Two weeks ago my wife developed a bad cough...bad enough that she wanted to see her doctor.She called the doctor's office and was told she could not be seen until 3:00 PM THAT VERY SAME DAY!
Now, we don't have health insurance...haven't had for a bunch of years. She's not old enough for Medicare.
Yet some years ago my wife's carpel tunnel was taken care of on our promise to make regular payments until it was paid off...payments far less than an insurance policy would have cost us monthly.
Anyway, the doctor saw her and diagnosed a bad case of bronchitis, for which he prescribed some antibiotics.
He also wanted her to get a chest X-ray and a complete blood work-up.
We walked into the local medical lab, got the blood work done for about $140.00 within 30 minutes.
We went to the radiology center, walked in and she had a chest X-ray and we were out the door within 30 minutes...for about $45.00.
Now add up the doctor's visit, the blood work the X-ray and Walmart's $4.00 generic antibiotic and we got through the day for far less than one month's health insurance would be.
We experienced no excessive waiting, no paucity of service, got exactly what we needed and were back home in time to do the things that needed done that day.
One more visit to the doctor and one more $4.00 prescription and she is much better...just about her old self again.
Raise your hand if you think this is what it will be like under any form of the health care legislations being considered.
If you raised your hand, I have a bridge...
To what country or model can you point where citizens can get that kind of care that quickly under socialized or government run health care: Canada? Great Britain? Sweden? Cuba (in your dreams).
Yet she will be forced to pay a premium for health care or face a fine for failing to do so.
Do some simple math and tell me: will paying a premium every month be cheaper than our recent experience?
(For those of you educated recently in government school, the answer is, "No.")
We don't need any form of the kind of health care reform currently being considered.
Call or write your congress persons and senators and tell them so.
Do it today! (OK, Monday)
15 comments:
I didn't raise my hand! I hope Mrs. Jo-Joe is better soon.
God Bless America, and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Just proves our system works, even for the uninsured.
I was uninsured when I had my first child. I went to a clinic and worked out a payment plan with the hospital. After I got insurance I always went back to that hospital because I was grateful to them.
There IS care out there. Arrangements can be made. It works if you work at it. Glad Mrs Jo-Joe is doing better.
One of my co-workers escaped from Cold War Czhckhoweverthat'sspelledvakia, and said there was one doctor for a town of 35,000. When she got sick, she'd go to the doctor and if she didn't have a temperature, he'd send her back to work. She's scared to death at what the democrats are doing, because where else is there to run? She sees the same things happening under Obama that happened under the Soviets.
PCC: Mrs. Jo-Joe is, indeed, doing better...a testament to the best health care system in the world. Soon, sad to say, to join the mediocre.
Shoprat: Our system works because our medical personell work it.
Janie Lynn: I have had doctors help me with selecting meds I can afford, going above and beyond the call of duty and so many other things. I just hate to see all of that go under the "guidance" of the government.
LR: I couldn't spell it either. We are headed a lot more toward the Soviet system than the Soviets are.
Stay well, the two of you.
First, I am glad that your wife is on the mend, bronchitis can me very painful.
And with Obama-Reidcare, you would have paid a heck of a lot more and with less than satisfactory results.
Joe
Demcare is not designed to improve your health care. The point is to heap on lots more taxes. We have much more than 3 million federal employees and their average pay is $71,000 with a high percentage making six figures. The Demcare taxes will help keep them paid. And they take care of their own. They and their unions will be giving generously to Democrat candidates. Just as Pharaoh heaped burdens on the Israelites, get ready for more taxes on top of these.
Yes, I compared an Egyptian to Democrats. And, since Egypt is in Africa and Obama is a Democrat, by Maddowlogic and Olberlogic I must be a racist. Oh well.
By that standard, so are we all...all racists.
The whole idea of insurance is (ideally) that we ALL assume part of the risk.
You chose not too. Now, when you or your wife needs a heart operation and the other needs medication for diabetes or arthritis then those that have been sharing the risk will probably end up paying for your treatment.
Ultimately like a good far right winger you will not assume your share of the responsibility and will expect a handout.
Ducky: "The whole idea of insurance is (ideally) that we ALL assume part of the risk."
Where did you get that idea? Was it taught to you in school? Did some politician say it and you responded to it because it had a good ring to it?
Perhaps you thought it up yourself.
If that's the case, of course, it flys in the face of what insurance companies have done over the years.
They have spread the risk among those who purchase their policies, not over all citizens.
What we are faced with is ALL citizens having to pay for insurance whether they want it or not.
How does that fit the framework of liberty and freedom?
What freedoms are universal and unequivocable and which are not? Who gets to decide? The government? You?
Thanks, but no. I don't like the status quo, but I'll take the status quo over putting the government in charge any day of the week and twice on Sunday afternoon.
Joe, if you notice I indicated "(ideally)". It works best when the risk is spread as widely as possible.
Now if you want out, fine but shut your mouth when you need the cancer treatments and do the right thing, okay? Because you rugged individualists tend to try to suck at the trough rather than pay your way. Interesting how you make that a virtue.
Why all the silence, Joe?
Ducky: Pardon the silence. I had not revisited this post and did not know you had made further comment.
Interesting that you think I missed your use of the word, "(ideally)". I did not.
Every insurance company wants more customers among whom they can spread the costs. I think I said that. Didn't I say that? Yeah, I said that.
Now about you telling me to shut my mouth...who on earth do you think you are? You have no right to tell me to shut my mouth unless you are directly involved with me.
You owe me an apology for that remark.
BTW: I DO think there needs to be a better solution to catastrophic illnesses than we currently have. However, the current health care bills do not come close to properly dealing with this issue.
Chris M hit it.
It is not about health care, it is about power. Steps could be taken right away, and a more reasonable and better solution could be had if it were truly about compassion. Of course I think everyone knows this except those who pay scant attention to politics, get their facts from CNN, and ultimately decide who our leaders will be.
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