Merely Me's MS Central Question of the Week!

I asked an MS blogger to explain how her access to care within the Canadian system works.  The detailed information she provided was extremely thorough and clear.  Made me wish for such simplicity and coverage.  Her post can be found here.

I have a friend in other web site she has waited 2 years and still waiting for a MRI to tell the DR. for sure she has MS. they will not put her on meds for it till than. She is know in a wheelchair and still waiting

Is she in Canada?

I simply had numb hands and a wonky left knee, I got an MRI on a non-emergency basis in 6 years. Waiting two years for an MRI to diagnose anything neurological is unheard of, unless she's in the far North and won't fly to get one.

I mean 6 WEEKS. Not years.

Gah.

LOL I read that and was wondering!    six years is a long time!

I had years on the brain. It was just such an outrageous claim.

My 70 y.o  grandmother didn't wait two years to get an MRI on her elbow... which turned out to be nothing but arthritis.

My kingdom for an edit button!

LVK...I appreciate your insights.  What do you predict is going to happen with the health care reform proposal?  What do people in Canada think about the American health care system? 

KJ...I really appreciate hearing your side of things and presented in such an articulate manner. 

What do you think is the future of health care here in the states?  What do you think is going to happen? 

And...how have you personally nagivated the insurance maze here?  Do you have any personal stories about the efforts in getting medical services, tests, or treatments? 

We always love hearing from you!

Hi!

I don't like the way the debate over health care is going. There is more fundamentally at stake with all this than just improving the quality or cost of medical care. It comes down to basic freedoms and rights. I believe in minimal government interference or involvement in my life. It disturbs me to no end that people expect the government to take care of all their problems while being suspicious of private companies.

Let me tell you about the experience of my previous wife. She was born in Germany with a hole in her heart (ventricular septal defect). She underwent surgeries as an infant in Europe for her problems under the German health care system (Krankenkasse) but the surgeries were only partly successful and she was left with severe heart problems. Under the German system her health care was free, but limited. She received good educational benefits, job training and placement, etc. Eventually she became a registered nurse.

Probably against her better judgement she married me and moved to the US. I was working for $5.10/hour as a security guard at a factory and receiving basic HMO medical coverage through my employer with a fairly small deductable as I recall. Almost as soon as she got to the States she was put on a list for a complete heart and lung transplant (something her insurance would never consider her for in Germany). All of this was through my cheapo health plan. Unfortunately my wife became ill and died before a heart/lung donor could be found, four years after arriving in the US. (It would have cost us a $20 co-pay for the surgery plus a little for the medication.) Remember that this was a pre-existing condition. Oh those heartless, greedy, selfish private insurers and big pharmaceutical companies!

Here's another example of government-run medical care.

My present wife escaped from Czechoslovakia in the early 1980's. (I guess I have an affinity for European women.) She received asylum in Austria and eventually came to the US and became a naturalized citizen.

In Czechoslovakia there was universal, government-run, medical care. Standards of care were good (better than in Cuba and the Soviet Union), the hospitals were modern, and the doctors educated and well paid. Unfortunately, like here, someone (like the State) had to pay the doctors' salaries, purchase the medicine and supplies, and build and maintain the hospitals. There isn't an unlimited amount of funding for this so the result is "rationed" care. If you were a member of the Communist Party you were much more privileged than the average citizen. For regular people, medical care and medications were limited.

The above problem of rationed care was not as much of a problem for my future wife because she was a hairdresser. Why, in heaven's name, would that make a difference???? Two reasons - First, she provided a service that was also in high demand and not very available (the government severely limited private industry and she effectively worked at a "State" beauty shop, with State mandated hours and set prices.) It did however give her an opportunity to barter her services for medical care. (A couple of after-hours hair cuts = a bottle of heart pills for grandpa.) Second, she earned tips. This was money that the government couldn't easily track and which allowed her to pay "under-the-table" for goods and services in short supply (like medical care). This shows the unethical and downright corrupt practices that stem from a state-run system.

Is the US headed to the above type of system? I'm not going to say it is or isn't, but we have to consider the long-term effects of government involvement in private industry. How will the various House and Senate plans effect medical care here in one, ten, or 50 years from now? Let's consider this carefully before jumping right into something.

I cannot get any coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

Hi Unsure

Can you tell us more about your experience with our health care system?  I want to hear your story!

The bill states no such thing. It simply covers the costs of counselling for end of life issues (powers of attorney, living wills, DNR orders, etc.) and covers you until you die... of whatever kills you. An anvil falling from a building or old age, you'll have coverage until you don't need it anymore.

I'm Canadian for crying out loud! Why do I know more about the contents of the FOUR current bills before congress than Americans do?

Don't buy the hype.  Many people speaking the loudest seem to have agendas.  Either they ar e not telling the whole story clearly or thet don't understand the proposed bill or they are just not telling the truth.  In the President's case I believe he can't be but so specific because the legislation has not been completely written to he tries to stick with the principles.  Others seem to prey upon fears and concerns rather than try to reach sone trype of concensus. This leads me to feel that they have"agendas" that have little to do with healthcare

I have sick gut feeling. On this bill and that is all I am going say on this anymore here. And I want to thank you

Hi Kathy!

I do thank you for expressing your views here.  I think there are a lot of people who are worried about these proposed reforms.  What is your greatest fear with these potential changes to our health care system?  And what sources of information are you using to learn more about these changes? 

I would love to hear more from you about your concerns and worries.

My concerns is what funding will be there for us. I just lost my Wal mart Ins because I have been on leave for a year I can go cobra but it will cost me 400.00 mo. I am on my husbend Ins but it is not as good. Also My husband and my daught both work for a small town hospital. The hospital had a meeting and stated it this bill goes through that this hospital and all small town hospital will close that means more people lose there job and health care.I do not want to be on a Gov. run Ins.What is really funny is back in 1995 we live in ILL and the people next to use said that Americans are dump they where from Romaina but they said that the Goverment is takeing over and this land will end up comminess and it will be done fast. When I hear people being arrest for bible study done in ther home in ca. and watch and see are right taking away slowy it scears me. All I can do and said Lord come get us. I don't trust Oboma at all he scareds me. and one BIG QUESTION I HAVE FOR US WITH MS. MISS OBOMA FATHER DIED FROM MS YOU WOULD THINK SHE WOULD SAY SOMETHING MAKE IT HER CAUSS .HER KIDS COULD END UP WITH IT THEY DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF IT IS HERITY OR NOT.AND THAT IS MY CONCERN

http://usliberals.about.com/od/healthcare/a/Obamahealthinsurreform.htm

In short:

No Pre-Existing Conditions to Exclude Coverage

Will Cap Out-of-Pocket Expenses Annually

No Lifetime Caps for Health Care Coverage

No Dropping Coverage Due to Serious Illness

No Gender Discrimination

100% Coverage for Check-Ups, Preventive Health Care

Coverage for Young Adults

Guaranteed Insurance Renewal

But read the about.com article. It's short and consise.

Hi there!

I think perhaps a lot of other people are in the same boat of not knowing exactly what this proposal entails.  So Health Central has provided that information for you.  Just follow this link to download the bill to read for yourself.

Thanks LVK for the information you have given!

Hi there!

I am so glad you came to share your views on this very important topic which affects us all.

I do believe that fear is a predominant emotion being expressed by a lot of people who have worries either way...of this reform bill being passed or not passed.  What do you predict is going to happen with this proposal?

How have you personally navigated the insurance maze?  Do you have any personal stories to share about how you have had to fight with insurance companies to get medical tests or treatment?

We want to hear your story!

Hi Sherry!

I really appreciate that you are voicing your opinion here.  I think a lot of folk wonder about the Canadian system but don't know much about it so...if you could...can you tell us more details. 

Are there long waiting periods to get tests or treatment?  If you need an MRI...how long does it take to be scheduled for one for example.  Are the taxes overwhelming for most Canadians to pay?  What do most Canadians feel about the American health care system?  Would anybody from Canada want to come here for our health care?

We absolutely want to hear more from you on this topic...I hope to keep an on-going discussion going.

Wow, I had told myself that I was not going speak on this, buy here I am.  I really do not know what to think.  But working for Social Services, I must say, something has got to give.  There are people, so many people who are sick, and children who come in daily, who do not have any health insurance and doctors who will actually turn them away if they have no insurance, and I mean turn them away; because for them it is about the dollar, not the sick child or parent, but the dollar.  Example:  for people who receive Medicad they are treated differently than those who are fourtante enough to have private insurance.  Persnsonal experience; my daugther was sick about three weeks ago went to her doctor who mainly services Medicaid recipients, he mistook my daugther for one of those particular patients, which it should not have made any difference.  Diagnosed her wrong, because he just blew her off, she ended up being put in the hospital with Spinal Minajinus, he told her it was all in her head He thought she was on government Medicaid.  You see how it could eaisly put a label on people here in the states, I have friends in other countried who do not eperience this.  Just something to think about.  As old people say, "Everything that glitters, aint gold".  We need to just sit and wait, then make our decisions

That is what I am going to do. sherry/smomdukes

There are some good points in the what the Presidents states, however it's a trillion more dollars my son will have to pay he will be four in November.

What I've heard so far reminds me of when I worked for an HMO group callled HIP.

I recall the doctors being so frustrated because they could not order certain tests for their patients. It had to go through the administration non-medical people, and it was always the cost that seemed more important than the patient.  I do recall a mother of only 35 years of age with a beautiful young daughter, being in this situation. She died. I will never forget seeing the doctor I worked for cry like he did, this should of never happened over money & not allowing him to do his job. He went off and started his own practice.

I'm opened minded, but when the politcians can't explain or answer questions, why rush it, read the bill, make bullet points, I just have a strange feeling about this rush to push it.

My meds exceeds 70 thousand dollars a year for my RRMS, are they going to change my drugs and MRI if I can't afford my insurance at one point? Do they even have generic meds for Avonex? I'm lucky I have great insurance. I pay 25.00 a month for my Avonex, but will the government consider the 70 grand too much for a 42 year old mother? I'm on the fence and will read the bill, thank you for bringing this up.

You are an amazing person Merely Me.

You make an excellent point about how these bills are being rushed through. The president had said that he wanted to pass a bill before the August recess. Why should something so important and complex be rushed like that? You can see from the discussion here that this is a difficult topic. Look at the thousands of pages in each of these bills - if you have the time and patience. As stated, even some of the politicians are saying that they are too long to read through.

Thank you for your well reasoned comment!  I think there are many who would agree with you.  There are many things in our country which are being run by government such as public schools, our police force, firemen, all paid by taxes.  I guess I don't understand the alarm over having a public health care option.  What am I missing? 

According to my understanding of the Constitution, those things not directly run by the Federal government (and listed in the constitution) will fall to the States. (Article 1 Section 8 and Article 1 Section 10) The Consititution also lays out how the President can choose his cabinet (and cabinet members are the  heads of departments) (Article 2 Section 2), but those cabinet members should be confirmed ("under advice and consent of the Senate"). Now, according to the Constitution, health care is not one of the things that this the responsibility of the federal government. It falls on the states. The president has said that he will appoint a "Health Care Czar" (who is not subject to confirmation by the legislative branch) to run the health care system.

I think its fine to have the government run certain things at tax-payer expense. Local police and fire departments are funded by city, county, and state taxes and enforce city, county, and state laws and standards. We still have county hospitals in some places I'm sure (I can't think of any off hand anymore). This isn't a bad thing but I can't see how they can operate just based off of local taxes.

I'm interested in how a public option mixed with a private option would work. It seems that the public option would be much cheaper because they don't have to make a profit. From what I've read of the House and Senate bills so far, the private option can only exist for a limited period of time - eventually everyone would have to convert to the public plan - so it's probably a mute point.

I'm concerned that under the public (government funded and run) health care system there will be less emphasis on research, product improvement, etc. This is especially true for people suffering from "incurable" diseases. Next time you visit the Post Office or Department of Motor Vehicles, take a look at their computer systems and compare them to UPS and other private companies doing similar work.

Thank you Eva, Momdukes, and KJ for a very civil but spirited debate!

I do have my own personal biases on this topic as does everyone else.  But I will allow you all first to speak your mind....I want to listen.  You guys are doing an excellent job of articulating your points.  I am happy we are able to have such an intelligent discussion here. 

Hi Jim!

So good to see you!  Thank you for coming by!

This is an excellent comment you make.  I would have to agree with you...there has to be a better way.  People should not have to worry about both illness and then on top of it, wondering how in the world they will be able to pay for it.  We have facts about the way that it is now...and people are dieing because they cannot pay for their medical care.  And this is in America.  It is hard to believe that we allow this to go on. 

I promised I would keep quiet but...there I go.  Can't help it.

Thank you so much for your comment and please do keep sharing  in our discussions.  Always love to hear from you.