Was His Death A Wake-Up Call?

[copdsux]

This what is in store for the uninsured/unemployed, in our country, when the compassion is turned off.

Unemployed, Uninsured Man Dies From Tooth Infection

 

[OntarioVanMan]

what does lack of dental insurance have to do with the state of affairs?.....medical insurance usually doesn't cover dental unless you buy an extra rider on the policy....

It looks more like the guy blew off the seriousness of a toothache and paid the price...how many of us do the same thing at the beginning of a toothache? Just take a painkiller hoping it will just go away...appears to be an extreme isolated case published because he was black and printed in a black publication...the poor us syndrome...
if that is a recent picture...he does not look under fed...

 

[EnglishLady]

This what is in store for the uninsured/unemployed, in our country, when the compassion is turned off.

Unemployed, Uninsured Man Dies From Tooth Infection

Education needed please .....

I thought someone on here once said, that there was "free" healthcare for those that cannot afford it

If that is the case then why "couldn't he afford the anti-biotics?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

anti-biotics are cheap....

 

[EnglishLady]

anti-biotics are cheap....

But that doesn't answer my question

 

[copdsux]

anti-biotics are cheap....

When I have a respiritory infection, I'm given Levaquin, which can cost close to 200$ for a ten day supply of 10 pills. Not cheap.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

But that doesn't answer my question

by the looks of his well fed checks he could have gave up a Big Mac or 2...

I think it is more of a case he trivialized an abcess and paid the price...

 

[xiggi]

There is no such thing as free health care. Compassion is a wonderful thing and I bet if this man would have gone to a few churches or other types of places he could have found help.

I bet if you look around you can find a like scenario for any walk of life insured, uninsured, medicare or anything else.

The simple fact is we cannot afford health care for all.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

When I have a respiritory infection, I'm given Levaquin, which can cost close to 200$ for a ten day supply of 10 pills. Not cheap.

Mike you know what antibiotics I am referring to...cheap amoxicillon....or any other of the generic kind...heck most dentists I've been to give ya 2 pills free till ya get the script filled...

 

[xiggi]

When I have a respiritory infection, I'm given Levaquin, which can cost close to 200$ for a ten day supply of 10 pills. Not cheap.

We are talking about an abscess, pills for that can be had for 4 bucks at wal mart and the doc would probably have free samples to give you to begin with.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

We are talking about an abscess, pills for that can be had for 4 bucks at wal mart and the doc would probably have free samples to give you to begin with.

Than you Xiggi....I was just going to post that...the cost of 1 Big Mac...

 

[charlies1gal]

I understand & agree with this! My husbands teeth are all going bad & falling out, because he has periodontal disease & as we can most likely afford to have his teeth pulled (he has no health ins), we can't afford for him to take the time off for recovery! We have tried several avenues to get health ins for him, but because of his age (56) & he is overweight, anyone who would insure him in the 1st place (which is extremely few), are so outrageously exspensive, we just plain can't afford them. He does have 1 of those (so called) discount programs, but it barely helps with regular Dr visits, much less taking on a whole dental proceedure & major surgery, forget about that. Any surgery would be completely out of pocket & that long off work would make us homeless. This Country is in pitiful shape & has been headed here for the last 30 years, (not just Obama). He can't take ALL the blame for this disaster!

 

[OntarioVanMan]

How many of us MEN have blown off a toothache to the last minute? I certainly have....from simple toothache into an abcess....outch!

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I understand & agree with this! My husbands teeth are all going bad & falling out, because he has periodontal disease & as we can most likely afford to have his teeth pulled (he has no health ins), we can't afford for him to take the time off for recovery! We have tried several avenues to get health ins for him, but because of his age (56) & he is overweight, anyone who would insure him in the 1st place (which is extremely few), are so outrageously exspensive, we just plain can't afford them. He does have 1 of those (so called) discount programs, but it barely helps with regular Dr visits, much less taking on a whole dental proceedure & major surgery, forget about that. Any surgery would be completely out of pocket & that long off work would make us homeless. This Country is in pitiful shape & has been headed here for the last 30 years, (not just Obama). He can't take ALL the blame for this disaster!

I had a Stent put in last yr...$32,000 just for day surgery! another $4,000 for the surgeon...cost to me $100....I applied for hospital financial aid and state aid...no problem...

the help is out there..use ALL the resources you can...

 

[BillChaffey]

In any State when you go into an emergency room there will be a sign somewhere saying close to this "If you cannot afford to pay for care the State of __________ requires you still be treated."
As for Charlies #1 gal. I had all my upper teeth pulled in one shot (my own fault for never taking care of them when younger) I went to work the next day framing houses. I was 55 at the time. Also no offence to Charlie, who's fault he's over weight?.

 

[chefdennis]

Well gee, i guess we need the same socialized medicine that thay have in the UK and then all will be great...

GPs ordered to ration cancer scans: Lives 'being put at risk' by bureaucrats' new cost-saving directive

By Sophie Borland
Last updated at 12:26 PM on 8th September
GPs told to ration cancer scans in bureaucratic directive | Mail Online

Family doctors have been ordered to ration the number of patients they send for life-saving cancer scans to save money.

They are being told to slash the number they refer to hospital for tests including ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans commonly used to spot tumours.

Last night experts warned the cost-saving measures increased the risk of patients being diagnosed too late and dying unnecessarily.

Britain has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in Europe, and experts say late diagnosis is to blame.

The cuts are being brought in despite Government pledges to give GPs better access to cancer tests in the hope of saving 5,000 lives a year.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley promised to set aside £750million to help family doctors send patients directly for scans instead of having to refer them to a consultant to decide whether or not they should have a scan.

This process could add several weeks on to the diagnosis by the time patients have waited for an appointment and a slot for a scan.

But it has since emerged that a quarter of Primary Care Trusts are actively discouraging GPs from sending patients for these tests.

The figures were obtained through a freedom of information request by GP Newspaper. Of the 116 PCTs which responded, a quarter said they had policies to reduce ‘inappropriate’ referrals by GPs for scans.
And five – Bury, Salford, South West Essex, Southampton and Stockport – have banned family doctors from sending patients directly for scans, flying in the face of the Government’s pledge.

Order: Family doctors have been told to stop sending people for MRI scans to save money and instead send them to consultants to decide whether they need the tests and scans

Instead they are being encouraged to refer patients to hospital doctors who will decide whether or not they need a test.

Dr Clare Gerada, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, warned that stopping GPs from sending patients for scans will delay diagnosis of cancer.

Out of my hands: A quarter of Primary Care Trusts are actively discouraging GPs from sending patients for cancer tests

She said: ‘This is about money and finances, not about putting patients first.

‘How can a junior doctor in a hospital refer for an ultrasound while I – with 25 years’ experience – have to refer a patient to a specialist?’

Lindsay Wilkinson of Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘Earlier diagnosis makes a huge difference to the chance of surviving cancer. It is vital that GPs are given direct access to diagnostic tests so that those with suspected cancer are diagnosed at the earliest opportunity.

‘Stopping GPs directly accessing scans could be a false economy if GPs have to refer to a hospital specialist who orders the scan anyway.’

Sarah Woolnough of Cancer Research UK said: ‘It is very worrying to hear of PCTs setting referral targets and decommissioning direct access to tests that could speed up a cancer diagnosis.’

Millions of patients a year are referred to hospital for scans including MRIs, ultrasounds, CTs and colonoscopies. They are often used to check for tumours but also to diagnose heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s Disease and problems with joints.

PCTs have to pay a hospital for every patient referred for a scan. A CT scan can cost up to £600, an MRI around £500 and an ultrasound about £100, on top of the cost of a patient seeing a specialist.

Last year a major study showed that the UK had consistently lower survival rates for some of the most common cancers compared with Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

PATIENTS TOLD TO 'TREAT THEMSELVES'

Patients with conditions such as heart problems, lung disease and diabetes will be encouraged to treat themselves at home rather than seeing a GP.

Under guidelines from the Royal College of GPs, 15million sufferers could be taught to carry out tests such as measuring their blood sugar, before giving themselves the correct dose of drugs.

It is hoped it could save the NHS millions of pounds in unnecessary appointments.

But critics have warned that relying on patients to look after themselves is ‘unsafe’ and could put lives at risk.

In January Andrew Lansley promised to ensure Britain’s cancer survival rates were ‘the best in Europe’ by giving GPs better access to tests.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: ‘Early diagnosis of cancer is a very high priority for the Government. That is why the Cancer Outcomes Strategy, which we published earlier this year, put an emphasis on improved GP access to diagnostic tests.

‘We are working to improve access to relevant diagnostic tests for GPs and will shortly be publishing guidelines which have been developed by GPs working with radiologists and other specialists.’

Although the NHS has been protected from the Coalition’s programme of spending cuts, in reality it needs big above-inflation rises every year just to ‘stand still’.

This is because of factors such as the ageing population and rapid medical advances.

Many workers in the NHS argue that the 0.1 per cent real terms annual rise in the NHS budget is, in reality, a fall.

Health trust bosses have also been told to make £20billion in efficiency savings over the next few years.

 

[paullud]

When I have a respiritory infection, I'm given Levaquin, which can cost close to 200$ for a ten day supply of 10 pills. Not cheap.

Sounds like you need a new doctor that hasn't developed a relationship with drug companies. My doctor said that there was no need to start with Levaquin due to the expense when treating my lung infection. I didn't think $20 a day was that bad.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[OntarioVanMan]

In any State when you go into an emergency room there will be a sign somewhere saying close to this "If you cannot afford to pay for care the State of __________ requires you still be treated."
As for Charlies #1 gal. I had all my upper teeth pulled in one shot (my own fault for never taking care of them when younger) I went to work the next day framing houses. I was 55 at the time. Also no offence to Charlie, who's fault he's over weight?.

I am a smoker AND overweight....I blame the government for not giving me free healthcare because my ins rates would be too high....the gov. owes me free healthcare...

 

[paullud]

by the looks of his well fed checks he could have gave up a Big Mac or 2...

I think it is more of a case he trivialized an abcess and paid the price...

I let my wisdom tooth go to long even though my wife kept suggesting I get it looked at, I ignored her even after I had lock jaw just hoping it would go away.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[purgoose10]

anti-biotics are cheap....

You can always borrow a pair of pliers.