Editor's Blog10 mins ago
If I go to the emergency room they'll send me a bill....
Just watched Panorama. It's about the richest most uncivilised nation on Earth. Why can't the US get this really basic thing sorted?
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I was in Florida in October, and had a really good conversation with a lady who was trying to make a living running a little shop, her husband is a builder and was having a really bad time trying to find work. They had a grown up daughter, and another of 11years, and she told me that they pray almost nightly that no- one in the family becomes ill or needs to seek medical treatment, because they just could not afford to pay the insurance premiums, which had risen dramatically. They used to be insured, but because they had made a claim, the premiums went up so much they could no longer afford to pay it. I was really very surprised because I just didn't realise the position many millions of Americans seem to be in.
I also went to a craft type fund raising event whilst I was there,to raise funds for a local charity which paid for the cost of running houses so that children especially, had somewhere to live. A speaker told the event that just the previous week they had been told of a young woman, only about 19years old, who was living in the woods, together with twins of about 3 and a younger child. When they were visited they were all lying on the floor, covered with bracken, leaves, etc, to keep warm. When taken into one of the houses to be cared for, there were insects actually living under their skin.
It really makes you feel grateful for the care and protection we get in this country.
I also went to a craft type fund raising event whilst I was there,to raise funds for a local charity which paid for the cost of running houses so that children especially, had somewhere to live. A speaker told the event that just the previous week they had been told of a young woman, only about 19years old, who was living in the woods, together with twins of about 3 and a younger child. When they were visited they were all lying on the floor, covered with bracken, leaves, etc, to keep warm. When taken into one of the houses to be cared for, there were insects actually living under their skin.
It really makes you feel grateful for the care and protection we get in this country.
A good discuassion was just completed siilar to this on another thread... being a U.S. citizen I don't know where all of this misinformation comes from. For example: "...The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a U.S. Act of Congress passed in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). It requires hospitals to provide care to anyone needing emergency healthcare treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. There are no reimbursement provisions. Participating hospitals may only transfer or discharge patients needing emergency treatment under their own informed consent, after stabilization, or when their condition requires transfer to a hospital better equipped to administer the treatment.
EMTALA applies to "participating hospitals." The statute defines "participating hospitals" as those that accept payment from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Medicare program. However, in practical terms, EMTALA applies to virtually all hospitals in the U.S."
County, State and Federal programs abound to take care of the situations described in the preceding post. In addition our (mainly church) charity system always steps in when situations become known to alleviate suffering...
EMTALA applies to "participating hospitals." The statute defines "participating hospitals" as those that accept payment from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Medicare program. However, in practical terms, EMTALA applies to virtually all hospitals in the U.S."
County, State and Federal programs abound to take care of the situations described in the preceding post. In addition our (mainly church) charity system always steps in when situations become known to alleviate suffering...
The focus of the program was not the US healthcare system-or lack of it...but rather the number of children living an poverty. The spread of tent cities occupied by formerly middle class families was quite shocking.
http://news.bbc.co.uk...d_9694000/9694094.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk...d_9694000/9694094.stm
While certain areas have been hit extra hard due to the economic downturn, pasta... the U.S. government has passed several extensions to the Federally funded, State managed Unemployment Insurance Program, which is now up to 99 weeks... nearly 2 years of benefits. Additionally, nearly every newspaper has pages of employent for which the employers cannot fill. Granted, many of the jobs are for less than desirable jobs, such as fast food service, but it seems to me that workin at nearly anything to keep food on th etable would be more desirable than sitting around a tent all day...
I sent my brother (in NY) the above link to Panorama...I'm waiting to hear what his thoughts are on it. Maybe it's all true...maybe not.
I suppose if I were still living in the US-and read this thread-I'd be saying 'It's not that bad'....but what I saw on the TV last night made me very worried for my country. It looks like The Great Depression all over again.
I suppose if I were still living in the US-and read this thread-I'd be saying 'It's not that bad'....but what I saw on the TV last night made me very worried for my country. It looks like The Great Depression all over again.
237ST
As you are probably aware, reciprocal healthcare arrangements exist between Australia and the UK. Under these, British citizens resident in the UK and travelling on a British passport are entitled to limited subsidised health services from Medicare Australia for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. This does not cover pre-existing conditions, or treatment that does not require prompt attention.
There are other exclusions so it's most important you have comprehensive medical insurance when visiting Australia, just as it should be for all visitors to the UK, some of whom simply come here for free health treatment on the NHS courtesy of the UK taxpayer.
As you are probably aware, reciprocal healthcare arrangements exist between Australia and the UK. Under these, British citizens resident in the UK and travelling on a British passport are entitled to limited subsidised health services from Medicare Australia for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. This does not cover pre-existing conditions, or treatment that does not require prompt attention.
There are other exclusions so it's most important you have comprehensive medical insurance when visiting Australia, just as it should be for all visitors to the UK, some of whom simply come here for free health treatment on the NHS courtesy of the UK taxpayer.
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