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[OM] Re: [OT] Health Care

Subject: [OM] Re: [OT] Health Care
From: "Scott Peden" <scotpeden@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 22:24:58 -0800
I need some dental work, I have to wait until it is life threatening or come
up with the cash on my own..

Such is life if you don't have a fully paid for health coverage.

Actually, I have been paying out of pocket for the last 10 years, I was pert
near crippled back then, 43% over all disabled anyway, and have continued
pouring about 300 dollars a month into what ever it is that was working
after the western medicine said, we cut or we cut you lose.

I checked into health coverage for the 'self' employed, it would cost me
just under $600 a month to get the same treatment I am covering out of
pocket. Well, they are in business to make money aren't they?

As it is I still have all three nerves in my shoulder, elbow and neck, pain
is nearly a thing of the past and the feeling in my right hand is back and
most of the use of my right arm/shoulder too, though still have some back
troubles, oh well, it is still improving, I've been through this several
times before. Too dumb to die. Taint my fault if the doctors don't
understand why I didn't die in those various accidents or severe infections.
I'm old enough now I understand he amount of fun I was having in the first
40 years of my life wasn't always conducive to a 'safe' physical well being.

But.... I just can't keep up with the dental too, so the county tells me if
I can't come up with $550 for an extraction then I have to wait until it is
life threatening.

I suppose that cuts back on the repeat people who need help. Being self
employed, I have to pay heavily into the system, but make to much to get any
services and hell, being injured the last 16 years, you know I'm not making
above the local poverty level.

Anyway, I've held off tossing in my 45 lbs of pennies on this conversation,
just wanted to get my say in on my feeling that what we have in the US
works, but only for the health care providers. All the legislation I have
seen over the years has made the health care industry boom, but the over all
health of all Americas decline.

Scott


-----Original Message-----
From: olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Andrew Fildes
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:13 PM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Re: [OT] Health Care


3 weeks (I'm waiting) but that is for a non-critical procedure (Back  
problem).
Cost - AU$600 - Medicare refund $500 (that's the Universal system).
My knee replacement - wait was six weeks after the surgeon agreed but  
three of those were for an assessment by a respiratory specialist.
Cost for surgery, hospital stay (1 week) and rehab stay (2 weeks) - Nil.
Drugs - maximum charge per script is $32
Private insurance to cover the gaps between Medicare rebate and  
actual cost - around $1400 p.a. (family rate).
If you don't have private insurance, the govt. levies you a small  
percentage of taxable income.
Of course there's an income tax component but they way that's  
disbursed is discretionary and it's no higher than most.
At least no-one is rioting about it.
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



On 26/02/2007, at 4:14 AM, Richard Ociepka wrote:

> In the USA you can schedule an MRI in three days.
> How long does it take in a country with universal health care?



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