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Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 8, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I think several of your comments center around "the current system has some huge gaping flaws" which...yeah no argument from me.

That's not what we are talking about though. Fundamentally United makes a ton of its money from fraud. Therefore I think any amount of profit is absurd. Stop committing fraud! They seem to have managed to dodge regulatory oversight somehow but that doesn't change that a lot of what they are doing is some combination of illegal, fraudulent, a breach of contract, or a scam. A higher percentage of stuff is deeply unethical but that is more questionable to criticize.

I have significantly less problem with them making money legitimately but until they do any amount of profit is absurd.

Some people (which may include you?) have a more winning focused attitude - if the system will allow the activity (illegal or not) than its fine, old school Sirlin stuff.

However if the system allows this kinda stuff you'll have gross negative externalities like the impending collapse of U.S. healthcare and the likely copy cat increase in violent populist activity.

I cannot tell you the number of times my interaction with an insurance company has boiled down to "yeah we were always going to cover this, as we were contractually obligated to, but I wanted you to spend 5-10 hours of your own time suffering to make it happen, maybe next time you'll just take the loss or tell the patient they are better off paying cash for their medication."