Many middle-income Americans lack insurance: study


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maple_asian   
Member since: May 04
Posts: 272
Location: Toronto

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 26-04-06 02:12:19
JRF   
Member since: Jul 04
Posts: 1853
Location: GTA, Ontario

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 26-04-06 20:23:05


Unfortunately, It has become very expensive to remain Medical Insurance covered in US. The big Financial companies who offer Insurance systematically play a tricky game to keep the price moving up gradually. Though the quality of Medical service is better than Canada but it cost for a middle class family..esp.., without a Job, insurance is a big pain that too COBRA.. When I was employed, I was paying (my employer) about $850 for the family of three. What about people who work on minimum wages...

Beleive me, whether many people agree or not. Most of the Insurance related discussions US ofen refer Canada as the country sticking to a better option (Probably their references are other than ON, BTW how are the other provinces in terms of Healthcare?), often Govt has to issue a statement like "We're not looking to a State Sponsored Healthcare".... Yeah how could, then how these big Pfizer, Merck and other guys will make money.

Bottom line, if one is affluent then can afford the healthcare in US provided he / she sustains the Job.. OTOH, the healthcare cost goes up 10% every year but the Compensation.

We've a family friend where both Husband and wife are retired doctors and still mention "You can't afford to be sick in US", same was reflected by another 65+ old relative who is a retired Govt Servant . After living in US for about 4 decades both these families explored the option of settling in India. Unfortunately they couldn't manage to due to their expectation of Infrastructure and certain other factors. I could understand their frustrations, coz it isn't easy to return after 40 yrs in US/Canada... unless one embraces the current situation whole heartedly.

I wish, US develops some good healthcare system in future to assist its citizens who are economically challenged..


- JRF.


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The cowards never started,
The weak died on the way,
Only the strong arrived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yK1i9cLAMM


tamilkuravan   
Member since: Jun 05
Posts: 5775
Location: God's own country

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 26-04-06 22:24:17

Hello!
I have been to the USA only for 10 days and i donot know much about the system.
I would like to know more about American Healthcare.
What happens to people in America who are poor and yet need healthcare. For. eg. a 45 year old unemployed man having a sudden heart attack and has NO health insurance. Will Hospitals treat him (though he can never pay).I have heard that most personal bankruptcies in USA are b'cos of hefty medical bills.
Also, i want to know if low income Amercian citizens (who have a degree, are in low pay and have no Healthcare) are applying for Canadian immigration , come to Canada and stay for 3 years to get Canadian passport and then go back to USA. The reason being, (due to high cost of healthcare) they can just cross to Canada for any health related aspects in the future. Do some american Citizens do that ? (esp. people who are a stone's throw away from the border).
Just wanted to know the happenings in the world. Nothing else.
TK


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JRF   
Member since: Jul 04
Posts: 1853
Location: GTA, Ontario

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 26-04-06 22:55:41

Unfortunately, I don't have a very clear picture whether there is any state sponsored support for Health care though there is Medicare that might provide some assistance upon age / economic conditions..

I strongly beleive that the people who suffer from such unexpected deterioration health will still get a medical support from ER. eg., accident victims, they may not be conscious enough to utter their Insurance Provider or any number. Besides this doesn't fall under healthcare but Emergency which is a different case. Health care is to do with your Dr. visit, Drugs, Surgery, physical etc., etc.,

Honestly, there is no sponsored healthcare (below 65 I beleive) if you don't pay (Else why would you think these many Americans are living without Healthcare).

You might want to see the movie 'John Q' to know some of the healthcare related problems in US. While the movie paints very hard version of the reality, it is true that it does bring certain facts to light.

About the temporary migration of Americans for Healthcare benefits.
1. Either the Canadian Immigration will fiind it out if such thing happens.
2. Country based Quota will prevent it.
3. Not all with degree will qualify to immigrate.
4. Even such people from America you refer who qualify may not immigrate just because of the Healthcare, because they would still be able to afford the Health Insurance.





Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan

Hello!
I have been to the USA only for 10 days and i donot know much about the system.
I would like to know more about American Healthcare.

What happens to people in America who are poor and yet need healthcare. For. eg. a 45 year old unemployed man having a sudden heart attack and has NO health insurance. Will Hospitals treat him (though he can never pay).I have heard that most personal bankruptcies in USA are b'cos of hefty medical bills.
Also, i want to know if low income Amercian citizens (who have a degree, are in low pay and have no Healthcare) are applying for Canadian immigration , come to Canada and stay for 3 years to get Canadian passport and then go back to USA. The reason being, (due to high cost of healthcare) they can just cross to Canada for any health related aspects in the future. Do some american Citizens do that ? (esp. people who are a stone's throw away from the border).
Just wanted to know the happenings in the world. Nothing else.
TK


-----------------------------------------------------------------
The cowards never started,
The weak died on the way,
Only the strong arrived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yK1i9cLAMM


ramrao   
Member since: Apr 06
Posts: 124
Location:

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 28-04-06 16:48:13

In USA if you need emergency assistance and you don't have insurance then you can still go to hospital and they will treat you and as per as paying bill is concerned you have to pay on your own. There are charities who pay your bill if you are unable but not sure if they are available everywhere and if they pay for everyone.
Another option is county hospitals and all but it’s difficult for someone without insurance.
There are some government sponsored programs like med claim and Medicare but you have to earn those by paying social security and usually its available after 63 or 65 I guess.

Hospital stay is extremely expensive (most of the hospitals overcharge) and also Doctor's office visits.

Generally it’s a good idea to return to your home country after retirement, as healthcare is very expensive.

Ram


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Desi Lion


tamilkuravan   
Member since: Jun 05
Posts: 5775
Location: God's own country

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 28-04-06 16:59:08

Thanks ram for the explanation. My mother got sick in USA (as a visitor) and they performed an operation to insert a pacemaker. The total charge was US$26,000 and since my brother (the invitee) had no money to pay for it, they put him on a 3 year mortgage to settle the bill. At the end of 3 years he would have paid back us$40,000. My mother had no medical insurance.
Many of my relatives in the USA are 65+. All are retired but no one wants to come back to India. 90% of them are retired doctors and so it can be only one of the 2 as to why they are staying back.
1. They have a lot of money
2. Health care is subsidised to a large extent after 65 years.

Your views, Ram on this.
TK


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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.


ramrao   
Member since: Apr 06
Posts: 124
Location:

Post ID: #PID Posted on: 28-04-06 20:02:29

TK I guess its both and also lifestyle here.
Doctors are rich here in USA and as I said there are options like Medicare and Medicaid which are available after 63 or 65.
People who are here in USA from long time generally don't want to return as they want to enjoy playing with their grand childrens and all.
Its difficult without immediate family.

Ram


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Desi Lion




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