The Elephant in the Doctor's waiting room, re: Elizabeth Edwards

[JanMichael]

I sincerely hope that John Edwards makes it a point during his campaign based on the premise of "Two Americas" that MOST people could not afford the treatment for cancer.

For many of our wives, sisters, mothers, and friends, the news Elizabeth Edwards received today would have been a death notice.

I am glad they can afford it; if one of us were to get sick, and we are insured, we probably wouldn't have much to look forward to.

[MethuenProgressive]

1. "Two Americas" = Two Healthcares

It's an American Truth.

[phillysuse]

6. Actually probably at least 5 Americas

1. Gold plated Blue Cross Blue Shield policies for the wealthy/upper middle class
2. Restrictive HMO policies with high deductibles and more limited access
3. Medicare for those over 65 - covers hospitals and doctors pretty well; the drug benefit, Medicare D, works well if you are healthy, take few medications and those medications are generic.
4. Medicaid - indigent care - end up in resident clinics of urban academic medical centers seeing trainees or in Medicaid mills with 3 minute appointments with poorly trained, usually foreign born physicians.
5. The uninsured - fill the emergency rooms when you get too sick to take it and let the hospital take the financial hit of your care.

Single payer, Medicare for ALL!!!

[JanMichael]

7. It's sickening

We want nothing but the best for Elizabeth; as I posted below, my wife is a native North Carolinian and huge Edwards fan--

But, it's sickening thinking about what would happen if this were us. Like I wrote in my OP, we have health insurance.

[Hekate]

2. He's done so in the past; universal health care is one of their signature issues

That elephant has already left the building.

Hekate

[xchrom]

3. kicking your response

[JanMichael]

4. We are in NC; Stephanie is John Edward's #1 fan---

That elephant is not even anywhere near thinking of leaving the building--it doesn't even know where the elevator is.

[graywarrior]

5. I worry about that for everyone I know.

It's hard enough getting an illness as deadly as that, but worrying about not paying for treatment is the worst.

[ShortnFiery]

8. Good Point!

About a year ago I received a phone call from my husband's Internal Medicine Doctor who called JUST to inform him of the results of some routine medical tests for his Type I Diabetes. I was floored! The only result was that my husband needed to go on a higher dose of blood pressure lowering medicine. :wow:

When he arrived home late that evening, I quipped, "What? "Do you have some money stashed somewhere for an honest to goodness M.D. Specialist to directly call you with the results of your lab tests?!?" Come to find out that my husband's Doctor was indeed "one in million" with regard to thoughtfulness and follow-up with his patients. Too bad it was a Military Facility and he was transferred soon thereafter. :(

The vast majority of the time, you're correct, it's large sums of money is what buys quality health care. Nothing LESS.

Two Americas: The Wealthy and The Peasants. :thumbsdown:

[JanMichael]

9. Are you old enough to remember when the "family doctor"

would come by your house?

We aren't even well into our forties, and that was the norm when we were children; neither of our families were "rich" by any definition.

We had quality health care then--I can't really pinpoint when "cancer" became synonymous with "bankrupt."

[SoCalDem]

10. MY husband had test results mailed to him that said

"all results within normal range"..

He was never the type to go to the doctor, so imagine his surprise, FIVE YEARS LATER (after I bugged the hell out of him to GO) when the new doctor said..

"I don't see here in your file what meds you are on for your diabetes".

Someone in the lab obviously picked up the wrong rubber stamp five years earlier...so for 5 years he had untreated diabetes..

and we had no proof... who saves a slip of paper that says "everything's normal"?

[ShortnFiery]

17. I'm so sorry to hear that about your husband.

IMO, we have a pathetic health care system overall in the good ole USA. I had to haggle a little with our assigned military clinic in order to get some updated shots for my daughter. Believe it or not, the immunization regulations for the Virginia School System is stricter than The Military School standards. Well, at least in one instance.

I hope that your husband is now receiving the needed monitoring and care. I know Diabetes is a challenging and chronic illness. His diabetes was discovered when he was hospitalized with what is termed Ketoacidosis. I was frightened as hell for me at the time with a young toddler. Thank God he recovered from this touch and go experience. However, he checks his blood sugars at least 4-5 times each day and administers to himself at least 6 shots of both fast and slower acting insulin after each meal. I don't know if I could be as brave as he is and maintain such a positive attitude, but there's no choice if you wish for a decent quality of life. :shrug:

My heart goes out to you and your husband.

I wish you both the best. :hug: :hi:

[EFerrari]

11. Ditto. n/t

[Dr Fate]

12. Kerry/Edwards hammered this one in '04- over Kerry's own battle with cancer.

Make no mistake- Edwards & Liz KNOW they are blessed to be priviledged and they will adress equitable healthcare.

[JanMichael]

13. I have believed that from so many politicians

over the years.

I will believe this when I see it.

I really want to see it.

[Dr Fate]

14. Me too. Kerry/Edwards lost BTW, that is why you never saw it.

n/t

[JanMichael]

15. No kidding

thanks for the slightly old newsflash. Stephanie will be devastated to hear Bush is still President. I hope we can afford the shrink.

[Dr Fate]

16. Well, you suggested that Kerry/Edwards never followed through.

I gave an obvious answer to a confusing suggestion- sorry for being a smart alec but that is how I took it.

No need to argue though- we seem to agree on the importance of this issue.