Coronavirus - are we all doomed?

[ColinEssex]

I see now that the UK Prime Minister has tested positive.
Col

 

[Jon]

And Matt Hancock, the health secretary.

 

[deletedT]

Someone said the whole world is in debt. There are at least 5 countries with no outside debt. These are, Macau, British Virgin Islands, Palau, Liechtenstein, and Brunei.
Col

You can add UAE and Saudi Arabia and Oman to your list.
And possibly China.

 

[moke123]

My stepson in L.I., N.Y. told my daughter last night he has a 101 fever and no health insurance.

 

[vba_php]

Someone said the whole world is in debt.

I did. if you're ignoring me, you wouldn't have noticed.

 

[Jon]

Chris Whitty, our chief medical officer now has it! That is all 3 key figures doing the daily representation all gone down with the coronavirus.

 

[ColinEssex]

What happens in the USA if you need hospitalisation with the virus but you have no insurance? Do you just get turned away?
Col

 

[ColinEssex]

I did, you super-nice person Brit. if you're ignoring me, you wouldn't have noticed.

I am well aware it was you. Please don't use that derogatory language to another member.
Col

 

[vba_php]

What happens in the USA if you need hospitalisation with the virus but you have no insurance? Do you just get turned away?
Col

the USA government, and local governments, have pretty much waived insurance premiums. especially for poor people. furthermore, the screenings that are being done are pretty comprehensive. if you don't have EXTREME symptoms, they are not admitting you to the hospital. they're telling you to wait it out and get lots of sleep.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Col, as I understand it, you would not be turned away. Special funding categories have been prepared in various areas. Louisiana will treat indigent corona victims if for no other reason than to protect people who don't have corona.

 

[ColinEssex]

Col, as I understand it, you would not be turned away. Special funding categories have been prepared in various areas. Louisiana will treat indigent corona victims if for no other reason than to protect people who don't have corona.

Ok I understand. So if you have no insurance, you still get treated. What then is the point of having health insurance? It all seems a bit pointless and waste of money to me.
Col

 

[NauticalGent]

Ok I understand. So if you have no insurance, you still get treated. What then is the point of having health insurance? It all seems a bit pointless and waste of money to me.
Col

It amazes me how the rest of the world sees the health care in the US. I have had Italians ask me about do people really die in the streets if they have no insurance. The idea is almost laughable.

Although it is true better insurance means better care, no one is turned away in the case of an emergency and as Doc said, it the case of COVID19, no one is getting rejected.

 

[ColinEssex]

I'm afraid the rest of the world is fuelled by roumour and inaccurate information.
How does 'better insurance, equals better care' work? Do doctors give basic treatment, then reach a point where they stop treating a sick patient? Sort of 'sorry pal, no insurance, no more treatment '. Surely that goes against medical oaths and ethics.
Or does having insurance mean having china tea cups instead of a mug, or a tablecloth at mealtimes instead of a paper towel.
I still can't see the point in having medical insurance.
Col

 

[NauticalGent]

You pretty much have it figured out, Col. If the care needed is not an emergency, then some one with no insurance would have to pay out of pocket. Seeing most Doctors is cost prohibitive and prescription medicine is also ridiculous...insurance offsets that cost. Without it, it would be up to the individual practitioner to decide if they wanted to treat you and put you an a payment plan...dont hold your breath on that one.

 

[deletedT]

It amazes me how the rest of the world sees the health care in the US. I have had Italians ask me about do people really die in the streets if they have no insurance. The idea is almost laughable.

Although it is true better insurance means better care, no one is turned away in the case of an emergency and as Doc said, it the case of COVID19, no one is getting rejected.

Maybe you need watching this:

Sicko (2007) ⭐ 8.0 | Documentary, Drama

2h 3m | PG-13

www.imdb.com

 

[NauticalGent]

I've seen all the of those and what you see is what someone with an agenda wants you to see. I'll admit our system isn't ideal and there is room for improvement...but that is a different thread!

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Col, I can understand that this is one of those issues that represents a "great divide" between the USA and the UK. We in the USA have/need medical insurance because we don't have universal government-funded healthcare. No matter where you go in the world, SOMEONE has to pay for goods and services in a hospital. Nothing is free. The question is where the costs are hidden when they are not out in the open. Ours are out in the open. Yours, from what I understand, are more hidden.

 

[moke123]

Apparently my stepson called a Med provider inquiring what to do. The tests are apparently free but the appointment was going to cost him $110 just to go there. BUT they are not testing for covid19.

When my daughter turned 26 last year she was booted off my insurance. Luckily my state had RomneyCare (now ObamaCare) and she has been able to purchase her own coverage (very good coverage at that) for $30 a month.

 

[AccessBlaster]

How does 'better insurance, equals better care' work?

Don't know ask Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger next time they bypass NHS for the free market.

 

[ColinEssex]

Doc, every worker in the UK pays a percentage of their earnings - called National Insurance to the government which in turn pays for the NHS to be free to everyone. Prescriptions are not free, except for over 65's or you live in Scotland. Dentists are not free because they are greedy sods. Most other treatments are free. Nothing is hidden, the amount you pay is on your payslip.
AB, I think you are referring to people's choice of either using the NHS or going private. That is personal choice, it is quicker to pay privately but costs a lot. If I had the money the two gentlemen you mentioned have, I think I would go private rather than wait 2 or 3 years for an operation in agony. Obviously, if your need is urgent, then you only wait months for an operation.
Col