Step right up, folks! Doncha crowd now! There's room for everybody in this tent. Step right up! Don't be shy!
We're gonna play a game that is as uniquely AMERICAN as, but more ubiquitous than, basketball.
Players are a bit like the dealer in Blackjack. In Blackjack, dealers must take cards until their card total reaches 17, then they must stand pat.
You will be dealt cards until your spouse or you (depending on who is receiving care) is dead, or you are discharged from the game.
Let's go over the rules one more time. Cards are dealt to all players in a random sequence.
1. Now, if you are dealt an Ace or face card in the first round, then you are pronounced dead. No worries there. You are out of the game.
2. If, as the game continues, you are dealt no card below a FOUR before you are dealt an Ace or face card, then you remain healthy or wealthy until you are dead.
3. However if you are dealt a two or three BEFORE you are dead, you have a catastrophic health problem or need long term services and supports.
What happens next is determined by the next three cards (dealt all at once) you receive.
3.a If one card is an ace or face card, then the condition kills you and you have no more worries.
3.b If you get no ace or face card and you get all three cards above a three, then you recover after a brief scare and leave the game with 90% of your chips.
3.c If you get only one card out of the three below a four, then you lose half your chips paying for a serious health problem, but you are discharged with half your original kitty.
3.d If you get two cards below a four, then you have multiple problems, lose 75% of your chips to pay for care, and are discharged from the table.
3.e If all three cards are below four, then you must file for bankruptcy to cover to your health care costs.
3.e.1 Also, with three cards below four, this means you or your dependent will need long term care. The one in need is transported to a casino with no free drinks, slots that don't pay out, and that is listed as one star in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Gambling rankings.
3.e.2 In addition, at your new casino, no one will answer their signals requesting assistance in getting to a bathroom and the "free" brunch will only include food run through a food processor.
Okay, there is no specific table where this game is played. But, your life chances are really very similar to the different outcomes offered in this imaginary game.
AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOUR CARE IN REAL LIFE IS JUST AS SUBJECT TO NEAR-UNINTELLIGIBLE AND ARBITRARY RULES AS THE RULES LAID OUT ABOVE.
TO TOP IT ALL OFF, YOUR POSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES AND OUTCOMES ARE AS CERTAIN AS CARDS RANDOMLY DEALT ON GREEN FELT!
HEY, RUBE, GOOD LUCK! YOU'LL NEED IT!
LESSON: MEDICARE FOR ALL!!! WE ARE TIRED OF HEALTHCARE BEING A GAME OF "CHANCE" RIGGED SO THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDERS ARE THE SURE WINNERS!