health care issues

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2

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  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
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    My best friend works for a doctor who doesn't provide medical insurance to her employees. She has tried to get private insurance and has been repeatedly denied because of her weight. She is completely healthy other than that. Last year, she broke her foot. The poor girl had no insurance to get the testing she needs. The doctor she works for helped her as much as possible, but the recovery was much slower because it wasn't the care she could have gotten if she had insurance.

    It is really sad that there are so many people who are against health care reform. I wish there was some way to know how many people are without health care and are still against it. I just can't believe anyone who has been in the situation of needing care and not being able to afford it would be against changing the way things are. Saving people's lives shouldn't be a money making industry.

    Not to be stereotypical...but here it goes....its mostly uppermiddle class/ rich/goverment officials or people that get GREAT coverage from the u.s. that don't wnat it.....casue they don't realize how poor the health coverage for everyone else really is....my dad has psoriasis sooo bad all over his body, and has insurance, but the deductable for his insurance is soooo high that he can't afford to get his medicine...and studies have shown that psoriasis could even lead to arthritis.....so he pays each month for insurance for what??? he can't even get what he really needs from it.....and might end up with another disease because of it ...pisses me off....
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    All I can say is that if you really believe this, take the time to let you elected officials know how you feel.

    The health insurance companies are spending almost a million dollars a day in advertising, lobbyists, and campaign contributions to republicans and democrats alike to kill the efforts to reform health care or to pass a bill that gives them millions of new customers while effectively gutting real reform.

    They are the ones paying off FOX news, beck, limbaugh and many of the "teabagger" groups to carry out an all-out assault against every day citizens.

    It's a tough battle and right now I don't know that it's going that well--once again, your calls can make a difference.
  • barbarella
    barbarella Posts: 609 Member
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    UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!
    That's what we need in this country and apparently it's OFF the table already. :grumble: :noway:

    We're going to end up with the same crap that we have now:
    Big Money for the Big Corporations (Insurance, Drugs etc.)

    Has nothing to do with Healthcare & what PEOPLE need.
    Ridiculous costs & messing around people have to do to find services. :explode: :angry:

    Even with coverage, many co-pays are too much! :sad: :noway:
    I keep delaying dental work because my HALF for ONE crown costs $500-600.
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    Its very tempting to start writing to senators and other officials. Its amazing how many pockets the insurance companies have their hands in. It really REALLY doesnt help that lawsuits are running rampant.
    "did a loved one commit suicide while on an antidepressant?" "did you use a denture paste and get unexplained pain?" "did you or a loved one work with asbestos?" "did your baby come out sick?"

    REALLY NOW. Allllll of these things could surely be explain by common sense.
    1) suicide happens with the depressed. Maybe they shouldnt have made them feel like something was so wrong with them
    2) if youre old enough to use denture pain youre old enough for random pains
    3) well, that happens. It was the past. People didnt know it was bad then. Old mechanics used gasoline to wash their hands, now many of them are sick. Oh well. Sorry, but oh well.
    4) sometimes pregnancies and birthing doesnt work out for the best. Its not always the doctors fault. Sometimes its the mothers fault...but do the lawyers ask the mothers about their habits during pregnancy?
    Nope.
    Just as with all mass lawsuits they just get the call and say "OH GOOD SOMEONE ELSE WITH OUR 'cause'"

    ....Really. The lawsuits and the insurance companies need to use common sense, not "what will make my wallet fatter" sense.
  • CrystalT
    CrystalT Posts: 862 Member
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    Its very tempting to start writing to senators and other officials.

    You should! I was debating with a few of my cousins over FaceBook yesterday and I told them the same thing. Right now, I imagine they are hearing the same things we do. The same loud, out spoken minority, the lobbyist, and the media. Just imagine what would happen if EVERY person took the time to write to the reps & senators to tell them how they feel about the issues. Their email boxes might explode, but how could they not know what their constituents want? It is not only our right, but our responsibility to educate ourselves on the issues and make sure we are being heard by those in power. If you just sit there and complain, nothing ever happens.
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    Ill have to educate myself further on the issues before I write out of anger and being undereducated. I want to know what Im talking about before I yell about it.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    Respectfully requesting people to keep their political views out of this forum. This post has turned into a political topic and has no place on MFP.

    Already I've seen reply's in here that can be construed as deeply offensive!
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    deeply offensive to whom? people who have money and insurance? people who work for insurance companies? someone involved in one of those stupid mass lawsuits?
    This is the chit chat section. I thought it was fair enough to talk about anything here and if anyone didnt like it they could ignore it.

    I hate politics, but I need healthcare. Sometimes I also like to know Im not alone in an opinion....a message board seemed like a fair enough place to find out who agreed with me, despite what the site is that the board is attached to
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    copied and pasted directly out of the forum rules

    Topics about politics or religion are not allowed and will be deleted. This includes posting images or signatures. Unfortunately, we have seen that topics about either of these subjects are highly likely to result in heated arguments and disputes. If you really wish to discuss either of these topics, please google political forums or religious forums - there are plenty of other places to express your views.
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    I wasnt trying to get political, really. I was trying to see if anyone else had issues with the problems I had.

    If the conversation has become political or really offensive I would gladly allow it to be taken down...I didnt realize there was a rule like that (I didnt really read the rules...oops)
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    I don't blame you for the post, and I don't think it started out that way. But non-the-less, things have been said to bring this into a political hot button topic, and while these topics have their place on the internet, that place isn't MFP. Trust me, I am very well read on the political pulse of the nation, and wanted nothing better than to post my view on here, but this isn't the place.
  • leavinglasvegas
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    I'm so sorry for what you are going thru. I just got on Medicaid this summer. I would recommend applying for it! I don't have any medical problems thankfully, but I know when my daughter needed glasses in preschool, I HATED Medicaid. They would not pay for a pediatric specialist and the regular specialists would not treat her because of her age. By the time she got her glasses (more than 1 year later) she was almost legally blind in one eye. Then when she was getting better and her perscription changed they would not pay because it had not been a year yet and her eye started to revert. Finally I got her on MiChild and she has gotten so much better! I lost my job earlier this year and guess what! They put her back on Medicaid! She goes back to the eyedoctor next month, I hope there are no problems because she is seeing perfectly now!
    I know from working in dental offices with billing and from friends who are in the medical field that Medicaid pays the absolute minimum to the provider, that is why the wait times are so long. They have to try to see as many patients as they can in the hour just to break even.

    Example:
    A dental cleaning without x-rays costs about $100 Medicaid pays about $22.
    The Hygienist makes around$30 per hour and you also have to add in the costs of equiptment, samples given, energy costs, malpractice insurance, the receptionist who made the appointment, the biller who bills medicaid, the tech who steralizes the tools and equiptment, not to mention the doctor and so on...

    The dentist has to cut costs and does it by cramming in as many patients as he can for the day, which often results in affecting your quality of care. They cut the people who work there, so maybe the receptionist is also billing the insurance, and MOST unfortunately they cut corners with sanitation and sterilization. Disgusting I know, but I have seen it in more than one office. They end up hiring uneducated people who will work for less and the cycle continues from there.

    I think the premis of universal healthcare is good, but they can't do it by not paying the providers. That makes it worse for us.

    Nothing political here.
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    I don't blame you for the post, and I don't think it started out that way. But non-the-less, things have been said to bring this into a political hot button topic, and while these topics have their place on the internet, that place isn't MFP. Trust me, I am very well read on the political pulse of the nation, and wanted nothing better than to post my view on here, but this isn't the place.
    Id love to hear more opinions!
    PM me yours?
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
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    I'm so sorry for what you are going thru. I just got on Medicaid this summer. I would recommend applying for it! I don't have any medical problems thankfully, but I know when my daughter needed glasses in preschool, I HATED Medicaid. They would not pay for a pediatric specialist and the regular specialists would not treat her because of her age. By the time she got her glasses (more than 1 year later) she was almost legally blind in one eye. Then when she was getting better and her perscription changed they would not pay because it had not been a year yet and her eye started to revert. Finally I got her on MiChild and she has gotten so much better! I lost my job earlier this year and guess what! They put her back on Medicaid! She goes back to the eyedoctor next month, I hope there are no problems because she is seeing perfectly now!
    I know from working in dental offices with billing and from friends who are in the medical field that Medicaid pays the absolute minimum to the provider, that is why the wait times are so long. They have to try to see as many patients as they can in the hour just to break even.

    Example:
    A dental cleaning without x-rays costs about $100 Medicaid pays about $22.
    The Hygienist makes around$30 per hour and you also have to add in the costs of equiptment, samples given, energy costs, malpractice insurance, the receptionist who made the appointment, the biller who bills medicaid, the tech who steralizes the tools and equiptment, not to mention the doctor and so on...

    The dentist has to cut costs and does it by cramming in as many patients as he can for the day, which often results in affecting your quality of care. They cut the people who work there, so maybe the receptionist is also billing the insurance, and MOST unfortunately they cut corners with sanitation and sterilization. Disgusting I know, but I have seen it in more than one office. They end up hiring uneducated people who will work for less and the cycle continues from there.

    I think the premis of universal healthcare is good, but they can't do it by not paying the providers. That makes it worse for us.

    Nothing political here.
    this all sounds about right. Ill have to look into Medicaid.

    Really, I just wish doctors and dentist and other medical professionals demanded less money. I dont understand why so many professions that you dont need daily make so much more than the poor people that keep this country running. I dont know if thats political, its just something Ive wondered since I was a child really.
    Our president makes less than people who sit around telling people what to do in computer, retail, fashion, etc...and those people are loaded and do NOTHING.
    Everything is pretty much really weird to me lol

    *EDIT*
    Medicaid programs are officially administered through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the public may apply for medical assistance at their Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center.
    General Qualifications
    In general for medical assistance a person has to be either:
    Blind, Disabled or Aged (65 or older), or
    have children under the age of 19, or
    be pregnant.
    They must also meet financial eligibility criteria and in most cases must be citizens (except for children).


    guess I get no medicaid
  • leavinglasvegas
    Options

    this all sounds about right. Ill have to look into Medicaid.

    Really, I just wish doctors and dentist and other medical professionals demanded less money. I dont understand why so many professions that you dont need daily make so much more than the poor people that keep this country running. I dont know if thats political, its just something Ive wondered since I was a child really.
    Our president makes less than people who sit around telling people what to do in computer, retail, fashion, etc...and those people are loaded and do NOTHING.
    Everything is pretty much really weird to me lol

    *EDIT*
    Medicaid programs are officially administered through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the public may apply for medical assistance at their Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center.
    General Qualifications
    In general for medical assistance a person has to be either:
    Blind, Disabled or Aged (65 or older), or
    have children under the age of 19, or
    be pregnant.
    They must also meet financial eligibility criteria and in most cases must be citizens (except for children).


    guess I get no medicaid

    O wow! That sucks. I'm a single-mom and I have become queen of resources around here, so I'll do some research for you and see what I can come up with. I know Michigan like the back of my hand, lol I realized that is almost litteral as I tyoed it:laugh: I mean I know its resources. I'll see what I can find in the morning and I'll prolly PM it to you.

    Have you seen the documentary Sicko? I know Michael Moore is contraversial, but the movie shows healthcare systems in europe and I thought it was very fascinating! In France you get a private nurse that comes to your house to help you while you are on maternity leave and you are paid for it! I can't remember which country, I think Switzerland, they have madatory 4 week paid vacations for ALL workers and they evern pay for a vacation in the winter to a warmer climate to combat the winter blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • leavinglasvegas
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    OK, so I think this is really cute and funny. Hope its not too political to anyone.:ohwell: No intention of offending or starting an arguement but my friend who is a politician posted this on facebook and the tune is catchy and entertaining.:laugh: And I thought of this post when I saw it!

    We're number 37

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVgOl3cETb4

    Enjoy:wink:
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
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    All I can say is that if you really believe this, take the time to let you elected officials know how you feel.

    The health insurance companies are spending almost a million dollars a day in advertising, lobbyists, and campaign contributions to republicans and democrats alike to kill the efforts to reform health care or to pass a bill that gives them millions of new customers while effectively gutting real reform.

    They are the ones paying off FOX news, beck, limbaugh and many of the "teabagger" groups to carry out an all-out assault against every day citizens.

    It's a tough battle and right now I don't know that it's going that well--once again, your calls can make a difference.

    I thought there was no a Politics policy on this board............ American citizens expressing their opionions are now considered bullies and teabaggers (and by the way google tea bag how crude) why .....because we don't agree with the current governments policies and beliefs...............I am an every day citizen..............sheesh..amazing
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
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    this all sounds about right. Ill have to look into Medicaid.

    Really, I just wish doctors and dentist and other medical professionals demanded less money. I dont understand why so many professions that you dont need daily make so much more than the poor people that keep this country running. I dont know if thats political, its just something Ive wondered since I was a child really.
    Our president makes less than people who sit around telling people what to do in computer, retail, fashion, etc...and those people are loaded and do NOTHING.
    Everything is pretty much really weird to me lol

    *EDIT*
    Medicaid programs are officially administered through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the public may apply for medical assistance at their Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center.
    General Qualifications
    In general for medical assistance a person has to be either:
    Blind, Disabled or Aged (65 or older), or
    have children under the age of 19, or
    be pregnant.
    They must also meet financial eligibility criteria and in most cases must be citizens (except for children).


    guess I get no medicaid

    O wow! That sucks. I'm a single-mom and I have become queen of resources around here, so I'll do some research for you and see what I can come up with. I know Michigan like the back of my hand, lol I realized that is almost litteral as I tyoed it:laugh: I mean I know its resources. I'll see what I can find in the morning and I'll prolly PM it to you.

    Have you seen the documentary Sicko? I know Michael Moore is contraversial, but the movie shows healthcare systems in europe and I thought it was very fascinating! In France you get a private nurse that comes to your house to help you while you are on maternity leave and you are paid for it! I can't remember which country, I think Switzerland, they have madatory 4 week paid vacations for ALL workers and they evern pay for a vacation in the winter to a warmer climate to combat the winter blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And in England where I'm orginally from you get a Pap Smear once every 2 years - and you have to go before a committee to get surgery approved. My friend who is 2 years older than me is crippled for life and has to walk with crutches because she had to wait for surgery. So be careful what you wish for....
  • CasperO
    CasperO Posts: 2,913 Member
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    I don't blame you for the post, and I don't think it started out that way. But non-the-less, things have been said to bring this into a political hot button topic, and while these topics have their place on the internet, that place isn't MFP. Trust me, I am very well read on the political pulse of the nation, and wanted nothing better than to post my view on here, but this isn't the place.

    Yeah - the "Name 5 people you'd like to have dinner with" thread is the place for that. :yawn:
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    I don't blame you for the post, and I don't think it started out that way. But non-the-less, things have been said to bring this into a political hot button topic, and while these topics have their place on the internet, that place isn't MFP. Trust me, I am very well read on the political pulse of the nation, and wanted nothing better than to post my view on here, but this isn't the place.

    Yeah - the "Name 5 people you'd like to have dinner with" thread is the place for that. :yawn:

    Oh ho...

    Thinly veiled inuendo <> Political debate. :ohwell: