WARPed

Considering the number of people who are morbidly obese, as well as the high number of smokers in the US it is no wonder that cost per capita is so high and life expectancy so low. Taking into account the level of care available IF you have insurance then if people actually cared more for their bodies, ate less crap, got more exercise, then I think that graph would look very different. Medicine can work wonders, but it can't work miracles.

lifehouse51

I beg to differ, DOCTORS = GODS

Nah, but I totally agree that medicine has a lot of limitations...people NEED to take an active role in their care. But a lot of $$$ spent on healthcare are also on administrative overhead, instead of actual patient care (I heard something like 20% (??) of cost is on paperwork getting reimbursement)...a Single payer system is one potential solution to reduce that cost, though it's not without drawback.

lansbury

If they are paid at all they are over compensated. The standard of care I have receive here is disgusting. I have had better from the local witch doctor in Gweru Zimbabwe.

lifehouse51

Let me guess: County Hospital? There's no way to judge whether the care you received was really subpar unless you describe more details. If you feel that you didn't get good care because you wanted a diagnostic procedure/surgery done and didn't get it, there could be a good clinical reason behind it. If you feel that you didn't get good care because you were rushed to be discharged before you feel fully recovered, that's because hospital stays are very expensive and beds are limited. If you feel that you didn't get good care because you didn't feel that the doctor spent enough time with you...well here's the news: If you're told to see 10 patients in an hour, how the heck are you gonna chat with each one for half an hour?

SarahG

I made the mistake of mentioning the health care reform on my Facebook status and it has stirred up some really strong feeling! I have never had so many comments!

lifehouse51

Yea, I can see it happening here on the Forum as well...It's such a controversial issue in the U.S. but I can see a lot of non-Americans will much prefer having a system that will reduce the chance of not having health coverage.

WARPed

What a prick.

lifehouse51

Was anyone here surprised that he lost the Presidential Election? I wasn't...and I don't think choosing someone other than Sarah Palin as a running mate would have mattered either...

SarahG

I honestly don't understand the whole thing. All I know is my little family unit here and what we need. My 4 year old daughter has a kidney problem. She only has 1 and there is a bunch of cysts where the other should be. She is not classed as having a pre-existing condition as she has never had treatment, just tests. When we came over here, getting health insurance that would cover her was the biggest issue. If we didn't get it then we were not coming. Simple as that.

elfman

you're new here, aren't you?

Giantaxe

McCain is a very sore loser with a nasty temper. I am very happy he isn't President.

lifehouse51

From what I understanding, the bill is NOT creating a Universal Health Care System nor creating a government-run system like the NHS either. It's still relying on private insurance companies to run the show. However, it increases the # of people being covered by insurance by things like: Making it a penalty to not have insurance, requiring employers to provide insurance, requiring insurance companies to insure dependents up to age of 26 or so, requiring states to set up system to help people purchase insurance, making it harder to deny coverage based on pre-exisiting condition, federal subsidizing people who can't afford insurance, limiting the variability of insurance premium (Eg. Old people can't pay that much more than young people)

Illegal immigrants are apparently not covered as of yet. Controversies include: Such a system will drive up premium for healthy young people from previously, reimbursement for physicians will be less for specialists and more for generalists, the amount of $$ to put into this will make it harder for economic recovery

lifehouse51

Is it that obvious?

Giantaxe

Only four states cover childless adults on Medicaid (with a handful more providing lesser beenfits). I am not sure why there is such a widespread belief that Medicaid covers the poor when such a significant percentage have no access to it regardless of income. This bill is a huge step to closing that hole, especially for young adults that can no longer be insured on their parents' policy (they'll now be allowed to remain on up to age 26).

another bloody yank

So will I still have insurance if I lose my job?