Introduction here: http://theromaniandream.com/blog/2009/07/17/taboo/

Today’s topic: American Health System

To put it short the system is as crappy as it seems viewed from outside the US. Even crappier.

Health care is a business in the US. It’s not about the patient anymore. It’s about the profits of the Health Care “Provider”. Anything and everything will be done to save every cent they can. On paper your health insurance might be great, but when you need something the story you are told is completely different.

To give an example: Lately I’ve been experiencing some ankle pain. I made an appointment to have it looked at. It took “only” 2 weeks from the moment I made the appointment until I finally got to the doctors to see it. How does that happen? Or is the “let’s schedule you in 2 weeks maybe your pain goes away until we see you” principle at work? To put this in context: I have one of the best health insurances available here. At least available for the “masses”. Hundreds of dollars flow into the health care providers pockets each month for them to take care of my health. How the heck is that possible?

To give you another absurd example: Somebody suffers an accident and needs urgent care. Hospitals have what the call “Urgent Care” or “Emergency Rooms”. Kinda like what you see in the movies, NOT. What do you think it’s the average time you spend in one of these special rooms? I’ve never heard of anyone spending less than 3-4 hours. Even heard of cases of 8+ hrs. How the hell is that urgent? I thought that if you have a problem that needs urgent attention, you’d receive urgent attention. And what do they do? Make you fill a mountain of paperwork and ask the same questions over and over again.

So, in conclusion: Health care, pfff… I don’t want to think what you go through when you don’t have insurance.

I’m not saying that the system back in Romania was perfect, but at least over there money could and would get you immediate attention. You would solve your problem and go your way. Health care in US, pfff…

Related posts:

1. Group Death Cooperative
2. Getting Well: It’s About Time
3. The Health Care Reform – A Tale of Despair