Re: socialized medicine to ol' buddy Jerry

[Guest guest]

Jerry wrote:

Re: Cuba

>Their health care is unparalleled anywhere, both in research and in caring

for its citizens.

Jerry,

Some of their Belizean neighbors would tell you a different story! At least

that's what we heard from a Belizean R.N. who tried to treat me in Placencia,

Belize, C.A., when I had my last acute attack down there.

At the medical clinic in Placencia, the strongest medication that the nurse was

able to give me was Tagamet. There was a medicine cabinet in her office that

held stronger medications that was locked with a padlock.

When we explained to her that Tagamet wouldn't do diddily for a pancreatitis

attack, she apologized and said that she knew this, but she was not able to

dispense any of the other medications in the cabinet without the doctor's

permission and him being present. When we asked where the doctor was,

she shrugged, and said, " Who knows, he comes and goes as he pleases and

does not care to be here when he is here. All he wants is to NOT be in Cuba,

and coming here is his way of getting out of there " . Upon further

investigation,

we found out that the majority of the Interns and medical staff in Belize are

actually Cuban citizens who, at a certain level of their training, go to

Belize. It

wasn't clear whether they were sent there, or if they came to Belize of their

own violation. But once they get into the country, supposedly to fill positions

in the clinics or hospital, they seek asylum, and then turn into deadbeats. All

I

know is that the R.N. was really put out by the whole set-up, and had nothing

but disgust for the doctor who oversaw this clinic.

So they may be literate, educated well, and have outstanding medical care,

but apparently not enough to make them happy or to want to stay.

There are only a handful of medical clinics in the entire country, and only 2

hospitals country-wide. The clinic in Placencia was supposed to serve

people from all over the southern portion of the country, and was located in

the basement of this nurse's home. It consisted of a waiting room, examining

room/office, probably encompassing approximately 500 s.f. Us being tourists

in a country with socialized medicine, we didn't know what the bill would be

for me. She told us we could " make a donation " of whatever amount we

chose.

Just an observation. I'm not disagreeing with the idea of socialized medicine

at all.....I'm just wondering what other " plans " you have to accept in order to

have it. And I'm as fond of insurance companies as the next guy is......yeah,

right! My brother has lived in a socialist country all his adult life,

(Sweden),

and has much to say about the pro's and con's of that as opposed to what we

have here. Conversations with him are fascinating, especially because he

has lived and was educated in both countries, (USA & Sweden), so he's had

exposure to both systems with his dual residency. Taxes here, vs. taxes

there. Medical here vs. medical there. I do seem to remember him having

some issues about working 50+hr. work weeks, and being taxed at over 55%,

while his neighbor doesn't work at all, yet gets the same benefits as he does.

Then people over here, (U.S.), think he doesn't even have a job over there,

because of all the vacation time he has each year....which is standard for their

work force. I believe he's discovered that there's no perfect system

anywhere........gee, all he had to do is ask his little sister - I could have

told him

that a long time ago..........lol!!

Interesting discussion, especially about the danged insurance companies.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/

Note:  All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not be

substituted for professional medical consultation.