this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2024
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Even Go Fund Me came out and said, uh, wait, funding health care isn't what we really intended for the platform.
I recall one of the coaches of a major league baseball team had some major illness and had set up a GoFundMe for it...the team decided to cover it, fortunately, but...come on.
I don't know how anyone can seriously claim there's nothing wrong with our system, but they do.
One guy said, in earnest, that it's a good thing that our medical system is so expensive - because that means it's a good system. (This was in response to me saying that I think our technology and care are pretty good; it's how we pay for it that's the main issue.)
How do you even respond to that? I just ignored him. Does he think Europe has cut-rate health care? Canada?
As a Euro-wanker I can assure you we do, that's why no rich person uses it over here–they go to private clinics unless it's grave enough and they are rich enough, then they go to America.
I've never heard this before, so that's interesting. Is the public option worse health care in some way?
It’s the same setup as the states, and I’m simplifying quite a bit.
Imagine basic insurance in the US. You’re going to be restricted to hanging out at regular walk-in clinics, regular ER if you need it, long waits to see your primary care doc if you even have one. You’ll be dealing with overworked and understaffed facilities. Your tests get scheduled a week or a month or more out, unless it’s serious. Doctors do what they can in the short periods they can talk with you, but it’s mostly walk in, diagnose, leave. You get the same treatment plan as everyone else.
It’s not bad, you get treated, but you’re nobody special. Get in line and wait wirh everyone else.
Now get good insurance. Your PCP can always make a spot for you. Yoir tests may be done in-office, same day, or at a facility that can fit you in more quickly. Your treatment plans are more thoroughly examined and tailored, your doctors will spend time with you discussing your condition and treatment avenues. They’re available to talk to if you have issues with the treatment or at least their staff are.
That’s sorta the difference. I have a family member in Europe that passed recently but had a long battle with a disease. He had the “extra” private insurance. Pretty much what I described above. He was able to get seen and have medications adjusted quickly. I have an in-law in the same country who just had a fairly major health event. She had to go to two different facilities to get pushed up the line for her condition. She has normal public insurance. However, she was taken care of quickly and is doing great.
In a nutshell the extra insurance gives you quicker access and probably a more tailored and personal experience, you’re not lumped in with the “commons” at a public health service facility, you can “skip the line.”
Okay, thanks.
A recent experience here has made me think of the phrase "conveyor-belt health care". I think I made that up, but I may have heard it somewhere and forgot.
In my case: I had major pain in my neck that was leading to numbness in my arm and hand. I didn't even bother with my primary care physician, I just scheduled an appointment with a back pain specialist. The back pain place is extremely efficient and has been very good about treating the pain..........but not once have they raised the topic of, "What caused this and is there anything we can do to prevent it in the future?"
And, I don't want to detract from them, they are absolutely excellent at that treatment. But it's get in, get in the OR or exam room, chat for a minute, see you in 5 weeks. My appointments generally take 10 minutes or less when the doctor is in the room.
Years ago I had issues with my neck - which turned out to have the same root cause, but the symptoms were very different, so I didn't connect them - and multiple primary care physicians told me to take advil, even after I told them this was a recurring issue. Irritating experience, to say the least. "Hey, I'm stuck on the couch and can only move in agony for a few days two or three times per year." "Take Advil." Conveyor belt moves on.
I know we hate chiropractors here, with good reason, but it was chiropractors (who are also physical therapists, which might be the difference) who actually looked at the X-ray or MRI, found the underlying problem, and came up with treatment plans involving various exercises to attempt to solve the underlying problem. The MRI was ordered by the back pain specialist, so they had the imagery and could have found the issue. Why is there no room for that kind of analysis in our "legitimate" health care system?
Conveyor-belt health care.
Yep. That’s a good term. Assembly line health care, conveyor belt health care…you’re just a part moving along and the QC is perfunctory - no errors, but it doesn’t mean the part is good.