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07-12-2010, 12:04 AM | #1 | |
Danielle's Imaginary Boyfriend
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 512
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Quote:
The US has nothing like NHS or HealthCanada, Mart, let alone systems like they have in Germany, France, the Nederlands or Scandinavia. The closest we have is MedicAid which is really only for the poorest and that is hard to get, usually requiring a couple years pursuing coverage before winding up before an administrative law judge (same with Social Security disability insurance). Through our health care debacle last year, I was regularly corresponding with friends & family in London & Ottawa about their systems. My cousin in London, a Tory, is more inclined to see NHS expanded than reduced, and my friend in Ottawa (Labour) would prefer kinks worked out with the way HealthCanada operates, but she's happy to have it, especially since she gave birth just a few weeks ago to her second child. As for the clinics, I know San Francisco has had free clinics since at least the 60s, I think LA likewise. I'm not sure about most of the rest of the country, but imagine Tigger's right, that they are out there. But I live in Reno and am unaware of any free clinics hereabouts. We do have a VA hospital though which I've heard good things about. But back to the original point, Tigger's right they can't refuse to treat you, but even if you're poor, they're going to try and collect by hook or by crook afterward. Its funny, but I knew this person who treated veterans who went to Kazakhstan for a conference to discuss treating PTSD and her experience w/ Vietnam Vets and psych counselors in the USSR treating Afghani vets broke her ankle and was treated immediately, no charge. Its a side note, but folks outside the US might find it interesting to note that maternity leave has only been guaranteed in the US since 1993, and that for 12 weeks unpaid, while in Canada women receive approx. 55% pay for up to 50 weeks; Mexico requires 100% pay for 12 weeks; the UK has a complicated system that lasts up to 52 weeks at 90% pay; Russia has a sliding scale system that lasts up to 18 months & 50% & up to 100% pay; Germany offers up to 14 weeks at something like 67-84% pay; Italy offers up to 22 weeks at 34% pay, if I understand things right (part of this came from a National Geographic table that simplified things a bit, so there may be some flux there I'm unaware of) My own opinion on the whole thing I'll keep to myself rather turn this into a political, economic or moral debate. I'm just happy your ok, Laranger. Reast easy & welcome home! Last edited by geolarson2; 07-12-2010 at 02:35 AM. |
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07-12-2010, 05:10 AM | #2 |
Danielle's Imaginary Boyfriend
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 3rd rock from the sun
Posts: 818
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Sorry tigger I did misunderstand your post. You are correct. What I should have said is...if the condition is non life threatening and you are uninsured the hospital will require you to make arrangements for payment of services before you are treated.
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07-12-2010, 07:38 PM | #3 |
Danielle's Only True Love
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Garden of England, Kent
Posts: 2,189
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Thanks Geo, found your post interesting.
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