Gimpy,
I was reading your post and I wanted to ask you about socialized medicine. We hear so much about it here--some good and some bad. I was wondering---is it a very long wait to get in to see a doc or a specialist? We always hear that ---is that true?
The democrats and republicans always argue over this, but all I know is that we HAVE to do something soon, because our healthcare isn't the best anymore. Its all about money now and not caring for sick people.
There was that documentary "Sicko" telling about our healthcare being terrible and socialized being the way to go----but then we hear the horror stories about people waiting months just to get to see a doc. And then people coming here instead for their healthcare.
I just don't know whats true. Whats your take?
Also, any of the other people in any of the other socialized medicine countries. Don't we have some UK and Kiwi's and such.
Pip
I love our socialized medical system.
You show up at emergency, you are seen and admitted. If you need surgery you get it then you get discharged home. All for no out of pocket cost.
If you choose to have surgery and choose your surgeon you might wait a few weeks to get an appointment (like everywhere else).
About 4 weeks ago Merryn had a gallbladder attack, she went to emergency and then after she was settled she was sent home and went in for an ultrasound the next day. After her GP got the results she got a referral for a surgeon about 2 weeks later. She saw the surgeon a week ago Friday and had her gallbladder out Wednesday. All for nothing out of pocket. (Private Health Insurance is 0 a month). Mind you she is still on our insurance her own starts in 3 weeks and it will cost her a week.
The only time you have waiting lists is for elective surgery and that's when there are no beds available. Yes you hear horror stories about the public system but all in all it is a great system.
My Rheumy ordered my MRI and I decided to go public because of the cost. I waited 2 months. I had it last Sunday. I need another on in the next couple of weeks so will have to wait probably for a cancellation. My Neurosurgeon wanted an MRI of my neck. I went private and had it done 5 days later, saw the surgeon one week later and the only reason I'm waiting on the surgery is that one of the girls at work is on holidays so I can't take time off at the moment.
We have never had to wait months for anything even back when we didn't have private cover. I know some people who have waited but there are usually circumstances surrounding it.
It's a great system, we pay for it with our taxes (1.25%). We even get a 30% rebate on our private health insurance....to encourage those who can afford it to get it....this helps free up beds in the public system.
I can't undersand having to wait and having to pay soo much for health cover. My brother lives in Florida and he works in Insurance so I hear all the painful stories about being insured and finding out you're not covered in different states. Or being denied cover due to a pre-existing condition. Here you cannont be denied cover. If you have a pre-existing condition you might have to wait 12 months for cover but you have the cover for everything else in the mean time.
Hey it works for us.
"but all I know is that we HAVE to do something soon, because our healthcare isn't the best anymore."
Well *THAT'S* putting it mildly!
You know, I hear a lot of blame placed on the insurance companies here in the states. I used to work for a major insurance company and believe me, the coverage most people have ISN'T dictated by the insurance company themselves. The group elects what they want covered and non-covered especially if they're an administrative services only group (which basically means the ins co only processes the claims). I've seen groups that elected to not cover newborns automatically in the hospital after they're born but choose to cover penile implants. They can also choose the time period pre-exisiting conditions are not covered for or waive it all together. There's all kinds of other things, too. It's just crazy!!
[QUOTE=pammy416]My Rheumy ordered my MRI and I decided to go public because of the cost. I waited 2 months.
Pammy, you have socialized medicine so you pay for it with taxes, plus you have private insurance. What do you mean that you went public due to the cost? I would think that with all the coverage you have their would be no cost.
there's a cost to go private. you pay a little on your own, and then you get to pick where you go and when. it was too pricey, so she went public. You dont HAVE to have private insurance. Its an extra, technically, a luxury.So what is straight up public healthcare like for those who aren't in the financial position to add the better healthcare to it? Do they have access to the same clinics, hospitals, healthcare professionals? Or does the added insurance just help you to skip ahead of the line?Well Im answering out of my territory here.......but I THINK everyone has access to the same services, but when you pay for private insurance....there are more choices. Like an "on the side" kinda thing. I'm not even sure if what I said makes sense...LOLI don't know a whole lot about how health insurance works outside of the US, but I do know that when my daughter had surgery at the mayo clinic and we were there for two weeks most everyone I talked to were out of country. They were there paying full price because there was such a huge waiting list in their country that they would be dead if they had waited for an opening. One specific guy I talked to from Canada said he had a heart condition and couldnt get in to see a specialist in Canada for two years...so he chose the mayo...because he got in within two months and did end up needing surgery.
I do know that our health insurance costs are ridiculous and something needs to be done...
I chose to go public due to the cost because it was free as opposed to about 0 and we had just gotten back from holidays ( you know that 'I had a great time but now I'm broke feeling) If I had known it would take a couple of months to get in (due to a technicians strike) I would have bitten the bullet and gone private. Private basically does help you jump the queue. You also get to go to a private hospital. That leaves the public system open for those who need the free system. They are entitled to free everything in hospital. In an emergency they are treated immediately. For something elective, you might get bumped by an emergency. You may need to wait a couple of months for elective surgery, it depends on how busy your surgeon is, how many beds the hospital has available etc. Like I said when I went private for the next one it was at a private hospital and was within a week.
The 30% rebate of our health insurance premiums is to encourage those who can afford it to opt out of the public system and free up beds. If you make more than 50K as a single person you actually pay an increased tax on your 1.25% if you don't opt for private cover. It ends up costing about an extra 0 a year. Which incidentally is about the cost of private health cover.
Yes I realize this is a two tiered system and some might say that sucks. But everyone is entitled to free medical care. You will NEVER end up with a huge medical bill no matter how sick you are or how often you end up in hospital. Payment for medical care in calculated in hundreds of dollars at a time, not thousands.
I live in the UK with a socialised medical system. Yes, there are problems with it, just the same as any other, but I am incredibly thankful I have it.
I can choose to go public or private as I am lucky enough to be on my parents insurance. Private is quicker - the waiting times are shorter - but it costs. A lot. I had an MRI done privately and a colonoscopy and they were very expensive. It's not something I undertake lightly.
I see my RD publically. Everything he says I need doing I get done for free (If we take paying tax as a given). In Wales, where I'm at uni, I get all my prescriptions for free, from stuff like simple painkillers to the Anti-TNF drugs. In England I pay a charge of £6.95 for every prescription, no matter what it is. Personally, while as a student getting free prescriptions is fantastic and really helps me out with living on a tight budget, I would rather pay for them and know that the money saved by my contribution is going into the NHS elsewhere.
Public or private, the service is the same. You get seen by the same doctor, it just costs more privately. I first saw my RD privately as it was quicker than waiting. He then transfered me to his NHS clinic, where I see him every 3 months, more often if needed.
I'm living in South Korea which has socialized medicine. I wanted to get a flu shot and you had to go to a hospital in order to get one. I thought, oh no, that will take all day. I was in and out in 15 minutes including the paperwork and it was 22,000 won (about .00), it would have been a lot cheaper if I was a Korean citizen. I was thrilled with the service and the fee.
I also know that dentists are so much cheaper here than back home. Here a porcelain crown is about 200,000 won (about 0.00 U.S.) and a root canal is 250,000 won. I had to have a root canal while I was home visiting during Christmas and it was over 00.00. I'm not sure I was ready to have it done in Korea but now it is too late.
Becky
Porcelain
Id' be interested to hear what those with only public have to say about socialized medicine. I mean, if you asked me about my personal experience with privatized medicine here in the US, I'd tell you it was wonderul. I have really good insurance so I don't have any problems with it. But then, talk to Katie and you'd hear a different story, ya know? Living in a state that borders Canada, I've talked to so many people who come here for medical care because they find their own system to be lacking, well it just makes it hard to believe that it's that great. I mean, maybe it is for some in the same way it's great here for me, but socialized medicine obvioulsy isn't equal for all. That's one of the reasons I'm against the US moving toward it. Our system needs fixing, but trading it for another known flawed system would be ridiculous.
Hi, I am an aussie and have never had private insurance. my kids were all born in public hospitals and cost me nothing. my friend in the room having her baby next to me paid private cover and had the exact same treatment. It cost her over 00. I live in a small country town and get all my mri,s within a day of the doctor wanting it. I see a private rheumy as a public patient and pay a visit. My prescriptions cost each until it reaches about 0 then they are free for the rest of the year. 6 years ago i had an asthma attack where I was flown by emergency helicopter to Adelaide and put in an induced coma for 10 days, plus rehab for 3 mths once out of the coma. This cost NOTHING. my son was born with only one small kidney and has had multiple surgeries and 6 mthly visitis to a nephrologist and renal specialist plus ultrasounds. other major kidney tests. He is now 19 and still gets the same treatment. All of this cost NOTHING. This really is the lucky country and I wouldnt live anywhere else.Ally~ from what I've read Australia has one of the best heathcare systems. I have read about some problems as far as rising out of pocket costs, I think for people that have private insurance. Also that it lags behind in the area of surgical technology because of the expense. Nothing's perfect though and I'm generally impressed with what I've read about it.[QUOTE=watchingwolf]
Quote from Mrs. A:
"You know, I hear a lot of blame placed on the insurance companies here in the states. I used to work for a major insurance company and believe me, the coverage most people have ISN'T dictated by the insurance company themselves. The group elects what they want covered and non-covered especially if they're an administrative services only group (which basically means the ins co only processes the claims)."
This statement isn't exactly true. The insurance companies are more involved than most people realize in that they, the insurance companies put their basic packages together with available options.
Too often the basic package offered isn't adequate a package which could fulfill their needs is so costly they can't afford it.
:: Yes, there are benefit packages available that have been designed based on the needs of the general public. They are mainly purchased by employers/groups who have 2-50 or 51-150 employees and the employer/group selects which plan or plans they want to offer their employees. The plan designs cover essentially all health services with the only differences between plans being coinsurance, deductible and copay amounts. The employer/group has the option to add coverage for services that are normally noncovered as well.
I'm not sure what types of coverage are available for people buying individual plans as I was not involved with that area, but I do know that they offer a variety of selections. It all depends on what type of coverage an individual needs and what they can afford as well. I know opting for individual coverage can be painfully expensive.
After reading some of the stories here about the cost of insurance or medical treatment, I'm just thankful I live where I do.
Thanks so much for all of your replys!!!! I wish our government to come together like this and fix our medical care system! Maybe they need some arthritis sufferers on the board! hee heeLori
But Kel, I've never heard of anyone going across the border from US to Canada to receive medical care. But it's common to see the other way around. Their has to be a reason for that.Lori
I agree with Scattered. I live in Scotland. The money comes from everyone who earns. We all have to pay tax and national insurance (the bit taken for the health is called the NHS), these are deducted at source. The national insurance contribution goes into the national pot to pay for things like, schools, hospitals, medicines, police etc.
I dont pay for any of my drugs because I take thyroxine... its one of the small list of drugs that is considered essential to life, accordingly it entitles me to free prescriptions for everything, to be honest I dont know how that works but I'm not complaining.
I had an emergency hysterectomy in 2002. I was very ill, taken to hospital, admitted, tested and operated on all within a couple of days. Also in 2002 (12 weeks later) I had a scheduled operation to put titanium rods in my back... I was on a waiting list for 9 months... a small wait by some standards. The urgent surgeries come first (which is I feel is right).
My national health contribution each month is about £62.00 (4 apprx.) and I feel its worth every single penny.
I have used the private sector too. When I was first DX with RA rather than wait 6 months for my NHS appt. I paid to see a private rheumy.... this chap is the same chap I see on the NHS. All my blood tests are done by the GP, and if I need steriod injections between rheumy appts. I ring my GP, they get the stuff in and then my GP administers them. If I need an urgent appt. with the Rheumy I can generally get one within a week or so and if I need anything the rheumy nurses can deal with then I speak to them at the hospital.
When I read about the difficulties that can arise in the US with no money, no insurance, no help. I find that very scary. Of course nothing is perfect, if you are classed as non urgent you have to wait but waiting lists are coming down slowly (albeit too slowly for most). Also, it does mean that the more expensive medicines are harder to come by. However, personally when I've needed the NHS its been there for me so I'm incredibly thankful.
Sarah,
Thanks for the explanation. That is dirt cheap for NHS. It sounds like a good health system. There are so many here in the US that cannot afford health insurance because it is so expensive. It's a real shame that so many don't get the health care they need because of it. I don't know why the US doesn't follow the example of other countries and reform our healthcare. Our health insurance just recently went up. Nothing is paid at 100% anymore and our deductibles are very spendy. Our drugs are now on a tiered system and getting the good drugs are expensive. Something needs to change.
Lori
Lori, my fundamental worry would be that I would look at my purse and have to decide health or living... and what happens to the people in the US who have nothing... how do they get treatment? To me thats a totally unacceptable way to have to live.
You are right Sarah, it is totally unacceptable and its a shame that the US, which is supposed to be the richest country in the world, (I just had to look that up..wasn't sure) allows it to happen. There are many people here that are just getting by and have no extra for health care or prescriptions. There is welfare and they do provide healthcare plans for those that meet their requirements...but then there are what we call "the working poor", who supposedly make too much money, yet there is no way they could afford health insurance. Sad, but true, many people just go without healthcare and medicines they need because they can't afford it. I couldn't imagine not being able to get the medications I need... not to mention the homeless who suffer all the way around. Living with RA is horrendous..imagine living with it and having no medications. It's a shame.
Lori
Link, you have now. Moving to Canada is a HUGE HUGE HUGE idea for us.I actually know Americans who have married Canadians, and
even though they live in the
Wysone, I think it varies from region to region. Wait times
are by urgency, so I think some people who have maybe not so urgent needs but
want to be seen sooner do go to the
Once when I hit my head I had to wait in emergency for about 3 hours, but every
other time I've gone the wait has been negligible. Last year my BF had an
asthma attack and we waited no minutes. I’ve talked to a bunch of people about
their emergency room visits and they all have one or two stories of a long wait
but more often are seen pretty promptly. Again, people are seen by order of
urgency.
I recently had a friend who waited about 10 weeks to get a large surface cancer
removed from her skin. Even though the Dr's told her that kind of cancer almost
never goes below the skin the wait was very stressful for her.
On the other hand I know another woman who detected a lump in her throat on
Christmas Eve, and she has been diagnosed, tested and MRIed already. It's
cancer. Her surgery was scheduled for yesterday but because there was a
complication (they found more of what turned out to be non-cancerous lumps) it
got moved to Wednesday. So that's 3 1/2 weeks from the day she detected it to
the day it was dealt with. When my Mother had cancer all her healthcare moved
very fast too.
Also, because the healthcare is all integrated I think it makes it easier on
patients. There are cancer centres that streamline care so the patient has all
their appointments in one place and as well as seeing doctors they see nutritionists
and counsellors if they need them. Families also have access to counselling,
and it all costs NOTHING.
I get treated at an Athritis Centre where my RD is. They have education,
research, an information library, support groups, one-on-one counselling, physiotherapy, and
occupational therapy there. That way, all my health professionals can discuss
me amongst themselves if I have a stubborn problem.
The best thing about socialised medicine is no one goes broke. It's still
expensive to get sick because of things like transport and special equipment,
but no one goes bankrupt and not having the stress of how to pay the medical
bills helps, no matter how many times you might end up in the hospital or how
many family members are sick.
Also, because people don't pay out of pocket to see doctors I think problems
can get caught a lot earlier. Sometimes if people are low income and they have
to pay for medical attention they just let things slide until they become very
serious.
Of course, there are many problems with the system, but I think any system has
many problems. (For instance, there are certain drugs that aren't covered by
MSP for certain conditions, that probably should be, but mostly your doctor
prescribes a drug and then you go to the pharmacy and get it. It's not like
there's a bunch of bureaucrats deciding each individual health decision like there
is in private insurance).
In any system, there will always be cases that have gone horribly awry, but
from reading accounts on this board and others I don't think my healthcare is
worse than any other countries. In a lot of cases it seems better. Personally
I've been VERY SATISFIED with my healthcare and I'd rather wait a bit longer
than deal with what I hear some on this board deal with. I am so grateful for
my healthcare. Even though I may pay more tax, I wouldn’t trade it or my
citizenship for anything!
One subject that is often overlooked in the private vs public healthcare debate is the idea that when healthcare is for profit there is really no motivation to cure anybody. A sick person is a source of income. When healthcare is paid by the public purse there is a HUGE motivation to find cures for things, and to publicly fund research. I think that should be considered more when looking at this debate.
I just want to live a good healthy life, that's all.......
And you know, what this comes down to is that the poor person can't afford good health care.
The people who work at gas stations and laundry mats and car washes and the tiny hole in the wall cafe on the corner and the guy at the local car shop who goes out and collects tires to be recycled....the people who work at walmart and k-mart and all the other stores that pay so terribly low.
Some people who have a GREAT job and GREAT health insurance think to themselves, in the back of their minds "well if they'd just get a better job..." And don't say you don't, because you do. Because it's what you did, and that's fine. But we can't ALL make that kind of money. No one's going to pay a gas clerk /hr. They're just not.
But you know what, not only should you not have to "get a better job", but SOMEONE HAS TO DO THOSE CRAP JOBS. Are we to condem them to be the sick ones, and the poor ones? Always? I'm sure ALL OF US are very grateful to the people who work the local gas station. You may not say it, and you may not think it all the time, but you depend on that gas station and SOMEONE has to run it. And chances are they don't get paid sh*t to do it. But it has to be done. And they have to be healthy TOO. But no, it's a "crap job" so it gets "crap insurance" and everyone seems to be okay with that.
I don't think it's fair. No matter how you slice it, even if you took the ones with true potential and threw them into school, and they all got great jobs and moved up in life....well, where does that leave your little gas station? Someone's still gotta run it......and the pay isn't gonna get any better.
We can't ALL have "the dream job" with "the dream insurance" It just doesn't work that way. It's ugly and I feel like everyone is afraid to say it. Sure we talk about people like me, who has a crappy illness and has all these bills to pay - but what about Joe Schmoe who works for .50 at the Shell on the corner, and has a wife and two kids he's trying to pay for? And they're all healthy! The kids still need shots.....they're still gonna get the chicken pox....and the flu.....and colds and ear infections, and hell, they might even break an arm.
The list goes on and on and on. I could write forever here, but I think you get my point....
Gimpy, for one thing, anything that comes from Michael Moore has to be questioned because he lies and twists truth so much that all he says needs to be taken with salt.
That aside, I would be interested to hear what you think are the negative aspects of socialized medicine. I know that it must have some good points, but I also know that many Canadians don't agree to the point that they come here. And not just because they don't want to wait for elective surgery either. Sometimes it's to save their lives because to wait in Canada would be the end of them.
I guess I would heal him up and send him back to his own country. With a bill he can hnd to his own government. What do YOU do Lorster?
katie, their are free clinics for people who have no health insurance. Kids aren't missing out on their vaccinations.
Justin wasn't turned away from the surgery he needed. I know you have medical bills to pay, but why shouldn't you have to pay for it? We don't go to the mechanic and expect him to work without a fee even though we need a car to get to work and so on.
Do you know that their are millions of people who qualify for medicade but don't sign up cuz they can always just go to the emergency room if they need a doctor? Hospitals take a giant hit because of that. So who makes up the difference? People who can pay, they just have to pay more. Insurance rates go up to cover the loss. What about the millions of illegals who leech on US tax payers? They don't pay taxes they just live off yours. What do you think would happen in Canada if we sent them all our illegals? All of the sudden millions of people benefiting off their system without paying into it. It would likely destroy it. But here, not only do we hand over healthcare at tax payer expense, but we educate them too.
And did you know that the vast majority of people working for minimum wage are teens and college students~not your average family man trying to support a family. Not only that many people, especially young people who think they're going to live forever opt out of insurance programs. They'd rather have a bigger paycheck.
If you add to those things the insane law suits that cause doctors to have to buy malpractice insurance up the wahzoo and then charge the patient to cover it...well these are things that could be corrected and we would see a huge change in our healthcare here in the US. I don't know why they don't do it. But turning to a socialized system I think would be the height of irresponsibilty and foolishness. Fix the system we have.
I have been corrected. I do have a neighbor that goes to Windsor for some kind of laser thing for smoking cessation. And I do hear commercials for lasik surgery in Windsor on our Detroit stations.
But Lorster, why would your friend go all the way to India when Canada and Mexico are right next door?
Free clinics? Not here. There's the health department, who will see pregnant women and children. That's it. And not for strep throat, or pneumonia, etc etc. Shots only. That's it. Trust me. Been there, done that.
People who qualify and don't sign up? Are you kidding me? There are people all over around here who, in my opinion, would be perfect for medicade, and are denied. I have no idea why.
No, we don't go to the mechanic and expect him to work without a fee. Those of us without the money, DON'T GO TO THE MECHANIC. And then the car dies, and we're struggling to get to work. (Hello, did I not JUST go through THAT as well???)
I know illegals is a big part of our problem. If it were up to me, we'd throw them all in buses and get them the f*** out of here. Personal opinion though. I don't make the rules. (damn, sure wish I DID though)
The majority of people working for minimum wage are teens and college students? Where the hell do YOU live? Cause that sure as sh*t isn't the case here. Not even CLOSE. Not even REMOTELY close. I never "opted out of insurance because I thought I was going to live forever" I simply couldn't afford to take that hit on my paycheck. .50 an hour after taxes does NOT leave much to be paying for health care. So yeah, a bigger paycheck so I can buy FOOD was totally my way of thinking back in the day.
If Justin and I split, and I were living on my own, I would *HAVE* to drop my health care. I couldn't afford it. Cross my heart hope to die stick a needle in my eye. Okay, and I'm not a teen or a college student and neither is 90% of our gas station workers, or walmart workers etc etc etc etc. So I don't know where THAT came from, but I've never seen it.
Malpractice lawsuits are insane, and should be intervined on. It's gotten completely perverted, I agree. But that's not going to fix the system we have.
When a wheel falls off a wagon, it can be put back on and the wagon will work. When the wagon's lost all 4 wheels and both axles and no one knows where the hell they are.....well you're better off getting a whole damn new wagon.
Gimpy, I'm not talking about Sicko per se, but his other movies. When you've established yourself as a liar, everything you say must be questioned.
But what would you say are the negative aspects of socialized medicine? I'm not being a jerk here Gimpy. I just always see that here in the US, people are always willing to talk about what's wrong with our healthcare (and everything about the US in general). I just wonder what you would say is wrong with yours. I mean, it can't be perfect, right?
Katie, what does the health department charge for vaccinations?
So you're saying that sick people just can't see a doctor. That's not true. I was just listening to a program about Detroit Medical Center, a huge hospital system here in Michigan. The CEO was explaining how they are not legally allowed to turn anyone away due to financial need. He was the one talking about the millions who qualify for medicade but won't sign up because....well I guess it's just too big a hassle. And the financial burden that puts on the community.
One more thing katie...if Justin was a car, I guess he'd be sitting on blocks in the driveway. The point is that he isn't. He got what he needed regardless of his financial situation.Well it may be illegal, but they do it. Maybe that's something that needs to be looked at. Come on, look how long it took us to get Justin's gallbladder out. No, he didn't have insurance, no we couldn't pay for it up front, but it HAD TO COME OUT. But nope, no one would do it. They made him sit for a year and suffer with it. Is THAT fair?
And now, he HAS insurance and we're having to take him an hour away to see a GI. Why? Because everyone out here refuses to see him. We have bills, bills that we are WILLING TO PAY ON, and we are still told "no"
So illegal or not, it happens EVERY DAY.
The only place they are not allowed to turn anyone away at, is the ER. And that's not a good health system to have. "I'll just go to the ER" It doesn't work, we've lived it.
If Justin was a car, he'd be dead. If we didn't have Sacred Heart (a non-profit hospital DESIGNED FOR THE NEEDY) he'd be DEAD.
DEAD. There is not one single bone in my body that doesn't believe that, and neither does he. We owe his LIFE to them, for what they do for people. And there aren't enough places like that.
He got what he needed after TWO YEARS of fighting for it, and suffering every day. He got what he REALLY needed - get this one! AFTER HE GOT INSURANCE!!!!! There's a shocker. If he hadn't "qualified" for insurance, I could be sitting here talking about my ex-boyfriend that I had to bury.
What does the health department charge for shots? It depends on your income. You have to bring a paystub with you just to get them. And only kids and pregnant woman can get them. If you're not pregnant, or visiting to get birth control, there is litterally NOTHING they will do for you. Unless you're under 18. And then you better only be there for shots, cause that's all they do.
Katie, why would you have to give up your citizenship if you move to Canada? Are you sure of that? Millions of americans live all over the world for years and sometimes for the rest of their lives. I don't think they give up their citizenship unless they want to make a political statement like Bobby Fisher did. My heart goes to you Katie. Life is not easy for you and Justin. My best wishes to both of you.It's always been my understanding that the US does not recognize dual citizenship, if you take another one and they find out, they make you choose. I don't know if that's still true, the last time I heard about it and it was an issue was probably 10 years ago.Or better yet, how it does work..........Woah. What the frick happened? Gimpy had a post up.........
Now my post doesn't make any sense
.
LOL No. Oh lord let's just give it up. We've confused ourselves at this point!!!
Thanks for the links!
I never said that I think our healthcare is fine as is. I do say that instead of scrapping the whole thing, fix the part that doesn't work.
[QUOTE=Linncn]Katie, what does the health department charge for vaccinations?
So you're saying that sick people just can't see a doctor. That's not true. I was just listening to a program about Detroit Medical Center, a huge hospital system here in Michigan. The CEO was explaining how they are not legally allowed to turn anyone away due to financial need. He was the one talking about the millions who qualify for medicade but won't sign up because....well I guess it's just too big a hassle. And the financial burden that puts on the community.
[/QUOTE]I guess I would heal him up and send him back to his
own country. With a bill he can hnd to his own government. What do
YOU do Lorster?
I have been corrected. I do have a neighbor that goes to
Windsor for some kind of laser thing for smoking cessation. And I do hear
commercials for lasik surgery in Windsor on our Detroit stations.
But Lorster, why would your friend go all the way to India when Canada
and Mexico are right next door?
[QUOTE=allycat]We have one of the best cranio fascial units here in australia and people from all over the world come here for major facial deformity surgeries. I have not heard or known of anyone here in australia that has had to travel overseas for surgeries. With the high cost of private insurance here and the huge gap that you also have to pay,you would have to be mad to have private cover. My mum had cancer years ago and took out private insurance to be able to get better treatment and certain drugs you couldnt get when public. it meant she had the drug that prevented hair loss and nausea from the chemo. She is now in total remission. And does not have private insurance.[/QUOTE]
Allycat I don't know where you are getting your information from but private health cover is NOT expensive. Like I said we pay 0 a month for Total Cover for our family. When my daughter gets her own it will be a week. Our exess payment is NOTHING. My daughters excess is a once off 0 if she needs to be hospitalized. No matter how many times in the year she just pays the single 0 payment. You can get cheaper insurance if you are willing to pay a higher excess. If you have the right insurance your out of pocket costs are very close to nothing. The thing that makes it worthwhile is that if you apply you are covered. They CANNOT not give you insurance.
Before we had insurance I had a baby by caesarean section......totally free of charge. My gallbladder out.....totally free of charge. All child and maternal health is free of charge as well as all vaccinations for ALL children.....provided by the public system.
ALL people on pensions or who are unemployed are given every treatment free. Free ambulance. Free x-rays. Free pathology. Free hospitalization and surgery.
If you DON"T have insurance and you have to have an ambulance it could cost in the thousands. Ambulance Insurance comes in with all private insurance covers or you can have it by itself for about 0 fort a family. Although if your ambulance is the result of a traffic accident it is covered by the Traffic Authority.
Where I DO agree with you is in the level of care and expertise in our hospitals. We have some of the best trauma/surgical units in the world and that goes for our burns units as well. These units are all at public/teaching hospitals and are available free of charge to EVERYONE.
Thought this might be of interest. Go to Canlyme.com. The Canadien Gov is refusing to release Lyme info because of National security reasons ?????
6T5 -
This needs to be a seperate thread with any links you might have. This is really important if true, and since I suspect you have Lyme (cuz you know so much about it) I suspect it's true.
Pip
OK Pip I will start a new thread