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Hazer-Re: Health costs in the USA

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Gemsi
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 1050
Posted 8/9/2008 2:50 PM (GMT -8)
As far as I am aware, we are the only ones left too have a free healthcare system.

We moan about ours docs, and how shoddy the service is-but I guess at least we don't have too pay anything huh? I can't believe that in Scotland now, they are abolishing prescription charges completely. It's hard too see how they are doing it.

I know that in America you can get insurance, but they'll only fork out so much, like so many hospital admissions, or medication upto a certain amount. I believe a single lung transplant in America, can cost upto $20,000. To get a broken toe seen to-you're talking $800 dollars. It seems insane to me. I can't imagine living somewhere, where it would  cost my home and possesions too be kept alive basically. I think we are definately spoilt over here lol!

I'm not quite sure how accurate the sit-com Scrubs is. But the first series, my jaw was pretty much hitting the floor.

Definately makes you appreciate some of the care over here though huh?

IF anyone else can add more too this, please do. I only know bits and bobs about healthcare in America, but my knowledge is very limited and only based on what people have told me.

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donnaeil
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2006
Posts : 1156
Posted 9/12/2008 9:47 PM (GMT -8)
In America, we have what is called charity care for people who are under or uninsured.

Non profit charities raise money in order to help people with their medical bills. Low income families can receive their medication free or at a low cost.

If I were to have a medical emergency and ended up in an Emergency room at a hospital, they could not refuse me care. Sometimes people are transferred to county hospitals but if life saving measures are needed, they must be performed.

In King County, the area where Seattle is located in Washington state, we have community health centers which offer care on a sliding scale according to one's income.

If surgery is needed, one is referred to a hospital that gives charity care so your bill is either eliminated or greatly reduced.

It pays to live near a major city though, that way you have access to specialty hospitals.

Transplant care is possible at a lower fee. We have agencies which sponsor fund raising drives to help defer the cost of say, a lung transplant.

People have to be aware of their health care options in the country. Social workers may be able to assist.

I have known people who have had major surgeries performed free of cost here.

Television is television. Take it with a grain of salt.

Donnaiel
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donnaeil
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2006
Posts : 1156
Posted 10/16/2008 10:51 PM (GMT -8)
As I said earlier. there are states where you can receive free medical and dental care if needed. Washington state is a great example.

We have charity care at hospitals and in selected medical groups, community health clinics where one can receive care on a sliding scale fee and free if you do not have money.

California is one of the worst states social service wise but I am sure they have hospitals and groups which give low cost care.

The trick is to research and ask questions. Contacting our local public health departments would help. Social services for homeless people also.

I had an operation free of charge in Seattle following my divorce and before I got insurance.

Donnaeil
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FitzyK23
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 4219
Posted 10/17/2008 7:52 PM (GMT -8)
Just chiming in from the crohns board (hit yours by mistake somehow and love this topic) the free services donnaeil refers to are usually for the VERY poor. If you are middle class and lose your insurance and have a pre-existing condition there really isn't much you can do. And forget just going into endless debt for a needed (but not emergency) surgery. Many hospitals require pre-payment or a down payment up front. There was just an article about a woman who was denied chemo while her husband tried to find money for a down payment because they had lost their insurance. I am not saying socialized medicine is the best plan either... we just need a system where ANYONE can find health insurance regardless of employment status and health status.
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hazer
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 33
Posted 11/23/2008 7:32 AM (GMT -8)
Has anyone seen the movie Sicko, i watched it the other day. Its a bad time when a country can load money into a war on the other side of the world from them, thats going no where, when there own citizens that r right in front of their faces r suffering.
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