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| Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff
| sickofit
User ID: 491732
9/30/2008 10:45 PM
Report abusive post | Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff
| Quote |
They showed several case stories - all of them either lost the health insurance they had, or just could not afford it. The common thread was their deteriorating conditions due to lack of health insurance and the ensuing lack of health care. Several lost their lives. I learned a new thing, too: If a person is on Social Security Disability, they do not qualify for Medicare for two years, which is usually enough time for them to lose their battles. America has the best doctors, facilities and medicines but is behind in many health statistics. Film script says:
"Despite spending 50 percent more on health care than any other country in the world, America ranks 15th in preventable death, 24th in life expectancy, and 28th in infant mortality. The struggles of the four families profiled in Critical Condition put a human face on just what these statistics really mean for ordinary Americans."
Please read the rest here:
[link to www.pbs.org]
and the trailer:
[link to www.pbs.org]
PLEASE!! Watch and write to your reps. Anything. This could be anyone of us. |
| ...am.i.vishuz?... (= 
Ganja smoker :]
User ID: 432360
9/30/2008 10:47 PM
 | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Good info, thank you.
I believe it is a birth given right to have access to health care. If there is no access, laws should allow the people to treat themselves (such as using illicit drugs).
I'm too angry to type any more. >.<
[link to myspace.com] |
| Canadian Cold Front
User ID: 348319
9/30/2008 10:55 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
There is no reason why the USA should not have free universal healthcare for all.
This is glaring evidence that nobody in the gov't really gives a shit about the people of the country. Remember the measly $6 bil. for child healthcare? For children! Bushco said there is not enough money.
An illness should not bankrupt a family.
Just chip some off the military budget. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 491732 (OP)
9/30/2008 10:55 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Good info, thank you.
I believe it is a birth given right to have access to health care. If there is no access, laws should allow the people to treat themselves (such as using illicit drugs).
I'm too angry to type any more. >.< Quoting: ...am.i.vishuz?... (=
Anger is good if there are enough people that feel it and put it to constructive use. I know how you feel. I could not even finish my thread heading. I was so incensed after watching the program. I meant to write "We cannotjust sit back and watch people suffer and die."
Hello? Does any one care out there? I am telling you this can be ANY of us!! Watch it and see how people go bankrupt with "Your money or Your Life" Health Care policies, or lack thereof. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 514605
9/30/2008 10:56 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Just chip some off the military budget. Quoting: Canadian Cold Front 348319
You are so funny. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 513827
9/30/2008 10:59 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Welcome to 2007 |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 497155
9/30/2008 10:59 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
I wouldn't pay for health insurance if my employer didn't already pay for it. I went without coverage for over 15 years and have always believed that living healthy is the best insurance policy and a lot cheaper. When I was a kid my parents didn't have medical insurance, but they never had any problem paying for doctor visits, even house calls, broken bones, childbirth, or whatever came along. Now that health insurance is the norm, no one can afford to be sick anymore. Health care was much more reasonable when it was between doctor and patient. The doctor couldn't bring imself to overcharge a patient, but it's no problem for him to overcharge the insurance companies. |
| childoflight
User ID: 514610
9/30/2008 11:02 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Yes I watched it too then thought of Paulson with his hundreds of millions. I'll bet he could pay for a few folk's insurance! I think the ultrarich should be asked to fund hospitals that are run by professionals that are volunteering or can work for a lower wage without having difficulties themselves.I certainly as a physician would work some hours for free once I have retired. There has to be a way. Warren Bufftt lives right here in Omaha and could easily afford a facility for this area. I am willing to bet that in most larger communities there are individuals who could pool their money, build hospitals and set up trusts to run them and staff them mainly with voluteers.The state of this countries healthcare is just terrible. I was in tears for most of the program. That being said there are some who get sick because they allow themselves to become obese, or smoke too much or who have more babies than they can afford to look after! They need to be responsible too. Think of the money saved if folks didn't smoke, drink to excess, eat too much and indulge in risky sexual behavior. It works both ways.Think how much would be saved if Pet scans weren't ordered on patients with metasatic cancer or expensive drugs ordered when enerics would suffice. I pray that our new president will be able to truely lead and inspire us to make an improvement in this terrible situation.  |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 491732 (OP)
9/30/2008 11:10 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Yes I watched it too then thought of Paulson with his hundreds of millions. I'll bet he could pay for a few folk's insurance! I think the ultrarich should be asked to fund hospitals that are run by professionals that are volunteering or can work for a lower wage without having difficulties themselves.I certainly as a physician would work some hours for free once I have retired. There has to be a way. Warren Bufftt lives right here in Omaha and could easily afford a facility for this area. I am willing to bet that in most larger communities there are individuals who could pool their money, build hospitals and set up trusts to run them and staff them mainly with voluteers.The state of this countries healthcare is just terrible. I was in tears for most of the program. That being said there are some who get sick because they allow themselves to become obese, or smoke too much or who have more babies than they can afford to look after! They need to be responsible too. Think of the money saved if folks didn't smoke, drink to excess, eat too much and indulge in risky sexual behavior. It works both ways.Think how much would be saved if Pet scans weren't ordered on patients with metasatic cancer or expensive drugs ordered when enerics would suffice. I pray that our new president will be able to truely lead and inspire us to make an improvement in this terrible situation.
You are very right in your assessment,Doc. The responsibility is on everyone. I just wander how many CARING health care professionals were watching it and are willing to start something since THEY KNOW the SYSTEM better than most. The CARING element is dissapearing and I applaud Dr. Dowling featured in the film. We need more gutsy docs like that who are willing to connect with their colleagues to alleviate human suffering. |
| childoflight
User ID: 514610
9/30/2008 11:26 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Dr Dowling is a wonderful caring man and I would pray that I can find a way to be like him someday. I have very special Guardian Angels so if I am meant to be doing this I know that the path will open and I will walk down it. I am retiring 5-10-2012 and after that my only limitation will be my arthritis but fortunately I do not have to walk much at work so I manage well with a ca ne. OP thank you for starting this thread. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508682
10/1/2008 1:45 AM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
The answer is not more "health care" (which is a misnomer). Big Pharm is killing all of us.
The answer is in getting big pharm out of the way so that natural healers (naturopaths, etc.) can use herbs, etc. to help people regain their health.
The answer is also in getting the poisons out of our environment -- and I mean the poisons in our food, water, air.
Yes, MDs are necessary. If I should break my leg or some such thing (God forbid), I would need a doctor to set it, and I would need pain killers for awhile. But most illness stems from bad eating habits, bad water and bad air.
 |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 510251
10/1/2008 1:54 AM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Everything government touches they fuck up.
Get govt entirely out of health care.
Everyone pay for their own, or do without.
I haven't had healt care since I quit working for General Motors in 1968.
I take care of myself. I haven't spent $500 on Doctors
sine then, and I feel great!
I don't want to pay for assholes who don't take care of themselves.
No one pays for me.
I dont want to pay for anoyone else either.
Pay your own way.
Don't have kids if you cant take care of them 100 per cent on your own. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 401714
10/1/2008 2:34 AM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Back in 2003-2004, my husband lost his job of 11 years through no fault of his own, and in the process, we lost our insurance. We were both in excellent health (mid 30's), with no history of health problems.
Hubby was actively job-hunting, but before he could find work, I suddenly became seriously ill. Without going into all the details (it's kind of personal), the illness was something that couldn't have been anticipated, and even if I'd known, it couldn't have been avoided.
I was rushed to the E/R, and ended up spending the next 4 months in and out of the hospital, ultimately having to have major surgery.
We did, through the state, qualify for a 50% discount on the hospital bills due to our lack of income, but that didn't cover the doctors' bills or anything that was billed separately. So even with the discount, we still owed an outrageous amount of money.
We sold everything we had, even my car, trying to come up with money to pay the medical bills, but there was just no way. The collection agencies were hounding us constantly. Groceries were few, and although we qualified for food stamps, it took 6 weeks to actually get the benefits card in the mail. Thankfully our families gave us some food. Hubby was still desperately trying to find work, and was doing odd jobs to try to get a few dollars coming in, in the meantime.
Soon the only things we had left to sell were the house and hubby's 8-year-old truck. Before we did that, we consulted a lawyer to see if we had any options.
We ended up filing bankruptcy. It went against every grain of my being to do that, because I was taught to be responsible and to pay my bills. Our credit rating was perfect, then suddenly it was ruined.
The bankruptcy was completed in 2005, but I still have horrible guilt about it. Logically I know there was nothing else we could've done, but I still feel like it's all my fault. I was too ashamed to get any follow-up care after my surgery (hysterectomy), because my doctors were, of course, included in the bankruptcy. The doctor was going to put me on HRT shortly afterwards, but I just did without. I felt I didn't deserve it. I wasn't suicidal or anything, but I can certainly understand how someone in this situation could be.
My husband was finally able to get a job (a very good one), and we have insurance now, so it all worked out in the end. We were able (barely!) to keep our house and the one vehicle. I have since stocked up a pantry with several months' worth of food. I will not let us go hungry again.
It makes me angry, though, that so many people are in similar (or worse!) situations in what's supposed to be the richest country in the world. I'm all for putting probes on Mars (etc.), but shouldn't we be doing something about the healthcare system first?
(Sorry for the long post. Touchy subject! ;-) ) |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 491732 (OP)
10/1/2008 8:50 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Everything government touches they fuck up.
Get govt entirely out of health care.
Everyone pay for their own, or do without.
I haven't had healt care since I quit working for General Motors in 1968.
I take care of myself. I haven't spent $500 on Doctors
sine then, and I feel great!
I don't want to pay for assholes who don't take care of themselves.
No one pays for me.
I dont want to pay for anoyone else either.
Pay your own way.
Don't have kids if you cant take care of them 100 per cent on your own. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 510251
Hey AC, just saw your reply. What an ordeal you have gone through. I hope you get over the guilt thing fast because you did not get into that situation because you you were recklessly spending, or chasing for pleasure and excitement. You were fighting for your health and survival and should not have been forced to that point to begin with. Your situation is another testament to the system not for, but working against the average citizen. Glad to hear things improved for you. Do watch the show if you spot it on your local PBS, or at least check the links. Maybe people can start some grassroots organization to give a voice to peole's horrible expreiences, like the one you had to go through. |
| The Commentator
User ID: 155573
10/1/2008 8:52 PM
 | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
If you think health care is expensive now, wait till you try to pay for it when it is "free." |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 491732 (OP)
10/1/2008 8:52 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Back in 2003-2004, my husband lost his job of 11 years through no fault of his own, and in the process, we lost our insurance. We were both in excellent health (mid 30's), with no history of health problems.
Hubby was actively job-hunting, but before he could find work, I suddenly became seriously ill. Without going into all the details (it's kind of personal), the illness was something that couldn't have been anticipated, and even if I'd known, it couldn't have been avoided.
I was rushed to the E/R, and ended up spending the next 4 months in and out of the hospital, ultimately having to have major surgery.
We did, through the state, qualify for a 50% discount on the hospital bills due to our lack of income, but that didn't cover the doctors' bills or anything that was billed separately. So even with the discount, we still owed an outrageous amount of money.
We sold everything we had, even my car, trying to come up with money to pay the medical bills, but there was just no way. The collection agencies were hounding us constantly. Groceries were few, and although we qualified for food stamps, it took 6 weeks to actually get the benefits card in the mail. Thankfully our families gave us some food. Hubby was still desperately trying to find work, and was doing odd jobs to try to get a few dollars coming in, in the meantime.
Soon the only things we had left to sell were the house and hubby's 8-year-old truck. Before we did that, we consulted a lawyer to see if we had any options.
We ended up filing bankruptcy. It went against every grain of my being to do that, because I was taught to be responsible and to pay my bills. Our credit rating was perfect, then suddenly it was ruined.
The bankruptcy was completed in 2005, but I still have horrible guilt about it. Logically I know there was nothing else we could've done, but I still feel like it's all my fault. I was too ashamed to get any follow-up care after my surgery (hysterectomy), because my doctors were, of course, included in the bankruptcy. The doctor was going to put me on HRT shortly afterwards, but I just did without. I felt I didn't deserve it. I wasn't suicidal or anything, but I can certainly understand how someone in this situation could be.
My husband was finally able to get a job (a very good one), and we have insurance now, so it all worked out in the end. We were able (barely!) to keep our house and the one vehicle. I have since stocked up a pantry with several months' worth of food. I will not let us go hungry again.
It makes me angry, though, that so many people are in similar (or worse!) situations in what's supposed to be the richest country in the world. I'm all for putting probes on Mars (etc.), but shouldn't we be doing something about the healthcare system first?
(Sorry for the long post. Touchy subject! ;-) )
Sorry the below reply was meant for you AC 401714
Hey AC, just saw your reply. What an ordeal you have gone through. I hope you get over the guilt thing fast because you did not get into that situation because you you were recklessly spending, or chasing for pleasure and excitement. You were fighting for your health and survival and should not have been forced to that point to begin with. Your situation is another testament to the system not for, but working against the average citizen. Glad to hear things improved for you. Do watch the show if you spot it on your local PBS, or at least check the links. Maybe people can start some grassroots organization to give a voice to peole's horrible expreiences, like the one you had to go through. |
| The_Venerable
User ID: 412220
10/1/2008 8:53 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
They showed several case stories - all of them either lost the health insurance they had, or just could not afford it. The common thread was their deteriorating conditions due to lack of health insurance and the ensuing lack of health care. Several lost their lives. I learned a new thing, too: If a person is on Social Security Disability, they do not qualify for Medicare for two years, which is usually enough time for them to lose their battles. America has the best doctors, facilities and medicines but is behind in many health statistics. Film script says:
"Despite spending 50 percent more on health care than any other country in the world, America ranks 15th in preventable death, 24th in life expectancy, and 28th in infant mortality. The struggles of the four families profiled in Critical Condition put a human face on just what these statistics really mean for ordinary Americans."
Please read the rest here:
[ link to www.pbs.org]
and the trailer:
[ link to www.pbs.org]
PLEASE!! Watch and write to your reps. Anything. This could be anyone of us.
The problem with getting Health Care reform is that Americans are raised as individualists...fuck the rest of the world everyone for themselves. Many members on here would fit that category too.
It's a shitty country we live, alongside some of the finest scum on earth. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 510251
10/1/2008 9:38 PM | | Re: Just watched P.O.V. /Critical Condition on PBS. Somethings GOT to be done about Health Care in America. We cannot just sit back and watch people suff | Quote |
Everything government touches they fuck up.
Get govt entirely out of health care.
Everyone pay for their own, or do without.
I haven't had healt care since I quit working for General Motors in 1968.
I take care of myself. I haven't spent $500 on Doctors
sine then, and I feel great!
I don't want to pay for assholes who don't take care of themselves.
No one pays for me.
I dont want to pay for anoyone else either.
Pay your own way.
Don't have kids if you cant take care of them 100 per cent on your own.
Hey AC, just saw your reply. What an ordeal you have gone through. I hope you get over the guilt thing fast because you did not get into that situation because you you were recklessly spending, or chasing for pleasure and excitement. You were fighting for your health and survival and should not have been forced to that point to begin with. Your situation is another testament to the system not for, but working against the average citizen. Glad to hear things improved for you. Do watch the show if you spot it on your local PBS, or at least check the links. Maybe people can start some grassroots organization to give a voice to peole's horrible expreiences, like the one you had to go through. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 491732
-------------------------------------------------
Either you cant read with comprehension or you thought you were replying to a different post.
Either way you are a basic dim witted asshole. |
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