Re: Sicko and Health Care in France

December 19, 2007

Leanne: Yes and No......

As with anything is involved in, the case is always a

bit overstated to prove his point, even when his point is quite valid.

The comparison of the US to Canada, France, the UK, and Cuba (which

he included in the movie) is basically comparing our system to

countries with universal free or inexpensive health care. It becomes

clear that the US system does have some major problems. Cost versus

quality of care is one. But several factors play a major role there,

the cost of liability insurance, the fact that there are many for-

profit entities and having insurance companies does introduce another

layer of cost, and as to prescription medications the fact that most

research is done in the US and the cost of that research recovered in

the US. Drug companies to sell products to other countries cheaper

than to pharmacies in the US. The other thing pointed out is the lack

of medical care for all. Now, I do feel a health plan should be

available for all, but, on the other hand, I know that there are

public hospitals in all cities that do not turn anyone away. Its just

that it should be easier and affordable and we've made no progress

toward any form of national health plan or policy.

Now, on the other hand, lets not pretend all is perfect elsewhere. In

the UK you might wait nearly a year for a cataract surgery. Anything

non-critical can be like that. Below I include a write up of Health

Care in France that shows the other side:

France's state-subsidized medical system is considered liberal

because doctors and dentists establish private practices, and

patients, who are free to choose their own providers, are reimbursed

by the state for up to 85% of medical costs. Hospital facilities,

although greatly expanded since World War II, are still considered

inadequate. Doctors tend to be concentrated in the cities and are in

short supply in some rural areas. The death rate, life expectancy,

and infant mortality rate are similar to those of other

industrialized nations. As is true of most developed countries, the

principal causes of death are cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

So, there is probably an answer somewhere in between or something

different better than any currently in existence. For instance, maybe

for health what if we all had something equivalent to medicare and

then could purchase supplements. But even then that would leave drugs

and the medicare prescription drug plans are still horrible. What

does a person on social security with no savings do when their drug

costs exceed $5000? Why do the same drugs cost more here than in

Canada, even? We want pharmaceuticals to have profit incentives,

otherwise they'd never develop new drugs and potential cures for

diseases like PF. However, something is terribly wrong too. Is it the

amount they spend promoting and marketing, brochures and information

to doctors, tv ads, and former cheerleader pharmaceutical saleswomen

taking lunch to a different doctor's office every day?

Another aspect to all this is the booming business of Medical

Tourism. People are regularly flying to India, the ines and

other countries where they can afford the surgery they can't afford

here. In the hospitals used in India, the surgeons are almost all

trained either here or in the UK. The quality of care grades out

equal to our hospitals and surgeons.

So, poses interesting questions but no answers. And, to

show Cuba as having such a great system....do you really think that

timely quality medical care is available to all Cubans? I had many

Cuban friends when I lived in South Florida. Some were bringing their

parents to the US to see doctors. Wonder why?

I do however wish this could become a bi-partisan issue and our

government would find some answers. It isn't right that our medical

care is the most expensive in the world (including that paid by

governments, not just the private person part) and yet the results

don't indicate we're the best. Why is it that getting NAC or AC

really at Walgreens requires a special order and costs me a high

copay and its the awful liquid form, getting it at a compounding

pharmacy is $120, GNC is $13, and I can order it online for $5?

> >

> > Sher....the clot was identified in ER....I've even have the

> emergency report were the dr wrote if " pain persists come back to

ER

> for a repeat of the ultrasound " . They asked me if I had crutches at

> home, which I said " YES " ?and also pain meds were prescribed.

> >

> > I've never told my primary dr's that I'm susceptible to blood

clots

> even though I know for about a year and a half. They just learned

it

> over the weekend. I know exactly what needs to be done and I did it

> yesterday....and I informed all my dr's. All necessary precautions

> will be taken care of.

> >

> > The dr's I have so far they've been great! If a dr though

requests

> that I need to see him/her because it's important for follow-ups we

> will schedule an appointment. With all my dr's appointments I have

> the flexibility to reschedule as long as it doesn't interfere with

my

> condition....

> >

> > Most of my dr's know, I will not book any appointments unless it

> necessary for me to see them. Which in most cases, I wait until the

> pain has gotten very bad etc...

> >

> > Irene Raynaud's Disease 09/07 PF 03/07 Canada

> >

> > ---- Original Message ----

> > From: Sher Bauman <bofus@>

> > To: Breathe-Support

> > Sent: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:02 pm

> > Subject: Re: Sher!

> >

> > Irene...????this is me screaming out here in Oregon.

> >

> > ? I don't know what to say. I've never heard of a person being

told

> to come back if pain persists...under your circumstances.

> >

> > ? I guess I have to stay calm here and suppose Drs. have checked

> you out and find nothing " alarming " .? However, If a clot has been

> identified and there is persistent pain at the site of the

> >

> > ?clot?I would call dr and inform that?you want to be seen.

> >

> > ?? Now Irene, this is only ME. My outgoing and assertive

> personality may not fit you and we have to be careful on any forum

> that we do not give ? " medical " advice. We all can take care of

> ourselves though and sometimes it means extreme actions. Is this

one

> of those times for you?

> >

> > ?? YOU know what you need to do. YOU do know. Then do that.

> >

> > ?? You have to be over the top with frustration and there also

has

> to be a reason your dr isn't taking this very seriously...I would

> inquire, no insist, on knowing why your pain is not being taken

> seriously.

> >

> > ?? Now here is a tacky question...please don't be offended!? Are

> you a " complainer " and your dr tends not to listen when nothing

> serious is found? (you have enough 'serious').

> >

> > ?? I'm just grasping at straws here, thinking of any reason your

> needs are not being met.

> >

> > ?? When the clot (pain) was identified...did you follow dr orders

> to the letter? Like maybe taking it easy...off your leg? Whatever?

> >

> > ??? Guess all that's left is to keep on praying for your relief.

> >

> > Hugs to you today!

> >

> > ?

> >

> > Sher; ipf 3-06; OR.

> > Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> __

> > Meet the new AOL.ca. Free radio, music, videos, news &

> entertainment ? with a Canadian perspective.

> >

>

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December 19, 2007

Just had to have my say. I served 25 years in the USN (socialized

medicine), worked and lived overseas for 15 years including 4 in

Denmark where their doctors send their families to the UK private

clinics. In Denmark the tax rate was near or over 50% to cover the

womb to tomb care provided by the Government.

Here at home, the VA debacle that broke at Walter is just the tip

of a highly bureaucratic organization. My only direct experience with

the VA was a two visit and 150 mile drive to get a hearing test.

Since the care is means tested I got to pay $50.00 to get a slovenly

Dr to tell me I needed a hearing test. Then I waited a month to get

an appointment and another $50.00 for the test. The $50.00 is fine for

the test since the VA isn't selling hearing aids. Of course the

bureaucracy wont allow one to contact the testing clinic for an

appointment.

Now if you think Universal Health Care run by our Government is a good

idea, look at the VA, European tax rates and give it some more thought.

Flower

> > >

> > > Sher....the clot was identified in ER....I've even have the

> > emergency report were the dr wrote if " pain persists come back to

> ER

> > for a repeat of the ultrasound " . They asked me if I had crutches at

> > home, which I said " YES " ?and also pain meds were prescribed.

> > >

> > > I've never told my primary dr's that I'm susceptible to blood

> clots

> > even though I know for about a year and a half. They just learned

> it

> > over the weekend. I know exactly what needs to be done and I did it

> > yesterday....and I informed all my dr's. All necessary precautions

> > will be taken care of.

> > >

> > > The dr's I have so far they've been great! If a dr though

> requests

> > that I need to see him/her because it's important for follow-ups we

> > will schedule an appointment. With all my dr's appointments I have

> > the flexibility to reschedule as long as it doesn't interfere with

> my

> > condition....

> > >

> > > Most of my dr's know, I will not book any appointments unless it

> > necessary for me to see them. Which in most cases, I wait until the

> > pain has gotten very bad etc...

> > >

> > > Irene Raynaud's Disease 09/07 PF 03/07 Canada

> > >

> > > ---- Original Message ----

> > > From: Sher Bauman <bofus@>

> > > To: Breathe-Support

> > > Sent: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:02 pm

> > > Subject: Re: Sher!

> > >

> > > Irene...????this is me screaming out here in Oregon.

> > >

> > > ? I don't know what to say. I've never heard of a person being

> told

> > to come back if pain persists...under your circumstances.

> > >

> > > ? I guess I have to stay calm here and suppose Drs. have checked

> > you out and find nothing " alarming " .? However, If a clot has been

> > identified and there is persistent pain at the site of the

> > >

> > > ?clot?I would call dr and inform that?you want to be seen.

> > >

> > > ?? Now Irene, this is only ME. My outgoing and assertive

> > personality may not fit you and we have to be careful on any forum

> > that we do not give ? " medical " advice. We all can take care of

> > ourselves though and sometimes it means extreme actions. Is this

> one

> > of those times for you?

> > >

> > > ?? YOU know what you need to do. YOU do know. Then do that.

> > >

> > > ?? You have to be over the top with frustration and there also

> has

> > to be a reason your dr isn't taking this very seriously...I would

> > inquire, no insist, on knowing why your pain is not being taken

> > seriously.

> > >

> > > ?? Now here is a tacky question...please don't be offended!? Are

> > you a " complainer " and your dr tends not to listen when nothing

> > serious is found? (you have enough 'serious').

> > >

> > > ?? I'm just grasping at straws here, thinking of any reason your

> > needs are not being met.

> > >

> > > ?? When the clot (pain) was identified...did you follow dr orders

> > to the letter? Like maybe taking it easy...off your leg? Whatever?

> > >

> > > ??? Guess all that's left is to keep on praying for your relief.

> > >

> > > Hugs to you today!

> > >

> > > ?

> > >

> > > Sher; ipf 3-06; OR.

> > > Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

> > >

> > __________________________________________________________

> > __

> > > Meet the new AOL.ca. Free radio, music, videos, news &

> > entertainment ? with a Canadian perspective.

> > >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

> Yahoo! Search.

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.

> Try it now.

> >

>

December 19, 2007