Reader comments
Part 4: Health care top-notch, but price is enormous
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Re: TRVTH | 10:40 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009
I hope you never encounter financial hardship, get in an accident your insurance
doesn't fully cover, or get really sick. Although, if you ever did, it
might do wonders for your sense of empathy.
Call it propaganda if you want, but the stories reported here are the experiences of more and more Americans, and as health care costs increase and individuals' incomes decrease, the stories will become increasingly common.
Call it propaganda if you want, but the stories reported here are the experiences of more and more Americans, and as health care costs increase and individuals' incomes decrease, the stories will become increasingly common.
RE: TRVTH | 10:47 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009
Were you sleeping while you read the article? Or did you read the cliff notes
(aka the headline)?
She is uninsurable due to previous condition and he was in an accident that cost him $3.5 million.
What is the number one reason Americans file bankruptcy? You guessed it medical bills.
If you want propaganda turn to Faux News.
She is uninsurable due to previous condition and he was in an accident that cost him $3.5 million.
What is the number one reason Americans file bankruptcy? You guessed it medical bills.
If you want propaganda turn to Faux News.
Comments continue below
Not in Draper | 10:57 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009
Gee, my wife and I are attending college and we have health insurance. I have a
Select Health plan and my wife has HIP coverage due to a heart ailment. We both
work part time, but we cannot afford to live in Draper!
Anonymous | 11:56 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009
Deseret News better have a lot of server space because the horror stories are
just beginning...
There are a lot more coming and I am glad you are starting to publish them!
There are a lot more coming and I am glad you are starting to publish them!
Lew Jeppson | 1:57 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
"The first paragraph threatens a lawsuit twice, filed either by the
attorney general's office or by an "independent collection
agency." It states that the bill might be outsourced to balance the
account. The recipient is advised that his Social Security number is being sent
to the Utah State Tax Commission and inserted into the state's Finders
Program, which legally allows a lien to be placed on tax refunds for unpaid
debts and in effect will garnish them for eight years or until the debt to the
U. is paid in full." And what a fine Christian state we are!
I'll say this for the D-News, you are showing some uncommon guts telling these horror stories which are NOT exceptional. So from a sometime critic - way to go!
I'll say this for the D-News, you are showing some uncommon guts telling these horror stories which are NOT exceptional. So from a sometime critic - way to go!
To: TRVTH | 2:15 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Your comments are indeed Utah's arrogance at it's finest and in full
color.
These types of arrogance reveals a lack of compassion and discloses the kinds of hearts that are void of any sort of humanity, but contains the kinds of greed that has been deplored by Christ.
What I don't understand is, why does such attitudes exists in this State? When the leading religion is supposedly about compassion, love, humanity and humility?
I'm so sorry these are the fruits that produced from the religion.
As the scripture says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits".
Bitter tasting fruits these are.
These types of arrogance reveals a lack of compassion and discloses the kinds of hearts that are void of any sort of humanity, but contains the kinds of greed that has been deplored by Christ.
What I don't understand is, why does such attitudes exists in this State? When the leading religion is supposedly about compassion, love, humanity and humility?
I'm so sorry these are the fruits that produced from the religion.
As the scripture says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits".
Bitter tasting fruits these are.
Anon | 2:20 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Thank you for printing this story and doing this series. People need to
understand the health care crisis and how it is affecting individuals through no
fault of their own. Maybe then we can get away from all of the ideological
aguments and realize that health care coverage for all is not socialism but
component of any truly enlighted society.
Cheech | 3:37 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I am so glad I moved to Canada five years ago. The system here may have flaws,
but I have never seen a bill for services in those five years. I never have to
worry that getting medical help will break the bank.
I would gladly pick this health care system over the States' any day.
I would gladly pick this health care system over the States' any day.
A part of living | 4:12 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
There are no guarantees in life and accidents, injuries, and poor health is just
a part of it. The only thing people can do but won't do is plan for
emergencies, like save some money and plan for the worst of times.
What is more disgusting is that this medical care is so outragiously high, why doesn't the press attack health care providers for rampant fraud and too costly service? It seems the press is being overly protective for hospitals and costly service from providers and placing too much on the fact that people don't have insurance.
Even with insurance, including the Obama plan, people will still be forced in to bankruptcy to pay the fraud and corruption in health care services.
Has anyone every seen a story from the news media that has ever investigated the fraud in health care and why they are getting away with it? The news media should be explaining why the american people are being forced in to bankruptcy and lose every thing they have ever earned just to pay medical bills. And it not because they don't have insurance that limits lifetime use.
What is more disgusting is that this medical care is so outragiously high, why doesn't the press attack health care providers for rampant fraud and too costly service? It seems the press is being overly protective for hospitals and costly service from providers and placing too much on the fact that people don't have insurance.
Even with insurance, including the Obama plan, people will still be forced in to bankruptcy to pay the fraud and corruption in health care services.
Has anyone every seen a story from the news media that has ever investigated the fraud in health care and why they are getting away with it? The news media should be explaining why the american people are being forced in to bankruptcy and lose every thing they have ever earned just to pay medical bills. And it not because they don't have insurance that limits lifetime use.
oldman | 5:36 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Like a mindless young man told me when I complained about how shoddy and cheap
the new mower was and yet was a lot more expensive than before - "Hey
capitalism at its finest." Ya - just wonderful - unchecked greed at its
finest.
Anonymous | 6:32 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
TRVTH
It's your obligation because you are a part of this society. You've received a great deal of benefit being such. You now OWE some of that in return.
It's your obligation because you are a part of this society. You've received a great deal of benefit being such. You now OWE some of that in return.
Not a Utahn | 6:45 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Are the police that negligent that they didn't find the driver of the
truck? There should have been plenty of evidence to find the driver and make
him or his insurance pay. Also, why are these people living in Draper? They
should be forced to sell their home(assuming they have one) to pay their bills
and not lean on others for their expenses. No wonder the healthcare system is
wacko-too many people freeloading. (i.e.-people going to the emergency room
instead of a doctors office for a headcold.)
Deb | 6:57 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Insurance is such a scary thing! My daughter and her husband are students and
on the school's health insurance. They tried to get health insurance with
Select health but were denied because she has a rod in her leg from a sports
accident years ago. Why not just make it a preexisting condition instead of
total denial? They are terrified about graduating because if one of them
doesn't get a job with insurance right away what will they do? They can
stay on the school's insurance but the premiums triple to over $1,000 a
month and what young couple can afford that? They want to have a baby but are
afraid because what if their are complication? I am glad they are responsible
and dedicated to keeping themselves covered but it is hard. Most of their
friends have told them to just get off the insurance and use Medicaid like they
did to have kids but they feel that is wrong. What is a young couple to do?
What about the driver? | 7:17 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I feel like I missed something. Wouldn't the driver that hit them be
liable for the medical costs?
KM | 7:30 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
This crisis, like all the other Obama crisis, is so great that we need to pass
the health care bill before reading it. There is something very fishy about the
whole thing and the public is being played big time.
Now after passing the bill we learn about all the preferential treatment of constituents in influencial democrat districts of Schumer, Reed, et. al. Preferential treatment for unions and good little democrat voters. Nice!
Now after passing the bill we learn about all the preferential treatment of constituents in influencial democrat districts of Schumer, Reed, et. al. Preferential treatment for unions and good little democrat voters. Nice!
Choices | 7:30 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
This family was unable to "fford the premiums for healthcare"but they
could afford law school. Why should I pay for their health insurance when they
choose an expensive education for paying health care premiums. Charity care is
nothing more than added cost to my healthcare premiums.
My ideas | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I got one of those collection notices for a baby delivery from the University of
Utah Hospital. Only problem, I didn't know sex of baby or date of birth.
Best delivery I ever had! After some hassle, they called off the AG. I
don't use their medical system anymore because they are the face of
government healthcare in Utah.
The problem with American Healthcare is it is too good and cost money. Drat.
The solution for some is to turn America into a Welfare Society by having Government protect us from and pay for all the American Medical Care (the big bad-overgrown-highly technical and scientifically advanced healthcare that has come from our capitalist society's awful free market entrepreneurial system) that they DEEM we are worth receiving.
My solution is modified John Mackey's plan. Plus use 50 privately-run non-profit insurance pools - one per state, rather than company insurance pools.
The problem with American Healthcare is it is too good and cost money. Drat.
The solution for some is to turn America into a Welfare Society by having Government protect us from and pay for all the American Medical Care (the big bad-overgrown-highly technical and scientifically advanced healthcare that has come from our capitalist society's awful free market entrepreneurial system) that they DEEM we are worth receiving.
My solution is modified John Mackey's plan. Plus use 50 privately-run non-profit insurance pools - one per state, rather than company insurance pools.
Risk | 7:42 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
People think they can get away with taking risks. When their luck or whatever
runs out, then they expect the taxpayer to cover their costs. There is no such
thing as charity care, someone pays and it is generally paid by increases in
healthcare premiums and costs for those of us who were responsible. My husband
is in graduate school and we have to cut back significantly on other things,
including a decent place to live, in order to pay for school and keep
healthcare. Failure to take responsibility for your own and your family's
well-being is one of the causes of this country's decline.
BooHoo | 7:48 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
All these sad stories are making me cry. I'm all weepy inside. I
can't sleep at night anymore. Obama save us and take care of us. If we
don't have socialized medicine soon I'm afraid the world is going to
end. Don't take the time to explore other options, enact Obamacare now
before we self destruct. What, is this the NY Times?
JustDon'tGetSick | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Yes, the U.S. has great medical care, but unfortunately, we have one of the
worst run medical systems in the world. It's great for the wealthy, but
unattainable for millions. We have become the laughing stock of the world when
it comes to health care for our citizens. The stories in this article are just
the tip of the iceberg.
Evets | 8:04 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I started in the health care industry in the 70's and everything is the
same except the cost has gone up. These articles act like overwhelming
healthcare bills and resulting bankruptcies are something new. Even in the
70's I saw many having to declare bankruptcy to get relief from
overwhelming healthcare bills (and it was not new then).
As to the comments about the cost and the profits in health care, I don't see anyone getting rich in the industry. The overhead costs (personnel, equipment/supplies, education, insurance etc) in the industry are outrageous. The unpaid debt write-off cost is 30 to 40 percent for many offices.
Do we need reform in the industry? YES. Do we need Obamacare reform? NO! There are ways to handle this but neither side is willing to address any sensible solutions.
As to the comments about the cost and the profits in health care, I don't see anyone getting rich in the industry. The overhead costs (personnel, equipment/supplies, education, insurance etc) in the industry are outrageous. The unpaid debt write-off cost is 30 to 40 percent for many offices.
Do we need reform in the industry? YES. Do we need Obamacare reform? NO! There are ways to handle this but neither side is willing to address any sensible solutions.
True north strong and free | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Knock the Canadian system all you want, Rush, Mark and Sean, but we don't
have any uninsured citizens. My kidney surgery and 5 day stay in the hospital
resulted in no bill to me. In the U.S. of A. it would have cost $50,000+.
Your system is broken, just like your justice system that loves to throw everybody in prison. Somebody had better bless America. It is failing fast.
Your system is broken, just like your justice system that loves to throw everybody in prison. Somebody had better bless America. It is failing fast.
Twice fooled | 8:26 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I was in Med school when the Govt tried to go down this road in 93-94. The news
during that time was terrifying for those who remember. We heard horror story
after horror story like this and we were told that exploding medical costs were
going to leave us in the ash heap of history by Thursday if we didn't go
single payer by Tuesday. Can you say "Phantom crisis?" Of course,
the opposite happened in the intervening years. We had economic expansion and
breathtaking advances in medical technology.
And the propoganda machine stopped. Notice that from that time forward (1994 to Jan 2009) there was nary a word about the "health care crisis." Then, as soon as the new admin took office, the machine started back up and we have been beat up with the message that the "wheels are falling off the bus" again suddenly, unless we socialize this thing.
Shame on the bleeding hearts and statists who are posting here! Some of us are not drinking your coolaide!
And the propoganda machine stopped. Notice that from that time forward (1994 to Jan 2009) there was nary a word about the "health care crisis." Then, as soon as the new admin took office, the machine started back up and we have been beat up with the message that the "wheels are falling off the bus" again suddenly, unless we socialize this thing.
Shame on the bleeding hearts and statists who are posting here! Some of us are not drinking your coolaide!
The people complaining | 8:34 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
about having to pay for others insurance are the ones first to stand in line
when they need help.
People like TRVTH think they have never received help from anyone, that they did it all by themselves. In fact, TRVTH changed his own diaper, fed himself, paid for all his medical bills, never took unemployment, never got a school grant, and never received financial help from him Mom and Dad. Yes, TRVTH is a self made man, only pays taxes and never takes. He is a fine example of the people in Utah. I think the DN has been reporting on these kind of medical insurance problems because "THE CHURCH" is for National Health Coverage. I wonder how much the LDS church will save every year not having to pay for medical charity that will be covered by National Health Care? Or am I to think that the LDS Church does not help out people with midical needs? I'm sure everyone in Utah will be for National Health Insurance once the LDS Church informs them they should.
People like TRVTH think they have never received help from anyone, that they did it all by themselves. In fact, TRVTH changed his own diaper, fed himself, paid for all his medical bills, never took unemployment, never got a school grant, and never received financial help from him Mom and Dad. Yes, TRVTH is a self made man, only pays taxes and never takes. He is a fine example of the people in Utah. I think the DN has been reporting on these kind of medical insurance problems because "THE CHURCH" is for National Health Coverage. I wonder how much the LDS church will save every year not having to pay for medical charity that will be covered by National Health Care? Or am I to think that the LDS Church does not help out people with midical needs? I'm sure everyone in Utah will be for National Health Insurance once the LDS Church informs them they should.
Twice fooled again | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
This spring I was seeing a patient of mine who is in his first year of med
school. I asked him, "Jim (not his real name), what are you thinking? No
way I would be headed for medicine right now."
Him: Oh doc, the system is broken and we have no choice but single payer. I'm the example--my wife needed extensive surgery this January and we are poor students w no insurance. It was extremely difficult.
Me: Did she get the surgery, and is she better?
Him: Yes
Me: Did she get the best care in the world?
Him: Yes
Me: Are you still in school?
Him: Yes
Me: Are you Bankrupt?
Him: Oh... I never thought about it that way.
While our system does have its warts, it is not in "crisis" any more now than it was in the 90s. And most of the problems in the system stem from govt intervention in the first place.
Him: Oh doc, the system is broken and we have no choice but single payer. I'm the example--my wife needed extensive surgery this January and we are poor students w no insurance. It was extremely difficult.
Me: Did she get the surgery, and is she better?
Him: Yes
Me: Did she get the best care in the world?
Him: Yes
Me: Are you still in school?
Him: Yes
Me: Are you Bankrupt?
Him: Oh... I never thought about it that way.
While our system does have its warts, it is not in "crisis" any more now than it was in the 90s. And most of the problems in the system stem from govt intervention in the first place.
Socialized Medicine | 8:36 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
As a Brit,visiting your great country, I can tell you that Americans should rise
up and oppose Obamacare, if you care about your loved ones. I pay for private
healthcare in England because I have family members with health issues. Sure
healthcare in Britain is free but you have to stand in line to get it unless
it's an absolute emergency and then it can be too late. Your system is not
perfect, far from it but I'll take it over my system anyday. You get the
best care here. I think you should reform your tort system instead of reforming
your healthcare. Malpractice costs are excessive.
Midwest Member | 8:40 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
On the driver being responsible for the cost--that's only if the money is
there. My neighbor's daughter was hit by an old man who died in the
accident. His estate was already titled to his children and they weren't
interested in helping out. The dead man, who was under-insured, also hit
another car in this accident. The driver of that car was on his way to work.
He ended up with a broken neck, broken hip and leg. Our community held a huge
fund raiser for both of them, but it didn't begin to cover their costs. A
year later, the man is back to work only part-time, and is going to lose his
house due to the bills. The neighbor's daughter still suffers from huge
bills, lingering injuries and had to drop out of college. Her parent's car
insurance wouldn't help out on this, so their daughter was forced to sue
their provider, who dropped the parents. She had no health insurance because
she was starting graduate school and was too old for her parent's
insurance. Both were innocent victims. Both are ruined.
Twice fooled some more | 8:41 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
We can only have the best care in the world if we can afford it. Period. That
means we need wealth and economic freedom. Right now the policies of our govt
are destroying that wealth and economic freedom. And no matter how much you
want free health care, if our wealth dries up, its gonna be third rate--no
matter who pays for it.
Then you statists and bleeding hearts will be weeping and wailing because you can't get the care you are used to and it will be too late.
LIVE FREE OR DIE!
a very concerned, evil rich doctor
Then you statists and bleeding hearts will be weeping and wailing because you can't get the care you are used to and it will be too late.
LIVE FREE OR DIE!
a very concerned, evil rich doctor
Canada | 8:42 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
What a crock True North, your treatment
wasn't "free". People have to pay taxes to support the system unless of course you're a bum and take advantage but don't contribute then it is free but also "freeloading". Our system may be broken but at least I don't have to wait in line for non-emergency treatment and I get treatment regardless of my age.
wasn't "free". People have to pay taxes to support the system unless of course you're a bum and take advantage but don't contribute then it is free but also "freeloading". Our system may be broken but at least I don't have to wait in line for non-emergency treatment and I get treatment regardless of my age.
Observation-ist | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
A few years back we built a home. One of the subcontractors had a very telling
statement. He said "Utahns have champagne tastes of a beer budget".
Living in Draper is certainly champagne.
I have great sympathy for people who, through NO FAULT of their own, are experiencing hardship either through job loss or medical expenses, etc. There is NO easy solution. Certainly letting our woefully inefficient government run health care is NOT the answer. Equally certain is that the severe lack of empathy demonstrated by TRVTH is NOT the answer either.
I frankly am leaning towards making health insurance mandatory just like auto insurance and let companies compete across state lines. We require auto insurance because people generally don't save up enough to pay for the accidents they cause. We're required to have auto insurance to protect us (and others) from unintended consequences of our own (or other's) behavior. The same could be said of health insurance.
To the Canadian ... people don't flock from around the world to Canada for the finest health care on the planet. They come to America for a reason. Our care is unequalled. Our insurance system is BROKEN!!!
I have great sympathy for people who, through NO FAULT of their own, are experiencing hardship either through job loss or medical expenses, etc. There is NO easy solution. Certainly letting our woefully inefficient government run health care is NOT the answer. Equally certain is that the severe lack of empathy demonstrated by TRVTH is NOT the answer either.
I frankly am leaning towards making health insurance mandatory just like auto insurance and let companies compete across state lines. We require auto insurance because people generally don't save up enough to pay for the accidents they cause. We're required to have auto insurance to protect us (and others) from unintended consequences of our own (or other's) behavior. The same could be said of health insurance.
To the Canadian ... people don't flock from around the world to Canada for the finest health care on the planet. They come to America for a reason. Our care is unequalled. Our insurance system is BROKEN!!!
Midwest | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
The estate of the man who caused the accident could have been successfully sued
and even if under-insured the man's insurance would have paid out to the
limit.
To: Socialized Medicine | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
You are a "Brit" about as much as my dog is. The tort bogeyman, a
favorite of the Fox editorial section, has little impact on the system (and its
costs) as a whole. Go back to Mr. Hannity and ask him how to do a better job
impersonating an Englishman.
Canadian | 9:04 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Up here in Canada, we don't have any issues like this as no one who live
here is considered uninsurable, and furhtermore we pay for our health care
through our taxes ... I am not saying that this system is perfect, but after
reading that story, any health care system that treats people like that after a
tragity is criminal!
OOPS | 9:10 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
If you can afford law school and live in Draper, you can afford healthcare,
unless you just expected the rest of us to pay if the unforseen occurred. The
unforseen has a way of occurring and we need to try to be prepared for it.
Sorry for your troubles but some of us have to be responsible.
DNEWS Propaganda | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Here again is the DNEWS sensationalizing the news to match the OBAMA agenda that
everyone has a RIGHT to Healthcare....
The problem with this story is it is the Jorgensen's fault and no one else....My dad used to say that if you cannot afford car insurance you cannot a fford to drive.....The jorgensens could have heeded my dad's advice.
Buy a smaller house, put off the lavish trips or expenses...eat top ramen but do not go without health ins......why wasn't the truck sited for running these people down!
The problem with this story is it is the Jorgensen's fault and no one else....My dad used to say that if you cannot afford car insurance you cannot a fford to drive.....The jorgensens could have heeded my dad's advice.
Buy a smaller house, put off the lavish trips or expenses...eat top ramen but do not go without health ins......why wasn't the truck sited for running these people down!
BMJ | 9:36 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
"They couldn't afford the premium while she finished law
school..."
Bogus. The truth is, they didn't want to sacrifice to pay the premium. I was unemployed for 8 months and managed to pay my COBRA during that time. We sacrificed, because IMO, you cannot afford to NOT have health insurance.
"... and he is uninsurable due to a liver transplant in 1997."
That is an example of a broken system that should be fixed.
Bogus. The truth is, they didn't want to sacrifice to pay the premium. I was unemployed for 8 months and managed to pay my COBRA during that time. We sacrificed, because IMO, you cannot afford to NOT have health insurance.
"... and he is uninsurable due to a liver transplant in 1997."
That is an example of a broken system that should be fixed.
The Fallacy | 9:42 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
The underlying myth is that if the government provides healthcare it some how
becomes cheaper.
When was the last time ANYTHING was cheaper when it was administered by the government? ANYTHING!!
People are under the delusion that the government acts like some magic filter after we pay our taxes and then there is suddenly 10 times the money available to pay for your healthcare.
Here are the facts. The government pays more for healthcare than other entities.
Just one example. Big pharmaceutical lobbied and got the government to agree in the "Medicare prescription drug act" to include annual increases far above the rate of inflation WITH NO ABILITY TO RENEGOTIATE THE PRICING FOR YEARS!!!!
This INEPT INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT-MADE DECISION ultimately cost you TRILLIONS of dollars on the ever increasing deficit.
Now, this is only for a small portion of Americans. Imagine these types of decisions replicated across the entire population of the country!!
Special interest groups, lobbyists, and minorites rule Washington. The average American is an afterthought to these incompetent politicians.
The reality is that a happy medium SHOULD be reached but that is impossible because these politicians do whatever it takes to "purchase" their next re election.
When was the last time ANYTHING was cheaper when it was administered by the government? ANYTHING!!
People are under the delusion that the government acts like some magic filter after we pay our taxes and then there is suddenly 10 times the money available to pay for your healthcare.
Here are the facts. The government pays more for healthcare than other entities.
Just one example. Big pharmaceutical lobbied and got the government to agree in the "Medicare prescription drug act" to include annual increases far above the rate of inflation WITH NO ABILITY TO RENEGOTIATE THE PRICING FOR YEARS!!!!
This INEPT INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT-MADE DECISION ultimately cost you TRILLIONS of dollars on the ever increasing deficit.
Now, this is only for a small portion of Americans. Imagine these types of decisions replicated across the entire population of the country!!
Special interest groups, lobbyists, and minorites rule Washington. The average American is an afterthought to these incompetent politicians.
The reality is that a happy medium SHOULD be reached but that is impossible because these politicians do whatever it takes to "purchase" their next re election.
wallofvoodoo | 9:45 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Hey twice fooled, thanks for taking time off from golfing & BMW shopping to
enlighten us unwashed masses as to what is real & what is fake in this
fight.
Fallacy #2 | 9:55 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I am from Canada. They supposedly have a single payor system there. My family
members pay MASSIVE TAXES to support it...as high as 50%. You heard right 50%
tax!!! None of my family are any more than middle class either.
My mother recently had a heart attack. She was rushed to the hospital and stabilized. She sat in bed in a So. Alberta hospital for a WEEK (yes there is those WAITING LISTS) waiting to get "her turn" to get an angiogram.
Fortunately she was able to be "managed" enough while she waited that she did not have another severe attack causing further damage. Especially in light of the fact that when she got the angio she had a 90% blockage!!!
She could have died WAITING!!
Did I mention she rode 2 hours in an ambulance to get to a hospital that THE GOVERNMENT had decided they would provide angiograms? Too expensive to provide at the hospital where she lived. They live 40 minutes from a town of 100 thousand--no angio services.
Then she went home and immediately had more problems. Back on the WAITING LIST to get a simple stress test!!
On and on it goes!!
My mother recently had a heart attack. She was rushed to the hospital and stabilized. She sat in bed in a So. Alberta hospital for a WEEK (yes there is those WAITING LISTS) waiting to get "her turn" to get an angiogram.
Fortunately she was able to be "managed" enough while she waited that she did not have another severe attack causing further damage. Especially in light of the fact that when she got the angio she had a 90% blockage!!!
She could have died WAITING!!
Did I mention she rode 2 hours in an ambulance to get to a hospital that THE GOVERNMENT had decided they would provide angiograms? Too expensive to provide at the hospital where she lived. They live 40 minutes from a town of 100 thousand--no angio services.
Then she went home and immediately had more problems. Back on the WAITING LIST to get a simple stress test!!
On and on it goes!!
Michael | 9:59 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Questions. Who was at fault for the accident, the pedestrian couple or the
driver? Was there any insurance coverage provided by the driver or any law
suits against the driver if he was at fault? The article never covered these
issues but important to know.
Stop! Don't Give Me Money!! | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Here's what I don't get about middle-class and low-income Republicans.
They don't make a peep when the government gives rich people and big
corporations all sorts of bailouts and tax breaks (like the Bush Administration
did), but they go ape if anyone suggests that government funds might be used to
help regular Americans with things like medical bills. Are you guys masochists,
or what? Or do you still believe the long-discredited "trickle-down"
fairy tale?
Ultra Bob | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Recently I had the occasion to take one of my family to the ER at Intermountain
Medical Center in Murray. They rallied to our need and performed well.
Having the need, I visited the public restroom at the ER and upon seeing numerous signs warning of the danger of swine flu I expected to find a current state of the art restroom. To my surprise the restroom door required use of a manual handle to exit the restroom. While there were automatic flushes, the sink had normal handles for water like at home.
The next day I came to visit and tried to find the “main entrance” by following signs. I got lost and went back to the ER. A guard there gave me a map and showed me how to get to the Patient Tower. He gave me a map on a sheet of plastic, say I could keep it cause they had thousands. My thoughts were that the plastic map was a bit extravagant.
Having the need, I visited the public restroom at the ER and upon seeing numerous signs warning of the danger of swine flu I expected to find a current state of the art restroom. To my surprise the restroom door required use of a manual handle to exit the restroom. While there were automatic flushes, the sink had normal handles for water like at home.
The next day I came to visit and tried to find the “main entrance” by following signs. I got lost and went back to the ER. A guard there gave me a map and showed me how to get to the Patient Tower. He gave me a map on a sheet of plastic, say I could keep it cause they had thousands. My thoughts were that the plastic map was a bit extravagant.
Heath Care has problems | 10:20 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I'm very conservative and don't want anything to do with national
healthcare. But I have suffered similar experiences with healthcare costs.
I've always had insurance and I'm grateful for it. My wife has a
chronic illness that requires her to be hospitalized every once in awhile and
take expensive medicine. The problem most people have is that it is hard to
budget for a medical disaster. Most people are lucky to put a few hundred
dollars a week in savings. Even with great insurance, you could easily drain
your savings with the costs of co-pays, co-insurance, and medication. I would
say my budget for healthcare is over 20% of my income. That doesn't leave
much wiggle room for any other financial crisis.
We need to reduce medical costs, not just getting everyone coverage. If everyone has coverage , that won't reduce costs. It just puts more people into the system. We need to keep people out of our hospitals that don't need to be there. I want healthcare reform that is simple: Pay your fair share, but don't let it bankrupt you if you are paying your share.
We need to reduce medical costs, not just getting everyone coverage. If everyone has coverage , that won't reduce costs. It just puts more people into the system. We need to keep people out of our hospitals that don't need to be there. I want healthcare reform that is simple: Pay your fair share, but don't let it bankrupt you if you are paying your share.
Ultra Bob 2 | 10:21 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Driving to the Patient Tower I marveled at the beauty of the architectural
beauty of the buildings and their accoutrements. Inside, the building was
wonderfully modern with large use of space and glass.
Although the hall way was crammed with numerous pieces of equipment, the patient room was as large as my living room at home. It includes a flat screen TV for the patient and numerous computer screens for monitoring. The bed was the largest, most complicated hospital bed I have ever seen.
The care was topnotch but somehow I felt that the people who built the building were more interested in spending money for an architectural masterpiece than for delivery of health care. The priorities of how we spend money for health care may need some attention.
Although the hall way was crammed with numerous pieces of equipment, the patient room was as large as my living room at home. It includes a flat screen TV for the patient and numerous computer screens for monitoring. The bed was the largest, most complicated hospital bed I have ever seen.
The care was topnotch but somehow I felt that the people who built the building were more interested in spending money for an architectural masterpiece than for delivery of health care. The priorities of how we spend money for health care may need some attention.
Socialized Medicine | 10:22 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Wrong and totally presumptious on your part pal. I am from Leeds, the home of
great Indian food and the Royal Armouries Museum, just here for a visit. So
for my sins I am British and I'd give my eye teeth to live here
(that's if I didn't have falsers because the dental care in Britain
stinks) and I like your healthcare system. How do you think an Englishman
should sound?
Himself | 10:25 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
To Twice fooled, It is not possible for you to make these statements and then
expect us to believe you are a physician. However if you really have a set of
facts that can truly deny there is a health care / insurance crisis I suggest
you submit a real commentary, with your C.V., to the the Desnews and not lurk
here with the other dogs barking in the night.
Too late folks: | 10:28 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
You live in Utah and you don't see the rest of the world flying by you. You
can yap yap yap all day about what should and should not, but too late. George
Bush messed things up so bad that the rest of the nation became Democrat. Now,
what do you think a majority of Democrats is going to do when it comes time to
vote for National Health Coverage?
It's a done deal. Get on with your life, go out and get the yard ready for winter. Don't waste you energy here. The only good thing that came out of George Bush being in office is the swing of power. Sit back folks, just 7 more years of Obama fixing up the mess that George Bush caused. Yes, I blame him 100%, he was in charge. Clinton handed him the largest surplus we have ever had and he took it and gave it to his rich friends. He had a nice party, ate well and lived like a hog. Well the party is over and Bush just handed you the dinner check. The GOP is the do nothing party!
It's a done deal. Get on with your life, go out and get the yard ready for winter. Don't waste you energy here. The only good thing that came out of George Bush being in office is the swing of power. Sit back folks, just 7 more years of Obama fixing up the mess that George Bush caused. Yes, I blame him 100%, he was in charge. Clinton handed him the largest surplus we have ever had and he took it and gave it to his rich friends. He had a nice party, ate well and lived like a hog. Well the party is over and Bush just handed you the dinner check. The GOP is the do nothing party!
Remember folks | 10:34 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
It ain't charity if you're spending other people's money.
And it ain't charity if you are forcing other people to pay for someone else's surgery.
Sorry, but TRVTH told the truth. You might not like to hear it, but it still is the truth whether you like it or not.
The reason we have problems with our healthcare system in the first place is that too many people expect health insurance to pay for everything, and do so at a minimal cost. Sorry, but that just isn't possible.
There is no free lunch. If you expect to receive gold-plated health care but also expect it to be free or even cheap then you expect what has never been and what can never be.
And it ain't charity if you are forcing other people to pay for someone else's surgery.
Sorry, but TRVTH told the truth. You might not like to hear it, but it still is the truth whether you like it or not.
The reason we have problems with our healthcare system in the first place is that too many people expect health insurance to pay for everything, and do so at a minimal cost. Sorry, but that just isn't possible.
There is no free lunch. If you expect to receive gold-plated health care but also expect it to be free or even cheap then you expect what has never been and what can never be.
metamoracoug | 10:35 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009
quick note to "a part of living:"
You obviously failed to see the staggering amounts that medical providers are writing off to bad debts. A major portion of the reason healthcare costs are high is it's OK to stiff the doctor -- it doesn't affect credit ratings nearly as much as not paying your credit card.
In our office, about 50% of all co-payments are never collected.
We have one case in which the insurance forwarded payment to the patient's family rather then to our office. Three letters were sent explaining that they needed to forward that money immediately or we'd send their account to collections. Not a peep from them. The account went to collections and we now have to pay 40% of anything collected to the collection service. Now they call and want to cut a deal. Bottom line, even if they send us the money their insurance sent them, we won't cover the cost of having provided the service.
Why don't we read stories like that in the newspapers?
You obviously failed to see the staggering amounts that medical providers are writing off to bad debts. A major portion of the reason healthcare costs are high is it's OK to stiff the doctor -- it doesn't affect credit ratings nearly as much as not paying your credit card.
In our office, about 50% of all co-payments are never collected.
We have one case in which the insurance forwarded payment to the patient's family rather then to our office. Three letters were sent explaining that they needed to forward that money immediately or we'd send their account to collections. Not a peep from them. The account went to collections and we now have to pay 40% of anything collected to the collection service. Now they call and want to cut a deal. Bottom line, even if they send us the money their insurance sent them, we won't cover the cost of having provided the service.
Why don't we read stories like that in the newspapers?
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Chen Wang, Deseret News
When Ted Meeker, right, with wife Janice, had to have surgery costing more than $200,000, it was covered by Medicare and his insurance.
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People buy insurance to help protect against the risk of needing expensive treatment. Maybe you will need to use it, maybe not. Life is full of choices, make wise ones.
If something is too expensive for a person to pay for it, why is it MY obligation to pay for it, unless I do so voluntarily?
Quit printing propaganda stories like this!