Baby Question (middle-class, home, live)

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by houston-nomad

A couple of ideas:
When I was born my parents were paying out of pocket. They couldn't pay the full bill at the time of discharge so the hospital refused to discharge us. My dad said he'd call the FBI since the hospital was holding us hostage. They worked out a payment plan.

Wow - I wonder what the hospital's overall "plan" was - to keep you and let you grow up there? You have to wonder about the intelligence of some people.

[RVD26]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Fox news viewers don't realize that, by their definition, we already have a socialized military, a socialized fire department and police department, a socialized education department, etc. Glenn Beck is very proud that he is "self-educated" but didn't understand that the library he used was also socialized, according to what he perceives that means. I am assuming he drove to work on a socialized highway. Medicare is also in that category, but then they rail about anyone taking that away. It's nice to have your own reality.

So very true.

[Myztri]

Ever seen the Business of Being Born? IT really is a business and business is booming.

[ChocolateBabz]

I don't normally weigh in on this subject as I am from the UK and know that you guys get very heated on this subject but I would like to clear up a few facts.

In the UK we have a 'National Health Service' not a 'Socialist Health Service'. Of course we pay for this - despite some saying 'We get it for free'. Everyone who works (legally) pays a National Health Insurance contribution form their pay packet each month. Those who don't work - don't pay. Here is the fundamental difference - everyone is covered regardless of age, sex, colour, ability to pay and everyone is treated the same. No-one lives in fear that they cannot afford a life saving operation. No one thinks twice about taking a sick child to the doctor because they can't afford the co-pay or dedcutible. No one goes bankrupt because of medical bills.

The only 'additional' payment is for a prescription - it's about $8 regardless of what it is for. You don't suddenly find out that the medicine you took last year for a $10 co-pay is now $50 this year.

The system is not perfect - yes there can be waiting times for certain procedures but emergency care is always given immediately. But those who say 'The US has the best medical system in the world' are misguided or in such good health that they have not yet had a reason to complain.

I hear the words 'no choice' being branded about but the fact is that we do have choices - if we want to pay for private health care - as many do or go abroad for treatment (at our own cost) we can. We can choose which doctors we see and ask for second opinions on treatment.

I find the health service / insurance here in the US to be a minefield and despite paying into a good insurance scheme monthly still have to pay for each visit to the doctor, each prescription and am always of the opinion that the doctors want something to be wrong with you just to milk some more cash from you. The billing systems are wasteful and confusing and seem to be in place just to keep people in jobs. Truthfully I don't care whether you are for or against universal healthcare - but the system is so broken some sort of reform is badly needed !

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by ChocolateBabz

The system is not perfect - yes there can be waiting times for certain procedures but emergency care is always given immediately. But those who say 'The US has the best medical system in the world' are misguided or in such good health that they have not yet had a reason to complain.

I find the health service / insurance here in the US to be a minefield and despite paying into a good insurance scheme monthly still have to pay for each visit to the doctor, each prescription and am always of the opinion that the doctors want something to be wrong with you just to milk some more cash from you.

Amen to the first paragraph. As to the word in red, I have never heard the insurance racket better described. The bill currently in Congress will just make it worse - mandated insurance for all, under the same broken system. I can hear the insurance companies giggling in the background.

[chris_ut]

We paid around 5k for the delivery to the hospital. For all expenses related to the birth it was around 9k.

[marykate1]

@ChocolateBabz,

100% agree! Another problem that I have noticed about American health system is that you can pay all your life and when you are in 50's and get a bad disease they are going to tell you Opps sorry you are now not covered.

This health care system is even worse than the third world countries.

[Crazymomof3]

If it's so terrible, then why do people come over here for treatment?

No doubt there's flaws in the system, but I can't complain about the care I've received. I can get in to see a doctor the same day, and I LOVE the doctors we see.

Working for insurance is all I know, and we've accepted it's part of our life. Sure it can get costly, but if you want decent care, then I suppose you have to pay for it one way or another, either in the form of taxation (which is an evil word here) or buy buying it, or getting it through your employer. Good insurance coverage to us (me and my family) is just as important as salary and other benefits.

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by Crazymomof3

If it's so terrible, then why do people come over here for treatment?

No doubt there's flaws in the system, but I can't complain about the care I've received. I can get in to see a doctor the same day, and I LOVE the doctors we see.

Working for insurance is all I know, and we've accepted it's part of our life. Sure it can get costly, but if you want decent care, then I suppose you have to pay for it one way or another, either in the form of taxation (which is an evil word here) or buy buying it, or getting it through your employer. Good insurance coverage to us (me and my family) is just as important as salary and other benefits.

Why do Americans go to Canada, Mexico or even overseas? Same thing.

I would really asked around. Call some hospitals in the suburbs ( might be cheaper) and ask them how much the average birth is. They should be able to give you an idea. Don't forget that you'll have to go to the doctors several times and not just for the birth itself. You might end up paying an amount well above 5k. If that's gonna be too much, it's time to think about plan B.

[rightsofar]

Originally Posted by Crazymomof3

If it's so terrible, then why do people come over here for treatment?


Because we have the health care - just not the access to it for the more and more people.

No doubt there's flaws in the system, but I can't complain about the care I've received. I can get in to see a doctor the same day, and I LOVE the doctors we see.

That's because, for the moment, your employer has good coverage. This may change, especially with premiums sky-rocketing like they have been over the last couple of years. Your employer will finally opt for worse coverage - and/or you will start to pay a lot more personally in the way of co-pays, etc. Or like someone else mentioned, you finally get very ill and they find a reason to drop you. Just because you are not in that boat now, doesn't mean you won't eventually get there. To think otherwise is reckless.

Working for insurance is all I know, and we've accepted it's part of our life. Sure it can get costly, but if you want decent care, then I suppose you have to pay for it one way or another, either in the form of taxation (which is an evil word here) or buy buying it, or getting it through your employer. Good insurance coverage to us (me and my family) is just as important as salary and other benefits.

I am sure it's eqaully important to the posters from France and England that were on this thread - they just don't have to declare bankruptcy if they become very ill.

m