Republicans may support universal healthcare if abortion is explicitly excluded

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

This is where the American system excels and where the Canadian system is, frankly, pathetic.

[tmma 467]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

This is where the American system excels and where the Canadian system is, frankly, pathetic.

I was in the UK on holiday when it finally became clear I NEEDED the surgery and quickly. EVEN though I had insurance over there.....If I had remained in the UK I would have died. The specialists there TOLD me to risk the flight back here and get to MD Anderson because they did not have the neurosurgeons/facilities or equipment to do the surgery. They literally shuffled me on the next flight out of there.

Their ( the UK specialists) exact words were " You have more of a chance in the US".

[HAL 9000 96]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

MD Anderson FTW. That's what concentrating experts in a said field gets you. Now if they would train others in these techniques... but that cuts into the profit margin.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Their ( the UK specialists) exact words were " You have more of a chance in the US".

Sums up government-run healthcare well, doesn't it?

[HAL 9000 96]

.... The Republican solution is sadly, awarding those at the top of the economical ladder by giving them more tax breaks for things to trickle down some.

...as opposed to the Dem solution of rewarding failed and mismanaged companies with billions in public money with little oversight as to how it's spent ( citibank...etc).

So that the companies would've bit the dust and dragged the economy even further into the hole.

It's like the ( dare I say it) CO2 problem...round and round..continually growing into a bigger problem requiring yet more money to solve it, futher devaluing our currency- pushing us futher in debt...rinse was repeat...and all that.

True dat. I imagine that putting a stop to all that would get cries of socialism wouldn't it?

[tmma 467]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

MD Anderson FTW. That's what concentrating experts in a said field gets you. Now if they would train others in these techniques... but that cuts into the profit margin.

Seriously, I don't have a bad word to say about MD Anderson ( or their pricing) PLUS they are a teaching facility too ( as far as I know).

I don't put myself out on a limb by recommending anything to anyone, but seriously I would recomment MD Anderson.....over anywhere else.

[tmma 467]

Their ( the UK specialists) exact words were " You have more of a chance in the US".

Sums up government-run healthcare well, doesn't it?

hmmmm.yeh. It does sadly. Unfortunatly I couldn't get my Mum out of there in time...... but that's a diff topic.

[HAL 9000 96]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

MD Anderson FTW. That's what concentrating experts in a said field gets you. Now if they would train others in these techniques... but that cuts into the profit margin.

Seriously, I don't have a bad word to say about MD Anderson ( or their pricing) PLUS they are a teaching facility too ( as far as I know).

I don't put myself out on a limb by recommending anything to anyone, but seriously I would recomment MD Anderson.....over anywhere else.

Its a very good facility. One of the best. The medical advice you were given was top-notch.

But yeah... they really need to get (and all other facilities that offer new and upcoming techniques) more in the sharing spirit rather than the slow (profit for me first, then I share later) churn process we have now. Plus its not like private insurers are open to funding new techniques that just happen to save lives. In fact, I wonder how many mid to low income Americans die each year due to these denials. On top of the ones that go bankrupt for choosing to udergo the treatments.

Anyway... time to visit the DMV for some wasteful spending.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

Advanced and experimental treatment and surgery is available in other parts of the world as well. The particular treatment you needed may have happened to be available only in the US. There are others that are available in Europe or Asia (S'pore reportedly has some cutting edge cancer treatments available) and there are a not insignificant number of Americans seeking that cutting edge treatment overseas because it either isn't available here or is something rather established and routine overseas while still in the early stages here. To suggest that medical breakthroughs and cutting edge procedures either originate or are first available in the US or that the insane amount this nation pumps into the health care field triggers all this innovation and development is simply ridiculous.

[NickD 202]

Well, if other elective surgeries aren't covered under health care, then why should abortion be covered?

in canada it's considered an authorised procedure, but the waiting list is 10 months.

Is that after conception, or six months later when the women finally realizes she may be pregnant? Anyway, would be interesting to learn as to how they perform an abortion after that time period.

nick, it's a joke, buddy.

Really not that much of a joke in another aspect, you need some minor surgery, was laid off, money is running short, but have the option to maintain your health insurance by prepaying a month in advance. Attempting to make an appointment before that last month expires with no money left to make another premium in this country can be a major problem. Or having a kid on the way.

That gives me another weird thought, do we have any kind of immigration service here where a natural born USC can apply to become an illegal? That way, you can get free medical help.

[tmma 467]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

Advanced and experimental treatment and surgery is available in other parts of the world as well. The particular treatment you needed may have happened to be available only in the US. There are others that are available in Europe or Asia (S'pore reportedly has some cutting edge cancer treatments available) and there are a not insignificant number of Americans seeking that cutting edge treatment overseas because it either isn't available here or is something rather established and routine overseas while still in the early stages here. To suggest that medical breakthroughs and cutting edge procedures either originate or are first available in the US or that the insane amount this nation pumps into the health care field triggers all this innovation and development is simply ridiculous.

I was only talking about me, and I was not suggesting anything of the sort ( second bolded). I am just happy to be alive.

I'm starting to actually have evil thoughts against all of you who sit on your high horse with your employer provided coverage. Try spending a few months jobless and in need of medication. See how your perspective changes then. You are flipping lucky to have your insurance. Must be nice to look down on those who don't.

I'm not on a high horse...I am just grateful to be alive and grateful that we over here had the mechanism available to me to me so my son continues to have a mother.

If I was a bazillionaire, I would open my own facilities with top notch care and treat everyone regardless of income or illness, but I am not. My first priority is myself and my family. If that sounds awful...Oh well. I paid extortionate insurance premiums and endured surgery that was both risky and expensive. You know what. I am happy ( when honestly my health insurance premiums left me kind of short every month at the time) to protect myself.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

Advanced and experimental treatment and surgery is available in other parts of the world as well. The particular treatment you needed may have happened to be available only in the US. There are others that are available in Europe or Asia (S'pore reportedly has some cutting edge cancer treatments available) and there are a not insignificant number of Americans seeking that cutting edge treatment overseas because it either isn't available here or is something rather established and routine overseas while still in the early stages here. To suggest that medical breakthroughs and cutting edge procedures either originate or are first available in the US or that the insane amount this nation pumps into the health care field triggers all this innovation and development is simply ridiculous.

I was only talking about me, and I was not suggesting anything of the sort ( second bolded). I am just happy to be alive.

Fair enough - I'm happy for you, too.

But then the individual example really doesn't speak to the question I was asking.

[tmma 467]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

Advanced and experimental treatment and surgery is available in other parts of the world as well. The particular treatment you needed may have happened to be available only in the US. There are others that are available in Europe or Asia (S'pore reportedly has some cutting edge cancer treatments available) and there are a not insignificant number of Americans seeking that cutting edge treatment overseas because it either isn't available here or is something rather established and routine overseas while still in the early stages here. To suggest that medical breakthroughs and cutting edge procedures either originate or are first available in the US or that the insane amount this nation pumps into the health care field triggers all this innovation and development is simply ridiculous.

I was only talking about me, and I was not suggesting anything of the sort ( second bolded). I am just happy to be alive.

Fair enough - I'm happy for you, too.

But then the individual example really doesn't speak to the question I was asking.

Thanks......

[HAL 9000 96]

Someone please tell me, what more do we get for being way up there on the spending scale?

Well, I for one got to live. The advanced and experimental surgery I needed was only available at MD Anderson in Houston.

-When I was at MD Anderson, there were folks there from literally all over the world. In fact in the room next to me was some Saudi prince and his entourage.

Advanced and experimental treatment and surgery is available in other parts of the world as well. The particular treatment you needed may have happened to be available only in the US. There are others that are available in Europe or Asia (S'pore reportedly has some cutting edge cancer treatments available) and there are a not insignificant number of Americans seeking that cutting edge treatment overseas because it either isn't available here or is something rather established and routine overseas while still in the early stages here. To suggest that medical breakthroughs and cutting edge procedures either originate or are first available in the US or that the insane amount this nation pumps into the health care field triggers all this innovation and development is simply ridiculous.

I'm sure it was the particular procedure she needed. But you are very correct in stating we in the US are not the only medical pioneers. As an aside, I remember that not too long ago, corrective eye surgeries were pioneered in the USSR and Cuba before the procedures matured into industrial moneymakers here in the US and now all over the world. Sure, these are completely elective for the most part- but the point is done.

[Danno 1,228]

I'm wondering how many people who are for the Obam-care program... or Gov. controlled Healthcare in general are prepared to pay higher premiums within a year?

*please respond I want to know what you are thinking