I am angry this morning.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
a reply to: Bluesma

I don't know about France, where you are, but when Cameron was making his 'exit' speech, and enumerating the accomplishments he's made, among them he said "the waiting list for needed surgeries was reduced from 17,000 to 700".

WTH? 17,000 people waiting for surgeries? See, I can't even imagine that. I can't even imagine 700 (not including transplants due to the availability of organs)

The healthcare systems in GB and Canada are different from that of France. We don't have that particular problem.
Here it is multi-payer. The quality and availability of care is very good.

originally posted by: SlapMonkey
a reply to: Bluesma

You're mixing up your arguments, here.

Healthcare in the U.S. is some of the best around, and that's why even world leaders from other countries fly here to have medical procedures performed on them instead of trusting in their own country's abilities for healthcare.

I guess my POV could or should be considered within the context of my own location and experience- I live in France, which has one of, if not THE best healthcare systems in the world.

The French health system combines universal coverage with a public–private mix of hospital and ambulatory care and a higher volume of service provision than in the United States. Although the system is far from perfect, its indicators of health status and consumer satisfaction are high; its expenditures, as a share of gross domestic product, are far lower than in the United States; and patients have an extraordinary degree of choice among providers.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

It's like expecting your car insurance to pay for tires, and oil changes, all other maintenance and issues that arise. Can you imagine how convoluted the car insurance industry would get and how much more it would cost?

Uh, it is maintenance that largely keeps us from getting seriously ill, so yes, I would expect the insurance I pay thousands for each month to be used for that.

And no matter what some people say, for the average American, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act made healthcare more expensive.

The Obamacare thing has nothing at all to do with the systems in other countries that Americans call "Socialist", and was just the government serving their masters- the private insurance companies.

a reply to: butcherguy

How are you feeling otherwise. Are you fatigued? Are you losing weight?

a reply to: butcherguy

I shouldn't really be saying this but...

Fly to the UK and get the procedure done for free on the NHS.

Even with the return flight, should be a lot cheaper.

originally posted by: Sillyolme
a reply to: butcherguy

How are you feeling otherwise. Are you fatigued? Are you losing weight?

I am tired, but I thought that was a result of being 54 years of age.

I have gained 3 pounds since smoking cessation.

originally posted by: CJCrawley
a reply to: butcherguy

I shouldn't really be saying this but...

Fly to the UK and get the procedure done for free on the NHS.

Even with the return flight, should be a lot cheaper.

How is your government dealing with undocumented visitors?
Maybe I'll bring my kids and just stay.
Once I develop a taste for pasties, I shouldn't mind it too much.

a reply to: butcherguy

This is not intended to be medical advice, only anecdotal information.

I have similar symptoms and found out that I have an esophageal stricture. Scar tissue in my esophagus at a point where excess stomach acid tends to rise up, irritating the same spot over and over again. When I finally got diagnosed the doctor informed me that stress was a likely culprit for flaring symptoms - and he put me on OTC Prilosec - which I now purchase at Wal Mart for around $16 for a 42 day supply.

Just tossing that out there in case it might help.

a reply to: Hefficide
Thanks.
I have been experiencing some heartburn since quitting smoking.
The physician's assistant that I saw recommended trying Prilosec for that, which I will pick up after work tonight.

a reply to: butcherguy

How is your government dealing with undocumented visitors?

Not sure, things change fast now. I know that 'health tourism' has been a political hot potato for a few years now in Britain.

Millions of Africans and Middle Easterners have been coming just for the free health care - then they bugger off back to where they came from. If they can do it, why not you?

Obviously make enquiries before booking a flight, but I would consider it.

originally posted by: Sillyolme
Tuberculosis is very rare here in the states.

Sorry. My comment was there to perpetuate a running joke that pre-dates your registration.

Several decades ago, if you had ever even had TB, it was hard to cross the borders of the USA. I know this because my wife had TB when she was a child and the medical clearance to 'import her' was a trial. Now, 0bama is inviting people in with active/untreated cases. It's in the news quite a bit.

originally posted by: Bluesma
I guess my POV could or should be considered within the context of my own location and experience- I live in France, which has one of, if not THE best healthcare systems in the world.


...

Uh, it is maintenance that largely keeps us from getting seriously ill, so yes, I would expect the insurance I pay thousands for each month to be used for that.

Wait, you pay THOUSANDS--plural?--monthly for your health insurance? You're damn right it better be the best out there!

As far as maintenance goes, that can be handled by the individual--things like exercise, eating right, choosing not to smoke, etc., etc. Why would you need to go to a doctor for that? If you're referencing things like annual check-ups, I'm fine with insurance covering that. What I'm not cool with is people going to the ER on a weekend when their doctor's office is closed simply because they feel a cold coming on (for which there is no cure) and want their pain meds prescribed to them so that it's cheaper out of their pocket...and many other similar things.

The Obamacare thing has nothing at all to do with the systems in other countries that Americans call "Socialist", and was just the government serving their masters- the private insurance companies.

I'm not disagreeing with you, there--there was no intent to really make the insurance more affordable or the healthcare better. In fact, I would argue that it was intentionally designed to fail so that they could basically force a single-payer system. Anyone who can do basic math could understand how the PPACA was destined to fail from the start.

But we're getting way off-topic, here, and should probably stop, even if this is a "rant" thread.

originally posted by: SlapMonkey


Wait, you pay THOUSANDS--plural?--monthly for your health insurance? You're damn right it better be the best out there!

Haha- no. I was referring to how much the company collects from many people each month- yes I know some families in America who had monthly payments going almost up to a thousand a month (and still had deductables).

If you're referencing things like annual check-ups, I'm fine with insurance covering that.

That's pretty much what I assumed your metaphor of changing tires and oil on a car was referring to...

]But we're getting way off-topic, here, and should probably stop, even if this is a "rant" thread.

I don't think it is off topic- it is a rant about the scandalous and unfair practices of the insurance companies in the USA. I am with the OP- he has a reason to rage about that. I am still pissed off because I used to be brainwashed into thinking we had the best system in the world and blahblahblah.... I even kept repeating that for quite a while once out and with proof in front of me! Eventually reality just cannot be denied. I am bitter and resentful. I feel angry for the people still back there and swallowing the propaganda.....

a reply to: Snarl

There's actually quite a few migrant workers and legal immigrants that have TB now. It's kind of a scary deal.

a reply to: Bluesma

Well, again, you have to take into account that France has a health system that is funded by and caters to the population equivalent to a bit more than California and Texas combined, and all with a much more consistent culture than what exists over the whole of the United States.

I'm a firm believer that, if left up to the states, we could do a much better job with both our medical insurance and healthcare in America. I think that the smaller population size of France helps them have what you consider to be a better system.

a reply to: butcherguy
Good luck. I hope it's nothing serious.

originally posted by: butcherguy

originally posted by: Sillyolme
a reply to: butcherguy

How are you feeling otherwise. Are you fatigued? Are you losing weight?

I am tired, but I thought that was a result of being 54 years of age.

I have gained 3 pounds since smoking cessation.

I gained weight too after I finally quit. Its okay for now, don't try to fix yourself all at once. Biting off more than you can chew can lead to relapse. Give it time to distance yourself.

Hows that other problem, I was wondering, the prognosis from the tests on your throat?

a reply to: intrptr
I cancelled the endoscopy due to a problem of getting there with a driver (required).
I am taking Prilosec for two weeks to see if maybe that will solve the problem. I drink a lot of water with my food and chew thoroughly.
If things are still a problem next week, I will reschedule the endoscopy.

Most important... I have not relapsed. Still smoke free. Nicotine free, actually.

a reply to: butcherguy

I have been watching this thread to see how you are doing.

Keep us in the loop, okay?

a reply to: butcherguy

Good for you. Hardest thing I ever did was quit cigs.

One in ten are successful staying quit.

Thats a big deal you know.



Is your swallowing thing just the same, worse or better? Not something to mess with. I'm sorry you don't have the funds to get the endoscopy. A good doctor can examine your throat with a popsicle stick, if you can overcome the gag reflex.

I live in Australia, and the Medicare here is excellent, Americans should base their healthcare system on the Australian system in my opinion..