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Legion- it ocurred to me- late, of course- that you must face some seriously heartbreaking decisions as a doctor. I get angry at the situation and sometimes at some of your arguments but I have to also think this is a truly difficult issue for you on an everyday level.
Good to hear from you snappy! Go back to bed and rest!
Kens- the issue isn’t those who can afford insurance, its those who can’t. And I wish I could find another job that offered it again, as my last job did. I got the cobra papers so it could be continued and I couldn’t afford it at all. I’m not at all sure who really does win the money pit race- too many private hospitals treat you like crap if you have no insurance or less expensive plans. Been there, done that. When women are sent home 2 days after breast cancer surgery- and we are talking insured women- something is wrong. having had major surgery twice and so extensive they kept me in the hospital nearly two weeks, and having seen friends who had mastectomies sent home in pain and barely able to take care of themselves, I can truthfully say insurance companies suck a big one. I know what it is to recover from serious surgery- its hell. I was lucky- if it can be called luck- that my doctor fought the hospital to keep me there until I could take care of myself at home. My friend wnet home without a clue to what she was in for and only the American Cancer Society gave her real help- not the insurance company who wanted to take the easy way out.
bxgrl,
I am sorry to hear of your experience. This leads to a different discussion which we will all be forced to discuss at some time in our lives, that is, the allocation of resources. In some countries, the resources are rationed and individuals of a certain age are may not be eligible for extensive measures to extend life.
Keep in mind, I myself am for extending any and all measures for my loved ones and I wouldn’t expect less of others. The truth is however, that in other nations, these choices have already been set by a govenment health panel. In the USA we currently have the option to choose every and all life saving measures such as radiation, radical surgery and chemotherapy. In other nations,those options are simply non existent or rationed.
Americans will have to come to terms with what we are willing to pay for in extending life, which reports show is being extended by health and diet in many nations without necessarily involving costly medical treatments. we will have to discuss what works in extending life and how long and how to pay for it. right now, the system is basically; those who can pay will receive extensive measures.Ironically, those that cannot pay and are on plans such as Medicaid also get extensive measures for life extension. Those caught in the middle are the ones who face bankruptcy or dissolving of their wealth by hospital/doctor fees.
There is no simple solution to this.
New York’s vacancy rate fell to 2.9 percent in the third quarter from 3 percent in the second, as the end of summer brought an influx of tenants signing leases, Reis said.
I think you haven’t spoken to everyone because there are a lot of horror stories out there about people who do have insurance and have been denied what they need. I am not tlaking about unnecessary procedures or exotic medications. I mean the care they expected to get when they pay for coverage. There is a difference between health care and good health care- but frankly, if its not good, it may as well be non-existent.
Hola losers. I’m alive! No pneumonia or mono. Just a flu that won’t let go and is trashing my lungs 🙁
Biffy, that FGVOTD made me giggle! I loved it. My favorite parts were when he did the Brady Bunch dance and of course when he boogied to “Baby Got Back”!
I’m exhausted so its bed time for me. I’ll chat with you folks tomorrow or Thursday.
Lech, were you in Chinatown last night around 7:15pm or so? saw a dude in a real trendy looking suit and hat that looks 90% like you as he strolled in front of me at the stop sign
As some of you may be aware, I usually stay away from controversial discussions on here but I have to agree with Legion on all of his points. Firstly, I can compare 2 different healthcare systems, one from a former communist life, as many of you know. Did you people know that in Russia, until about 1992ish, you had all your dental work done without any form of anesthesia. Good luck getting that root canal. If you needed complex surgery or were diagnosed with cancer and had money, you would fly to guess where, that’s right, U S A (or maybe Israel) to get it cured because in Russia, that diagnosis meant that you were as good as dead. That’s national healthcare for you. You WILL lose some of the brightest minds because no one will want to go to Med school, fellowship, surgical residency and spend 15 years to make 100K a year, if that.
I do have friends that are doctors (or in the midst of their residency) and they will tell you that first hand, just like Legion would. Some, even today, decided to go into Nursing and just get NPs because it doesn’t pay to go through so much schooling and come out with loans and have malpractice insurance slapped on you as well.
Now statistically speaking, going private is still the best way. I did a great deal of my edumucational studies (papers, thesis) etc. on quantifying gov’t agencies, healthcare, and big pharma. It was a while ago and I can’t quote real numbers, but let me tell ya, gov’t taking over is not the way to go. Gov’t sponsored hospitals are the biggest money pits ever. I really wish I wasn’t too busy to show some examples.
Also, there are plenty of options. Personal anecdote, my mom’s friend came to work here as a nanny (illegally) and broke her leg. She signed up to one of those city hospital plans, was able to get a cast, follow up check ups and such for all around 60 bucks. This was legal and did require some paperwork but we got it done. Gov’t will probably foot the bill for the rest but that’s at our expense as taxpayers.
I know that it’s not easy for some self employed people and that’s exactly why I also chose to work for a corp. instead of working for myself. My reasoning took healthcare into the fact just like vacation benefits, salary, etc.
Legion- it ocurred to me- late, of course- that you must face some seriously heartbreaking decisions as a doctor. I get angry at the situation and sometimes at some of your arguments but I have to also think this is a truly difficult issue for you on an everyday level.
Good to hear from you snappy! Go back to bed and rest!
Kens- the issue isn’t those who can afford insurance, its those who can’t. And I wish I could find another job that offered it again, as my last job did. I got the cobra papers so it could be continued and I couldn’t afford it at all. I’m not at all sure who really does win the money pit race- too many private hospitals treat you like crap if you have no insurance or less expensive plans. Been there, done that. When women are sent home 2 days after breast cancer surgery- and we are talking insured women- something is wrong. having had major surgery twice and so extensive they kept me in the hospital nearly two weeks, and having seen friends who had mastectomies sent home in pain and barely able to take care of themselves, I can truthfully say insurance companies suck a big one. I know what it is to recover from serious surgery- its hell. I was lucky- if it can be called luck- that my doctor fought the hospital to keep me there until I could take care of myself at home. My friend wnet home without a clue to what she was in for and only the American Cancer Society gave her real help- not the insurance company who wanted to take the easy way out.
bxgrl,
I am sorry to hear of your experience. This leads to a different discussion which we will all be forced to discuss at some time in our lives, that is, the allocation of resources. In some countries, the resources are rationed and individuals of a certain age are may not be eligible for extensive measures to extend life.
Keep in mind, I myself am for extending any and all measures for my loved ones and I wouldn’t expect less of others. The truth is however, that in other nations, these choices have already been set by a govenment health panel. In the USA we currently have the option to choose every and all life saving measures such as radiation, radical surgery and chemotherapy. In other nations,those options are simply non existent or rationed.
Americans will have to come to terms with what we are willing to pay for in extending life, which reports show is being extended by health and diet in many nations without necessarily involving costly medical treatments. we will have to discuss what works in extending life and how long and how to pay for it. right now, the system is basically; those who can pay will receive extensive measures.Ironically, those that cannot pay and are on plans such as Medicaid also get extensive measures for life extension. Those caught in the middle are the ones who face bankruptcy or dissolving of their wealth by hospital/doctor fees.
There is no simple solution to this.
Hey Snappy, glad you liked it. I almost pointed out the exact time in the video Baby Got Back came on. Hope you’re feeling better today.
BHO forgot this part of the article, apparently…
Last I checked, we live in New York, correct?
Oct. 6 (Bloomberg)
New York’s vacancy rate fell to 2.9 percent in the third quarter from 3 percent in the second, as the end of summer brought an influx of tenants signing leases, Reis said.
Posted by: 11217 at October 6, 2009 1:41 PM
GOOD CATCH, 11217
BHO PWNED.
Legion-, you mean “covered” Americans. 🙂
I think you haven’t spoken to everyone because there are a lot of horror stories out there about people who do have insurance and have been denied what they need. I am not tlaking about unnecessary procedures or exotic medications. I mean the care they expected to get when they pay for coverage. There is a difference between health care and good health care- but frankly, if its not good, it may as well be non-existent.
Hola losers. I’m alive! No pneumonia or mono. Just a flu that won’t let go and is trashing my lungs 🙁
Biffy, that FGVOTD made me giggle! I loved it. My favorite parts were when he did the Brady Bunch dance and of course when he boogied to “Baby Got Back”!
I’m exhausted so its bed time for me. I’ll chat with you folks tomorrow or Thursday.
Lech, were you in Chinatown last night around 7:15pm or so? saw a dude in a real trendy looking suit and hat that looks 90% like you as he strolled in front of me at the stop sign
As some of you may be aware, I usually stay away from controversial discussions on here but I have to agree with Legion on all of his points. Firstly, I can compare 2 different healthcare systems, one from a former communist life, as many of you know. Did you people know that in Russia, until about 1992ish, you had all your dental work done without any form of anesthesia. Good luck getting that root canal. If you needed complex surgery or were diagnosed with cancer and had money, you would fly to guess where, that’s right, U S A (or maybe Israel) to get it cured because in Russia, that diagnosis meant that you were as good as dead. That’s national healthcare for you. You WILL lose some of the brightest minds because no one will want to go to Med school, fellowship, surgical residency and spend 15 years to make 100K a year, if that.
I do have friends that are doctors (or in the midst of their residency) and they will tell you that first hand, just like Legion would. Some, even today, decided to go into Nursing and just get NPs because it doesn’t pay to go through so much schooling and come out with loans and have malpractice insurance slapped on you as well.
Now statistically speaking, going private is still the best way. I did a great deal of my edumucational studies (papers, thesis) etc. on quantifying gov’t agencies, healthcare, and big pharma. It was a while ago and I can’t quote real numbers, but let me tell ya, gov’t taking over is not the way to go. Gov’t sponsored hospitals are the biggest money pits ever. I really wish I wasn’t too busy to show some examples.
Also, there are plenty of options. Personal anecdote, my mom’s friend came to work here as a nanny (illegally) and broke her leg. She signed up to one of those city hospital plans, was able to get a cast, follow up check ups and such for all around 60 bucks. This was legal and did require some paperwork but we got it done. Gov’t will probably foot the bill for the rest but that’s at our expense as taxpayers.
I know that it’s not easy for some self employed people and that’s exactly why I also chose to work for a corp. instead of working for myself. My reasoning took healthcare into the fact just like vacation benefits, salary, etc.