Yes there are many that abuse
the system ... hurting everyone when they do.
In Canada I never saw one medical bill. Many Canadians are oblivious to the costs involved. Here in the USA I saw my first medical bill and realized how much
my insurance company was billed and for what. Perhaps if Canadians at least saw the bill (they are so
oblivious too) ... then there may be less abuse of the system there.
Here in the USA I am appalled
to read that one AN forum’ers who was left with facial palsy is going to ‘second mortgage’ her house to get this done.
http://www.hopkinsfacialplastics.com/gallery_facial_reanimation.phpBeing that the facial palsy was a result of needed brain surgery – it is amazing to me that this is
not covered by her insurance. Some view this as “cosmetic surgery�.
Some people here have to leave their jobs as their occupation can be too demanding with the presence of their new disability (SSD, fatigue, headaches- however not all have residual disabilities) yet they do not qualify for disability pension. Once they leave their employer- they have no health insurance. Some AN patients are pressured to go back to their jobs
way to soon – and having to work in conditions and longer hours than they should. Often they take various steroids and painkillers to get through the day –when really they should be
resting and listening to their bodies. This prolongs and sometimes inhibits their full recovery.
Disability pensions and insurance should be available for people who really do need it. Some families actually loose their homes here due to the main income earner becoming disabled – it happens …They cannot pay their medical expenses (or mortgage) and/or they can no longer maintain the job that brought in their income. Once they leave the job – their medical benefits seize. Some families are devastated… and their stability destroyed. Sure some survive the crises due to the fundraising efforts of generous friends, families or churches who rally financial support on their behalf… but one too many do not.
Both socialized and privatized healthcare have their issues. There is no one solution – however I wish there was.
Like I said before, “No place is perfect�
Give people information to make good choices (in medical care, at the voting polls, selecting leaders) is the best one can do. Hopefully the link I posted will help someone make good choices as they recover. I know it provided me with more information that I was given at discharge … I am thankful, daily, that I had good insurance, top notch doctors… and that I can stay at home and rest as needed. (Not all have this) I doubt I will go back to my original occupation and I will have to make a vocational change of some sort- in my future. In Canada people can get funding to retrain (or go back to school) as mature adults- here this is not the case.
Currently I have to focus on
just getting well… later I will figure out the “back to school� mid-life journey… On Nov 9th you will be in my thoughts and prayers- that there in Britain you will be in exceptionally good hands. I hope you will keep us all updated during your recovery.
Cheers,
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