In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
>
> >>> Heh! Tell me about it! That's what I'm running into right now. Insurance
> >>> is not always a good thing. I'm supposed to see a cardiologist and get
> >>> regular physical therapy, but cannot afford it even with insurance!
> >> why not go to the emergency room, since treatment there is so peachy?
> >>
> >> your pal,
> >> blake
> >
> > Because the co-pay is $100.00, not to mention the ER physicians separate
> > fee.
>
> It is a shame that you don't have government health insurance like we
> have in Canada. Everyone is eligible regardless of pre-exisitng
> conditions.

I suspect it's coming. My main concern with Socialized health care is
what it's going to cost us.

Nothing is free. Only time will tell.

> In Ontario we pay a yearly OHIP fee and employers pay a
> health tax per employee. It is also funded through other tax revenues.
> It costs me nothing to go to a doctor. It costs me nothing to go to
> emergency. It costs nothing for X rays or other tests. Prescriptions
> drugs are not covered, but there is supplemental health insurance
> available for that. It isn't a perfect system, but people don't face
> financial crisis because of medical care.

That is a big deal. Since I do the nightly audits, I know what it
costs. 15 days in the ICU can cost in excess of 100K.

That is not affordable by anyone in the middle class.

IMHO tho', the ideal solution would be to somehow bring down that cost.
A lot of the cost is compliance and regulation. Being a section
supervisor in the lab, I have a LOT of experience with compliance
regulations!

A perfect example is the EMS unit I want to use for pain control in
place of drugs. (I've already turned down a Vicodin Rx from my main
doc'. I have no desire to become addicted to opiates).

Once upon a time, one cost about $800.00. Now that they are deregulated
and I no longer need an Rx., I just ordered one for $80.00...

And it's the same machine.
--
Peace! Om

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." --Mark Twain