Health care chat

[editec]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

 

[xotoxi]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

 

[RodISHI]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Amazing how that works here is it not. Dad had bladder cancer twenty plus years ago. specifically the cancer was caused from the type of radition he was exposed to while building additions to a nuclear plant. the first doctor he had was a quack. By the time he reached a true doctor for treatment it was to late to save his bladder and his chances for survival was at 5%. So they took out his bladder and built him what is called a neo-bladder from large and small intestines. The year before last he had an annuerism about the size of an apple. Surgery was intensive to repair the annuerism due to the fact his internal plumbing is already re-arranged. Just a few weeks ago he had a mini stroke. Evidently he has a heart valve not working properly.

It was fine and dandy for society to use and abuse his body and talents back in the days that society needed to build sources for infrastucture yet now he is considered a drain on society although they still use those plants that he and others helped to build.



He is seventy plus and he still smokes (it is his business and no one elses) and much of the current society wants to tax the shit out of him and tell him how he must live to meet with their expectations or else. Pay $700.00 plus a month for limited insurance that only covers medical needs that "we approve" anything else is above and beyond and "you pay for it."

 

[editec]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

Possibly.

But all the prentive care in the universe won't prevent each and every one of us (unlucky enough not to simply drop dead without warning, I mean) from eventually needing major medical care.

And for the majoirty of people in this nation MAJOR medical care typically means something costing more than their net worth.

This continues to be a problem we have yet to solve.

 

[Yukon]

AUDITOR,

I had a similar experience on Christmas Eve 2004 - chest pains, hospital, confirmed heart attack. I was in for a week and was transferred to the Trillium Heart Centre in Toronto where fortunately the blockage was corrected with a stent. Your Mum will be fine. Just don't smoke, take the meds, and watch the diet, walk a bit more.

Don't worry.................


Yukon

 

[Againsheila]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

My brother was 36 when he passed away. He was a fisherman, buff, in great shape, better shape than the rest of us and his arteries were 98% blocked. He knew something was wrong but had no insurance. He'd just had tests to find out if he had cancer and they came back negative. No time to discover what was really wrong before he died.

Preventative care is wonderful, for those who can afford it.

 

[xotoxi]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

My brother was 36 when he passed away. He was a fisherman, buff, in great shape, better shape than the rest of us and his arteries were 98% blocked. He knew something was wrong but had no insurance. He'd just had tests to find out if he had cancer and they came back negative. No time to discover what was really wrong before he died.

Preventative care is wonderful, for those who can afford it.

Preventive care should be affordable, and for those that cannot afford it, there should be help.

Because what is not affordable for anyone, is treatment of problems after they happen.

It is less expensive to change your oil and filter several times a year then it is to replace your car engine when it burns out.

 

[Againsheila]

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

My brother was 36 when he passed away. He was a fisherman, buff, in great shape, better shape than the rest of us and his arteries were 98% blocked. He knew something was wrong but had no insurance. He'd just had tests to find out if he had cancer and they came back negative. No time to discover what was really wrong before he died.

Preventative care is wonderful, for those who can afford it.

Preventive care should be affordable, and for those that cannot afford it, there should be help.

Because what is not affordable for anyone, is treatment of problems after they happen.

It is less expensive to change your oil and filter several times a year then it is to replace your car engine when it burns out.

I agree, but that's not the way our society works. We provide free EMERGENCY care to people who can't afford it otherwise, but we don't provide free preventative care.

 

[Yukon]

Unfortunately in the USA if a person cannot afford Health Care Insurance he or she will die if they become seriously ill.

 

[suela50]

I had the same thing done in nov. Had 2 stents put in. Was95% blocked in 2 places. 3 months later was having pain. Did not think much of it seeing they open it with the stents. How wrong i was went back in for another cath. And was almost 100%blocked with scare tissue.never was getting better. All on the right side.was told it could happen again. They put 2 more stents in. I am on pins and needles now. Because my cobra ins. Runs out in3 months. My mother died when she was 33 of the same thing. I do want to live. Cant find any ins. That will take me

 

[RodISHI]

I had the same thing done in nov. Had 2 stents put in. Was95% blocked in 2 places. 3 months later was having pain. Did not think much of it seeing they open it with the stents. How wrong i was went back in for another cath. And was almost 100%blocked with scare tissue.never was getting better. All on the right side.was told it could happen again. They put 2 more stents in. I am on pins and needles now. Because my cobra ins. Runs out in3 months. My mother died when she was 33 of the same thing. I do want to live. Cant find any ins. That will take me

I was reading a posting on the wall at the Iowa University Hospital a in the last month or so. They had a program they were looking for volunteers with these congenital [sic] heart valve problems. They teach students with hese programs and look for volunteer patients that need help sometimes. Maybe you can find a University near you to help if you do not have any insurance coverage??

 

[Yukon]

I had to pay 28.00 for my TV and telephobne for approximately 10 days. Drugs, Doctors, Surgeical procedure all covered by MEDICARE !!!!!

Eat your hearts out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[suela50]

how true this is. we take care of everyone else but not are own. other countries can do it why cant we free health care for all. this is a form of war right in the usa..40,000 die a yr. no health ins.

 

[Annie]

Not I.

I think what would have been more beneficial to him would have been preventive care throughout his adult life, which may have prevented the need for bypass surgery.

My brother was 36 when he passed away. He was a fisherman, buff, in great shape, better shape than the rest of us and his arteries were 98% blocked. He knew something was wrong but had no insurance. He'd just had tests to find out if he had cancer and they came back negative. No time to discover what was really wrong before he died.

Preventative care is wonderful, for those who can afford it.

Preventive care should be affordable, and for those that cannot afford it, there should be help.

Because what is not affordable for anyone, is treatment of problems after they happen.

It is less expensive to change your oil and filter several times a year then it is to replace your car engine when it burns out.

I agree. However the expense of medical insurance has become totally out of control, regarding costs-thank to those that use the ER as home base care, Medicare, and Medicaid. I have very good insurance, once my deductibles are met. My deductible is $600. I can't afford bills of $2 or 3 hundred. So, I don't use my insurance for well care. Obama's cure is to provide a plan that makes all employers stop providing, leaving all of us at the mercy of the government.

Truth is, I'd be happy paying a Dr. $50 or $80 a month, for well care available. Most internists can deal with most problems. It would be cheaper in the long run. Then I'd need only major medical insurance.

 

[Yukon]

I had the same thing done in nov. Had 2 stents put in. Was95% blocked in 2 places. 3 months later was having pain. Did not think much of it seeing they open it with the stents. How wrong i was went back in for another cath. And was almost 100%blocked with scare tissue.never was getting better. All on the right side.was told it could happen again. They put 2 more stents in. I am on pins and needles now. Because my cobra ins. Runs out in3 months. My mother died when she was 33 of the same thing. I do want to live. Cant find any ins. That will take me

Move to CANADA ! After three months you will be fully covered by Medicare. Do it, MOVE, before you die.

 

[Immanuel]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

The solution in not nationalized health care regardless of whether or not Canada or other countries made it work. Our government in corrupt. They are the last people who should be deciding if we live or die.

Your friend is NOT a parasite on our community.

Health insurance simply is not affordable for many companies and for most people who would have to buy it on their own. Eventually no one will be able to afford coverage and then the insurance companies and medical providers will wake up and start becoming realistic... oh wait... there is a new piece to that puzzle called BAILOUT! Maybe they won't become realistic. Maybe our corrupt government will bail them out and we'll all be screwed once again.

However, the fault lies with the insurance industry, medical profession and (yes, all you lawyers have to take some of the blame as well) the legal profession. I hate to say it but regulation is going to be necessary. However, nationalized health care in our country is a recipe for disaster.

Immie

 

[xsited1]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

No healthcare benefits in decades? That's just irresponsible. You can get catastrophic health insurance cheap. The government would force him to pay for it if he lived in a country like Canada. Unfortunately, most people would rather buy a big screen TV than get health insurance. I hope he at least has life insurance to provide for his family after he's gone.

 

[Amanda]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

I don't think so. I think all people should have health care. I could even get behind some of the socialist proposals if they weren't too much of a drag on the people.

 

[American Horse]

Friend of mine 50 y.o, a long time consturction worker just had a quadruple bypass.

Cost? $80,000.

He's worked his whole life, paid taxes his whole life and been a stand up guy who raised a family.

Now, if our libertarians chums had their way, he'd have died.

Why?

Because that guy hasn't gotten health care benefits in decades, that's why.

Yeah he can drive bulldozer or build a house, but he couldn't find a consturcution jo with any company big enough and well connected enough to pay for his health care.

Is he NOW a parasite to our community?

According to what many of you have said in the past, many of you must think he is.

Ed, at age 50 he could've afforded to buy health insurance. I bought a policy at age 60 - seven years ago when I was ten years his senior - and the cost was $118.00 per month with a $1,500 deductible. When I went to medicare on retirement 2 years ago I gave up a policy that cost me $250. per mo. That was the amount it had increased to during the previous 5 years. But to get that policy I did not have to have a physical examination, and I was in average health, with some old injuries like a fractured back, fractured neck, hyper-extended knee, arthritis, etc, etc. None of that seemed to hurt my insurability.

When I got that rate I was changing from another company for the sole purpose of getting a better rate for a better policy. The policy I was fleeing from was one of those policies that advertise on utility poles for "health insurance for the self employed".

If he was out of work and for that reason couldn't afford health insurance, then he could've qualified for state medicaid. If he had (before the heart condition) a pre-existing condition, he could've gotten insurance through the state agency by de-fault.

I have a question for you Ed...If you are not already on medi-care, do you have health insurance? I ask that question so as to find out if you are personaly aware of rates for it in your area. And I'm assuming you are probably about the same age as your example; am I right?

To anyone who believes they can't afford health insurance, contact an independent COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AGENCY. They are prepared to sell insurance from any company and will prepare you a summary of several different company's policiy offerings for comparison, give you sound advice, help you wade through it, and the small amount they make in commission will be well worth it.

I think people so believe the outrageous spin about the high cost of healthcare that they simply do not try insure against the risk, or accept responsibility to find insurance for and insure themselves. And the people who stoke that outrageous spin and the anxiety it perpetuates are to blame for a lot of real grief and, yes, for loss of life, or life cut short.

By the way Bull-Dozer operators make more than peanuts; and it's common that those kinds of companies do not provide health insurance. Also Dozer operators move around a lot to different companies because the work may be sporadic. I've always been a self employed person, and I have never allowed myself and my family to be without health insurance, even in some of those lean years when I didn't net a dime. It came in handy a few times.

 

[Andrew2382]

IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily -- How U.S. Health Care Really Stacks Up

"Americans have better survival rates than Europeans for common cancers." Breast cancer mortality: 52% higher in Germany and 88% higher in the United Kingdom than in the U.S. Prostate cancer mortality: 604% higher in the U.K., 457% higher in Norway. Colo-rectal cancer mortality: 40% higher among Britons.

• "Americans have lower cancer mortality rates than Canadians." Rates for breast cancer (9%), prostate cancer (184%) and colon cancer among men (10%) are higher than in the U.S.

• "Americans have better access to treatment of chronic diseases than patients in other developed countries." Roughly 56% of Americans who could benefit are taking statin drugs. Only 36% of the Dutch, 29% of the Swiss, 26% of Germans, 23% of Britons and 17% of Italians who could benefit receive them.

• "Americans have better access to preventive cancer screenings than Canadians." Nine of 10 middle-aged American women have had a mammogram; 72% of Canadian women have. Almost every American woman (96%) has had a pap smear; fewer than 90% of Canadian women have. Roughly 54% of American men have had a prostate cancer test; fewer than one in six Canadian men have. Almost a third of Americans (30%) have had a colonoscopy; only 5% of Canadians have had the procedure.

• "Lower-income Americans are in better health than comparable Canadians." Nearly 12% of U.S. seniors with below-median incomes self-report being in "excellent" health, while 5.8% of Canadian seniors say the same thing.

• "Americans spend less time waiting for care than patients in Canada and the United Kingdom." Canadians and Britons wait about twice as long, sometimes more than a year, to see a specialist, have elective surgery or get radiation treatment.

• "People in countries with more government control of health care are highly dissatisfied and believe reform is needed." More than seven in 10 Germans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britons say their health systems need either "fundamental change" or "complete rebuilding."

• "Americans are more satisfied with the care they receive than Canadians." More than half (51.3%) of Americans are very satisfied with their health care services, while 41.5% of Canadians hold the same view of their system.

• "Americans have much better access to important new technologies like medical imaging than patients in Canada or the U.K." There are 34 CT scanners per million Americans. There are 12 per million in Canada and eight per million in Britain. The U.S. has nearly 27 MRI machines per million. Britain and Canada have 6 per million.

• "Americans are responsible for the vast majority of all health care innovations." The top five U.S. hospitals conduct more clinical trials than all the hospitals in any other single developed nation; the most important recent medical innovations were developed here.