If you are in the US and think your health care system sucks, please get a perspective.

[StageLeft]

Last month I made an appointment with a specialist to check my knee out (non-emergency and in no way required to be immediately looked at). 8 days later I had that apt. We decided I should get an MRI (again, this was not an emergency of any kind). 30 min later that knee was getting scanned. THIRTY MINUTES LATER. Read it again. Anybody in Canada or England's health care system must be drooling at the mouth in lust over timelines like this because if you're in a social health care system you will be waiting weeks and months.

The poor? I mean, that sucks for them, but I'd rather look out for numero uno and my family than compromise my health so that somebody uninsured can have better than what they get in the US (and let's not forget the law in the US requires treatment for a person in cases of emergency regardless of their insurance status). I know those in Canada love the fact they don't have a $15 co-pay when they go to the doctor and that the half brain dead hobo across the street can get the same health care they do, but that's small consolation if you're suffering from terrible headaches and your neurologist (who you had to wait 9 weeks to see) says that you won't be having an MRI for another two months. I hope it keeps that pain assuaged!

IMO, the private health care system in the US is one of the best parts of this country. Belie' dat.

PS - my knee is fine

 

[Dissipate]

IMO, the private health care system in the US is one of the best parts of this country.

Are you joking? Healthcare is one of the most regulated/subsidized industries in the U.S.

It certainly is better than total nationalization though, I'll say that much.

 

[Strk]

So in summary you're a big hypochondriac?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Dissipate

IMO, the private health care system in the US is one of the best parts of this country.

Are you joking? Healthcare is one of the most regulated/subsidized industries in the U.S.

It certainly is better than total nationalization though, I'll say that much.

Yeah it sucks, but it doesn't suck as much as other countries--that's basically what I'm saying

So in summary you're a big hypochondriac?

That's such a harsh term and the thing of it is one person's cramp from too much watermelon is another's cramps from too much malignant tumor in their intestines. I guess I'm lucky that I'm very healthy, otherwise I'd be a mess!

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Last month I made an appointment with a specialist to check my knee out (non-emergency and in no way required to be immediately looked at). 8 days later I had that apt. We decided I should get an MRI (again, this was not an emergency of any kind). 30 min later that knee was getting scanned. THIRTY MINUTES LATER. Read it again. Anybody in Canada or England's health care system must be drooling at the mouth in lust over timelines like this because if you're in a social health care system you will be waiting weeks and months.

The poor? I mean, that sucks for them, but I'd rather look out for numero uno and my family than compromise my health so that somebody uninsured can have better than what they get in the US (and let's not forget the law in the US requires treatment for a person in cases of emergency regardless of their insurance status). I know those in Canada love the fact they don't have a $15 co-pay when they go to the doctor and that the half brain dead hobo across the street can get the same health care they do, but that's small consolation if you're suffering from terrible headaches and your neurologist (who you had to wait 9 weeks to see) says that you won't be having an MRI for another two months. I hope it keeps that pain assuaged!

IMO, the private health care system in the US is one of the best parts of this country. Belie' dat.

PS - my knee is fine

Good to hear..the waiting thing would suck

 

[EatSpam]

Try getting that kind of service or anything beyond emergency service if you don't have insurance. If you're in that boat, Canada or England sound awfully good.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Last month I made an appointment with a specialist to check my knee out (non-emergency and in no way required to be immediately looked at). 8 days later I had that apt. We decided I should get an MRI (again, this was not an emergency of any kind). 30 min later that knee was getting scanned. THIRTY MINUTES LATER. Read it again. Anybody in Canada or England's health care system must be drooling at the mouth in lust over timelines like this because if you're in a social health care system you will be waiting weeks and months.

The poor? I mean, that sucks for them, but I'd rather look out for numero uno and my family than compromise my health so that somebody uninsured can have better than what they get in the US (and let's not forget the law in the US requires treatment for a person in cases of emergency regardless of their insurance status). I know those in Canada love the fact they don't have a $15 co-pay when they go to the doctor and that the half brain dead hobo across the street can get the same health care they do, but that's small consolation if you're suffering from terrible headaches and your neurologist (who you had to wait 9 weeks to see) says that you won't be having an MRI for another two months. I hope it keeps that pain assuaged!

IMO, the private health care system in the US is one of the best parts of this country. Belie' dat.

PS - my knee is fine

Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

I should put that in my sig.

 

[judasmachine]

is there not an option? like if you can afford immediate care you get immediate care? so it is really just those that would get nothing that have to wait? i'm unfamiliar with canada's system?

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

I should put that in my sig.

Let me give a clearer example, about 6 years ago I didn't have insurance. After being sick all night with abdominal pains my wife took me in to the emergency room. The Dr looked me over and diagnosed me with the flu. My wife was concerned is was apendicitis, the Dr. wouldn't order any other tests, gave me pain medication and sent us home. About 4 hrs later we were back (the pain meds wore off) and it was even worse. Another Dr came in and ordered an MRI (I believe that is what it was), they found my appendix was already ruptured and performed emergency surgery. Now, had I had insurance the MRI wouldn't have been an issue in the first place and money may had been saved in the long run as I was in the hospital for 8 days recovering. At $2k a pop mri's aren't cheap.

 

[randym431]

I bet you have employer based insurance. What ya going to do when your employer stops offering it? That day "IS" coming!!!

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

I should put that in my sig.

Let me give a clearer example, about 6 years ago I didn't have insurance. After being sick all night with abdominal pains my wife took me in to the emergency room. The Dr looked me over and diagnosed me with the flu. My wife was concerned is was apendicitis, the Dr. wouldn't order any other tests, gave me pain medication and sent us home. About 4 hrs later we were back (the pain meds wore off) and it was even worse. Another Dr came in and ordered an MRI (I believe that is what it was), they found my appendix was already ruptured and performed emergency surgery. Now, had I had insurance the MRI wouldn't have been an issue in the first place and money may had been saved in the long run as I was in the hospital for 8 days recovering. At $2k a pop mri's aren't cheap.

The same thing happened to me when I had just turned 18. The ER dr. was just about to get off or something, and told me I had gasterointestinitis. He disappeared, and I assumed closed out his shift. The oncoming dr. ordered some culture and urine samples. Then told me my appendix should have come out an hour or two earlier, he then rushed me to the OR. In a way I'm thankful as that first doc was probably pretty tired.

 

[OrByte]

US healthcare system is good....

...but it used to be better.

 

[Meuge]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

I should put that in my sig.

In England, they will wait REGARDLESS if it's life-or-death.

 

[Kibbo86]

Hey all, Canadian here.

Here's a story for you Skoorb:

I was 13 years old, living in subsidized housing being raised by a single mom. I had an actual problem with my knee, and had it operated on by the same surgeon who operated on Eric Lindros and Mario Lemieux.

I'm thinking of numero uno here too: I like the Canadian health care system.

 

[CocoGdog]

When you are in China or some Southeast Asia country, and you need emergency care ---- INSIST that you go to a Western Hospital, i.e., hosipitals that have a US/European presence. But if you can't, then go with what they have.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

The US healthcare system sux and is falling apart.

The OP actually highlights excessive consumption resources, while many others in America don't have the basic health maintenance that would decrease overall healthcare expenses.

For the record, most of the time when people have headaches . . . it's just a headache. Take a nap, lay off the caffeine, (or if you are an addict . . . have another hit) and it will just go away like magic.

"Terrible" headaches . . . ie worst headache ever or 11 on a scale of 10 . . . will always be taken care of in England, Canada, or any good US healthcare facility. In fact, many US doctors fail to execute best medical practice for common, severe conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

 

[Mardeth]

You do know that at least Finland has private healthcare as well as the social one. Im sure that many more do as well.

They are obviously more expensive but I bet they still are better than the one you used and most likely cheaper too, since SS pays for some of it.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Try getting that kind of service or anything beyond emergency service if you don't have insurance. If you're in that boat, Canada or England sound awfully good.

That's the whole point, pay for your insurance...You still pay for it in the form of taxes in Canada/England, but you get much better healthcare in the US than Canada/England.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: ntdz

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Try getting that kind of service or anything beyond emergency service if you don't have insurance. If you're in that boat, Canada or England sound awfully good.

That's the whole point, pay for your insurance...You still pay for it in the form of taxes in Canada/England, but you get much better healthcare in the US than Canada/England.

But under the current system THEY have to pay for their insurance when what they really want is for people who are more successful and richer to pay a larger portion of it for them. They are socialists plain and simple and suffer from class envy. They feel just rolling out of bed and showing up for work, any work, makes them valuable. Instead of bettering their lives they expect others to provide them with what they feel they deserve.

The other day EatSpam stated that he was always doing what was in his and his families own best interest.....funny thing is he feels others should be denied that right and pay for things he feels he is owed. He wants to deny a business owner or corporation from doing what is in their best interest because he is afraid that may not be in his best interest. Maybe he should have worked harder in school and entered a better profession. Then he would probably feel totally different.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Great if you have insurance or can pay up front. Alot of Dr's won't order an MRI without insurance unless it is life or death. Insurance cost / medical cost is the main concern here in the US, not the quality of care.

I should put that in my sig.

Let me give a clearer example, about 6 years ago I didn't have insurance. After being sick all night with abdominal pains my wife took me in to the emergency room. The Dr looked me over and diagnosed me with the flu. My wife was concerned is was apendicitis, the Dr. wouldn't order any other tests, gave me pain medication and sent us home. About 4 hrs later we were back (the pain meds wore off) and it was even worse. Another Dr came in and ordered an MRI (I believe that is what it was), they found my appendix was already ruptured and performed emergency surgery. Now, had I had insurance the MRI wouldn't have been an issue in the first place and money may had been saved in the long run as I was in the hospital for 8 days recovering. At $2k a pop mri's aren't cheap.

you also need to be asking why MRIs are costing $2000 a pop. I bet there is some price gouging going on, somewhere.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Kibbo86
Hey all, Canadian here.

Here's a story for you Skoorb:

I was 13 years old, living in subsidized housing being raised by a single mom. I had an actual problem with my knee, and had it operated on by the same surgeon who operated on Eric Lindros and Mario Lemieux.

I'm thinking of numero uno here too: I like the Canadian health care system.

that's what I like about the Australian system. The best surgeons are working in the public system, as well as doing whatever private work.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: ntdz
you get much better healthcare in the US than Canada/England.

Americans keep repeating this as if it is a proven fact. But I haven't been able to find any proof that medicine is actually better in the USA. The death rates from breast cancer, colon cancer, heart attacks, strokes, etc. aren't any better in the USA than in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, etc.

 

[techs]

The US system is far better stocked and staffed due to incredibly high prices we pay.
Truly, if you have good insurance you get gold plated care in the U.S.
Our problem is the costs have risen so high that fewer and fewer people have good insurance. Which is a downward cycle since the fewer that have insurance the less people utilize the system and the cost per person goes up, which means even fewer will have good insurance.
Businesses and individuals are being priced out of health insurance. And the bottom line is we need to find away to lower costs for health care while keeping quality high.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Just a few notes.

Two family friends have both come down from Canada for medical services that they could not obtain in a timely manner. One was a clogged artery/heart issue.

While my father and mother were in Germany many years ago as part of his job his company flew him back to the US more than once for knee-surgery. As he had some mobility with his right leg (still less than 50%) his case did not warrant any speed in handling. He was given some pain medicine and put on a waiting list! A waiting list! He flew home one Sunday and was back in Germany by Tuesday with the OUT-PATIENT surgery having been performed on Monday, a surgery only scheduled a few days before. He went back twice more for more work as the problem had to be dealt with in stages.

Over in England a co-worker let in on a bit of information I wasn't aware of, it may not still be the same as she moved here a few years back.

She and her husband had private insurance. Because of that she got a private room in the hospital, they removed a "publically insured" person from the room as "my friend was paying". Her treatment was totally different from that of a friend who was also there for a birth. They compared notes. While she was treated with courtesy and respect her friend shared a common room with others for most her stay.

No one in the US is refused medical care, it just comes down to who is paying and how. I have relatives without health insurance and they never were turned away at the hospital when they went.

If anything it is health insurance, the fact that we don't see the full costs, that drives the overall costs up. Giving a choice between living here or abroad I would stay here in a heartbeat.