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Post by byronhenry on Oct 23, 2017 14:53:14 GMT -8
This past summer my mother had to have radiation therapy for breast cancer. But, before she could start treatment she had to have a treadmill stress test. That test cost $13,000 at a non-profit hospital, and this doesn't even include the bill from the doctor who evaluated the test results.
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baruch
New Member
All the ways of G-d are peace
Posts: 33 
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Post by baruch on Oct 23, 2017 18:01:55 GMT -8
Medicine to save your life ... is a very expensive business. Doctors are in the business of being techno-super-heroes ... for a price. Sorry your mom is ill. My mother just passed last June, after 4 very hard years of declining health. We did all we could, given the cooperation of the patient (she wasn't always cooperative) and given that she had good insurance and other resources. Without those resources or insurance ... none of that would have been possible ... but one is left with the inevitable impossible question of ... was all that struggle worth it, or would euthanasia be better (when chosen by the patient).
Part of the expense you are mentioning, is a very specialized equipment that isn't made in bulk, and isn't utilized every day. Such equipment is very hard to pay for, particularly if bought on credit. Centralizing happens to, with medical specialties, but that limits access.
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Post by byronhenry on Oct 25, 2017 6:01:53 GMT -8
Is it true, as I've seen claimed online, that it was once illegal for hospitals to make a profit?
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baruch
New Member
All the ways of G-d are peace
Posts: 33
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Post by baruch on Oct 25, 2017 16:30:32 GMT -8
Is it true, as I've seen claimed online, that it was once illegal for hospitals to make a profit? Originally, hospitals were charitable foundations, NGOs, usually Church connected or Synagogue connected. Their costs were borne by donations of the faithful, more than by charge by service. And doctors were more like ministers, not like entrepreneurs. But that has all changed in the last 100 years. Medicine is much more technical, much more competent, and much more expensive. You can have cheap health care (not health insurance), but you are expected to contribute to the religious establishment of your choice, and choose its medical facilities if you are in need. Also serve as a volunteer if possible. |
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Post by byronhenry on Oct 26, 2017 18:38:13 GMT -8
The bill came today for the ER for the 90 minute or so surgery to remove the cancerous breast lump. Not counting the charges for any of the surgeons or doctors or the anesthesia- just the time in the ER: $55,000.
Whether this country's so-called conservatives like it or not, this country will eventually have a single-payer, tax-funded healthcare system.
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baruch
New Member
All the ways of G-d are peace
Posts: 33
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Post by baruch on Oct 26, 2017 19:29:56 GMT -8
The bill came today for the ER for the 90 minute or so surgery to remove the cancerous breast lump. Not counting the charges for any of the surgeons or doctors or the anesthesia- just the time in the ER: $55,000. Whether this country's so-called conservatives like it or not, this country will eventually have a single-payer, tax-funded healthcare system. Unfortunately, the D party can't grow balls or grow money on trees. Heath care will bankrupt the US, and the US will be overrun and broken up by foreign powers, like India was. |
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