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She did, but her insurance company declined the claim because they say the event she entered didn't meet their criteria for a sanctioned event whatever that means. Still, the (international) incident raises a salient point. As has been said, most countries and that includes First World countries with kick ass medical facilities, don't generate half million dollar bills for a short stay. Especially when they lose the patient. Come on... how can this be defended?
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Because most countries slap a bandaid on you and send you home. Our trauma care is the best in the world, and is available to anyone at any time. If an illegal alien is injured in a car crash here, he is transported to the closest trauma center and treated. It could cost tens of thousands.
If you are injured in Mexico, the first thing they ask is will that be cash or credit card. I had to see a doc in Spain - not emergency care but urgent care. They wanted to verify my coverage with Kaiser before they would treat me. I gave them a credit card to save time. The bill was about the same as it would have been in California.
Healthcare is expensive here because in many respects we utilize more expensive technology than other nations, but also because we subsidize everyone who is not insured. The costs are not shared equally. The stores pass the price of shoplifting along to every other consumer in higher prices. It's no different for medical - somebody has to pay for all that free care.
Time for my 6am walk. Once in the morning and once at night hopefully helps keep me out of the hospital.
Because most countries slap a bandaid on you and send you home. Our trauma care is the best in the world
far too simplistic. healthcare costs more in the US because of a combination of a higher price of healthcare (i.e. any given intervention is more expensive than elsewhere) and a greater number of interventions.
for the record, a greater number of interventions does not automatically equate to a "better" standard of care.
i maintain that it is the responsibility of the individual visiting a foreign country to make sure they have appropriate insurance to cover their stay - as someone has pointed out, it is indeed a shame if people are prevented from visiting the US because of the prohibitively high insurance costs that may be incurred by their visit, but surely better that than coming here, getting sick, and incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
as to the question of what can be done about the cost of healthcare in the US, that is a whole other topic.
Wow! That's quite an attention grabbing headline. It's also a huge lie.
Her death was due to her head's impact on the halfpipe. Not because of gaps in American healthcare.
Do you want to hear about gaps in healthcare? Actress Natasha Richardson had to be driven to Montreal after her crash on a Canadian ski slope because there were no helicopters available to airlift her. That's a gap!
If you are injured in Mexico, the first thing they ask is will that be cash or credit card. I had to see a doc in Spain - not emergency care but urgent care. They wanted to verify my coverage with Kaiser before they would treat me. I gave them a credit card to save time. The bill was about the same as it would have been in Califnia.
And I was in Amsterdam with someone who needed emergency treatment. Hotel doctor contacted us and met us at a treatment center (not sure if hospital or smaller version). My friend was examined, treated and given a prescription for a total of € 150. No wait and the care was incredible.
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Healthcare is expensive here because in many respects we utilize more expensive technology than other nations, but also because we subsidize everyone who is not insured. The costs are not shared equally. The stores pass the price of shoplifting along to every other consumer in higher prices. It's no different for medical - somebody has to pay for all that free care. .
Healthcare is expensive in the U.S. because of profit and salaries. Also remember in places with universal healthcare, like Canada, no-one gets free healthcare. Everyone gets healthcare paid for by everyone through taxes etc.
far too simplistic. healthcare costs more in the US because of a combination of a higher price of healthcare (i.e. any given intervention is more expensive than elsewhere) and a greater number of interventions.
And I was in Amsterdam with someone who needed emergency treatment. Hotel doctor contacted us and met us at a treatment center (not sure if hospital or smaller version). My friend was examined, treated and given a prescription for a total of € 150. No wait and the care was incredible.
A sample size of one. Demonstrates existence, nothing more.
Healthcare is expensive in the U.S. because of profit and salaries. Also remember in places with universal healthcare, like Canada, no-one gets free healthcare. Everyone gets healthcare paid for by everyone through taxes etc.
I see, so we should penalize those who take care of themselves, are cautious, do not engage in risky or unhealthy behaviors, and then force them to subsidize those who do not.
Sure... go speeding in your car, without a seatbelt, while texting your friend.... then hit a tree. I'll be GLAD to pay for your astronomical medical bills, due to your ignorance... where do I send the check?
Having been in the medical community for over 17 years, I have learned profits and salaries are only a part of the costs. High quality care requires expensive equipment, and the litigious patients make malpractice insurance utterly ridiculous. Ever see what an anesthesiologist pays every year?.... typically between $20K and $100K.
First World countries with kick ass medical facilities, don't generate half million dollar bills for a short stay. Especially when they lose the patient. Come on... how can this be defended?
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