Health Care

[Guest guest]

M. wrote:

> It's too bad everyone can't have the comprehensive coverage of Medicaid with

the freedom (a lot of providers and no prior authorization). We deserve

universal health care.

Universal health care normally is not " universal. " In most countries it

covers 100% of doctor office visits, 100% of in hospital stays,

prescription costs are based on income, and access to disability

equipment is usually a loan program at little or no charge.

Prosthetics, physiotherapy etc. are covered %100.

In some countries, ophthalmologists are covered 100%, but not an

optometrist. Eye glasses are often only covered for very poor people.

Ditto for dentists. Eyeglasses, optometrist visits, prescription costs,

tend to be much lower than in the US, so for most people, these things

do not have to be under a health plan. Dentists don't cost as much

either, but they still aren't " cheap. "

Doctors, dentists etc. in other countries, still live in fancy homes and

drive expensive cars, so they aren't underpaid. With the US's " sue

everyone " mentally, doctors have to pay exorbitant insurance premiums.

They also have to employ extra staff to fill in all the paperwork for

the plethora of health insurance companies. In other countries, the

" sue first " mentally isn't common and doctors deal with one insurance

company - the government. The doctor doesn't have to pay an extra six

people just to do paperwork.

France has the most comprehensive health care system in the world. It

covers darned near anything related in anyway to anything medical. Most

other countries have excellent coverage, but don't cover absolutely

anything and everything. Some cover one thing, that another doesn't

cover and vice versa. However, people don't go bankrupt trying to pay

medical bills. in some countries, they may have to wait six months for a

hip replacement, but it won't cost them an extra dime.

My health insurance in the US costs $624.88 every two weeks. That covers

about 80%. I still pay an average of about $5000 plus per year for he

rest of my medical costs. I don't know what would happen if I landed up

in the hospital for more than a couple of days.

Having lived under three different medical " systems, " including the lack

of a system in the US, I know from experience that I'd much rather pay

$40 - $80 per month in extra taxes for the health insurance available in

other countries.

Lyndi