surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenumbers/2009/0...p.html#comments Medical Bankruptcies: A Data-Check March 05, 2009 12:37 PM (3 p.m. update: See italicized items with responses from the lead author of the Harvard study, Dr. David Himmelstein.) President Obama’s kicking off his health care reform today in the worst possible way: with a mischaracterization of data. “The cost of health care now causes a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds," Obama said at the opening of his White House forum on health care reform. The problem: That claim, based on a 2001 survey, is simply unsupportable. The figure comes from a 2005 Harvard University study saying that 54 percent of bankruptcies in 2001 were caused by health expenses. We reviewed it internally and knocked it down at the time; an academic reviewer did the same in 2006. Recalculating Harvard’s own data, he came up with a far lower figure – 17 percent. A more recent study by another group, approaching it another way, indicates that in 2007 about eight-tenths of one percent of Americans lived in families that filed for bankruptcy as a result of medical costs. That rings a little less loudly than “one every 30 seconds.” The extrapolation of Harvard’s data to “a bankruptcy every 30 seconds,” which Obama also mentioned in his address to a joint session of Congress last month, comes, per the White House, from a 2005 Washington Post op-ed by Prof. Elizabeth Warren, a co-author of the Harvard paper. Fact-check.org has noted that even using Harvard’s numbers, it’s more like a bankruptcy every minute; indeed if you add up all bankrputcies in a year you barely get one every 30 seconds. (I've e-mailed Warren for comment.) But more to the point is that the Harvard data are clearly inflated, or at best, mischaracterized. Isn't obvious that this guy is more than willing to lie to get his way? Fock what's best for the country...Obama got his agenda and he's pushing forward no matter what the cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posty 2,876 Posted March 6, 2009 Isn't obvious that this guy is more than willing to lie to get his way? Fock what's best for the country...Obama got his agenda and he's pushing forward no matter what the cost. Too bad people didn't realize this before they voted for him... They were too "star struck" and crying too much because he reads a teleprompter well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,121 Posted March 6, 2009 So much for CHANGE But we still have the HOPE part, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 Bump. No one wants to defend the liar in chief? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,180 Posted March 6, 2009 Bump. No one wants to defend the liar in chief? Maybe he is getting erroneous intelligence from his advisors/speech writers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 Maybe he is getting erroneous intelligence from his advisors/speech writers? Are you really serious? You really think that's the way it went down? Ohhh....but everyone KNEW Bush and Cheney cherry picked evidence for their case for war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posty 2,876 Posted March 6, 2009 Bump. No one wants to defend the liar in chief? They have to wait to see what the hosts on "Air America" tell them first... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank M 181 Posted March 6, 2009 Are you really serious? You really think that's the way it went down? Ohhh....but everyone KNEW Bush and Cheney cherry picked evidence for their case for war. D@mn, surferdoosh, did Obama come over and piss in your protein shake this morning or something? You got a lot of anger today, boy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 D@mn, surferdoosh, did Obama come over and piss in your protein shake this morning or something? You got a lot of anger today, boy! Maybe the stock market crashing is effecting my mood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank M 181 Posted March 6, 2009 Maybe the stock market crashing is effecting my mood. You want a cyber-hug? If so, I think edjr is around somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,180 Posted March 6, 2009 Are you really serious? You really think that's the way it went down? I don't know. Just trying to think of a rational explanation other than he is flat out lying to us and he knows it. I really hope that is not the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 7,152 Posted March 6, 2009 You want a cyber-hug? If so, I think edjr is around somewhere. (__!__) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank M 181 Posted March 6, 2009 (__!__) Is that a hug or an ass? Either way, thanks, ed. You feel better, surfer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 Is that a hug or an ass? Either way, thanks, ed. You feel better, surfer? Not really. That's more of a tease than anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,180 Posted March 6, 2009 I've been searching for the faggity friday thread all day. Looks like I finally found it. You guys have become very sneaky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 7,152 Posted March 6, 2009 I've been searching for the faggity friday thread all day. Looks like I finally found it. You guys have become very sneaky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edjr 7,152 Posted March 6, 2009 Is that a hug or an ass? Either way, thanks, ed. You feel better, surfer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,800 Posted March 6, 2009 even using Harvard’s numbers, it’s more like a bankruptcy every minute; Okay, let me see if I got this. The big drama is here is that medical costs don't cause a bankruptcy every 30 seconds, but every MINUTE? Good Lord. I mean seriously guys, in the context of "lying". Saying we KNOW where the WMD's are! - To get us into a war that turned out to be completely uncessary - THAT's a lie. Obama's overall point is not negated because "OMG - it's JUST one bankruptcy a MINUTE caused by the crippling cost of healthcare, not TWO a minute!" I mean, Jesus focking Christ, one banktruptcy an HOUR due to crippling medical bills is pretty focking staggering, no? Man, that's a reach. Out of all the lies we've heard over the last 8 years, this, THIS is what you come up with to be mad about? It's like when Obama said we invented the car and some of the dimmer witted guys here were all . - "But but you got mad at Bush for saying lies - it's the SAME THING!" ...and you wonder why we think you're stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 Okay, let me see if I got this. The big drama is here is that medical costs don't cause a bankruptcy every 30 seconds, but every MINUTE? Good Lord. I mean seriously guys, in the context of "lying". Saying we KNOW where the WMD's are! - To get us into a war that turned out to be completely uncessary - THAT's a lie. Obama's overall point is not negated because "OMG - it's JUST one bankruptcy a MINUTE caused by the crippling cost of healthcare, not TWO a minute!" I mean, Jesus focking Christ, one banktruptcy an HOUR due to crippling medical bills is pretty focking staggering, no? Man, that's a reach. Out of all the lies we've heard over the last 8 years, this, THIS is what you come up with to be mad about? It's like when Obama said we invented the car and some of the dimmer witted guys here were all . - "But but you got mad at Bush for saying lies - it's the SAME THING!" ...and you wonder why we think you're stupid. I guess you missed the part about Harvard's study being grossly exaggerated AND that fact that this study was debunked shortly after it was released. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GettnHuge 2 Posted March 6, 2009 I mean seriously guys, in the context of "lying". Saying we KNOW where the WMD's are! - To get us into a war that turned out to be completely uncessary - THAT's a lie. and Clinton said "Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons." and "This situation presents a clear and present danger to the stability of the Persian Gulf and the safety of people everywhere." and "The hard fact is that so long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world. " and "Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world and we fail to respond, we will face a far greater threat in the future." and "mark my words, he will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them. " but he wasn't lying or exaggerating or anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted March 6, 2009 How do I know when he is lying? posty adds 3 more threads to the board? the right wing hacks all jump at it...the left wing hacks all diffuse deflect and bring up Bush...and so on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 How do I know when he is lying?posty adds 3 more threads to the board? the right wing hacks all jump at it...the left wing hacks all diffuse deflect and bring up Bush...and so on. Yeah, we're all hack for having a opinion and you're not for posting in this thread with nothing to say? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted March 6, 2009 Yeah, we're all hack for having a opinion and you're not for posting in this thread with nothing to say? Not all of you are hacks...but some definitely are. Whats to say...its the same crap no matter who is in office. They are all lying sacks of shiite. What I see is a group of people on these boards whining nonstop about one side or the other and rarely, if ever, do any of you get involved. At least CMH gets involved. How many here have actually written or called a congressman? Worked on a campaign or at least tried to do anything? You think posting on this site is going to accomplish anything? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalobillsffl2003 0 Posted March 6, 2009 He sounds like the ped on Family Guy. we're going to ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssstem the tide of job..ssssssss losssssssssssssssssssssessssssssssssss where'ssssssssssssssssssssssssss barney frank...offtofuckmorecongreshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhunul.......pagessssssssssssssssss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surferskin 31 Posted March 6, 2009 Not all of you are hacks...but some definitely are.Whats to say...its the same crap no matter who is in office. They are all lying sacks of shiite. What I see is a group of people on these boards whining nonstop about one side or the other and rarely, if ever, do any of you get involved. At least CMH gets involved. How many here have actually written or called a congressman? Worked on a campaign or at least tried to do anything? You think posting on this site is going to accomplish anything? No, I haven't written my congressman yet but I'm definitely starting to think it's a good idea. Things are focked up and getting worse. As for is posting here going to accomplish anything...no but when has that ever been the point of posting at the geek club? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recliner Pilot 61 Posted March 6, 2009 How do I know when he is lying?posty adds 3 more threads to the board? the right wing hacks all jump at it...the left wing hacks all diffuse deflect and bring up Bush...and so on. ........and Slo Nuff shows up to about all of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted March 6, 2009 ........and Slo Nuff shows up to about all of it. And RP tags along to cry about my post cause he knows its true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recliner Pilot 61 Posted March 7, 2009 And RP tags along to cry about my post cause he knows its true. Nope. Just mocking you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites