tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post8843393818942811179..comments2024-03-16T16:44:18.220-07:00Comments on Bad Cripple: Three Dangerous Letters: UTIwilliam Peacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-83225061846722823952011-10-08T14:03:47.641-07:002011-10-08T14:03:47.641-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Gianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07530083456193033025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-13564119379134307272010-04-01T05:49:54.072-07:002010-04-01T05:49:54.072-07:00Frida, Yes, people with health insurance who have ...Frida, Yes, people with health insurance who have co-pays often cannot afford basic care. And yes, what is covered in terms of wheelchairs and other durable medical goods is a joke. I look forward to reading your blog and getting the links you mention.<br /><br />Laura, Like you I wonder what happened to medicine and doctors. Long ago when I was profoundly ill as a child not much could be done. Many of my peers died but I recall great compassion and not a single worry about money or health insurance. With regard to my UTI, why does a basic test such as urine analysis and culture cost $150? <br /><br />Holden, I cannot defend Medicaid or Medicaid as they are deeply flawed. We agree the system is hopelessly broken. Hence reform as limited as it is is a step in the right direction. I agree a far bolder program of reform would be better but Obama is the ultimate compromiser. I for one am thankful for this small step forward. I hope it is one of many and hence like the ADA--a harbinger of real social change. <br /><br />As for my UTIs, a surgical solution exists. My problems are temporary and will be resolved.william Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-56940223095057848692010-03-31T18:34:39.759-07:002010-03-31T18:34:39.759-07:00I don't like thinking about health care reform...I don't like thinking about health care reform, it really bugs me. Here is the thing, we are putting more people into an already broken system, this makes no sense to me. I would have liked to see bolder attempts to repair the insurance systems most of the uninsured or underinsured will be pushed to; medicare and medicaid. And bolder insurance regulations in general.<br /><br />For instance I know a seven year old boy in the deep south that doesn't go to school. Why? Because after a year of taking a new medication (and benefitting, he returned to school, his functional levels increased) Medicaid stopped covering it. The company that makes the orphan drug offered to provide the drug for FREE to the child provided a geneticist in the state prescribe it and fill out the paperwork for it every 3 months. Great right? Not so fast, no doctor that is qualified to sign off on the drug in the state takes Medicaid because of it's ridiculously low reimbursement rates. Instead this boy sits at home, socially isolated and ill when he could be in school. Medicaid rates are so low most doctors won't see those patients anymore, and Obama wants to reduce Medicaid's spending. This makes no sense, instead he seeks to expand the population entitled to Medicaid increasing the rolls, while reducing costs. Ugh. Sorry, but I'm incredibly cranky and pessimistic today!<br /><br />A couple of years ago I met the multi-millon dollar cap for my health insurance. I'm fortunate to have access to "high risk" insurance currently, and that my well off family is able (and willing) to pay for many of the obscene costs of associated with my medical needs (even though it is a strain) for me. I wish I felt confident that in 2014 I'll have access to affordable health insurance, but I don't. I think that I'll simply have access to insurance that's more restrictive in what it covers than I have right now. I currently have about 1k of uncovered medical expenses and copays every month, not including the unusual things that come up from time to time (urgent doc visit, er visit, etc). If I wanted to stay at home and rest all day instead of being functional, my costs would probably a third of that.<br /><br />My cousin who has EDS also had a complete Tranverse Myletis when she was a teenager that paralyzed her. She deals with a lot of UTIs and the associated issues. Sometimes it seems like she's in the hospital with a kidney infection every other month. I'm sorry to hear about your issues with this Bill. No rest for the weary...Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341397547225188031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-13970709420909997482010-03-31T18:21:09.817-07:002010-03-31T18:21:09.817-07:00William, I'm sorry you are having those troubl...William, I'm sorry you are having those troubles and I hope things resolve very quickly and easily for you.<br /><br />For my cat, who is subject to those things, it's simply a matter of staying on urinary tract health cat food the rest of her life. I wish it was that simple for people.<br /><br />I also wish I understood how come it is so damn expensive to go to the doctor. I remember about 20 years ago, I could see a nurse practitioner for almost anything, and they charged $19/visit. You paid on the spot and were on your own filing insurance, though - maybe that was it, the doctor's offices weren't employing an army of clerks and waiting months for their money from the insurance companies? Sometimes I wonder if insurance as it has gotten to be isn't the problem, or at least a big part of it.Laura(southernxyl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02880277733341078157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-4032017920568846302010-03-31T15:33:56.465-07:002010-03-31T15:33:56.465-07:00I am sorry you've had issues with UTI's--t...I am sorry you've had issues with UTI's--they are expensive and get as bad as the flu. <br /><br />Not only can people without insurance not afford health care, but sick people with insurance cannot afford to use it. The initial hefty yearly deductible alone presents a big barrier to care for many, along with co-pays, 20% or more coinsurance for radiology, labs, hospital and what insurance won't cover or covers at laughable rates (wheelchairs and other DME). <br /><br />Truly, there are concerns we with disabilities and illnesses do and will have with getting access to care and appropriate care--and that will likely continue.<br /><br />People are are already ineligible to buy insurance will be able to buy insurance within the next 6 months through a government program; by 2014 the insurance companies will have to pony up so that the government doesn't bear the burden the insurance co's create by kicking out those who most need insurance. I don't know what the premiums will be and if people can afford them since so many who are ineligible can't work. I'll give some links on my blog about this shortly or tomorrow morning.FridaWriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321658097813377806noreply@blogger.com