Gravitymaster 0 #26 July 2, 2004 QuoteMy health? Much better than most people my age! No known problems, not even arthritis. I attribute it to 50 years spent avoiding hospitals and medical doctors. The gripe I have with the system I am forced into is that it is a mighty bureaucracy, unethical in its dealings with its clients, prone to billing errors (always in its favor) and slow. You think it's bad now? Vote for Kerry and you will get Hillarycare. How would you like your healthcare administered by the TSA? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #27 July 2, 2004 QuoteI get knocked off my bike in San Francisco. I get an ambulance that I didn't call for. They get me to sign a waiver saying I didn't call them and don't want them. They leave, and I get a bill for $579 for the call out that I am liable for. My insurance doesn't cover it. Things must just be different in CA. I worked on ambulances in three different states and people were NEVER charged for the ambulance they didn't call. That happens a lot, by the way. People see accidents and call for others frequently. The only time I charged someone was if they didn't refuse until I'd already utilized my equipment....say, not refusing my services until after I already started an IV, got them on a spineboard, and had them on O2 and a heart monitor. They have no right to charge you for responding. If all they did was check your vital signs and no equipment was used at all (other than a BP cuff) then I'd fight it. However, something tells me there is something more to that story. How'd they arrive at $579? QuoteSo why all the moaning about US healthcare in particular? Because in a country that boasts its inalienable rights, healthcare is still not considered one of them. It is still debated over whether healthcare is a privilege or a right. As it is still a privilege of those with money and/or employment, there are millions who are uninsured in this country today. I'm not just talking about the poor on medicaid. I also refer to a growing number of middle class citizens who cannot afford the rising costs of medical coverage. And, I am referring to the largest risk group for being uninsured...adults aged 55 to 64. Healthcare is an issue that everyone in the US should concern themselves with. While your coverage may be adequate right now, as you age you should think...will medicare be there for me? As for my personal health, I tore my knee up during a botched AFF landing. Now I need surgery, but my student insurance (which I pay $1100 a year for) won't cover outpatient surgery over $5000. Meaning? Put up with a knee which buckles and hurts until I can afford to get the ACL reconstructed and the torn meniscus removed. I look forward to hours on my feet in surgical and ER rotations with a funky knee. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybaby 0 #28 July 2, 2004 Well, I'd have to say that health care insurance is only interested in making a profit, and also the medical decisions for its member.....and yes...I know this first hand...After my accident last year, I learned how ruthless Insurance companies can be. I pay my monthly premiums on time, and after 14 years of my payments, I need some medical attention. Now I have to fight for every Xray, meds, ets...that my doctors feel I need, but the insurance won't cover...and now....I have a "pre existing condition, that won't be covered down the road if I ever have to change health care coverage... Yeah...I'd have to say there are some serious flaws in our system. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #29 July 2, 2004 Fortunately, I have had decent medical coverage most of my life but it has required some sacrifice.I still don't understand why it is cheaper to buy drugs overseas and why our government would oppose someone doing this. I also worry about the wives and children of our dead soldiers who end up with a flag and $6000. Is it right for an illegal alien to get free medical attention when a citizen with limited medical insurance must sell his house to pay medical bills?Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #30 July 3, 2004 QuoteYou think it's bad now? Vote for Kerry and you will get Hillarycare. Heavens no, I hope not! There were SO many problems for my patients when she pushed through her last revision. 50% of my patients were shit out of luck. Of those who were left 50% were given 1/2 the therapy that they would have received before. And of that 50% that still qualified (at 50% of the time), it was paid at less than 50% of the previous rate. Do the math. Not only the patents were screwed, we were too. So many therapists lost their jobs and couldn't find work for a long time after that (myself included). The Universities had to educate their soon-to-be-grads that when they walked across the stage and collected their diplomas they would NOT have a job available for them. Luckily, after Hillarygate left office the cries of the people were heard and slowly things were repealed. Not that things are back to normal, but at least my clients have access to care and we, as practitioners, are given the right to progress them as appropriate. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
