So grateful for our health care system

[adgal]

Once again I am reminded how lucky we are to have a single payer health care system and no insurance companies controlling our care.  My 7 week old son has a cold.  I must have given it to him as I had been quite under the weather with one last week as well.  He is so stuffed up and on saturday it seemed like he was struggling to breath (infants only breath through their noses, so when they are stuffed up it is awful for them). Nothing I was doing was helping and he was so uncomfortable.  Later Sat. afternoon when he really seemed to start to struggle, my husband and I made the decision to take him to emergency at our Childrens Hospital.  We were seen immediatly..no sitting in the waiting room.  His oxygen levels were good, so he didn't need oxygen thankfully.  They suctioned him out and monitored him for a few hours.  Here's the point of my ramblings.....because he didn't need oxygen, he did not meet the criteria to be admitted.  However, based on the ER Dr.'s opinion and his conversations with my husband and I, he decided to anyway. It was 100% a judgement call on his part. Good thing because around 4:30 am Ryder's color began to change and he was in trouble.  They had to put him on oxygen and suction him several more times.  I had been able to stay with him (his room has a parents bed in it so I was right next to him) and that's where he and I have been until tonight (monday night) when he was discharged doing much better.  Now, because he did not meet the "criteria", had this been an insurance situation he either would have not been admitted or we would have had to pay who knows how much.  Also, I wonder if an insurance company would have approved an emergency room visit for what is technically a cold (even though that can be quite serious in an infant). Fortunately, with this type of system Dr.'s make the decisions, not insurance companies. I'm sure Ryder still would have been fine in the end, but still....I am so grateful.  I'm not telling this story to rub it in, just to hopefully help those against major health care reform understand that single payer system really does act in the best interest of the patient, not the gov't and certainly not a for profit insurance company.  I also wonder...when we made the decision to have him seen Sat. evening, it was kind of a borderline decision...should we or should we wait until monday to see his pediatrician.  Faced with massive medical bills, I wonder if we might not have opted to wait...not because our son isn't more important, but because it was not a life or death situation at the exact time.  I wonder...

[Barb135]

Well, it seems that they *are* taking a good look at the supplement and natural remedies -- seems like there are some who would have these be by prescription only; therefore, they would be covered by insurance.  The only problem is that if your doctor doesn't think you might benefit from a supplement, you aren't going to get that script.

[ILADVOCATE]

I would like to see the gap in full coverage for prescriptions for Medicare Part D end because many people who are elderly or people with severe disabilities have massive premiums for many common prescriptions. I would also like to see them reduce the amount of coverage denials and "prior authorizations" if a person has been through known medications and requires treatments that are FDA approved but experimental. As well (this will definitely not happen) I would like them to make a conclusive decision as regards supplements and natural remedies, research them and decide which ones are safe and show some efficacy and cover those with a health care plan because they will either remain unregulated thus having people take risks as they do now or taken off the market completely thus stopping people's ability to benefit form them. Common sense should previal but in Washington D.C. that's the last thing to expect.

[teko]

Me again. I just wanted to add that if this bill passes, families making 88 thousand a year or less wil be elligable for subsidies. I forgot to add that in my other response to you. So yes, help is on the horizon, God willing.

[1tiredchic]

Hello; I am glad that you were able to so freely get your son treated.. I am in a situation where my insurance was cancelled,(excess income )we had fidelis..We are a middle class family,both full time employes. But insurance through my job for a family of 4 is $12,000 yr. We cannot afford that.. I am now left with no insurance coverage and have some health problems that I have to "live" with for now until I can figure out what to do? Without bankrupting my family..Kids can stay covered but adults who need to support these kids have different income quidlines..I am all for paying for my families healthcare but it should be on a sliding scale of something we can afford to pay so that we can continue to support our family,It is sad that I would be better off with my health if i were not working :( That is sad!

[flmagi]

The problem with just reforming insurance to where they must except pre-existing, can't deny coverage and can't drop coverage is the insurance companies are gonna raise the premiums to cover these things. A whole bunch more people won't be able to afford it, and a lot more people will die. Probably only the very wealthy will have insurance. Maybe then, finally, everyone will understand the need for a public option or single payer system.

[Barb135]

I recently had to take my elderly aunt to the ER and I'm very happy to say that we had absolutely no problem getting her admitted and getting the care she needed.  Insurance presented no problem.

I have had issues in the past, in which I went for "out patient" surgeries and had to be admitted over night -- I've not had a problem with those either.  

I don't agree with the entire health care bill, nor do I necessarily agree on a "single payer system" -- I do most certainly agree with teko -- we need to eliminate insurance company's right to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and/or to drop those with health issues........those are the things *I* want to come from health care reform...........

[flmagi]

I'm glad to hear Ryder is doing OK. And yes, Thank God for your Canadian Health Care.
When my son was about 2, I was single and living pay check to pay check & no insurance. He got a really bad ear infection and I called 4 doctors trying to get him seen. I told them I could pay them on Friday, they all turned me down. My son was burning up. Finally I said $crew it, called a doctor, made an appointment, had him seen and didn't tell them I couldn't pay til Friday until everything was done and taken care of.
America health care system $ucks.

[Dazon50]

Lots of people are praying for those voting and heaven knows...we need help.

[teko]

If we remember right, when we elected this president, one of his promises was to pass health care reform. He has fought the good fight and has put his political future on the line for us. So dont anyone tell me the guy is weak! If all we get is a stop to pre existing and a law that the insurance companies can not drop your insurance when you need it most. It is better than nothing. Adgal, we have a long way to go before we get what you have, but baby steps are better than nothing. It has also shown me that the party of no will continue to try to black ball this president. It will be a cold day in hades before I vote another of them in, however I will be voting them out by the dozens. Transparency indeed, is what they have shown us. I hope America is watching, cause if they aint, they deserve what they get! IMO

[allaboutmary]

Americans have been cowering to insurance companies for so long that it has become the norm here. I get so sick when I hear things like ....government coming between you and your doctor.  WAKE UP PEOPLE !  Insurance companies have been coming between you and your doctor for decades.  Medicaid never comes between my mother and her doctor. HELLO......Medicaid is government run.

[adgal]

Thanks Mary.  It was scary even though just a cold.  Seeing your baby struggling to breath then later start turning blue is not an experience I ever wish to repeat.  The pediatrician working with Ryder and I at the hospital was really nice and we chatted a bit about how it would have worked in the US. He said from he understands we would have had to get permission and probably would have been told he couldn't be admitted.  He also told me that depending on the company and type of insurance, I might have had to get permission before even taking him to the ER?  Is that true?    How awful to have to choose between your childs health and finances. I know I have said this before in other posts, but when you or a loved one is sick you shouldn't have to worry about anything but them or you getting better. People just shouldn't have to make decisions like that.  I am just so glad he could be admitted based on a real Dr.'s observations and decision, not just because he didn't meet some criteria.  Every situation is different and should be treated as such.  I have to say that if my son had to be ill, I am glad it was in that hospital.  It was so great.  We had a room for the two of us with a bed for me as well.  I never left the hospital until he was able to come home, I was able to be with him 100% of the time.  A wonderful place for sick children.

[allaboutmary]

I'm so glad your little man is home and feeling better.  I'm guessing here they would have sent him home and you would have been sick with worry. Then would have ended up returning to the ER when he got worse.  This happens in the US all the time. People go to the ER , are not admitted only to return later when the illness progresses to something much worse. Americans will wake up someday......but I'm sure many more will die before they do.