The Future of Health Care in America: 2008
Where Are We Headed?
I had a rough tumble recently while biking in the woods. My bike slipped on some pine straw and sent me reeling into a ravine. I mustered up the courage and headed into the nearest emergency outpatient clinic. The x-rays revealed that I had fractured my ankle in 3 places. The on-call physician placed my foot in a fiberglass splint temporarily until I could be seen by an orthopedic doctor. It had already cost me almost $300 just for the outpatient visit, x-rays and splint. When referred to a fracture specialist I saw even more dollar signs. ? Keep in mind that I am not working due to the fractured ankle and have to stay off of it. This was the "short" conversation on the phone between the receptionist and me at the orthopedics office:
Receptionist: "Were you referred to us by your attending physician?"
Uninsured Patient: "Yes"
Receptionist: "Do you have health insurance?"
Uninsured Patient: "No"
Receptionist: "No health insurance?"
Uninsured Patient: "No" I repeat again for the hearing impaired. I could hear her muffled voice telling someone in the background:
"Here's another one without health insurance."
I learn from the office that I have to pay "up-front" before I can even SEE the orthopedic specialist! I just about dropped my jaw when she said the cost JUST for the office visit was a hefty $200. The receptionist said I couldn't even be seen unless I paid. I laughingly told her: "Maybe I can sell a kidney."
How important is health insurance to Americans? The statistics for Americans without health insurance is staggering! 1 in every 7 adults in this country is lacking the benefits necessary for even minor maintenance. If you are lucky enough to have health coverage on your job statistics show that employment based health insurance is predominant.
Where will does that leave our children? Children who lack health insurance will go without care simply because parents can't afford it. The long term outcome for them means more medical expenses in the future. I find that frightening! The future of health coverage is unsure. Right now it's the fourth biggest issue in the race for the Presidency. We will see what happens then. Want your voice to be heard? Grab your picket sign, march on over and let YOUR Voice for the Uninsured be heard. The time to act is now!
Published by CoronaQueen
I tend to be the humorous, easy going one and practice the undying philosophy of: "If you can't change it? Let it go." View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentHealth insurance , i just wish it was like in the uk , its just a shame its not taken out your wages like the uk , with tax and national
insurance. ok tax is at 17.5 percent in the uk . but that covers the medical health , so even the poor dont have to worry about medical cover.
just how to get food.
I hope your health insurence problem works out. Sure are some messed up times with how expensive everything is today. And hope your ankle gets better : )
America is so much poorer for this attitude to peoples health, many nations have government funded health insurance to at least pay for basics and in Australia, you can go to the emergency rooms and get x-rayed, a permanent cast put on and your followup visits for FREE.
My husband had an altercation with a power circular saw and nearly los his hand at the wrist. 5 hours of surgery with microsurgeons, follow up appointments for bandage changes etc and then all ongoing visits to get movement and strength back...was all done on Medicare for Free. Time to wake up America, lokk after your nations health instead of spending all that money on arms and war.
I struggle with the issue of health insurance as well. Great article.