Quote Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels View Post
Yep. The system is scr@wed. And yep, the working not-poor-enough and the self-employed take the brunt of it. The very poor are in the next-worst position, since they at least get coverage for emergency care (at least some bare bones version of it, although they often get the run-around before some institution caves and takes responsibility). But nope, it is not the poor folks or the illegals who are draining the system. Face it. It's the drug profiteers and the tax evaders and the war mongers who are draining the system. In a good system, there is coverage for all, all get good care, and we're all better off for it. The half-hearted treatment your Earl of Ulcer has been given is contributing to bacteria developing antibiotics resistence. That harms the health of all, and we all wind up paying. What goes around, comes around, and in the end a bad system is not cheap, while a good system doesn't have to cost all that much. Here in Europe we pay half what gets paid per capita, all in all, for health care and insurance in the US, yet here we're all covered, legals and illegals alike.

OK. I'll stop ranting and get back to crossing fingers that your appointment Friday gets you on the right track at last.
I don't want this to become a political statement or rant on my part but I do have to say... the system here is not that bad - really. Help if there if needed. Poor people here get excellent emergency care. The problem is that poor people don't have the money for routine medical care - like sick children exams so they clog up the ER making it difficult to get service for everyone - insurance, money or not. It's not the ER system that's bad. What we need to do is provide routine medical care for people who otherwise don't get insurance.

Most people here have a good insurance plan that covers most anything. That is the norm. I'll not get into a discussion re why illegals should not be covered but keep in mind in Norway and other places where everyone gets free medical care, taxes are extremely high. Everyone pays for the poor to get care. I would like to know if your illegal immigrant problem is as bad as California's (or the entire West Coast). This may sound hard but I work hard - and I don't like the fact much of my taxes go to supporting people who can't or won't make the effort to become legal immigrants. I don't care they come here - just make some effort - dang it!

If Hip needs help she can get it. She just needs to be proactive. Our system here, with few exceptions, is really very good. The only change we need is 1) to deal with the rampant illegal immigrant issues - folks who otherwise damage a fragile health care system , 2) provide well-care medical services to those who can't afford it to clear up our ER's and 3) provide services for preventive medicine - nutrition programs and other services to help poor society on the whole become more healthy.

Anyway I apologize for the semi off topic rant but just had to put my 2 cents in for the USA. No response is neccessary as I know many of you have different opinions. I just hate to see my country bashed that's all.