Illness & Healthcare (Houston, El Paso, Lubbock: insurance, home, schools)

[BT&A]

We will be moving to El Paso in a couple of months and are have a few questions. After reading some of the threads here it seems that El Paso has been lacking in the healthcare department. Is this a situation that has seen improvement over the past few years? If so, how would you say it compares to other large cities, in TX or otherwise?

Also, would you say that because of the close proximity to Juarez that certain illnesses and diseases are more wide spread in El Paso-thinking about the flu, whooping cough, TB, and whatever else? Yes, we are vaccinated, but vaccinations aren't 100%.

Thanks.

[malamute]

Maybe a little more TB but the state with the whooping cough epidemic was Washington state. I don't think the flu is more prevalent here than it is other places - long cold winters where everyone stays indoors promotes the spread of influenza. Hepatitis A is endemic here but there are vaccines for that now. I never get the flu vaccine and haven't had a flu in many years. I'm not sure I've ever had it while living here.

I don't ever get sick here beyond a minor cold and I've lived here for quite some time.

[BT&A]

Thanks for the input. Might have been one of those silly fears that arises when you find out you are moving so close to the border.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by BT&A

Thanks for the input. Might have been one of those silly fears that arises when you find out you are moving so close to the border.

And if it helps -- my kids never get sick either.

There have been schools with TB cases, one of my coworkers was very upset because her kids had to be given some kind of hard prophylactic treatment for TB. That was some time back.

[Ms Kitty 98]

Originally Posted by BT&A

We will be moving to El Paso in a couple of months and are have a few questions. After reading some of the threads here it seems that El Paso has been lacking in the healthcare department. Is this a situation that has seen improvement over the past few years? If so, how would you say it compares to other large cities, in TX or otherwise?

Also, would you say that because of the close proximity to Juarez that certain illnesses and diseases are more wide spread in El Paso-thinking about the flu, whooping cough, TB, and whatever else? Yes, we are vaccinated, but vaccinations aren't 100%.

Thanks.

From my own experience, El Paso's Health Care is very primitive,about 20 to 30 years behind,shortage of doctors, this city relies on the Texas Medical Center in Houston, so if you have preexisting conditions or you catch a serious life ending disease, you might as well roll over and die.Texas Oncology is a joke!

[BT&A]

@ Ms Kitty
Have you noticed any improvement since the opening of the Texas Tech Medical School? All of my reading and research has indicated that it was supposed to greatly improve the healthcare situation there. Is this the case? I can't see going all the way to Houston to see a cardiologist or pulmonary doctor-which are both doctors that my children and my children are both in requirement of.

[Ms Kitty 98]

Originally Posted by BT&A

@ Ms Kitty
Have you noticed any improvement since the opening of the Texas Tech Medical School?

Not really! Texas Tech Medical School is like any other medical school in the country where once the medical student completes their medical degree, they may opt to go elsewhere in the country to practice their occupational skills.

Originally Posted by BT&A26087970

All of my reading and research has indicated that it was supposed to greatly improve the healthcare situation there. Is this the case? I can't see going all the way to Houston to see a cardiologist or pulmonary doctor-which are both doctors that my children and my children are both in requirement of.

Regarding all your reading and research, I wouldn't say that the new Texas Tech Medical School wont greatly improve the health situation here in El Paso; it is still a new school and it has along way to go before it becomes a full functional medical school. They are just in the process of adding a new nursing school, and they also are seeking to add a dental and pharmacy school.

With this being said, I just moved back to El Paso from San Francisco while employed at one of their major medical centers there.I was assuming that El Paso by now had improved in it's medical care quality professional environment; When I was asked by some hospital staff if El Paso could provide me with advanced medical care,such as what I had access to there in San Francisco.

Unlike you! I didn't do any research of my own, and to my dismay I came back home to find El Paso pretty much behind it's medical needs. We have Texas Oncology which is a big monopoly here spread out in three medical clinic campuses in the city; My health issues is where oncologist are concern, seems El Paso don't have a very large selection, and the majority is dominated by Texas oncology in which I had a terrible experience with.

We do have plenty of cardiologist and pulmonary doctors, I don't think that in your case you would have to travel all the way to Houston, unless it required a major heart surgery procedure, same thing for pulmonary issues. Don't be discourage from coming to El Paso, do a little more research and check with your insurance provider to see what options are available for you and your family here in El Paso.

[mistabinks]

20 to 30 years behind? Do you even realize what you are saying by posting that? It is a ridiculous statement.

[Ms Kitty 98]

Originally Posted by mistabinks

20 to 30 years behind? Do you even realize what you are saying by posting that? It is a ridiculous statement.

How is it ridiculous? have you ever had any major medical needs? probably not! If I hadn't realized what I said then I wouldn't have said it. So stop pretending to be Mr know it all nice guy when you don't have a clue.

[mistabinks]

Originally Posted by Ms Kitty 98

How is it ridiculous? have you ever had any major medical needs? probably not! If I hadn't realized what I said then I wouldn't have said it. So stop pretending to be Mr know it all nice guy when you don't have a clue.

I'm in the medical field.

It is one thing to say we are behind. That would be fair and within reason. 20 to 30 years? That is a ridiculous statement. So we are behind third world countries? You are saying we get 1980's level of quality of care in El Paso?

Not at all cities have every specialists in every field. That is a fact of life. Yep, we need Lubbock and Houston for many specialties.

That doesn't make us 30 years behind.