This cannot happen in my homeland : everyone is cured in the hospitals for free , Italian or strangers , with no difference . it’s called civilization .
One big problem we have in the United States is that medical providers aren’t allowed to make it clear that the bill is the ‘list price’, including not only the cost of services but a share of the subsidy to Medicare and Medicaid patients that isn’t covered by CMS, and in practice the provider is willing to settle for a lot less. If the provider does make that clear, CMS will prosecute them for fraud.
When we were in England, my Mother had to visit the emergency room. We were seen immediately, possibly because she was older and they weren’t sure what was wrong with her. We asked for the bill, explaining that we were Americans and didn’t qualify for the free medical care. They replied that they didn’t have any forms for making out a bill, no one who would know how to make out the form if they had one and anyway everyone who was getting paid was busy taking care of sick people. On the other hand, when my son needed surgery for his cancer, he had to wait six weeks for the doctor to have an opening in his schedule. And, later, his treatments were delayed, while the cancer cells continued to divide, because the insurance company was “reviewing his coverage” and deciding about paying them. That was in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America. The president of the Midwestern Association of Oncology Surgeons was being dictated to by some paper pusher who probably never graduated college. We pay more for medical care than anyone else on earth. and it’s not because we are paying for actual medical care. We are spending money to support a huge insurance industry with money that then isn’t available to provide for patient care.
The USA is top of the line in medical care. But 45 or lower in access to that care. Meaning 44+ countries do better at cost and access than our free enterprise medical system where the bottom line isn’t your life.
See what happens when socialism strikes? People get social and try to help one another…with medical care, decent housing, and no longer subsidize the wealthyOr was that communism? Nope, those poor happy people in Scandinavia still claim to be happy while paying some of the highest tax rates in the world. Must be a sickness, called Democracy, when everyone has a voice. Coming soon: November 4; Tramp’s Last Ride in Marine One, followed by the biggest fumigation project in History.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
Then they’ll bill you for the sedative.
DennisinSeattle Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I wish it worked that way!
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member almost 5 years ago
This cannot happen in my homeland : everyone is cured in the hospitals for free , Italian or strangers , with no difference . it’s called civilization .
shanen0 almost 5 years ago
Rather offensive to see the Trumpist trolls trying to make political hay out of ancient comics.
Troglodyte almost 5 years ago
The more things change, the more they remain the same!
Watcher almost 5 years ago
They’ll bill you for the nurse entering and leaving the room as well.
Randallw almost 5 years ago
I’m sometimes bothered by my health insurance costs, but now I’m facing important surgery I don’t mind so much.
Herb L 1954 almost 5 years ago
And the RethugliKlan party has come up with better,cheaper insurance.Mexico will pay for the Wall,too ;(
prrdh almost 5 years ago
One big problem we have in the United States is that medical providers aren’t allowed to make it clear that the bill is the ‘list price’, including not only the cost of services but a share of the subsidy to Medicare and Medicaid patients that isn’t covered by CMS, and in practice the provider is willing to settle for a lot less. If the provider does make that clear, CMS will prosecute them for fraud.
Scoutmaster77 almost 5 years ago
I’m sure the GOP has a much better health plan, right?
j.l.farmer almost 5 years ago
this is a realization for millions of patients everyday, unfortunately a sedative won’t take care of the problem.
Diane Lee Premium Member almost 5 years ago
When we were in England, my Mother had to visit the emergency room. We were seen immediately, possibly because she was older and they weren’t sure what was wrong with her. We asked for the bill, explaining that we were Americans and didn’t qualify for the free medical care. They replied that they didn’t have any forms for making out a bill, no one who would know how to make out the form if they had one and anyway everyone who was getting paid was busy taking care of sick people. On the other hand, when my son needed surgery for his cancer, he had to wait six weeks for the doctor to have an opening in his schedule. And, later, his treatments were delayed, while the cancer cells continued to divide, because the insurance company was “reviewing his coverage” and deciding about paying them. That was in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America. The president of the Midwestern Association of Oncology Surgeons was being dictated to by some paper pusher who probably never graduated college. We pay more for medical care than anyone else on earth. and it’s not because we are paying for actual medical care. We are spending money to support a huge insurance industry with money that then isn’t available to provide for patient care.
NWdryad almost 5 years ago
What happened to Medicare?
dsjwriter almost 5 years ago
The joys of living where medical care is the costliest in the world, but results are only mediocre.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 5 years ago
The USA is top of the line in medical care. But 45 or lower in access to that care. Meaning 44+ countries do better at cost and access than our free enterprise medical system where the bottom line isn’t your life.
bakana almost 5 years ago
Sedative? I think the nurse meant Tranquilizer Dart.
TerryBardy almost 5 years ago
It seems like all they care about in the hospitals are if you can pay the bill.
Serial Pedant almost 5 years ago
See what happens when socialism strikes? People get social and try to help one another…with medical care, decent housing, and no longer subsidize the wealthyOr was that communism? Nope, those poor happy people in Scandinavia still claim to be happy while paying some of the highest tax rates in the world. Must be a sickness, called Democracy, when everyone has a voice. Coming soon: November 4; Tramp’s Last Ride in Marine One, followed by the biggest fumigation project in History.