Comparing U.S. and other medical systems

[pomtzu]

What do we hear about the American system? That it is possible your medical condition will go untreated if you do not have the money/insurance to pay for it. Frankly, this freaks us out. As a nation we tend not to believe that your right to healthcare should be dependant on your income.

And I think that this is the biggest flaw in the U.S. system.

However, I don't believe that there is a hospital ER that would ever refuse to treat a patient, just because he had no insurance. I may be wrong, but I believe it's law that someone be treated, regardless of insurance coverage, race, ability to speak English, and some others that I can't put my finger on right now. I know that all satellite offices and clinics of the local medical center have signs posted stating this.

[carole]

I have to agree with Killearns Kitties, that is exactly what we hear over here as well, we have a pretty similar system to the British i think, and i want it to stay that way.

[phesina]

And I think that this is the biggest flaw in the U.S. system.

However, I don't believe that there is a hospital ER that would ever refuse to treat a patient, just because he had no insurance. I may be wrong, but I believe it's law that someone be treated, regardless of insurance coverage, race, ability to speak English, and some others that I can't put my finger on right now. I know that all satellite offices and clinics of the local medical center have signs posted stating this.

That is true that a hospital emergency room must treat everyone who comes in. However, the result is that the ER has become the family doctor for people who don't have health insurance. You have a headache? Kid has the sniffles? Off to the hospital to sit and wait for several hours for someone to see you! This is a phenomenal waste of money and health care resources.

[pomtzu]

That is true that a hospital emergency room must treat everyone who comes in. However, the result is that the ER has become the family doctor for people who don't have health insurance. You have a headache? Kid has the sniffles? Off to the hospital to sit and wait for several hours for someone to see you! This is a phenomenal waste of money and health care resources.

Exactly! And this is why the hospitals and doctors and clinics charge such outlandish prices - to make up for the freebies. I'm definitely not saying this is right, but it will continue to happen. And who takes the beating in the end??? - you and me - paying for it in the form of higher insurance premiums - or cost in general if we don't have insurance.

A couple of years ago I fractured my wrist and arrived at the ER around midnight. When I got checked in I asked the clerk about how long a wait I had, and she said there were patients in the waiting room that had been there for about 5 hours. I just kind of groaned with the thought of that wait, but she said they would take me right back. The ones that had been waiting were no emergencies - a headache, baby with diaper rash, and some other ridiculous "ailments". After my x-ray and my orthopedic surgeon saw me, he had to laugh and tell me that there were some people not too happy with me. It seems that the ones with nothing really wrong and were still waiting , made a complaint that I had been taken ahead of them. They have no insurance, use the ER as their primary care, have someone else footing their bill - and they complain???? What's wrong with that picture??

[sparks19]

That is true that a hospital emergency room must treat everyone who comes in. However, the result is that the ER has become the family doctor for people who don't have health insurance. You have a headache? Kid has the sniffles? Off to the hospital to sit and wait for several hours for someone to see you! This is a phenomenal waste of money and health care resources.

but that isn't something that will stop with a different system. that's one of those things that is going to be that way no matter what. Doctor can't see you right away? off to the ER. Can't find a family doctor that is taking patients? of to the ER. After doctors hours? of to the ER.

I've waited TWELVE hours in the ER before :O

[Killearn Kitties]

but that isn't something that will stop with a different system. that's one of those things that is going to be that way no matter what. Doctor can't see you right away? off to the ER. Can't find a family doctor that is taking patients? of to the ER. After doctors hours? of to the ER.

I've waited TWELVE hours in the ER before :O

I don't understand where you are coming from here. Why would anybody wait in an enormous queue in ER when they could go to their family doctor? I can certainly say that that does not happen here.

[Grace]

I don't understand where you are coming from here. Why would anybody wait in an enormous queue in ER when they could go to their family doctor? I can certainly say that that does not happen here.

I'm guessing sparks did the ER waiting on a weekend or holiday when Family Docs are not available.

[sparks19]

I'm guessing sparks did the ER waiting on a weekend or holiday when Family Docs are not available.

not that particular time but that is another issue. family doctors don't work around the clock and you don't always get sick on their schedule lol so people cram into the ER.

[pomtzu]

not that particular time but that is another issue. family doctors don't work around the clock and you don't always get sick on their schedule lol so people cram into the ER.

I think that Grace and KK thought you waited 12 hours in a U.S. hospital - when it was a Canadian hospital.

Not everybody knows that you're an import!!!

[Killearn Kitties]

Well the situation in London, Ontario sounds horrific. All I can say is that it is a million miles away from the situation here.

[sparks19]

I don't understand where you are coming from here. Why would anybody wait in an enormous queue in ER when they could go to their family doctor? I can certainly say that that does not happen here.

because in London ontario you can't GET a family doctor. none of them are taking patients. Plus it was after hours anyway and I had huge white plotches on my throat that was affecting my breathing. Turned out I had mono and they couldn't do anything for me anyway.

Now I'm speaking specifically about london because thats where most of my experience lies. But unless you have had a family doctor for many years you can't get a new one. there aren't enough doctors for the demand and they have all stopped taking patients as theya re over loaded as it is. And if you DO have a family doctor you often can't get in same day or next day. you have to wait sometimes a week or more.

So... they go to the ER because what other option do they have?

here in Lancaster we have luckily not had to use the ER although we almost did once when Hannah had a high fever and vomitting but we got her fever down and didn't end up having to go but that was on a sunday night at like 7 pm. But I have called Hannah's doctor first thing in the morning when she's been sick and gotten an appt for a few hours later.