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[-] Steve@communick.news 10 points 1 year ago

That has no additional information. I'm not saying the story is made up. Just that it leaves out a lot of important details about what exact mechanism was used to "force" her.

[-] downpunxx@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago

If she's insured, she would lose her insurance, if her medical care is being provided at no cost from the state through medicare she would lose that, so, they really leave the person no choice. Show up and have this fucking thing removed, or lose any future medical care whatsoever. I mean, it's still a choice, sure. No one forces anyone to eat or drink either, Steve.

[-] Steve@communick.news 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's speculation. They seem like reasonable possibilities, but we don't know because it wasn't explained.
At worse, all that is coercion. Well mostly just natural consequences really. Still not force.

People can absolutely be forced to eat or drink. It's been done in the past, when inmates go on a hunger strike. Half a dozen people strap them down, force a feeding tube down their throats. If lucky, they'd be sedated first.

[-] FlowVoid@midwest.social 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

They aren't reasonable possibilities, because Medicare covers everyone over 65 regardless of their medical history and ACA health insurance plans are required to enroll all applicants regardless of age or medical history.

The latter can raise your premium if you smoke tobacco. That's literally the only power of "coercion" they have available. All your other choices are off-limits.

[-] liv@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I think you and @Steve@communick.news (and @downpunxx@kbin.social ) might have missed the part where the woman is Australian and this whole thing took place in Australia, where there is universal healthcare.

[-] Steve@communick.news 2 points 1 year ago

I did miss that.
Seems there are fewer reasons for her to give it up.

[-] FlowVoid@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

In the US, you can't lose your health insurance based on your medical history.

Pretty much the only way for an individual to lose their health insurance is by leaving their employer, if they have employer-provided insurance.

Non-employer-provided plans are required to enroll anyone who wants enroll.

this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2023
124 points (99.2% liked)

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