GoFundMe or not?!!?

Greg D wrote:

Umm, the government doesn't pay for anything.  It does, however, take from one person and give it to another. 

Yes, exactly.

Why would you even start this thread?  The very question stinks of elitism.

There are varying degrees of wealth.  Simply put, not everyone can afford medical care and all of the fringe costs.  Your good quality insurance and fat wallet aren't the norm.  In many cases, shit insurance isn't worth buying.  Figure a low income and do the math.

I agree, someone that can afford health care shouldn't utilize Gofundme.  But, I doubt the 1% are hitting up the 99% here. Ultimately, if you don't want to help out someone else, don't.  That simple.  Furthermore, if you don't like the system, do something about it!

Greg D wrote:

Umm, the government doesn't pay for anything.  It does, however, take from one person and give it to another. 

Who pays for an entire generation declaring bankruptcy?

Tradiban wrote:

Good responses.

I have friend, didn't make much money, under 30k, wasted his leg bouldering, never had to pay a dime because the gov picked it up due to the ACA. So basically you're good as long you make under a certain amount of $ and are eligible for gov coverage?

If you're eligible for Medicaid, yeah. Before Medicaid expanded under the ACA it was very hard for a young single male to get coverage under it. Now it's a strict income test, nothing else. And yes, Medicaid is no direct cost to the enrolee--no copay, no deductible, no premium--but you gotta be dirt poor to be eligible. 

I don't have any problem with the go fund me stuff. Nobody is forcing you to donate anything, and since it's public, the petitioner is exposed to massive internet humiliation, which the climbing community should absolutely dole out if they want money for getting a cam stuck or resoleing their shoes or whatever. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIUu4zv7UAw

The GoFundMe campaigns after XYZ climbing/BASE jumping/extreme adventure incident kind of rub me the wrong way.  These are recreational activities that we are choosing to do.  Part of that is accepting the inherent risks and taking responsibility for the results.  There are plenty of people out there who are struggling to get by and provide for their families, not because they have chosen a lifestyle involving a poorly-paying job but because it is the only option for them.  The campaigns to help someone who had an unpredictable medical incident (e.g. a stroke) do not bother me.  Our insurance system is broken and we should all look out for each other (effectively providing a backup insurance system, which is a big part of what community is).  However, I think that sending help to folks who broke themselves while playing diverts money and attention from more legitimate causes.  This is assuming that most folks who donate to fix the dude's/chick's broken femur from a fall on that x-rated route aren't also donating to the Hurricane Harvey/Irma/Maria relief funds (for example).

chris magness wrote:

Why would you even start this thread?  The very question stinks of elitism.

There are varying degrees of wealth.  Simply put, not everyone can afford medical care and all of the fringe costs.  Your good quality insurance and fat wallet aren't the norm.  In many cases, shit insurance isn't worth buying.  Figure a low income and do the math.

I agree, someone that can afford health care shouldn't utilize Gofundme.  But, I doubt the 1% are hitting up the 99% here. Ultimately, if you don't want to help out someone else, don't.  That simple.  Furthermore, if you don't like the system, do something about it!

If making under 35k my whole life while maintaining insurance with a deductible under 2500 is elitist then I'm guilty but I don't think I fit the profile of an elitist.

 I don't mind giving to people in need. If you're really going to question how they spend every cent or the wisdom of all their life choices leading up to the accident, then it's probably not the thing for you to contribute to.

If you are more focused on judging someone who is sick or hurt than helping them you are a worthless piece of shit inmop

Jesus H God Blasted Christ. Since when did people coming together to help each other become a bad thing....

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

If you are more focused on judging someone who is sick or hurt than helping them you are a worthless piece of shit inmop

So where is your bleeding heart for all the people who don't engage in risky hobbies but get sick or hurt? I think what I'm saying is that if you can't afford the consequences of your actions then you don't get to go do cool risky things. Not insured well? No BASE for you!

Tradiban wrote:

So where is your bleeding heart for all the people who don't engage in risky hobbies but get sick or hurt? I think what I'm saying is that if you can't afford the consequences of your actions then you don't get to go do cool risky things. Not insured well? No BASE for you!

Ahh the Ant and Grasshopper.

Tradiban wrote:

So where is your bleeding heart for all the people who don't engage in risky hobbies but get sick or hurt? I think what I'm saying is that if you can't afford the consequences of your actions then you don't get to go do cool risky things. Not insured well? No BASE for you!

Here are Nick's quotes:

When used to help people in genuine need or worthy causes, go fund me is an amazeing way to help people out.

I am not rich by any means but I donate to most of the go fundmes for illness and injury that come my way regardless of weather or not I even know the person.

If you are more focused on judging someone who is sick or hurt than helping them you are a worthless piece of shit inmop

Jesus H God Blasted Christ. Since when did people coming together to help each other become a bad thing....

I am not sure between which lines you found basis for your statement. 

I think there are two separate issues here. The first is go fund me requests, whether they're to pay medical bills or to buy a new iphone. As long as the person making the request is honest about it, people can decide whether they want to contribute. If you don't like it, don't give. The second is about our health care system which, IMO, sucks.    

 

IMO, one of the flagship benefits to the ACA is that all ER care must be considered in-network in a sense that the insurance company cannot deny the claim because you did not stay in the network. This was a massive issue with some policies beforehand because some plans would reject a claim entirely or seriously limit coverage if you went out of network, even if it was for an emergency. This in effect undermined the entire concept of health insurance because in a true emergency you cannot check to see what is in network and what is not.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/24/upshot/the-company-behind-many-surprise-emergency-room-bills.html?mcubz=0

Tradiban wrote:

I'm curious, what do you think about these GoFundMe accident people? My knee jerk reaction is to be appalled at the beggary

Tradiban, I am curious to know why you are focusing on the "accident" GoFundMe cases.

This makes me wonder: do you give to other types of GoFundMe campaigns? E.g. do you find GoFundMe campaigns for things like funeral expenses, IVF, school supplies, etc. to be highly objectionable?

Another question: if someone is in an accident through no fault of their own, is that an "okay" type of GoFundMe, in your view? For example, suppose they were in an automobile wreck that was caused by the drunk driver of another vehicle, and now they have unforeseen expenses. What if they were hit by a drunk driver, while they were driving to a movie...? Maybe it's kind of irresponsible to go to the movies, actually. They could've stayed home, after all. It was an unnecessary drive. Maybe insurance companies should only reimburse those who are behaving in completely responsible and necessary activities, like going to work, or to the grocery store.

amarius wrote:

Here are Nick's quotes:

I am not sure between which lines you found basis for your statement. 

Of course, someone who is just minding their own business and is struck by illness or injury is justified in setting up a GoFundMe but in the climbing community I'm seeing those who have failed to prepare for the worst and then have put themselves in situations that exposes them to injury. 

If you don't have adequate coverage perhaps the adult decision is to refrain from climbing, BASE, etc until you do.

It's a modern form of panhandling.  I don't believe that people should panhandle and that would be the very last option for me.  But, it's a question of personal morals and people have the right to panhandle.

Tradiban wrote:

So where is your bleeding heart for all the people who don't engage in risky hobbies but get sick or hurt? I think what I'm saying is that if you can't afford the consequences of your actions then you don't get to go do cool risky things. Not insured well? No BASE for you!

So you're saying that only wealthy people should be morally justified in their choice to go climbing? What about poor ass college students? What about poor ass college students who have an outdoor education or adventure education major? Climbing might be part of their education

What in the world did people do before Al Gore invented the internet and online begging became available?