OT Breast Cancer Rant

Now, what I'm wondering is how it would handled in Europe? Hubby, on
his trip, just sprained his knee and had to go to a local hospital - he
said UK's healthcare system REALLY kicks our butt (in fact, he's
talking about either running for office and changing things or moving
there - but then, he IS on pain-killers). Will anyone from the UK pipe
up and let us know??

My mum had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy, she was in hospital 8 days!!!
This was a private hospital, rather than NHS hospital in the UK, she'd
still have been in 4+ days on the NHS.

As with everything, somethings are better in the UK, some are worse,
I've lived 27 years in the UK, and only 1 in the US, with various
problems I've had at this particular time, the US system has treated me
well, we do have very good insurance, but even with less good insurance,
I likely still could have done pretty well, due to the element of
choice, something that in practice you don't get in the UK, or at least
don't get in some areas (both geographical and medical!).

On the other hand, whilst pregnancy and postnatal is underfunded and
understaffed, I'd still far rather be pregnant and have a baby in the UK
, I have American friends who've done both and prefer the UK system!

Cheers
Anne

just curious why a private hospital? Does everyone there have that
choice?
Taria

Anne Rogers wrote:

Now, what I'm wondering is how it would handled in Europe? Hubby, on
his trip, just sprained his knee and had to go to a local hospital - he
said UK's healthcare system REALLY kicks our butt (in fact, he's
talking about either running for office and changing things or moving
there - but then, he IS on pain-killers). Will anyone from the UK pipe
up and let us know??


My mum had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy, she was in hospital 8 days!!!
This was a private hospital, rather than NHS hospital in the UK, she'd
still have been in 4+ days on the NHS.

As with everything, somethings are better in the UK, some are worse,
I've lived 27 years in the UK, and only 1 in the US, with various
problems I've had at this particular time, the US system has treated me
well, we do have very good insurance, but even with less good insurance,
I likely still could have done pretty well, due to the element of
choice, something that in practice you don't get in the UK, or at least
don't get in some areas (both geographical and medical!).

On the other hand, whilst pregnancy and postnatal is underfunded and
understaffed, I'd still far rather be pregnant and have a baby in the UK
, I have American friends who've done both and prefer the UK system!

Cheers
Anne

No, Taria. It is not a choice for everyone. Medical insurance has
become more common as an employment perq., and now more individuals are
taking it out themselves - it is quite flexible and you can choose what
elements can be covered. On the other hand, if you are prepared to pay
the full amount yourselves, it is open to 'everyone' - all who can
afford it, anyway. But, the theoretical choice is there for everyone.

Having the National Health Service, as it is called, is a great boon to
the vast majority of the population. Very few people pay privately for
their family doctor; people over a certain age, or with a life-dependant
medication, receive free prescriptions. Children and seniors receive
free eye tests. Children receive free dental treatment, on the whole -
though some dentists' practices are now 'private only' (there has been
quite a bit of trouble about dentists' contract terms).
Mostly, you can opt to see a specialist privately, as it is normally
quicker. However, if you have an accident on the road (or anywhere) you
are taken straight to the nearest hospital in a free ambulance, and you
are treated free.
Some specialisms have awfully long waiting lists; and there are
certainly problems. Some medications are not funded by all Health
Authorities (eg some of the Alzheimer's and cancer treatments which are
very expensive). In those situations, you could opt to pay for it, if
you can afford it.

Just a summary - apologies if I have omitted 'stuff'.
..
In message 3dmui.6530$vK2.4493@trnddc03, Taria
writes
just curious why a private hospital? Does everyone there have that
choice?
Taria
--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

In article FQkui.1079$V53.338@trnddc08, Taria
wrote:

I think I'd start by firing the dr. I did some nosing around and can't
find anywhere that has info on what state laws are at this time. I know
there are some already inacted and if anyone can find a good list of
that info I'd like to see it. A close friend is just finishing up post
bc reconstruction. Here in CA insurance companies have to provide that
as per law. I don't know about hospital stay length though. I bet
there already are some laws in place. We should at least be informed
about those.
Sending well wishes to your students mom. I do have to say for anyone
thinking socialized medicine will fix our problems to look at the
bridge that the government is in charge of keeping safe for us.
They don't do a good job at much of anything except line their pockets
it sometimes seems.
Taria

Yep, I know. Simply changing our healthcare system to socialized
wouldn't help (though, hubby would disagree - he does have that nasty
optimist streak) ... our whole system is screwed up (proud to be an
American - don't get me wrong). The powers that be would find a way to
corrupt it and fatten their bank accounts.

Like I said, I'm durn proud to be an American. But the heart of this
nation is the average person, not the politicians. Them, I don't
support, except for a VERY few. Mainly because they don't support US.
And as my momma used to say, you can't spell "US of A" without US!



steve wrote:
Hello All

Well, I am on a rant today, let me tell you. A former student of mine,
whom
I think very highly of, is at home this evening caring for his mother who
had a complete left breast mastectomy today. That is not even half of what
irritates me. She arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am and was discharged at
12:30 pm. 6 1/2 HOURS LATER!!!!!!!!!! What are insurance companies and
Doctors thinking? Obviously not about the patient. Is this the norm?
Please tell me it isn't. I did find this link for a petition to back a
bill
before congress.

http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcanc...gnpetition.php

I have went to it and so has Bert. I am sure that most of you have already
been to such a site already. I am simply outraged over this. I'll
probably
email my three congressional delegates but doubt if anything will come of
it. All three are under investigation for corruption.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Steve
Alaska




--
Happy quilting & quilty hugs!!
Connie

I've started a FREE eZine ... and I've posted *LOTS* of free applique patterns!
Check it out!
http://sewverycreative.blogspot.com/ ----- It's BACK!! AND they APOLOGIZED!
LOL!

In article , Anne Rogers
wrote:

Now, what I'm wondering is how it would handled in Europe? Hubby, on
his trip, just sprained his knee and had to go to a local hospital - he
said UK's healthcare system REALLY kicks our butt (in fact, he's
talking about either running for office and changing things or moving
there - but then, he IS on pain-killers). Will anyone from the UK pipe
up and let us know??

My mum had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy, she was in hospital 8 days!!!
This was a private hospital, rather than NHS hospital in the UK, she'd
still have been in 4+ days on the NHS.

As with everything, somethings are better in the UK, some are worse,
I've lived 27 years in the UK, and only 1 in the US, with various
problems I've had at this particular time, the US system has treated me
well, we do have very good insurance, but even with less good insurance,
I likely still could have done pretty well, due to the element of
choice, something that in practice you don't get in the UK, or at least
don't get in some areas (both geographical and medical!).

On the other hand, whilst pregnancy and postnatal is underfunded and
understaffed, I'd still far rather be pregnant and have a baby in the UK
, I have American friends who've done both and prefer the UK system!

Cheers
Anne

Yea, I guess that would be the case - each system having it's pros and
cons. But still, no one in your system gets left out, right? I mean,
the single mom who barely keeps ends at arm's length will STILL have
healthcare, right? Her baby has less chance of dying of some childhood
illness merely because she couldn't afford vaccinations, right?

My point is, I guess, that with your system, even though the choices
are limited, everyone's covered. No one's left out. I used to volunteer
at local food kitchens and you'd be surprised at how many people are
left without healthcare ... more than you think. Most are kids.

What's most important to me - and I guess, because I DO have good
insurance and choices I might be skewed in my priorities - is that
single moms who can barely afford day care, much less food, can still
get healthcare for their babies. Little old ladies can still get
adequate healthcare - and not just dumped on a sidewalk after a
dangerous (and traumatizing) procedure.

--
Happy quilting & quilty hugs!!
Connie

I've started a FREE eZine ... and I've posted *LOTS* of free applique patterns!
Check it out!
http://sewverycreative.blogspot.com/ ----- It's BACK!! AND they APOLOGIZED!
LOL!

Thanks Patti, I am just curious how it all works. The grass is always
greener, you know. Last mammogram I had (we personally have insurance
through employment) was in a hospital and the made me sign a paper
that informed me if I couldn't pay they would help connect me with a
program that would. They had to offer it to me. We are HMO in a
somewhat remote location (medically that is) which means many of our
doctors are sub par. I have had to make the decision to go to a doctor
of choice for cash. It wasn't easy financially at that
time but when it comes to good health not a lot is more important.
Nationalized health care is coming here. I just don't like the idea
of not having choices. There isn't much the government does well,
any government.
Taria





Patti wrote:
No, Taria. It is not a choice for everyone. Medical insurance has
become more common as an employment perq., and now more individuals are
taking it out themselves - it is quite flexible and you can choose what
elements can be covered. On the other hand, if you are prepared to pay
the full amount yourselves, it is open to 'everyone' - all who can
afford it, anyway. But, the theoretical choice is there for everyone.

Having the National Health Service, as it is called, is a great boon to
the vast majority of the population. Very few people pay privately for
their family doctor; people over a certain age, or with a life-dependant
medication, receive free prescriptions. Children and seniors receive
free eye tests. Children receive free dental treatment, on the whole -
though some dentists' practices are now 'private only' (there has been
quite a bit of trouble about dentists' contract terms).
Mostly, you can opt to see a specialist privately, as it is normally
quicker. However, if you have an accident on the road (or anywhere) you
are taken straight to the nearest hospital in a free ambulance, and you
are treated free.
Some specialisms have awfully long waiting lists; and there are
certainly problems. Some medications are not funded by all Health
Authorities (eg some of the Alzheimer's and cancer treatments which are
very expensive). In those situations, you could opt to pay for it, if
you can afford it.

Just a summary - apologies if I have omitted 'stuff'.
.

Taria wrote:
just curious why a private hospital? Does everyone there have that
choice?

The NHS has waiting times for most things, they have been reduced, but
10 years ago or so, they were very bad, so lots of people were keen to
have private health insurance, some of them cover all things, there are
cheaper packages that exclude cancer treatment and other serious things,
but would cover things that typically have a long waiting list like hip
replacements.

Many companies provide health insurance for their employees, as it's
cheaper to do that then deal with the increased number of sick days due
to unresolved medical problems.

My parents weren't in that situation, but about 15 years ago, they saw a
good deal on insurance for the whole family and went for it, hence this
operation being in a private hospital, I think it was the first time
she'd used the insurance, obviously now her premium has gone up
significantly, but they still feel it's worth it.

I was covered on their plan until I was 21, I ended up having 2 joint
surgeries, my doctor referred me on the NHS too and when they sent
through appointment dates for initial consultation they were over a
year, and then it could have been a year or more on the surgery waiting
list.

Cheers
Anne

Some medications are not funded by all Health
Authorities (eg some of the Alzheimer's and cancer treatments which are
very expensive). In those situations, you could opt to pay for it, if
you can afford it.

If you opt to pay for medication, you also have to go private with the
rest of your treatment - there are moves to change this and allow people
to continue with NHS treatment but pay drug costs, but there is an
equally strong lobby against it as they don't want to start a system
where some things are free and some things are charged and see it as the
start of a slippery slope. Though with drug prices for some drugs the
way they are, I can't see how the NHS ever will be able to pay all the
costs.

Cheers
Anne

Yea, I guess that would be the case - each system having it's pros and
cons. But still, no one in your system gets left out, right? I mean,
the single mom who barely keeps ends at arm's length will STILL have
healthcare, right? Her baby has less chance of dying of some childhood
illness merely because she couldn't afford vaccinations, right?

Absolutely! The problem is, I can't see the NHS staying entirely free
for long, dental treatment for years has always had small fees attached
(current problems with dentists in the UK are a whole other story!) and
I can see things like that coming in in other areas. However childhood
vaccines are going to be near last on the list for having a charge
attached to them, as would anything relating to children - there is no
payment for anything relating to children and anything that could
potentially have a charge has numerous clauses giving it free to certain
people, so women get things free whilst pregnant and upto a year after
the birth.

Though it seems great that it's basically free, when you dig deeper
there are a lot of issues, physical therapy is often restricted in the
number of sessions, they also seem to use a restricted number of
techniques. If you have a rare condition that isn't life threatening,
you often can't see a specialist as if they are not in your area, your
GP has to apply for funding for you to see someone out of area, which
you won't get in many areas if it's not life threatening.

It's complex, I don't think there is any right answer, if you go to
nationalised health care, you are almost certainly going to have a
private system running along side it, because there always are people
who will pay.

Cheers
Anne

Steve,
I had a mastectomy and a modified mastectomy in Sept. 2003. I had them
on a Thursday and went home Monday afternoon. I could have stayed for
another 2 days but I was feeling so good, I wanted to get home. I
don't understand some insurance companies. A woman or man needs 2 or 3
days, not counting the surgery day. I have signed this petition and
others. I hope someone does something.

Venting is good... Hope your friend is doing okay.

Deanna
4 year BC Survivor