tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post4961857274929341531..comments2023-10-26T15:34:56.807+01:00Comments on Pond Parleys: Trick QuestionPond Parleyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127142379706540812noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-70517225714146527392009-07-19T21:01:47.809+01:002009-07-19T21:01:47.809+01:00There was a statistic on the TV yesterday saying t...There was a statistic on the TV yesterday saying that a large percentage of personal bankruptcies in the US are due to health care costs. Oy.Pond Parleyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127142379706540812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-29216520420838240542009-07-18T16:40:02.808+01:002009-07-18T16:40:02.808+01:00As a long time expat (30 years) living in London I...As a long time expat (30 years) living in London I have more reasons than most to be grateful to the NHS. A few years ago I had kidney failure followed by dialysis and then a transplant. When you are really ill and need to concentrate on your health you have enough to worry about without having to think about the workings of the healthcare funding system and your finances. I felt very fortunate to be covered by the UK system.<br /><br />Peter BondAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-4626928756576907522009-07-16T21:26:30.682+01:002009-07-16T21:26:30.682+01:00Post script - we went back to the doc's today ...Post script - we went back to the doc's today and I told him all about the above escapade. He looked slightly sheepish and assured me he would warn other patients if he prescribed the same "anti-biotic". I fell better knowing that someone out there might not be trapped into shelling that much money out.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-5217262447512751172009-07-15T16:44:34.511+01:002009-07-15T16:44:34.511+01:00This is the woman who was once asked to pay $220 f...This is the woman who was once asked to pay $220 for ONE Lotrimin pill to clear up athletes foot!! <br /><br />I did not.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09542425639950850366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-88126741558166024632009-07-14T21:24:23.945+01:002009-07-14T21:24:23.945+01:00My mother used to manage interpreter services for ...My mother used to manage interpreter services for a hospital in Boston, and they pretty much pointedly did not ask many immigrants if they had documentation to be in the US if it wasn't offered. They felt it was they're place to treat people and not to report them to immigration or worse scare people into not seeking treated at all.<br /><br />While probably the most compassionate way to go, it isn't a policy without consequences.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708599658301706496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-58458478515442627752009-07-14T16:12:24.252+01:002009-07-14T16:12:24.252+01:00Once again, Thank God For The (flawed) NHS! I am s...Once again, Thank God For The (flawed) NHS! I am so pleased I live in a country with free health care, but that doesn't ease my anxiety about my aging American parents and their increasing ailments. Or my good friends in the States who are debating having children because of the cost of just giving birth in a hospital.Michellouihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678308675092702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-16849518423501550162009-07-13T23:12:33.406+01:002009-07-13T23:12:33.406+01:00It always amazes me how illegal immigrants can wal...It always amazes me how illegal immigrants can walk into hospitals and get treated since I am always asked so many questions. You'd think they would run from there in case they were "found out" although I know that hospitals aren't interested in their status.<br />I don't really mind 19-24 year olds not having insurance so much as they hardly ever get sick, but if you have a family, you'd think insurance would be a priority, especially if you know you're not going to get any help from the government.<br />It'll be interesting to see what the government comes up with as a "solution".Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-19352986756657876112009-07-13T20:12:55.462+01:002009-07-13T20:12:55.462+01:00The figure includes illegal immigrants. If you goo...The figure includes illegal immigrants. If you google '47 m uninsured' you can get the full details (illegal immigrant fig varies by source. Of the balance, 18% or so of uninsured earn $50K + a year and elect not to buy insurance, 19-24 yr olds have highest rate of no insurance, etc).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-56079734614069103822009-07-13T18:22:48.100+01:002009-07-13T18:22:48.100+01:00If I may attempt to ask a provocative question in ...If I may attempt to ask a provocative question in a neutral tone, does anyone know if the figure of 47 million uninsured includes illegal immigrants or whether they would be on top of that number?Mr Potartohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08856169839194743543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-61720341004355035722009-07-13T14:44:19.246+01:002009-07-13T14:44:19.246+01:00NFAH - interesting. I hate to give up the dairy, b...NFAH - interesting. I hate to give up the dairy, but it might be worth trying since the treatment so far seems to be having minimal effect. And believe me, the doctor is going to hear the entire story when we see him again next week.<br />Elizabeth - I live within walking distance of a Children's hospital, and every time we have to go there we have to wait behind kids with snotty noses who should NOT be in an ER. I'm glad they have a place to go but it shouldn't be there, and I shouldn't be charged over $200 for having a split thumb looked at and cleaned. Not stitched or anything, just cleaned.<br />Apparently though, of the 47 million uninsured in the USA, about 30 million are working but simply can't afford the insurance premiums, meaning that they aren't eligible for the free care.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-10402786954862207832009-07-12T19:15:45.420+01:002009-07-12T19:15:45.420+01:00I think you'll be hard pressed to find anyone ...I think you'll be hard pressed to find anyone of any political persuasion who if satisfied with the current state of US health care.<br /><br /><i>"I have heard that many people in USA cannot afford to be treated at all. very disturbing."</i><br />Kinda. People don't have insurance or enough insurance so they put off preventative care. But hospitals must treat emergency room patients, so that's where people end up. If they really are so poor they can't pay, they won't have to, thus increasing the amount anyone else will have to pay so the hospital can stay afloat. Many people discover just how little their insurance covers. People go bankrupt paying medical bills (though usually it's one step removed, ie person pays medical bills with credit card then later defaults on payments).<br /><br />The system is insane, was never properly designed at all (just one accident piggypacking on the one before it), and leads to outcomes worse than pretty much all the developed world while being more expensive. It's just wasted money and health coming out all sides.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong you can get some of the worlds finest care in the US, but you have to be in the right place and have gobs of money/awesome insurance (not unrelated phenomenon). There is treatment out there that is second to none. But if Americans can't afford it, what does it matter.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708599658301706496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-7954008088467325822009-07-12T16:30:22.169+01:002009-07-12T16:30:22.169+01:00Did you see the recent article about why the healt...Did you see the recent article about why the health care system in America is so expensive? This is one problem (the drug companies, not to mention the unscrupulous doctors who prescribe things that are shiny new after being courted by the drug companies instead of prescribing generics that have stood the test of time) but the other is doctors over-testing patients when they get a kickback from insurance for ordering the tests. Totally, utterly disgusting.<br /><br />As for teenage acne, sometimes food-related. My sister went off dairy and her skin went almost perfect overnight. It was her docs in China who filled her in on the "what are you eating" view of teenage acne, and lo-and-behold... she had tried the antibiotics (both ingested and rubbed on the face) to no avail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-37925144167827144722009-07-12T15:33:59.622+01:002009-07-12T15:33:59.622+01:00My wife had to see a doctor while we were visiting...My wife had to see a doctor while we were visiting the US last week. We had travel insurance but we would still have to pay out of pocket and then try to claim when we got home. I was holding my breath waiting for the bill, but it only came to $140 for the exam and $40 for the perscription. Still, it could have been $5,000 and there would have been nothing I could do about it.MikeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01530099708429116393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-26949874990884364292009-07-12T15:30:49.313+01:002009-07-12T15:30:49.313+01:00Both systems aren't perfect but THAT IS RIDICU...Both systems aren't perfect but THAT IS RIDICULOUS. What a scam.<br /><br />I would be really surprised to see any major changes get through even under Obama, those drug companies are really in control.A Modern Motherhttp://www.amodernmother.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-78984608505775331842009-07-12T14:27:51.890+01:002009-07-12T14:27:51.890+01:00We moan about the National Health system here and ...We moan about the National Health system here and National Insurance contributions are not exactly cheap, but I am glad we do have this *free* health scheme but fear that it might collapse under the strain as so many people are getting something for nothing.<br /><br />I have heard that many people in USA cannot afford to be treated at all. very disturbing. There have been programmes here of people queuing for a mercy doctor.Maggie Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183886005936250976noreply@blogger.com