I just donated $50. And as much as I agree with the sentiments on this page about my country's lacking health care system (and have always voted with this in mind), I hope we can come together to focus on the problem at hand, which is raising money for a fellow dev in his time of greatest need.
I assume the Indiegogo account cannot be suspended as easily as Paypal, so I made the donation through Indiegogo despite the slightly higher service fee.
I donated $10, but you know what I was deeply upset. The author is doing something great but 1) he should link to the Indiegogo page because I have no idea who he is, and could have easily thought he is a scammer if it weren't for the fact that he is on the front page of HN, and 2) for God's sake tell us how much he needs (this one goes to IGG page). It's not five grand, it's more. Tell us the number so we can do whatever we can, each one of us, to help a brother in need.
I apologize to the author, but I hope my comment helps you raise way more money for such great causes next time.
I matched your donation! :) I hope he gets the surgery before it's too late. It didn't help that I was listening to a depressing song while I read the article.
I think that developers as we are, we could just offer our apps or services for IndieGoGo perks!
Also, I already see the Reddit cross-post, but I am sure everyone here can think to a still not touched community (even niche) or mailing-list.
I'm simply blown away, as day after day the outpouring of support for Ken grows. When I put my blog post together, my hope was to help a good friend with a new monitor, and the rest was kindof a pipe dream.
Now, 8 days and almost $40,000 later, I'm at a loss for words.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, commented, passed it on, or done anything else to help us out. Both Ken and I are speechless.
The title of the article is not accurate. He is not a Linux developer; for those who don't know who he is, Ken is the founder of the Helios project, which is a non-profit which refurbishes old computers and distributes them to children whose families can't afford computers.
So for someone who has paid things forward, he certainly deserves help. See the following article from his hometown newspaper in Austin, Texas for more about the good works that he has done:
Update: Thomas Knight reports that they have raised the necessary $50,000. It looks like the Indiegogo campaign is still open, and there's a note than any excess that isn't needed for his medical expenses (if all goes well the $50k should be enough) will go to Reglue, his non-profit which helps children to get access to computers.
Say whatever you like about EU, but I can't think of any country here that would not help this man, or let him die simply because he can't afford surgery. In the worst possible case he would still have the surgery done straight away ,but he would have to pay afterwards,not before - he might end up in debt because of that,but better than being dead for sure.
Anyway, donated some money, really wish he gets all the help he needs.
* Germany: In 2005, Germany spent 10.7% of GDP on health care, or US$3,628 per capita. Germany has Europe's oldest universal health care insurance system, with origins dating back to Otto von Bismarck's Social legislation, which included the Health Insurance Bill of 1883, Accident Insurance Bill of 1884, and Old Age and Disability Insurance Bill of 1889.
* US: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States spent more on health care per capita ($7,146), and more on health care as percentage of its GDP (15.2%), than any other nation in 2008. The United States had the fourth highest level of government health care spending per capita ($3,426).
While he still needs money, they did find a doctor to perform the surgery. But don't let that stop you from donating, if you're able.
He also answered a question that I had: he's a veteran, so he should qualify for VA medical assistance. According to his post above, the VA system moves too slow to stop his rapidly spreading cancer.
About the VA. What he would receive (this includes medical care) depends on his level of service. Was he in combat? Was in injured while on active duty? And many other factors.
All this takes time for the VA to consider. And worse still, there's a HUGE backlog of claims right now (for obvious reasons).
Just pointing this out in case anyone declines to help out cause you're hoping the VA will come through. I mean, they will, it will take time though. And he doesn't have time.
Finding a pro-bono doctor was in the plans from the start, if I get it right. And the doctor should have never been in the $50,000 total. cit: "The cost just to book the OR for Ken's surgery is $50,000, and that doesn't include the surgery itself, nor any post-op medical expenses."
IIRC, even if a doctor is willing to donate their time, there are still large expenses for any major surgery (cost of the room, consumables, multiple nurses, anesthesiologist's time, etc.)
I simply cannot comprehend our [as a nation] almost religious stance vis a vis public healthcare. Hearing stories like this literally upsets me, because it is totally unnecessary. We are better than this.
In 32 states, being on SSI disability payment generally qualifies you for Medicaid without a further application, unless you also have additional income. States then vary in how much additional income, and in some you can still "buy in" to Medicaid even above the threshold, by paying some of the premium out of your additional income.
In other states the criteria for SSI disability and Medicaid are different, and may interact badly, with someone on SSI considered "not poor enough" for Medicaid. This is particularly likely in states with extremely low Medicaid thresholds where even someone at the poverty line wouldn't qualify. Here is a summary of the overall effect of all those variations: http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/state_1619_b_threshold_am...
The upcoming PPACA Medicaid expansion may sort out some of it, for states that don't opt out, but we'll see.
Donated $50. I realize we're trying not to rant about the healthcare system too much, so all I will say is that this is exactly why the system is a problem. What's the point of all our technology and "progress" if we still don't provide reasonable care to all?
Yeah, in a nation like USA (or actually anywhere, but let's be realistic) no one should die because they can't afford a standard treatment. I am from Italy and the first times I couldn't believe it.
It isn't like a health safety net even has to be all that expensive. A good mixed system looks after the poorest people and everyone else is encouraged (with tax penalties etc) to have private health insurance. In a wealthy country hardly anyone should be poor or unemployed anyway so the costs aren't that great. The US is a triumph of ideology over common sense.
Indiegogo campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/helios (RE-EDIT: IndieGoGo takes 9% fee but PayPal is known for account freezing, the choice is up to you)
Two days ago, there was a post on HN announcing Watsi, essentially a Kickstarter for healthcare (Sorry if I'm discrediting it's overall value in any way, it's a great idea: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4424081). Most of us in the Western world aren't the target audience for Watsi, but this seems appropriate. Can we not make this happen and see a cohesive case to be made for those asking questions about cause and background?
We have closed donations coming directly through PayPal. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous. The IndieGoGo campaign will remain open for another day or so, but we can't keep taking donations when we've now clearly met our goal.
The $50,000 we collected in 10 days will more than cover all of Ken's medical expenses as he continues through his difficult cancer treatment. Thank you to everyone who helped out, you are all wonderful people. :)
I'm sorry to be so ignorant when it comes to linux core (perhaps?) developers, but the entire blog post didn't mention his name nor his wife signed it with hers so I could at least assume who he is.
It'd cost quite a bit more than that. 5% of the income tax is only like $50 billion dollars, which is dwarfed by our current Medicare/Medicaid spending to cover a fraction of the population. Maybe something like doubling everyone's taxes could do it?
Well I have great news for you. Right on the 1040 form there is a spot where you can elect to pay more. I suggest that you do next year. Or just send the treasury a check.
8/25 - Update 4: Thank you!
I can't thank you enough. Not only have we found Ken a surgeon, but the surgeon has agreed to
do the surgery for a fraction of the original cost. We have raised $47,600 total now, enough
to cover the surgery, any and all pre and post op medical expenses, all medication Ken will
need for the foreseeable future, and there might even be some left over to go to Reglue.
I can't stress enough how thankful I am to everyone who has helped. The outpouring of support
is amazing. You are all wonderful people. :)
Thank you.
[+] [-] eric_bullington|13 years ago|reply
EDIT: Here's the link for the Indiegogo campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/helios
[+] [-] rokhayakebe|13 years ago|reply
I apologize to the author, but I hope my comment helps you raise way more money for such great causes next time.
[+] [-] doktrin|13 years ago|reply
I made the payment through paypal, I sincerely hope it isn't "suspended" due to a rapid influx of cash.
[+] [-] mr337|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mparlane|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stanmancan|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zitterbewegung|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] FiloSottile|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] taknight|13 years ago|reply
I'm simply blown away, as day after day the outpouring of support for Ken grows. When I put my blog post together, my hope was to help a good friend with a new monitor, and the rest was kindof a pipe dream.
Now, 8 days and almost $40,000 later, I'm at a loss for words.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, commented, passed it on, or done anything else to help us out. Both Ken and I are speechless.
Thank you.
[+] [-] tytso|13 years ago|reply
So for someone who has paid things forward, he certainly deserves help. See the following article from his hometown newspaper in Austin, Texas for more about the good works that he has done:
http://www.statesman.com/news/helios-projects-ken-starks-hel...
Update: Thomas Knight reports that they have raised the necessary $50,000. It looks like the Indiegogo campaign is still open, and there's a note than any excess that isn't needed for his medical expenses (if all goes well the $50k should be enough) will go to Reglue, his non-profit which helps children to get access to computers.
[+] [-] gambiting|13 years ago|reply
Anyway, donated some money, really wish he gets all the help he needs.
[+] [-] mtrn|13 years ago|reply
* US: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States spent more on health care per capita ($7,146), and more on health care as percentage of its GDP (15.2%), than any other nation in 2008. The United States had the fourth highest level of government health care spending per capita ($3,426).
Source:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Germany
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_United_States
[+] [-] mbreese|13 years ago|reply
While he still needs money, they did find a doctor to perform the surgery. But don't let that stop you from donating, if you're able.
He also answered a question that I had: he's a veteran, so he should qualify for VA medical assistance. According to his post above, the VA system moves too slow to stop his rapidly spreading cancer.
[+] [-] crag|13 years ago|reply
All this takes time for the VA to consider. And worse still, there's a HUGE backlog of claims right now (for obvious reasons).
Just pointing this out in case anyone declines to help out cause you're hoping the VA will come through. I mean, they will, it will take time though. And he doesn't have time.
[+] [-] FiloSottile|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] packetslave|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tzs|13 years ago|reply
The United States fucking sucks sometimes.
[+] [-] doktrin|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _delirium|13 years ago|reply
In 32 states, being on SSI disability payment generally qualifies you for Medicaid without a further application, unless you also have additional income. States then vary in how much additional income, and in some you can still "buy in" to Medicaid even above the threshold, by paying some of the premium out of your additional income.
In other states the criteria for SSI disability and Medicaid are different, and may interact badly, with someone on SSI considered "not poor enough" for Medicaid. This is particularly likely in states with extremely low Medicaid thresholds where even someone at the poverty line wouldn't qualify. Here is a summary of the overall effect of all those variations: http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/state_1619_b_threshold_am...
The upcoming PPACA Medicaid expansion may sort out some of it, for states that don't opt out, but we'll see.
[+] [-] crag|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] glesica|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sseveran|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] callmesocialist|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] FiloSottile|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] shirro|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] DanBC|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] tzaman|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] FiloSottile|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BHSPitMonkey|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] eculver|13 years ago|reply
Two days ago, there was a post on HN announcing Watsi, essentially a Kickstarter for healthcare (Sorry if I'm discrediting it's overall value in any way, it's a great idea: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4424081). Most of us in the Western world aren't the target audience for Watsi, but this seems appropriate. Can we not make this happen and see a cohesive case to be made for those asking questions about cause and background?
[+] [-] taknight|13 years ago|reply
The $50,000 we collected in 10 days will more than cover all of Ken's medical expenses as he continues through his difficult cancer treatment. Thank you to everyone who helped out, you are all wonderful people. :)
Thomas
[+] [-] rplnt|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] FiloSottile|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ixacto|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] streptomycin|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sseveran|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sharms|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] carbocation|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] agumonkey|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chadr|13 years ago|reply
http://linuxlock.blogspot.it/2012/08/it-started-with-hopeles...