MRI done. I've yet to receive the results. The day it was done the technician performing my MRI gave me a picture CD of the procedure. She then advised me that, "your Kaiser doctor doesn't necessarily need to see these, but just keep them for your records in the future." So we'll see if the MRI was also futile as I don't expect anything fruitful to come of this either--much less expect a test result ((and forget about it being accurate!))

I could go on to talk about how rude and dismissive some of these doctors have been, or the countless others' horror stories I've heard from others. Even my eye doctor who is now in private practice was once employed by Kaiser and even she was speaking of how lousy they are. I am not one to complain BUT your health is priceless. So you'd expect those you entrust with it know ((or even care)) what they're doing. I am praying whatever my mystery ailment is doesn't get worse before open enrollment, as I am undoubtedly switching insurance companies asap!! For the safety and peace of mind for your loved ones and yourself DO NOT CHOOSE KAISER PERMANENTE if you have any other options. It may end up saving your life.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/kaiser.html#ixzz0W77k5FUy

 

[yakbladder]

Obama was going to change all of that, wasn't he? I also have no clue what you're talking about. When did Bush talk about the evil of governmental workers?

You mean when did any GOP member talk about how government was bad because it was bloated and inefficient (and thereby intimating that the people running it have no idea how to improve the boating or inefficiency)?

 

[yakbladder]

I was using the BLS number, which is the generally accepted number.

And yet still both numbers are correct.

How about that!

 

[PapaG]

Yes . . . because K-Health is a very compasionate subject.

First and foremost I would like to caution anyone who is considering choosing Kaiser for their health insurance. I have experienced continual negligence and incompetence. The few Kaiser physicians I have encountered who are of a higher caliber seem to be leaving. I have had several instances:

-I was having bloodwork done for potentially serious issues. However to my dismay when I got the reults back I found they tested for NOTHING the doctor had ordered, but they did manage to test for my blood type...despite already being entirely aware I am type A positive. The person drawing my blood at the time it was taken had a pretty poor attitude and said with exasperation "great, no veins!" as if I'd intentionally made it difficult for them to draw my blood. And despite the countless times I've had blood drawn I've NEVER experienced bruising like this time. Eventually they got it right though.

- I've been having pain in my lower abdomen, going on five months now and no one is helping me. They keep telling me it is just a muscle even while I'm protesting I feel the presence of SOMETHING on my side. One of the good docs I met with referred me to have pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds. She made it a point to tell me to ensure they do the abdominal ((inference there is that she's fully aware her orders are often not followed)). Well I made sure they physically did the abdominal and received test results for both as negative. Two months later and the doc I'm seeing this time tells me they never even did the abdominal ultrasound, despite me getting negative test results back! Upon finally realizing they didn't do what was asked ((yet again)) the doc had me get an MRI done. I've yet to receive the results. The day it was done the technician performing my MRI gave me a picture CD of the procedure. She then advised me that, "your Kaiser doctor doesn't necessarily need to see these, but just keep them for your records in the future." So we'll see if the MRI was also futile as I don't expect anything fruitful to come of this either--much less expect a test result ((and forget about it being accurate!))

I could go on to talk about how rude and dismissive some of these doctors have been, or the countless others' horror stories I've heard from others. Even my eye doctor who is now in private practice was once employed by Kaiser and even she was speaking of how lousy they are. I am not one to complain BUT your health is priceless. So you'd expect those you entrust with it know ((or even care)) what they're doing. I am praying whatever my mystery ailment is doesn't get worse before open enrollment, as I am undoubtedly switching insurance companies asap!! For the safety and peace of mind for your loved ones and yourself DO NOT CHOOSE KAISER PERMANENTE if you have any other options. It may end up saving your life.



Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/kaiser.html#ixzz0W77k5FUy

Lots of first names, zero last names. Why won't these people stand behind their criticisms? Seems to me more of a propaganda website than anything else, although I'm sorry those 10 peoples born with first-names only are upset at Kaiser.

I had a stress test, a CT scan on my brain, and a complete physical within 3 days when I had some very odd physical symptoms last April. I later had another CT scan on my brain, and things look OK at this point with another scheduled for December. I'm extremely satisfied with the treatment I received and the instant care in such an emotionally terrifying point of my life.

I wonder why this woman didn't get her MRI results. Does she realize that she can access all test results on-line at kp.org?

 

[PapaG]

And yet still both numbers are correct.

How about that!

The Obama administration uses the BLS numbers and used it in their projections on how the Stimulus would help. If you want to cherrypick a number that no one uses to score a political point, that's a "you" issue, isn't it?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Lots of first names, zero last names. Why won't these people stand behind their criticisms? Seems to me more of a propaganda website than anything else, although I'm sorry those 10 peoples born with first-names only are upset at Kaiser.

I had a stress test, a CT scan on my brain, and a complete physical within 3 days when I had some very odd physical symptoms last April. I later had another CT scan on my brain, and things look OK at this point with another scheduled for December. I'm extremely satisfied with the treatment I received and the instant care in such an emotionally terrifying point of my life.

I wonder why this woman didn't get her MRI results. Does she realize that she can access all test results on-line at kp.org?

Maybe her husband doesn't work for Kaiser.

Fuuny you give an experience about Kaiser with no last name and a first name of papag . . . but you're valid and these people who only give first name and general location are just part of some a propoganda website.

I wonder why everyone doesn't have the pleasant experience you have with Kaiser?

 

[PapaG]

Maybe her husband doesn't work for Kaiser.

Fuuny you give an experience about Kaiser with no last name and a first name of papag . . . but you're valid and these people who only give first name and general location are just part of some a propoganda website.

I wonder why everyone doesn't have the pleasant experience you have with Kaiser?

That has absolutely zero to do with the coverage a person receives. Plus, plenty of posters here have met me and know my real name through various board bashes. I'm not the person bitching about Kaiser anonymously on a message board, either, by using random "stories" that you Googled to find. That would be you. I merely offered a counter-point based on my personal experience.

 

[PapaG]

I wonder why everyone doesn't have the pleasant experience you have with Kaiser?

Probably because every business has its problems. Highlighting those of Kaiser seems rather pathetic. Is the government going to make healthcare more efficient?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

That has absolutely zero to do with the coverage a person receives. Plus, plenty of posters here have met me and know my real name through various board bashes. I'm not the person bitching about Kaiser anonymously on a message board, either, by using random "stories" that you Googled to find. That would be you.

I don't need random stories to bitch about Kaiser just like you don't need random stories to bitch about comcast.

My point was that I'm not the only one who thiks Kaiser (the company) has poor service. I would think you know that given your ties to the company, but it sounds like you are oblivious to all the complaints or don't realize that Kaiser is not the most well looked upon health care provider.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Probably because every business has its problems. Highlighting those of Kaiser seems rather pathetic. Is the government going to make healthcare more efficient?

And highlighting comcast problems . . . seems like what to you?

Is the gov't going to make health care more efficient . .. I don't know. More effcient and user friendly than Kaiser . . . yes.

 

[PapaG]

I don't need random stories to bitch about Kaiser just like you don't need random stories to bitch about comcast.

Apparently you did, though.

My point was that I'm not the only one who thiks Kaiser (the company) has poor service. I would think you know that given your ties to the company, but it sounds like you are oblivious to all the complaints or don't realize that Kaiser is not the most well looked upon health care provider.

Now probably isn't the time to tell you that the Kaiser CEO is an advisor to President Obama, and that the Kaiser model is a blueprint for a long-term public HMO model.

 

[PapaG]

President Obama Cites Kaiser Permanente Model; Learn More About Why Aug. 25

“…If we could actually get our health-care system across the board to hit the efficiency levels of a Kaiser Permanente or a Cleveland Clinic or a Mayo or a Geisinger, we actually would have solved our problems.”