To be sick in the united states without insurance.

Discussion in 'Off Topic Discussion' started by ASSEMbler, Aug 25, 2008.

  1. ASSEMbler

    ASSEMbler Administrator Staff Member

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    I run my own business, and as such cannot afford health insurance.

    To buy insurance would be $700 a month for the coverage, plus
    limited help for medicine costs and a $50 copay for each doctor visit.

    Thought I get sick quite often, the $8400 a year just for the policy
    is just not an option.

    I've had chronic bronchitis / lung infections for the last month.
    It's something I cannot solve and have resorted to moving
    as it is environmental (Black mold, who knows).

    USA: (Capitalist democracy)

    Doctors visits: $350,$125,$100,$100
    Xray: Chest $42.50 ( I shopped)
    Nasal steroid: $90
    Lung Steroid: $90
    Antibiotics: $120 for 7 pills
    Antibiotics: $50 for 7 days
    "Discount plan" for meds $30.00
    $1174.33 for medical treatment over the last month.

    Canada: (Regulated capitalism)
    I had a pal in Canada check for me.

    Doctors visits: $50 to free, depends.
    Xray: Included
    Nasal steroid: $15
    Lung Steroid: $15
    Antibiotics: $12 for 7 pills
    Antibiotics: $12 for 7 days

    Total cost: $104 -$154

    Ireland: Representative Democracy.
    (Father's homeland, applying for citizenship)

    Cost: Zero.

    Next time I get this sick, I am just going to roll into the emergency room and tell them I am a homeless illegal immigrant.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 25, 2008
  2. karsten

    karsten Member of The Cult Of Kefka

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    i'm sadly well aware of where US economics are bringing resident's life... :(

    if they only reduced the useless military budget by 10% everybody would have next to free medical care... sadly for many countries the military expenses are considered to be "incomprimible".

    i would give you a little health if i could kev... i wouldn't mind getting sick once a year :p

    seriously, kev, get better, move to hotter place maybe or come to live in a country with more reasonable health care. tought i guess everybody love their country/city they are born in.
     
  3. andoba

    andoba Site Supporter 2014

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    In Spain we've got free health insurance, with long queues but basically everything is free if you have a financial declaration appling for the social security (ie a job or a bussiness).

    If I was in your situation I'd move to Canada. I'm serious, from the looks of it the US doesn't seem the most friendly country out there.
     
  4. Taucias

    Taucias Site Supporter 2014,2015

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    You have to pay into the health system in Canada and Ireland though, neither are free. The cost is taken out of your wages/you make contributions to the social healthcare system. You also tend to have a much longer wait time for non-essential treatment, sometimes over a year (at least in the UK).

    It's swings and roundabouts.

    You'd probably pay $4000 or so a year in the end, maybe more depending on your wage.

    Add to this that the countries in question struggle to pay for their healthcare systems, use older technology, cheaper medication and/or refuse certain types of medicine, the waiting lines for specialist surgeons and even General Practitioners is hordenous and it's not quite such a pretty picture.

    Basically, you don't get anything for nothing.

    The US healthcare system is messed up though for sure. It is too much about the $$$, but then so is everything in America. You can't really call it a democracy when you have to raise over $100 million to campaign.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2008
  5. ServiceGames

    ServiceGames Heretic Extraordinaire

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    That seems to ba a bit of an unfair comparison.

    We all know that health care can not possibly be "free" regardless of where you live. It is more a matter of whether you want to pay direct or through taxation.

    I'd say spending over $1100 a month on an illness makes $8400 a year look like a good price.

    Have you ever considered looking into a medical savings account? I hear they can be a good option for the self employed/ small business.

    -ServiceGames-
     
  6. Nihonfreak

    Nihonfreak Active Member

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    Conclusion : Move to Canada
     
  7. alphagamer

    alphagamer What is this? *BRRZZ*.. Ouch!

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    i think its fair to pay a few taxes.
    if the financial weight is shared amongst a large amount of people then its no financial disaster for the little man if an operation costs $10.000 or even more.
     
  8. WolverineDK

    WolverineDK music lover

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    Somebody should begin to see, why I am not in favour of a paying system, when it comes to healthcare.
     
  9. madhatter256

    madhatter256 Illustrious Member

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    They'll deport you, you know that, right?
     
  10. ASSEMbler

    ASSEMbler Administrator Staff Member

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    Like the estimated 700,000 illegals in my state alone? Surely you jest.
     
  11. Tchoin

    Tchoin Site Patron

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    That sucks, luckily we've got a free, public health system down here in Uruguay. :p

    I always thought the health system in the US was extremely expensive and sense lacking.
     
  12. dj898

    dj898 Site Supporter 2015

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    Our Medicare has gotten worse over the years but still not as bad as US'.... -__-;
     
  13. Krypton_VII

    Krypton_VII Peppy Member

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    Wow sorry to hear about your condition Assembler.

    I'm from Canada myself and must agree that doctors are very cheap to free, same with antibiotics... Cheap. I'm happy to live here but you also must consider the higher tax here that must help cover that Nd other benefits. Though it seems for some items here and there it hardly seems bad so I'm pleased to live here.

    Though even when being in the States, I noticed they'll do what theyre paid for and rid of you as quick as possible to make room for the next people that'll pay them. When comparing that to here, it seems more quality, they'll take good care of you and let you stay much longer than needed to assure your safety.

    I hope you really do get better Assembler. I wish the best of luck towards your condition...
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2008
  14. cez

    cez Site Supporter

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    The worst thing is really to have to worry about money when you are already sick.

    In Austria where I come from, consumption tax is 20% and income tax between 40 and 50%. This is where the money for public health insurance comes from. So, as others have already stated, it is never "free".

    But, of course, you don't have to worry about "extra" expenses when you need a doctor or medicine and this has a huge psychological effect.
     
  15. Hawanja

    Hawanja Ancient Deadly Ninja Baby

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    You could always just get dual Canadian Citizenship, and just go over there whenever you need to see the doctor.
     
  16. Segafreak_NL

    Segafreak_NL v2.0 New and improved. Site supporter 2012-15

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    That sucks.

    Paying roughly $120 a month now (The Netherlands) , covers most things.
    But, like said by Servicegames, there's always taxes.
     
  17. liquitt

    liquitt Site Soldier

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    move to ireland, pay your taxes and you'll be fine. and if you're getting sick then, you have to pay nothing extra

    thats it
     
  18. WolverineDK

    WolverineDK music lover

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    Well, the Danish healthcare system is just above the American so I know how sucky a healthcare system can be. But the so-called "free" (tax payed) healthcare is something I enjoy.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2008
  19. Alien Workshop

    Alien Workshop Site Soldier

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    Sense lacking until you need to see a doctor quickly, which never seems to be a priority with a public health system. Not to mention, the quality of health care here in the US is better than anything you'll ever see in Uruguay, and most other places that use public health care systems. That's because here in the US we have the quickest access to the latest and greatest new medical technologies and drugs. Our medical system isn't perfect, but it's a far cry better than most people make it out to be. It's also a lot better than any public health care system out there. Public health care has been tried, and it is not the answer.

    The kind of people that propose public health care in the United States are the same kind of people that want government handouts for everything. The same kind of people that want big government to take care of them from the time they are born to the time they die. The last thing we need is to be expanding our already bloated government with shitty public health care. The government needs to be downsized, not expanded. Whatever effing happened to self sufficiency? People are just too damn lazy these days and they feel like the government owes them something, so they demand bigger and bigger government for more and more handouts.
     
  20. Trenton_net

    Trenton_net AKA SUPERCOM32

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    God bless OHIP in Canada! :) It's not perfect, but its better than paying the crazy rates other people have to pay.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2008
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