Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
Larry Blanchard wrote:

snip
Nobody in Canada or other countries with "socialized" medicine goes
bankrupt from medical bills.

It happens in the US with disturbing frequency. I'd say at least 2
or 3 times a year I read appeals for help in our local paper - not
for indigents, but for middle class people who have exhausted their
resources, and in some cases the resources of family members.


You've heard of Medicaid? Those in such unfortunate circumstances do
and will receive needed care....as well as transportation(in most
locales) to said needed medical appointments. They may indeed lose
assets but that kind of follows anyone whom declines or can't afford
insurance be it for their house (fire), car (wreck) or medical
(health).

If they fall into one of the eligibility categories. Just being sick,
broke, and uninsured doesn't do it.

What I don't understand is why it is the Gov. or insurance companies
or everybody but who are often treated as the villains when it is
the
medical providers themselves and the drug companies that have
increased medical costs by at least 3X the inflation rate for the
past few decades. Profiteering at the expense of the ill seems like
the true problem. I have a few co-pays today exceeding the total
cost of a specific medical service in the 70's........Rod

Next time you think someone is gouging you on medical costs, ask them
what they pay for malpractice insurance. It's not just doctors who
have to pay it by the way, nurses and just about anyone else who is
likely to touch a patient generally pay it.

As for "kind of follows anyone who declines or can't afford
insurance", try "had insurance from employer, got sick, company went
under, group policy was cancelled due to nonpayment of premiums by
employer, couldn't get coverage for his preexisting condition from
another carrier".

--
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--John
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(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)