Wonder where Obama will go with this. Yes the health care system is a mess, but it could be a LOT worse depending on what system they try to implement. Obama often talks about those that do not have health care. My wife is a medical provider in two offices. One accepts "state" patients and the other does not. The one that accepts the state patients has absolutely NO shortage of patients. At least in my area, there seems to be no one that is without medical insurance. In the other office, the number of patients is dropping off. Even through this past flu season, there were fewer patients. Through all this, my wife came to the conclusion, that people whohave to pay co-pays and deductibles are being more careful (with their money) and not going to the doctor as frequently, while the people who have insurance paid by the state have not changed their habits.
One other thing to point out, which I am sure most of you know. Insurance costs for those that have private insurance have risen drastically over the last quite a few years. It has resulted in higher costs for employers and they have passed that on to the employees through higher premiums and reduced coverage.
I assume all states are different. Any comments? Any other personal experience with any of this?
I've been amazed by the number of people who use hospital emergency rooms for free medical care. Emergency rooms cannot, turn folks away without seeing them first.
I've taken family members to emergency rooms several times. My son broke his arm while skateboarding. My stepson had to go a number of times during his lengthy battle with brain tumors. My wife stepped in a pothole and broke her ankle. My wife was attacked by a dachsund (yeah.... I know... stop laughing). Her hand wouldn't stop bleeding, and required plastic surgery.
I have been constantly amazed by the number of idiots sitting there, waiting to see a doctor, because their kid has a runny nose. But, hey, it's free...
Anyone who goes to an emergency room who is not unconscious, bleeding profusely, have bones protruding through their flesh, or a fever of at least 102, should be thrown out. Maybe, with a little luck, when being thrown out, they'll break something and actually merit seeing an ER doctor.
I'm still wondering why anyone in this country believes that they have a fundamental right to healthcare at all. If you can't afford to see a doctor then do what I did long ago, market your skills into a job that provides access to affordable health insurance, but don't expect such access just for flipping a burger or washing cars. Healthcare is a privelege, not a right, earn it or do without.
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Kevin Haendiges
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Where do you live where an emergency room visit is free? My daughters appendix burst last year at this time of year and I can assure you that visit was far from free.
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Where do you live where an emergency room visit is free? My daughters appendix burst last year at this time of year and I can assure you that visit was far from free.
That's because you're capable of paying, and willing to pay. Emergency rooms here are inundated with illegals, who provide untraceable residence info, and end up not paying for their services. Some folks have such bad credit that they don't care if they run up, and don't pay, a huge medical bill. Harris County Hospital District provides $100 Million PER YEAR in free services to illegal aliens (not all emergency care... I'm just sayin"...)
Don't forget the free ambulance ride!!!! When my wife was working in the ER, she once saw a state patient arrive by ambulance to find out he had a slightly elevated temperature. [:@]
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 24,186
RE: Health Care
In Texas, the county hospital can not turn you away. Heck, Doctors in Mexico send their patience (ones who cant pay) here, to Houston, to get free treatment. And the kicker, our boarder patrol cannot stop an ambulance from Mexico. Or it use to be that way. It might have changed, but not to long ago, that was the norm.
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kaafir mushrik
Unintended consequences and God have one thing in common: Liberals don’t believe in either of them.
OK. I am not known around these parts for liberal views, HOWEVER. this is one issue that really needs an answer. I will not argue that if you can, you should get yourself into a position where you can afford to pay for health care insurance. Almost nobody could actually pay for their health care, the prices are way beyond insane. I had three hours of tests yesterday that came to about 4000.00.
Now that said, There are thousands of workers, working jobs that have to be done, that absolutely can't afford to buy insurance without some kind of help. Wages in many states like ND (example) are very low compared to most other states. Many minimum wage jobs in tourism and farming. However Health care here is just as high as it is almost anywhere. Many of these people take their kids to the ER for what may be minor problems because they have no other place to go. If you have a sick child and can't afford insurance or even office calls, you are going to do the same thing. During daytime hours there are a couple clinics where people can go where they are allowed to pay a very small amount each month and they will almost never be turned away. Church groups can help but usually no right away and sometimes the preacher will go hide if he thinks people need help of that kind.
I have VA health care and my wife has excellent insurance through her job and we have never been without health insurance. However I know a lot of hard working responsible people who have no insurance at all. Not because they don't want it, but the money is not there.
What is the answer? To me about the only thing that will work is subsidized health care insurance or national health care. I know every damn argument there is about national health care but IF THERE IS A PLACE where people really need help, this has to be it.
Anyone smarter than me have any real ideas on this?
James, I agree it needs to be fixed. What scares the heck out of me, is usually when the gov. steps in to fix something, they usually screw it up worse than what it was in the first place.
Around here, it seems there are just as many people on state funded health care as there are those who have private insurance. Just can't imagine how this can ever work. I personally know a family that has 6 kids. He is a local haul truck driver and she stays home. He has health care through his employer and COULD purchase health care for the rest of his family, but it is too expensive. IMAGINE THAT, health care for 7 people is too much for a local haul truck driver. He does make enough for them to afford a fairly new house, new $3,000 TV and a $900 puppy mill Weimaranar that is a spazo and is likely going to bite someone!! So, who does pay his wife and kids medical insurance? In the long run, I do. These kids will be on state insurance FOREVER! I have a problem with that.
I already have Government health care. I use the VA system, since I am a disabled vet. Real simple it stinks. One problem after the other . The latest as a example They prescibed medication. Sent me 50 pills. I am suppose to take 1 pill a day. When I tried to refill the prescription they tell me it cant be refilled tiill 90 days after it was first ordered. So they gave me 50 pills for 90 days. Someore needs to go back to school. One mistake after the other for the past 25 years.
Health Care
, HOWEVER. this is one issue that really needs an answer. I will not argue that if you can, you should get yourself into a position where you can afford to pay for health care insurance. Almost nobody could actually pay for their health care, the prices are way beyond insane. I had three hours of tests yesterday that came to about 4000.00.
