To read the full story, including more stats and input from local medical professionals,

Skimping? How about wishing I had health/dental care. If the GOP (and some Democrats) would stop getting in the way of health care reform, we just might all have access to quality health care. Americans should DEMAND affordable health care, not just lowering the cost of what we have now either. It must be single payer or a govt. plan.

My daughter has no insurance and a heart condition.  He father had her on his insurance but it dropped a couple of months ago when she turned 19.  She takes half of her daily medication to make it stretch.  Sad.

The short answer to the question of your post is yes.

Even when you're insured there are procedures with caps, like physical therapy. Insurers enforce these caps and also pay less for certain prescribed therapy regimens, even though orthopedists prescribe the treatments. Without coverage, no therapy. Without therapy, no improvement. And so it goes in the land of the very expensive where nothing is free.  Gosh it would be terrible to have a government health care program run by bureaucrats dictating treatment instead of doctors at rates far below what we pay today. That would be terrible thing to have happen here, would it not?

Yes. I won't go out in public because of my teeth.

My back is in such bad shape I can't stand for more than 5 min. without spasms and  daily pain is a close friend of mine.

I am "of an age" that I know they will want to run every test know to insurances heart~ and not just look at what needs seeing to.

I am praying for some sort of medical plan that will help.

I do have MediCal for myself and my son.  I had a little accident playing softball a few years ago.  Got hit square in the face with a line drive while pitching, broke my jaw, ripped my upper lip in half and shoved my top teeth into the roof of my mouth.  Since I couldn't afford implants and my insurance at the time wouldn't cover that, I have to wear a partial.  Point of my story here is the original partial was extremely uncomfortable to wear and the "teeth" kept breaking off.  Nail glue only fixed it so many times.  I recently went to the MediCal dentist and he told me that I could get it replaced.  What?  For free?  So I now have a new partial that looks like what used to be my teeth.  So I guess that's a "good" insurance story to throw in the mix!

I am someone who is affected by all of this personally, just had all of my teeth removed at once and I'm legally blind, and I am an advocate for people with disabilities at Independent Living Center of Kern County. This problem is so wide spread and spinning out of control it's sad. My office is planning things like protests and marches because of the State Budget.

Dang Brandy.  I am frustrated over my son possibly losing his MediCal coverage but that's nothing compared to your story.  I really hope this problem is worked out.  Let us bloggers know if there is anything we can do to help!

I had an aunt put off retirement to get her teeth fixed (i.e. be able to pay off the portion the insurance wont cover).  I also had an uncle that suffered through years (a degenrative condition from birth) of hip pain due to the costs only to finally get the procedure in his 60's (only to die a few years later).  My wife suffered from a lifetime of gastrointestinal problems before we got married because she never had health insurance.  I suffered from a severe case of pyorhea (gum disease) that dentists diagnosed in my early teens but was not able to take care of the problem until I was in my 20's. 

My oldest son was born with a heart murmur, but luckilly I was able to get treatment in Canada because of his dual citizenship.   I had no insurance at the time and eventually went on Active Duty to not have those types of worries.

I've put off getting new eyeglasses since my prescription is fairly stable now. Mostly I've put it off because glasses are so expensive, particularly since I need a specific type of lens because I cannot stand the new ultrathin polycarb lenses. But it's also partially because I have such a hard time finding frames that I can tolerate. Right now though, cost is the more motivating factor. I just hope my current frames don't break.

I can completely understand the situation with glasses. I actually have an excellent connection for reasonably priced glasses. Contact me at my office 661-325-1063 ext. 14 and I will pass on the info. I am an advocate for this topic so anyone who has questions or concerns I have a lot of information and more comes in daily. No one should have to put off medical care or in my case rush medical care so I am doing everything I can to help.

 No one should have to put off medical care or in my case rush medical care so I am doing everything I can to help.

Exactly.  This doesn't even happen in poor ass Cuba.

jfrancais -- It's pretty interesting that Canada came through for your son's treatment when the USA could not.

I think Canada is a great neighbor. But it's a little distressing when American citizens have to cross the border to find a better life through better medical treatment.

My friend has been told that his job ends this summer.  He and his wife have both been busy getting dental work and health care while they still have some form of employer supported health insurance.   They will still be paying huge deductibles but that is better than paying for the whole amount out of pocket. 

I heard on the news last week that the health insurance companies have reported a surge in claims in recent months.  They assume it is because folks who fear they will be losing their jobs are hurrying up and getting insurance covered procedures done now while they still have jobs and health insurance.  I have been unable to find a link to that news item.  I will include it when/if  I find one.

I haven't gone to the dentist for about five years. The last couple times I went I didn't get X-rays, because I couldn't pay for them. I do make sure that I brush them at least twice a day. I think I will break down and make an appointment. I still have some money left from my last paycheck.

I go to Costco for my optometry needs. It cost around $55 to see an optometrist. 

Michael Moore's movie, Sicko, is a must see. I believe that it's his best movie. He targets both Democrats and Republicans. Healthcare shouldn't be a partisan issue.

I am blessed to be covered by my partners' insurance. Otherwise, my meds would rung 2K/month. That's right- two thousand dollars per month. Still, the coverage has limits: I have fiberous growths that require a specialist to look at and remove- the insurance won't cover the costs, so I live with the discomfort and pain they cause.

Skimping? Absolutely, but only on myself and Mr. V. The kids will get the care they need no matter how much it costs us.

I'm months behind on my annual checkup with my OB/GYN, have had a strange pain in my chest right around where my heart is (or should be, according to some on here) for the last couple of months, and am nursing a swollen ankle that might be sprained. 

Mr. V is putting off $2000.00 worth of dental work, needs an eye exam (in my opinion, LOL), and has sustained a foot injury during one of his runs. He also has a toenail that's looking a bit suspicious to me. We just don't talk about these things anymore. We can't afford it.

I received a letter from my health insurance company last month that my premium was going to be increased $75.00 A MONTH due to rising prescription drug costs. Hello? I have filled exactly one prescription in the last year on this policy and it was for a generic antibiotic. Why the hell am I paying for dopers on anti-depressants? 

We pay, out of pocket, for many treatments and services for our kids. Our insurance policies are bare-bones, high co-pays, and essentially worthless unless one of us becomes terminally ill. And even then the policies might still be worthless. We don't qualify for any assistance because of income, and one of our kids isn't insured due to his diagnosis of autism. 

A speech therapy session costs $45.00/half hour. We're paying that out of pocket once a week, soon to be twice a week. I see families that receive such services for free based on need and that never bothered me until very recently. 

i have kaiser right now because i could not afford my cobra or a private blue cross policy.  my premium also went up about $75/month  after my birthday because i went into a different age bracket.

my dental plan right now consists of conscienciously brushing my teeth at least twice a day and hoping i dont get any cavities.

My dentist lets me make payments. I have insurance, but as anyone with dental insurance knows, it still doesn't cover much. I owe more to him than I do to my credit card! My girlfriend graduated from dental school last fall..about the time the economy tanked. She can't find work because dental work is one of the things people WILL put off in hard times.

I hate to break the news, but it's not only the GOP who hasn't, and doesn't think America can afford nationalized healthcare. People are putting off healthcare already because the economy is so bad. Another few trillion dollars of debt wont make getting to the doctor any cheaper in the long run(unless you already don't pay taxes) and it won't guarantee quick, effective treatment. It won't guarantee treatment at all.

The feel good story about Canada is touching. Too bad canada didn't make it that way for my late friend. Julie, from B.C. She was given one round of chemo. It didn't change anything so the system declined to give her more. She didn't say why and i diodn't press the issue. It was no time for the pros and cons of the healthcare systems in our respective countries. Would it have saved her? Who knows? Lung cancer is a sketchy thing, but she would like to have tried. Granted, she was in her mid 60's and a smoker, but should that give a provider the power to decide your fate? It wouldn't in the system we have here, now. It isn't perfect, but it's still the best in the world, even if it is expensive.

Heard a British talk show host today filling in for Rush.  (the scoundral)  He was talking about maternity wards in Britain and how, if you go into labor and they don't have a bed for you they'll fly you to wherever they have one.  Sounds nice but if you'r labor is imminent do you have the time?  Birth in mid flight?

He said the cancer survival rate in GB is much lower than here and one reason is that if the chemo doesn't work, they aren't willing to try one that isn't on the list.  It' slike oooops..that didn't work, so sorry.

There's no doubt we need to do something but trotting along in Britain and Canada's footsteps isn't the way.

The surgery I had on my ears in March cost over $11,000 for an in and out procedure that Audrey had done in the docs office. (I was in by 7 and out by lunch at Sizzler... I'm not sure I could have handled not being put out there WAS an option, I just wasn't told.)  After the insurance and the discount and the finagling, I got a bill for the $250 deductible and a bill for a $50 co pay for ER the week before it.  Memorial called me and offered to set up a payment plan with no interest.

I pay $96 per month for Healthnet in lieu of Medicare Part B.  The insurance I have isn't much better than socialized medicine in that I have few choices and when I need a specialist they decide who I get by way of an authorization letter which can take weeks to a month to get.  Mine was rushed through because I went deaf as a post and between my daughter and my doc screaming at them, they expedited it.  That won't happen under government controlled panel deciding health care.

As screwy as our current government run health care is (KMC),  unless you have kids you're SOL getting care for yourself.  At least that's been the case with my family member so if that's what you want, that's what Obama is willing to give you.  Nay, that's what he IS going to give you.  God help me, I'm getting to the age where they'll look at my age and say "nahhh..she doesn' t have all that many years left anyway, lets spend out resources on the young."

edied

Cancer survival rates in France and Canada are both good, and both have socialized medicine.  If you saw "SiCKO," you'll know the French system is *INCREDIBLY* socialized.

The survival rate in the UK is probably comparable to the US cancer survival rate for blacks. 

Mine was rushed through because I went deaf as a post and between my daughter and my doc screaming at them, they expedited it.  That won't happen under government controlled panel deciding health care.

You're right.  The screaming won't be needed.  

Americans struggle to pay for healthcare: Study

Hidden Costs of Healthcare: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less

Healthcare reform is desperately needed.

GREAT comments from various points of view. THIS is what blogging is all about.

I hope we can "scrape" some of these for print.

Another touching "Canada story"-

My oldest son is also special needs and has had a medical team to evaluate his progresss over the last 10 years.  They mail me yearly reports on his progress and explain in detail (50+ pages) of the diagnosis and the course of action.  I am also in the military and they are willing to give me a compassionate assignment to accomodate his needs under the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).  His doctors and specialists have coordinated with his school to monitor and facilitate his development.  I was apprehensive of the program as he had moved from a large metropolitan area to a small town in Alberta but I think the care being provided is exceptional and just as good, if not better, than the care he would have received here in the US.

jfrancis~ that sounds better than what happens here~ Doctors never,ever sat and talked over anything with me & the "rest of the team".

To attempt to diminish your story with the word "touching" is a little bit like the act of a smug little twit.

I think most can see through that.

 It isn't perfect, but it's still the best in the world, even if it is expensive.

Only in your mind it's the best.  It can be good if you have the means but it is not even close to being the best.

Changes in the health care system will be costly but it comes down to political will.  If congress was willing to authorize billions of dollars to fight a war without concrete evidence for surely they can legislate heathcare reform (which has tons of evidence to show that change is needed).  It's expensive but so are wars and private sector bailouts.  What gives?

 To attempt to diminish your story with the word "touching" is a little bit like the act of a smug little twit.

We all have our views on the system and his points are valid, too.  Canada does have its problems but I still believe it's a better system (based on quality, costs, and access) based on my experiences.  Obama's proposal is a good compromise for those who still believe that the private sector is more efficent and of higher quality (I don't think anyone is arguing that it's cheaper) even though I would like him to do more.

It not the points I have a problem with~ using the word "touching" in the manner it was done simply turned me off to his points. A lose lose.Not that he was trying to reach me with his logic.

Your story of a real event is as valid as his story of another real person. "Touching" was an attempt to make your story somehow less relevant to the dissussion.

I just heard about a local woman with bone cancer who has had to forego treatment because she simply can't afford it.

I can't imagine being in that situation. It may come down to losing her house.

She hasn't agreed to go on the record, but I hope she will.

The way I see it, there's three main problems in health care right now: the uninsured, the insured but don't have enough coverage for major illnesses and malpractice insurance rates. Not all proposed solutions are focusing on all three problems. If you provide the uninsured with mediocre coverage, you just move them into the second category. If you don't do anything about people with insurance but not enough coverage, there will still be people declaring bankrupcy because they got ill. I'm not quite sure how best to go about tackling these two issues though, but something needs to be done about both.

Malpractice actually seems the easiest to tackle to me since studies have shown that it's "repeat offender" doctors who contribute greatly to the problem. There needs to be a better way to identify and yank the licenses of these repeat offenders so they can't practice anywhere in the USA after committing some threshold of actual malpractice. Then we won't hear stories like the ones KGET recently aired about a local plastic surgeon who botched operations. Seems he lost his license in another state but "state hopped" over the California were he still has a license to practice. So malpractice reform doesn't need to be "caps on settlements" like many have proposed, but rather "weed out the doctors who are actually bad so the good doctors don't have to pay more to cover the settlements of the bad doctors". Some oversight on the profit margins of malpractice insurance companies might also be good to make sure they aren't profitting to greatly at the expense of doctors and their patients.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/...

Obama is not out to put private insurers out of business but I wish he was.

I am not skimping one bit. I in fact enjoy the best medical care of my life. Now that I have taken part of a very efficient socialized medical system.

What’s interesting is that my doctors within my socialized medical service. Are the same as those that most of You use.

Just this year I have had a complete MRI of my entire spinal column. An electrocardiogram. A stress test.  An angiogram. A   Cystoscopy. And a colonoscopy.
Along with those exams I have also had numerous blood test and the accompanying office visits by my primary physician along with the necessary specialists.

I use Medicare.

In addition to that socialized medical system I receive services through the Veterans Administration. This is another excellent socialized medical system earned because of my service in the Army.

Try socialized medical care. All industrialized nations in the world except America Have had a wonderful experience with that system of care.

Socialized medical care is amazing. Without it I would be in the poor house or dead.

Imagine what would happen to your family if you would suffer the medical experiences I have had. If you have a insurance policy. Check out what your copay would be if you had my experiences.

In most cases I do not use the term socialized medical. I prefer the more accurate term. Single payer system.

If one would be honest with himself. One would have to refer to all insurance programs as socialist behavior. With private insurance you are only buying  a seat at the table,  governed by a board of directors.

You are only one blade of grass in the prairie. You have no control of your destiny. You have no choices after you become ill.  You are tethered to the program you have chosen.

Because no other program will accept you once you have become ill.
(don’t get me started on the Cobra program)

"If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality healthcare -- if they tell us that they're offering a good deal -- then why is it that the government, which they say can't run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business?" Obama asked. "That's not logical."

From:
http://www.latimes.com/news...

 

Clue in, tkozy. You have already ranted about your situation and good for you that you get the best care. 

Obama's non-plan with absolutely no focus or direction sends chills up my spine (or maybe my leg if I think like Chris Matthews). 

Thanx for reading my mind sage. I wasn't aware you possessed that talent OH YOU DON'T! My meaning of touching was sincere, but after re reading my post, poorly placed. It IS cool when something works the way it is intended. My point is that it doesn't always happen, and when YOU cease to be the one who decides how your care will proceed, it is a bad thing. Sorry if I offended anyone else. A TWIT? Here we go with the namecalling rather than constructive debate.

Using SICKO(or anything else Moore has to say)as a source is like using the Star. Those are his OPINIONS and he has admitted that.

As for healthcare in Canada being on par with America.Well, in some cases, that may be true, but THIS is where people from Canada come when they want,and can afford, better care. That's just a fact.

Vanity,

If the plan is so bad. Why are the insurers running scared?

Please read:

"If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality healthcare -- if they tell us that they're offering a good deal -- then why is it that the government, which they say can't run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business?" Obama asked. "That's not logical."

From:
http://www.latimes.com/news...

Obama's non-plan with absolutely no focus or direction sends chills up my spine (or maybe my leg if I think like Chris Matthews). 

His focus is driving down health care cost (he has said this numerous times).  He has enough faith in market competition (I don't) to put big government in direct competition with the private sector which is supposed to do it better. 

As Obama stated, it's not logical that government would put the private sector out of business if they have the better quality or cost-efficient solution.

spam code: xzude

Using SICKO(or anything else Moore has to say)as a source is like using the Star. Those are his OPINIONS and he has admitted that.

You obviously have not seen the film.  Americans getting their prescriptions filled for pennies on the dollar in Cuba was fact (so was that skyscraper hospital in Havana).  The Americans that had health insurance but were denied coverage (and died) was fact.  The 9/11 rescue workers suffering from resperatory illnesses was also fact.  The international rankings of healthcare systems, at that time, was fact.  The American marrying a Canadian so that she could have health care was fact. 

Michael Moore saying that the US healthcare system sucks is his opinion.

 THIS is where people from Canada come when they want,and can afford, better care.

This is where they come when they want to "jump the line" and can afford it.  Under an American single-payer plan, rich folks here could do the same.

Americans without health insurance sometimes do the reverse.  That was in "SiCKO" too.

moto,

Fact is that many Americans are going to Mexico for medical and dental care.

And by an overwhelming degree. Both Canadians and Mexicans are happy with their socialized medical system.

Bloggers -- We're going to "scrape" several of your comments for print on Sunday -- because you guys are so good! Only your online name is used on those.

Meanwhile, I've been asked by a top editor to speak to some of you on the record (that means real names) about the experiences you've blogged about here.

Any takers?

mrsearnhardt88?  sage?  jfrancais?  vanityfair?  msemilyh?

SMayer,

I would love to talk to you. This topic is so important that we have to address it. I don't want anyone else to have to suffer like I have. Even though I've had it rough I still get reminded daily that there are people much worse off than I am and I want to help as much as possible.

Thanks, BrandyM.

Anyone willing to talk about your and your family members' experiences regarding medical care, dental, insurance, lack of coverage, and especially skimping or cutting corners of care, please send an e-mail with your name and phone number to smayer@bakersfield.com

Thanks!