Politics and religion.

[Randi]

All I'll say about this is that I'm happy to pay a higher tax and know that everyone in Denmark can be treated for free in a hospital, and of course go to a doctor free of charge. We do pay some for dental visits, though.

This is how our system works: http://www.im.dk/publikationer/healthcare_in_dk/all.htm

[RICHARD]

All I'll say about this is that I'm happy to pay a higher tax and know that everyone in Denmark can be treated for free in a hospital, and of course go to a doctor free of charge. We do pay some for dental visits, though.

This is how our system works: http://www.im.dk/publikationer/healthcare_in_dk/all.htm

The HC system here in the US is very costly because of the laws, the lawsuits and the beliefs - propagated by stupid TV shows - that you can have a pill or procedure that will cure you of everything.

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I have used this example time and time again.

A stainless steel screw, used to fix fractures in bones, can cost around 50-60 dollars. THat was a few years ago. Because the screw has a special bit to insert it and a special thread the costs go up because the facility has to purchase or rent a special drill to use. Then the costs to keep that driver in service are another consideration.

For sixty dollars you can purchase a few boxes of stainless steel screws at a home repair center.

There are tons of costs related to the screw. Research and development, manufacturing, insurance and ???? Many people will RUN to a lawyer and in some cases rightly so, should a medical device fail or not work.

On TV there are regular ads from lawyers that ask, 'if you took X medicine, or had X treatment and your loved one died or is still ill, call our office, you may be eligible for a cash settlement for you pain and suffering...."

It makes me think of people getting paid to be ill, as sucky as that sounds-

Malpractice is another consideration, but why would a doctor make mistakes like that?

IT's a mess and money has a great deal to do with it.

[Edwina's Secretary]

The HC system here in the US is very costly because of the laws, the lawsuits and the beliefs - propagated by stupid TV shows - that you can have a pill or procedure that will cure you of everything.

What an attempt at a vast oversimplification of a very complex issue. There are lots of things that make our health care system the most expensive.

And anyone who doesn't think it is already "socialized" is not looking at the big picture. Group insurance is a form of socialization. Every time someone in the plan gets medical treatment -- everyone in the plan indirectly pays. Every time you buy goods or services you are paying for the medical care of the employees involved in the entire chain of production.

I think $16,800 to pay for medical insurance for a family (3 or more people in the family) is expensive. Add on to that deductibles and co-pays.

If you could buy that coverage -- if not provided by your employer -- it would be closer to $20,000 a year. If you could get it. Every been prescribed an anti-depressant? You probably are uninsurable. Any cancer, asthma, heart murmur in your medical history? Most likely uninsurable.

There is a whole lot of greed to go around. Drug companies, medical providers, medical devise companies, lawyers, and patients.

But assigning blame or whining about what is wrong doesn't do much toward correcting the situation! And it needs correcting. I would like to see the U.S. move up to maybe...15th?

[RICHARD]

What an attempt at a vast oversimplification of a very complex issue. There are lots of things that make our health care system the most expensive.

But assigning blame or whining about what is wrong doesn't do much toward correcting the situation! And it needs correcting. I would like to see the U.S. move up to maybe...15th?

Bone density scans can be done on a skull.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Bone density scans can be done on a skull.

You've been out of the business for a while RICHARD. Things may have changed.

[RICHARD]

I have a grand time reading thu a post that just lists costs of insurance without really knowing WHAT GOES INTO THOSE COSTS AND WHY HC premiums are out of sight.

It's like assigning blame and whining about an issue without ever knowing why costs are out of hand. Ignorance is bliss, market it and you can outsell alcohol.

Tell me about the annual costs for HC and I'll tell you why they cost so much.
Your whining about the money part of it shows the ignorance of lay people to look into the whys and hows of HC and the cost to the public.

Next time you need medical care, pull out a 20 dollar bill, soak it in alcohol and rub it on the affected area.

THat is the way that people view HC, it's all about money. Tell a person WHY it costs so much and you may make an impression.

People get mad when you take money from theiir wallets.

Tell people why you are doing it and they understand and just may want to get involved with a cause.


Giving discount HC premiums to folks who may need the "full monty' would make me sleep well at night.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I have a grand time reading thu a post that just lists costs of insurance without really knowing WHAT GOES INTO THOSE COSTS AND WHY HC premiums are out of sight.

It's like assigning blame and whining about an issue without ever knowing why costs are out of hand. Ignorance is bliss, market it and you can outsell alcohol.

Tell me about the annual costs for HC and I'll tell you why they cost so much.
Your whining about the money part of it shows the ignorance of lay people to look into the whys and hows of HC and the cost to the public.

Next time you need medical care, pull out a 20 dollar bill, soak it in alcohol and rub it on the affected area.

THat is the way that people view HC, it's all about money. Tell a person WHY it costs so much and you may make an impression.

People get mad when you take money from theiir wallets.

Tell people why you are doing it and they understand and just may want to get involved with a cause.


Giving discount HC premiums to folks who may need the "full monty' would make me sleep well at night.

And you are not a lay person? Oh please RICHARD. So now you are an expert in the complex issue of the cost of healthcare...because once upon a time you worked in a hospital? Just because I work in a munitions factory does not make me a military expert!

But there you have it once again...everyone except you is stupid and ignorant.