Drug Testing for welfare recipients

[nikki1920]

Yep. $2 a month rent. AND SHE WAS LATE!!

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

Yep. $2 a month rent. AND SHE WAS LATE!!

We used to have people come into my former place of employment (a family medical practice that was approx. 97% or more medicaid patients) who couldnt pay a $2 co-pay yet could produce enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

We used to have people come into my former place of employment (a family medical practice that was approx. 97% or more medicaid patients) who couldnt pay a $2 co-pay yet could produce enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes.

Yep.

I used to work in a county hospital. We had the same $2 co-pay for the therapy department; for $5 you could get all your prescriptions.

Same thing. While they couldn't muster up $5 for a sack full of medicine, there was somehow enough money for every single person in the family to have a cell phone. Go figure.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by buck2

Removing your post from my quote in case we're lucky enough to get you banned. But you know what you said.

I know that typing to you is like talking to a wall, but I'm putting myself through it anyway. There are white folks who have similarly skewed priorities. I know it's shocking, but it's true. Stop being such a hater.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by buck2

With the bros it is the norm. With the rest of the world it is an isolated problem.

Oh, ok.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by buck2

That is the problem with Black America. They have screwed up priorities. They have $5 for a pack of Kools but no money for medicine. They have money for cell phones, HD TV, cable, rims, limited edition sneakers, and Escalades(no insurance) but no money for healthcare.

Most of my patients were white people with screwed up priorities.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by buck2

That is the problem with <deleted> America. They have screwed up priorities. They have $5 for a pack of Kools but no money for medicine. They have money for cell phones, HD TV, cable, rims, limited edition sneakers, and Escalades(no insurance) but no money for healthcare.

Do NOT associate my post with your hate spewing racism. The people that I saw that were taking advantage of the system or had mixed up priorities crossed all racial lines and in some cases even crossed economic lines. One *white* lady owned 3 houses, showed up in a fur coat, and had her hand extended for free medicine, free doctor visits, and DME handouts every month.

Just go away. Sheesh.

[aggieAXO]

I can't believe I missed the whole hate on Austin part of this thread. It is the best place to live, I can't imagine living anywhere else though this summer has been a killer.

I wish I could explain to people on govt assistance that there is no govt assistance for pets and that having a pet cost $$. All I get is attitude and the "you are only in it for the money" speech. Well yea I have to make a living and so does my boss. I also love it when people tell me the procedure I want to do costs a lot less when they have it done at the human hospital (for example bloodwork). Yes, that is b/c either you have insurance or are on medicaid so you never see the actual bill. The longer I work the more I realize how much people suck

[Honeykiss1974]

Well, we know that proper budgeting is an issue with ALL Americans, so why would it not be an issue with those who accept welfare benefits? I'm sure for a lot of people, being irresponsible with money is all they have either seen or known. Make people take those courses (budgeting, food shopping) as apart of the benefit. Shoot, just like WIC has a pre-approved list of items you can buy, why not put those same restrictions on food stamp cards?

I think for me, the issue is just because these people are poor and using public assistance, doesn't mean that we can treat them as second class citizens. Today is drug testing, tomorrow it may be birth control (and probably just a requirement for women only), and who knows - even random searches of their homes.

I really do think it is case of a few bad apples that spoil the bunch (and a case of lawmakers trying to appear that they are being responsible with tax money...pffftttt).

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Well, we know that proper budgeting is an issue with ALL Americans, so why would it not be an issue with those who accept welfare benefits? I'm sure for a lot of people, being irresponsible with money is all they have either seen or known. Make people take those courses (budgeting, food shopping) as apart of the benefit. Shoot, just like WIC has a pre-approved list of items you can buy, why not put those same restrictions on food stamp cards?

I think for me, the issue is just because these people are poor and using public assistance, doesn't mean that we can treat them as second class citizens. Today is drug testing, tomorrow it may be birth control (and probably just a requirement for women only), and who knows - even random searches of their homes.

I really do think it is case of a few bad apples that spoil the bunch (and a case of lawmakers trying to appear that they are being responsible with tax money...pffftttt).

Hear hear!

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

I think for me, the issue is just because these people are poor and using public assistance, doesn't mean that we can treat them as second class citizens. Today is drug testing, tomorrow it may be birth control (and probably just a requirement for women only), and who knows - even random searches of their homes.

But don't we put restrictions on other people seeking public assistance? For instance, if you're applying for federal student loans, they can look into your criminal history.

I don't think it's treating these people as "second class citizens," as much as it's ensuring that the money is going to the right places.

Just throwing it out there, but maybe if they do test positive for drugs, future benefits are conditioned upon completion of a recovery program?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Make people take those courses (budgeting, food shopping) as apart of the benefit. Shoot, just like WIC has a pre-approved list of items you can buy, why not put those same restrictions on food stamp cards?

SCHEEEECH!!! hehehehe!!

Most of the bamas on welfare couldn't give a kitty about regular school, what makes ya think they are gonna care about budgeting class?

HA!

...continue...

[KSig RC]

How much will random drug testing really cost?

We don't get pissed at random drug testing for government jobs, yet we're going to decry an already-inefficient system for adding a layer that may or may not pay for itself in reduced services? Really?

The only argument that seems really convincing to me in this thread is the potential for punishing children or families by punishing the drug user. However, that's already an endemic flaw in the system, and we can't be specifically sure that the money is going there now (or what percentage). It does seem somewhat inconsistent to argue that the cost of the testing would dwarf anything saved, then turn around and say that you're depriving money from children who didn't do anything wrong - if the former is true the latter is minuscule, right?

The "re-branding" of welfare might actually be a solid component, but that's not really a tangible benefit, and we can guess (from other sources) that the lack of welfare funds will be only a minor deterrent (if any at all) to drug use.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

We don't get pissed at random drug testing for government jobs, yet we're going to decry an already-inefficient system for adding a layer that may or may not pay for itself in reduced services? Really?

Exactly. If you can't make your own money because you fail your drug tests and aren't hired, then don't take my tax money. I have no problem whatsoever with welfare recipients having to pass drug tests.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

How much will random drug testing really cost?

For a standard urine test, the testing company we use charges ~$50. I'm sure the goverment would pay less with the volume of people they would be sending.
This checks for all illegal drugs as well as excessively elevated levels of prescription drugs. It is also a non-attended drug screen. So the person is outside the door, not in the room with the person as they give the specimen. Attended screens cost more. ( They do check the temperature of the specimen. If it is out of a certain range, then it is rejected).