Thursday, August 30, 2012

Balancing Act

Imagine you are shopping for a new car. You would love to have the new $50k Lexus SUV, but you don't have that kind of money so you are test driving a $20k Honda Civic. It doesn't have those nice leather seats you like or the V-6 engine like the Lexus you wanted, but that wasn't in your price range so you settle for something more practical. You're about to say "I'll take it" When suddenly, BOOM! Everything goes dark.

You were in a very bad accident while on the test drive. Luckily you had not purchased the car, so you still have your money, but you notice a dull pain in your left leg as you gain awareness. Your doctor is the first person you see when you wake up and he says, "Well hello there! You had quite the accident, I'm afraid. It looks like we have bad news - We are going to have to amputate your leg... The good news is that prosthetic legs are on sale! Here's the menu! Just let your nurse here know which one you want and I'll pop it on for you."

All prices include surgical attachment:

You think for a bit and see the bottom one and say "Wow - a brain controlled one? Gosh I guess that wouldn't be too bad - does my insurance cover that?"

"Your what?"

"My insurance... health insurance... you know..."

"Oh, yeah that no longer exists. You've also been in a coma for a few years - I forgot to tell you that part. We realized patients weren't involved enough in their own healthcare decisions, so President Robamney abolished it. You just pay out of pocket for this stuff now. If you act now, you can get 0.9% interest for 5 years on any purchase of $20k or more!" You realize that $100k is a really steep price to pay for that kind of luxury and you simple cannot afford it. You have the $20k available from that car you were about to purchase, so you choose the C-leg prosthetic.

"Excellent choice, sir. You won't regret it."