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  • #1

    Lower costs lure U.S. patients abroad for treatment ...

    http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/27...vel/index.html

    Sandra Giustina is a 61-year-old uninsured American. For three years she saved her money in hopes of affording heart surgery to correct her atrial fibrillation. "They [U.S. hospitals] told me it would be about $175,000, and there was just no way could I come up with that," Giustina said
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  • #2
    Originally posted by tooblue View Post
    http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/27...vel/index.html
    Good for her. The market was too expensive so she found an inexpensive option.
    "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

    "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

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    • #3
      I was going to say the same thing. Sounds like the free market at work to me.
      "It's true that everything happens for a reason. Just remember that sometimes that reason is that you did something really, really, stupid."

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      • #4
        Some Canadians and Europeans said they chose to travel aboard, despite having national health plans, because they are tired of waiting -- sometimes years -- for treatment.
        My guess is that the end of the article hit very closely on why it is so much cheaper: very little insurance costs for Dr.s because there is no legal recourse against them if they botch it. My guess also is that in India everyone is getting paid a lot less.

        If my life were in jeopardy and that was the only place I could get the procedure done, I would go there too. But I don't think it is something we can emulate, unless we make a decision as a society to completely insulate the medical field from liability and control what they get paid.

        The only way you could do the former is if you had much more robust regulation and the government picked up the cost of the mistakes, which is actually not a half bad idea if the government were capable of administering anything properly. I would hate to cap what MDs make, however, because you would stop getting the best and the brightest. Sure, some would still go into that field because they want to help others and because of the prestige, but that used to be the case for teachers too and that is a field that though it may attracted good people, does not attract the cream of the crop (I'm speaking of elementary and secondary education).

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        • #5
          Originally posted by FMCoug View Post
          I was going to say the same thing. Sounds like the free market at work to me.
          And I say good for the American people in voting Obama into office with a mandate to create national health care. Sounds like the free market at work to me!

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          • #6
            Originally posted by tooblue View Post
            And I say good for the American people in voting Obama into office with a mandate to create national health care. Sounds like the free market at work to me!
            That is not the principal reason he was elected. But if you want to believe that fine.
            "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

            "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by Mormon Red Death View Post
              That is not the principal reason he was elected. But if you want to believe that fine.
              Never said it was the principle reason but it most certainly was a significant reason. Regardless, the market has spoken and Obama is president.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by tooblue View Post
                Never said it was the principle reason but it most certainly was a significant reason. Regardless, the market has spoken and Obama is president.
                You need to learn the difference between voters and the market.
                "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

                "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by Mormon Red Death View Post
                  You need to learn the difference between voters and the market.
                  Originally posted by BlueHair View Post
                  The people voted. People are the market.
                  Seems pretty clear to not only me but ...
                  Last edited by tooblue; 03-28-2009, 09:03 PM.

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                  • #10
                    MRD! Tooblue! Stop it you two! Both of you to your room! And I mean it! Now!!!

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by YOhio View Post
                      MRD! Tooblue! Stop it you two! Both of you to your room! And I mean it! Now!!!
                      But the room will cost me $1,500 a night cause I don't have insurance ... Heaven forbid they send in anyone more specialized than a nurse to check on me or I'll be paying off my visit for the next 10 years!
                      Last edited by tooblue; 03-28-2009, 09:14 PM.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by YOhio View Post
                        MRD! Tooblue! Stop it you two! Both of you to your room! And I mean it! Now!!!
                        He started it!
                        "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

                        "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by tooblue View Post
                          But the room will cost me $1,500 a night cause I don't have insurance ... Heaven forbid they send in anyone more specialized than a nurse to check on me or I'll be paying off my visit for the next 10 years!
                          At least you'll end up with a room. Let's say you need a gall bladder surgery, how long before you get it?

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