Look on the bright side - if you were between jobs you wouldn't be paying the tax.

Here - $70 a month insurance which stays the same whether I am working or not, compared to mid $200s if I am working in the US versus $1200 a month if I'm between jobs. Assuming that I'm PR and wouldnt get kicked out the country.

Are you posting for the sake of it?

If you read my post again I stated that the delay was more to do with shortage of doctors/nurse (or whatever the right term is) than the medical cover itself. I also stated that when I pay 1.5% for Medicare (which is supposed to care for me when I need it and which goes towards people sit on their backsides and enjoy free healthcare - sorry to generalize) I expect decent service.

What I want to 'repeat' for you is - I don't see Medicare system a problem. I don't see my 1.5% giving me a return. With a deep cut, I am bound to go to the doctor. Or should I say to myself, hmm there are people who need Medicare more than me so let’s just wait for the blood to clot? I don’t give a sh*t to ‘triage’.

So if your family member was in pain and you were to rush to the public hospital, would you think of the ‘triage’ thing or would want them to be cared for?

What a joke…

Let me remind you something – if you want to make a decision based on health care then socialist countries are best for you.

I understand your point but people don’t move PURELY based on health care. Well I certainly didn’t. Yes it’s one of the considerations for sure….

Without disrespect, are you trying to convince yourself or anyone else that moving to the states is a bad idea given the health care scene?

No, but you keep posting absolute rubbish as if it's gospel. I don't need to constantly re-read your posts - I got it the first time.

Your whole post above is another example. With a cut finger (and a sense of entitlement), I would go to a doctor, not an "emergency" room because I would know I'd wait less time. It's got nothing to do with getting value for your medicare dollars OR staff shortages OR "people who need Medicare more" than you.

Anyhow, I'm out - this is off-topic and you are impossible to discuss anything with.

every hospital ive even been in (uk and us) has used triage in the emergency dept to assess relative medical need and queue people up appropriately. Even your doctor would do it in a basic form to determine if what you describe to the appointment making person warrants 'an emergency appointment' or not. I certainly would not want a heart attack patient or severe burns patient sitting waiting for a cut finger to be seen and im sure you wouldnt either.

Another example. I cut my finger at home and rushed to hospital near by in Sydney. What I am about to share is not over exaggeration. I reached the hospital (public) at around 1030 pm went straight to emergency. I was asked what was wrong and by that time I had some heavy bandage around the two fingers. The reception asked me to take a seat and I was looked at 4.5 hours later. Phucing joke if you ask me. It says more about the shortage of doctors than anything butt he moral of the story is - I pay 1.5% medicare and ever use it may be 2-3 times a year. One of the was above and it takes 4.5 hours to get it looked at? I can not remember why the heck I didn’t go and see private insurance but anyway.

Let me get back to it again. Above was my original post. Please point me where I make a statement or to that effect that ‘demands’ service before the more urgent folks are treated.

In fact, I clearly state that ‘in my opinion’ the long wait reflects the shortage of staff rather than anything. I can bet you, in a perfect world no doctor would want anybody that needs attention to wait. So on those lines, I believe the triage is more reflection of not having enough resources. The fact that they have to choose and give attention to the more needed folk proves my point. And btw I am fine with it – in that, I understand the issue.

Hence my argument about the 1.5% ‘tax’ that government takes from me so that they can run Medicare program. And when I need it, I couldn’t see the service. I am entitled to my views about this.

About me going to public hospital opposed to GP’s – I clearly remember stopping at the first medical centre which was closed at that hour and may be in panic I went to emergency care. Either way, I thought that was best in the situation ….

And while we are at it, it was not just me who had to wait. there were others in the emergency care who had to wait long hours. If I were to assume I over reacted and should have stayed home or went to GP, there still were others who had to wait.

--------------------

Oh man, I have must better things to do today.

Hmmmm how do you figure you are qualified/eligible to have Medicare? Unless you are 65 and have paid into it for 10 years (40 quarters).

Sorry you are no longer discussing US healthcare and employment but rather Aussie healthcare and employment.

Disregard please.

Rete, they're talking about Australia now, and it seems to be an OT argument, so maybe everyone can agree to disagree about what 'should' be available there and when.
The OP has been asking about work conditions in the US.

Thanks! Let's disgree on move on to the OP's question.

OP - On that note, I am saying if you are young and without any major illnesses and up for a challenge of sorts don’t let medical insurance be main reason for a move or not. If you have a decent job offer and visa then you should think what US can offer you in terms of experience, resume add on etc.

Sure, US might not have the comfort of public healthcare but that’s for socialist economies and comparing that with a capitalist economy would not be fruitful.

That’s my view……

I have major issues with the US being described as a Capitalist Country.

If health care is your factor, US Gov spends more per person on that than the UK Gov does.

It is Capitalist, isn't it?

No Social medicine
No equal funding on education
Policies make rich richer.

Sounds like capitalist to me.

Who has the popcorn?

Sorry, I've tried to keep them on track. It's like that here sometimes.