4 stitches in my hand cost $452

[Modular]

The real problem with comparing mortality rates between countries is that we are the most obese country in the world. That's not something that better healthcare will take care of.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Modular
The real problem with comparing mortality rates between countries is that we are the most obese country in the world. That's not something that better healthcare will take care of.

I'm sure there are more undocumented dead people in other countries too.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

I had knee surgery this past January and the hospital billed for about $25,000 in total.

I was there for about 5 hours between both surgeries.

By your logic, they billed $5,000/hr. Was it worth it?

Doesn't sound like it when you look at it as $5,000 per hour... but when you look at it as a higher quality of life for the next 25 years until I'll likely knee a total knee replacement, it sounds pretty reasonable.

Even more reasonable when you consider the insurance company negotiated it down to under $10,000.

Well lucky fucking you. A good portion of the country has no access to insurance.

What if you were like the rest of us and had to pony up that fucking $25,000.

What would you be saying now Miss Primidonna?

Please... I'm in an entry level job. There's nothing special about my situation. I don't come from a rich family. I'm in debt. I took the necessary steps to ensure my physical and financial well being... maybe that does make me special in today's world...

If you don't have health insurance it's your fault. Not mine. Not the US Government's. Not your neighbor's. If the company you work for doesn't offer health insurance or your self employed, there's private health insurance as well as personal savings accounts if you don't care for the high premiums and deductibles of private health insurance.

In short, be a grown up and take responsibility for you and your family's well being.

My thoughts exactly. There are reasonable plans and options out there. The majority of people that say they can't afford health care don't want to give up some of the luxuries in their life (a new car is a luxury, traveling for vacation are a luxury, so is the array of electronics that people seem to think are necessities) so they can afford decent health care. If you haven't given up those things yet then you want them more than you want to protect your health. That's your choice and other people shouldn't have to subsidize your choice.

QFT, on the news the people they are interviewed that cry how healthcare is too expensive usually have a common theme:

lots of jewelry

lots of kids

plasma/LCD on the walls

leather furniture

Cars that are slightly older, but with tint and larger wheels

designer handbag

nails manicured/hair dos

Kids have Wii's/XBox/etc

still all that said until our crime problems are solved I don't think any money should be invested in welfare/healthcare programs.

The very people getting the most benefit are costing everyone else more in the crimes they commit.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Bignate603
My thoughts exactly. There are reasonable plans and options out there. The majority of people that say they can't afford health care don't want to give up some of the luxuries in their life (a new car is a luxury, traveling for vacation are a luxury, so is the array of electronics that people seem to think are necessities) so they can afford decent health care. If you haven't given up those things yet then you want them more than you want to protect your health. That's your choice and other people shouldn't have to subsidize your choice.

Electronics is a necessity in this country. Unless you want to look like a complete retard in the work force, you need to be familiar with certain basics.

However, I'm glad to hear that to afford healthcare, you should live like a homeless man. That sure screams "most advanced nation".

 

[alkemyst]

What electronics are needed to get a job? Why do you have to OWN them to understand the basics.

No one is disputing being homeless sucks, they are disputing that that homeless man has no rights to be made whole.

 

[SportSC4]

To the original poster, Insurance companies negotiate what they pay. Contact the billing department at the hospital and negotiate your rate.

Why should you pay more for your service than what the insurance companies would pay? Find the average cost of the procedure (can get that done on healthgrades.com for like 8$ or if you know someone with insurance, they can find it from their service) and use that as leverage.