There is much talk about nationalized health care in the air today. I read this article and wondered why the court system should be making these decisions instead of the doctors or parents. Of course if health care is run by the government, then the government gets to make these decisions, right? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7956845.stm (I realize that this is an extreme example, but it made me stop and think.) Scott
But this type of situation also arises from time to time in the USA healthcare system under private insurers. Sometimes the parents want to cut off life support and the healthcare providers refuse or visa versa. Recently there was a baby born without a brain and the parents fought to keep the baby alive. These cases are difficult for all involved.
Nothing is Perfect No medical system is perfect but I know it is becoming more expensive in the United States for less care. In two years my doctor has raised his basic physical examination fees from $87 to $211. Unless we develop a national health care system, and limit the fees that companies charge for drugs and services, the costs will continue to rise faster than the average persons’ pay. Eventually this will result in the majority of our population becoming under insured or uninsured. The problem is especially apparent is this recession when people are laid-off and faced with paying premiums that are to expensive for the average person to afford when they are on unemployment. The unemployment rate in Elkhart County (Indiana) is 19% and it is a good indication that these people do not have the means to pay their medical bills. It is a crime to make these people suffer for the greed of corporate corruption that resulted from our country's political sins. It is at least appropriate to cover the children who are innocent from the financial greed that has plagued our nation.
You realize that in no democracy in the world, courts work for or are represented by the government? This case has nothing to do with national health care.
I have heard that heath costs are the primary reason for declaring personal bankrupcy in the USA. This 2001 study found that around 2 million people filed based on inability to pay health costs: http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/hlthaff.w5.63/DC1 Health care costs are the biggest item in my budget and much of that is not deductable on my income tax. I thought McCain had the right approach on health insurance but politically not acheivable.
AIG Bonuses I see that politicians and the media are making a big deal about the AIG bonuses. While I agree that taxpayers should not be subsidizing big bonuses I see once again they are picking fly s--t out of pepper. The bonus money accounts for $1 out of every $1,000 providee by the government. I am sure that there are much bigger cost expenditures that should be pursued. Why are not politicians yelling about the $450,000,000,000 plus in interest paid out each year with a large percentage going overseas? http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/ir/ir_expense.htm
I live in Montreal and recently I had a serious infection that led to cellulitis. Just to give you some insight as to what's its like. And start off with, yes we do have pretty high taxes, but you can review and make up your own mind if its worth it. I had my initial meeting with doctor who told me to go to emergency if problem worsened. cost that day: 10$ in parking. Headed to emergency, waited 30 mins to see triage, waited 1.5 hours to see emergency doctor and spent 2 hours getting intravenous antibiotics. Discharged and then sent portable intravenous jars at home (delivered to me). Cost 8$ to cover premium from my drug insurance through company. Given intravenous medication at clinics over 4 days. cost: 0$. Had follow-up appointment at hospital to check out my progress, and given prescription for oral antibiotics. Cost: 12$ (2$ drug premium + 10$ parking). No arguments with HMO's just treatments and premiums + parking.
$2000 an hour? Very interesting! Here in the United States, I went to ER after a crash. Excluding the time waiting in the lobby, I spent about 35 minutes in ER, which included basic questioning, blood pressure, temperature and a mobile x-ray of the knee. The bill came to $1135 dollars, which averages out to $2000 an hour. Granted, if an insurance company pays it, then they negotiate how much of it they'll pay, but can an ordinary citizen negotiate the bill? And can they negotiate it at the same rate?
My parents lived in Surrey, BC, and my brother and his extended family live elsewhere in BC. They have no problems getting good medical treatment. As far as the UK system: I hear that the biggest complaint is the waiting time (sometimes months) for treatment of certain heath conditions.
Now imagine how much free medical care you could have provided to the American poor if the money allocated to AIG was instead invested into the health care system.
I have a friend who is self employed and has no health insurance. Our wives were both pregnant at the same time. When I had my child, the hospital billed my insurance $20,000.00. My friend made an arrangement to pay his bill out of pocket and he paid $1500.00.
That's good news indeed, but it's still pretty lame that they tried to charge 20k up front. It's hard to tell what's real and what's not in the medical industry.
I'm not picky folks I just want the same quality health care the inmates at our county jail get. I don't care about doctor choice, treatment choice if standard for the condition or any other fluff if I have no insurance. Get me to see a doctor for maintenance of my chronic medical conditions, virtually free necessary life saving care based on my ability to pay with modest co-pays on regular medical care needs. Let insurers offer supplemental policies over that. Its a matter of fairness if the government must offer criminal health care and that can include Charles manson then shouldn't a poor law abiding citizen get at least the same level of care assured by the government? Although I would prefer counties arranging this over states and the Federal government perhaps with a community public hospital paid out of tax dollars or something locally.
