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Merry Freaking Christmas. What to expect for ONE night in the hospital when you don't have health i

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posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 06:28 AM
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Originally posted by GunzCoty


It is not free in the UK the money is made from the 50 million taxes you have (btw wtf is a TV tax? really?) and the care is not as good or should i say its better to pay for healthcare as well.

My wife is from the UK and she told me she paid for extra healthcare because she got faster and better care.
The US system is bad but only because the Insurance companies and (as seen in the op) the hospitals price gouge the hell out of everything. $200 for 2 Tylenol aspirin.

There is no such thing as FREE healthcare.

OK let's play semantics. If you want to split hairs, there is no such thing as free anything. Dohh... But it is FREE AT THE POINT OF CARE. Geddit? So yes it is paid for in the taxes but those taxes are roughly proportional to your income. You could be a vagrant on the street with no job and still get treated. But of course it's not perfect. Sometimes there are waiting lists for routine ops and if you have the cash you can pay to 'go private' and jump the queue. The point is there is no worry if you get sick. If my appendix bursts tomorrow or if I fall over on the ice and break a bone, if I get diabetes etc I don't have nightmares about a bill. I no longer pay taxes even. Frankly I know which system I would rather have.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 06:34 AM
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Originally posted by starchild10

Originally posted by GunzCoty


It is not free in the UK the money is made from the 50 million taxes you have (btw wtf is a TV tax? really?) and the care is not as good or should i say its better to pay for healthcare as well.

My wife is from the UK and she told me she paid for extra healthcare because she got faster and better care.
The US system is bad but only because the Insurance companies and (as seen in the op) the hospitals price gouge the hell out of everything. $200 for 2 Tylenol aspirin.

There is no such thing as FREE healthcare.

OK let's play semantics. If you want to split hairs, there is no such thing as free anything. Dohh... But it is FREE AT THE POINT OF CARE. Geddit? So yes it is paid for in the taxes but those taxes are roughly proportional to your income. You could be a vagrant on the street with no job and still get treated. But of course it's not perfect. Sometimes there are waiting lists for routine ops and if you have the cash you can pay to 'go private' and jump the queue. The point is there is no worry if you get sick. If my appendix bursts tomorrow or if I fall over on the ice and break a bone, if I get diabetes etc I don't have nightmares about a bill. I no longer pay taxes even. Frankly I know which system I would rather have.


A simple way to solve the queues at A&E would be to charge £50 every time it is used inappropriately, or where a doctors appointment would have been more suitable. Less queues, more money.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 06:40 AM
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Originally posted by Vaxar

UK citizens pay taxes for everything anyway, that includes to taxes to watch tv and listen to radios lol


And we all know that there is no such thing as "taxes" in the US


/sarcasm

Just as a side-note - how i am always amazed how some Americans argue how "socialist" or "communist" we supposedly are here in Europe...as if the people in the states don't pay taxes.

But if we (Europeans) pay tax it's supposedly "borderline communism"...because we will certainly agree that the tax in the states ALWAYS goes right there where it's needed...



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 06:47 AM
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It's sick that any civilised country in the 21st century literally charges people for medical treatment.... like you get an actual bill and it costs you actual money.
Yes in the UK people pay "National Insurance" out of their wages and this goes to pay for the NHS treatment you receive and GP appointments.

This works out to a fraction of what Americans pay for their "Insurance cover" and means that everyone gets treated, regardless of status, wealth or occupation.

Also if you need medication regularly from your GP and Pharmacist, Thyroid medicine or Inhalers or whatever it may be.... there is just a single charge for a prescription... doesn't matter what your medicine is, it is one cost.
And some medicines are free if you have an illness or condition that is life-threatening.


This is the way it should be.


Nobody should be paying out 1/3 or 1/2 of their wages to pay for healthcare for themselves and their family.

We (UK) pay about 12% and that's a very, very good price for the amount of care people receive.

I wouldn't be able to work enough hours for the rest of my life to pay back the care and treatment I've had on the NHS.

In the US If you have a job where you're covered by your employer, the great, you're lucky... but if not, you could end up losing your house to get treatment... and THAT is sick.

edit on 18/12/11 by blupblup because: (no reason given)



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 06:55 AM
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Does the bill suck? Yes?

The Hospital, Doctors and staff don't work for free. What do you expect?
I do love all the posts giving advice on how to get the Govt to pay for it, you know, from their magical money tree in garden at the White House.


Negotiate with the Hospital. If he is paying cash (No insurance) he could very likely get the bill cut in half.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 07:13 AM
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Originally posted by macman
Does the bill suck? Yes?

The Hospital, Doctors and staff don't work for free. What do you expect?
I do love all the posts giving advice on how to get the Govt to pay for it, you know, from their magical money tree in garden at the White House.


Negotiate with the Hospital. If he is paying cash (No insurance) he could very likely get the bill cut in half.


Don't work for free? THAT'S your argument? I'd bet my life that every staff member in that hospital combined doesn't make even HALF that bill in one day...

Magical money tree, huh? You mean that money tree that must exist, because the government seems to throw money at everything and everyone BUT medical care for people? That same money that goes to EVERYONE except the American people? We give money to Haiti, Japan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, even banks, yet the second someone says "Hey maybe we should help out Americans this time", people like you are here to say "Oh yeah because money grows on trees lol"

P.S.- I'm sure if the guy could afford to pay even 1/10 of that bill, he could have afforded insurance in the first place.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 07:44 AM
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reply to post by Adyta
 


Oh, good lord.

You do realize that as an average, a CNA makes around $25-$30 an hour?
Doctors make around $150k a year, on the low side.

As for the Govt wasting money?
Yep, I am against Nation Building as well.
But, that does not negate the fact that Medicine, like anything else in life is provided by someone making a living as well.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 07:52 AM
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reply to post by WhoDat09
 


Hey WhoDat (and props from a homegirl hehe).At thetime this happened to me, I had been home sick from work for a week, and they told me I couldn't go back for 2 more at least. I applied for medicaid, and they flat turned me down becuase according to them I made too much money. That's funny.....I struggle to pay all my bills and still have money left for other necessities....yet, according to the, I'm rich. Still trying to pay the bill off months later bit by bit BTW, and I'm having to sacrifice to do that. It's not right. They even charged me 8 bucks for a box of kleenex in the room!



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 07:59 AM
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reply to post by macman
 


Even if they cut the bill in half, it would still be more than I can afford right now. I know they have to make a living, but it's the HOSPITAL who charges this ridiculous amount of money. Next time you get a bill after a hospital stay, look at the itemized part....see how they charge you outrageous amounts for the tiniest things. $6 for a single Tylenol. It has nothing to do with the nurses and CNAs....the hospitals have to charge that much to recoup the money for all those who skip out on their bills. The working people have to pay their bill, PLUS extra to make up for those who don't or can't.
edit on 12/18/2011 by StealthyKat because: (no reason given)



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:06 AM
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Originally posted by StealthyKat
reply to post by macman
 


Even if they cut the bill in half, it would still be more than I can afford right now. I know they have to make a living, but it's the HOSPITAL who charges this ridiculous amount of money. Next time you get a bill after a hospital stay, look at the itemized part....see how they charge you outrageous amounts for the tiniest things. $6 for a single Tylenol. It has nothing to do with the nurses and CNAs....the hospitals have to charge that much to recoup the money for all those who skip out on their bills. The working people have to pat their bill, PLUS extra to make up for those who don't or can't.


Yep, I agree with everything.
I am sad to hear when this happens to people.
But, it is a service, just like car repair.
Is it inflated? Yes,.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:14 AM
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reply to post by jude11
 


Your reply was very accurate.

I donate time to a homeless shelter and many once "middle class" people had one job loss, one medical issue and lost their home because of the above two mentioned issues.

Everyone deserves to have good medical care.............everyone.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:16 AM
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reply to post by macman
 


LOL! That's the truth!
I'll pay it off eventually, but I don't like it



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:17 AM
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reply to post by ofhumandescent
 


Right! Just one accident or illness can wipe a family out sadly.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:21 AM
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Originally posted by macman
Oh, good lord.

You do realize that as an average, a CNA makes around $25-$30 an hour?
Doctors make around $150k a year, on the low side.

As for the Govt wasting money?
Yep, I am against Nation Building as well.
But, that does not negate the fact that Medicine, like anything else in life is provided by someone making a living as well.


Those wages mean nothing when you take this bill from one person for one night and times it by how many patients they have per year. $100,000 for one day? That's the salary for 2-3 of their staff from one person for 24 hours of care... and you compare medical care to car repair? The last time I checked an oil change didn't cost me $60,000. I can go to a mechanic and have my whole car stripped, cleaned, polished, and blessed by a monk for less than 24 hours of medical care.

I love posts like yours because they are always good for a laugh. I hope you have never complained about how much your contractor charged, or how much a gallon of gas costs. After all, people have to make a living... even if it is by screwing the people who can least afford to be screwed.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:31 AM
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I didn't read all the posts and I don't know if someone already told you this.

Your friend can make an agreement with the hospital to make small monthly payments, less than 100 bucks a month. No interest. I did that this year, when I had to go E.R. one night.

Anyway, I noticed 3 different dates on that bill you showing us.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:32 AM
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reply to post by Kryties
 




Most Americans still don't get it.........our firemen, our policemen, our libraries are all paid through our taxes.

If America would stop giving away all our money to the military and go towards social / medical / educational services maybe we would have a smarter, healthier and happier society.

But hey, Corporate media owns all our news and the majority of Americans believe what they see on TV and read in the newspapers.


Question: How much money does the US spend on its military?

Answer: 578,956,000,000

old answer according to one site on the web 730,000,000,000

Read more: wiki.answers.com...



There is big money in war....................start researching who the companies are (and who owns them and their political connections are) that profit from war and the military.

There is also big money now in our prison system..........start researching that one as well.

Follow the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Do the research.
Read more: wiki.answers.com...



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:34 AM
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reply to post by crazydaisy
 


From my experience, this is not true. In 2005 my husband became paralyzed with Gillian Barre Syndrome. He went from being a hefty construction worker to bedridden in four days. When it was all done, we owed over 600,000 in medical bills. I went through all the hoops and red tape trying to get help. But because we made 42,000 in wages, we didn't qualify for anything to help with the medical bills. I can show you our credit bureau report where all those charges are there.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:42 AM
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reply to post by Adyta
 


I don't complain about most of those things.


It is still a service.
If you remove yourself from the BS thinking that "Health Care" is a right that should be magically free, you would see the truth fr what it is.

As for Fuel, Last I checked, the huge crunch in price is taxes involved.



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:55 AM
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I just really don't understand a 1st world country which allows people to bankrupt themselves just to get medical help.
I feel sorry for the OP and you all who have to pay so much money for something we in the UK take for granted.
Oh and macman we know it isnt free, the people who work have to get payed (I work healthcare) but at least we only have to think about getting better and not the added worry of wondering how long I will have to pay for my treatment.
edit on 18-12-2011 by boymonkey74 because: (no reason given)



posted on Dec, 18 2011 @ 08:59 AM
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Originally posted by boymonkey74
I just really don't understand a 1st world country which allows people to bankrupt themselves just to get medical help.
I feel sorry for the OP and you all who have to pay so much money for something we in the UK take for granted.
Oh and macman we know it isnt free, the people who work have to get payed (I work healthcare) but at least we only have to think about getting better and not the added worry of wondering how long I will have to pay for my treatment.
edit on 18-12-2011 by boymonkey74 because: (no reason given)


So the worry about paying falls on the tax payer? No thanks.







 
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