Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2086177)

Yeah, right---that's how it happens. If you think you can google something and match the expertise of a physician, you are simply delusional. Actually, let me make that 95% of physicians, there is always a quack out there.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2086189)

The vast majority of physicians care.

Originally Posted by MartinSE (Post 2086203)

I will take exception to calling that an EXCEPTION. For years I was under for-profit healthcare. And for those years where ever I lived, Denver, Phoenix, etc, etc. There was a common thread, doctors that had to maximize the number of patients seen per day just to keep up with the bills in private practice. So common a problem that many of those doctors gave up and joined healthcare groups where they were basically employees. Then when I went in to the "doctors office" I would see which ever doctor was on rotation. I would see that doctor for precisely 15 minutes, no more no less. Because they had quotas. And those doctors typical had NO idea who I was or what my medical history was, because they had never seen me before. And while they spent maybe 10 of those 15 minutes reading my chart to see what the other doctors said, they would ask ME questions to help them understand what the other doctors meant. They almost without exception, they would ask me what I would like to do or have done.

Now that I am in the VA its is totally the opposite. Had my annual today, and the doctor chat with me, know me, discussed my history and how I was doing. Made suggestions on changes and all in all gave me a very safe feeling.

Every single person I know that is in the for profit healthcare system has had exactly the same experience as me. And in addition to that, statistic seems to support the idea, since the US has worse healthcare outcomes that almost any other first world country.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2086381)

I don't know what magical VA you went to, but every single patient I've ever seen, who's come from the VA had a completely opposite experience. NO ONE knew who they were, appointments were as rare as hen's teeth...

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2086483)

Exactly what I have been saying for years. Look at the order of the list of world countries and you will see America in a different light - healthcare (like what was said) is just one big example of how far America has dropped since being in the top 10 after WW2. We have been poisoned in our thinking by insurance companies that use lobbyists to frame US opinion AGAINST National Health Care - they talk like Universal Health Care is a "commie" plot. Yet, it works fine in Canada (and all other civilized countries). Last I heard Canada was a free and non-Communist country.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2086432)

Asking for a friend why do hens not have teeth?

Do think this whole thread has been discussed to death and beyond

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2086493)

Talk to a few Canadians about their health care.

It might be free but you can wait for months for basic test and procedures. Quite a few Canadians come here for their medical needs. Not so simple

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2086502)

Every Canadian that I ever talked to RAVED about their healthcare. And they consider the US system so BAD that they hate to have to ever use it. They go so far as to take out special insurance to protect themselves while they are in the US.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2086489)

The VA is a wonderful organization that has many dedicated medical staff members. They suffer ONLY from BUDGET restraints. Many Veterans are told, "go die for your country and we will take care of your medical and other needs". The Veterans do their part, but then the VA staff, who want to give back to the Veterans, are hamstrung by BUDGET cut-backs!
.........The VA for the most part IS well-liked by Veterans - the VA hospital system is VERY efficient (best interconnected medical software available) because it is the closest thing in the US to a Universal Healthcare System.
........many smart individuals would like to see the VA as a good model for ALL US healthcare. The current HELTER SKELTER insurance based system of "may I" please get care and "please don't deny me" is a big JOKE!

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2086502)

Every Canadian that I ever talked to RAVED about their healthcare. And they consider the US system so BAD that they hate to have to ever use it. They go so far as to take out special insurance to protect themselves while they are in the US.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2086541)

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

That is why so many come to the US for their surgery...

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2086475)

That is correct. A google search is not equivalent to advice from a medical professional. But, a person's computer is available 24 / 7 for medical advice and their individual Physician may NOT be - they might be on the golf course when a patient FEELS a need for information. Physicians are overworked and often must decrease the time allotted for each patient visit. They have hospital rounds and etc. They have the US "insurance system and lobby" leading them around by rings in their noses! Doctors in the 1950s had things different than they do today. Today they are NOT like individual and INDEPENDANT small business entrepreneurs. They are merely COGS in a large corporate wheel - "step out of line and the man comes and kicks you in ..........the knee"
......Young people that are internet savvy want to have medical knowledge and all other knowledge that is waiting there with a few clicks on the "Google Machine". Knowledge IS more universal and important to the average person today than it was in the 1950s!

Originally Posted by jdulej (Post 2086567)

I don't really have a dog in this hunt, but am just curious. Do Canadians who come here for these fairly large procedures, then just pay cash for it and go home? The US hospitals must love these guys! I don't know very many who could afford to lay out 50-100K for something they could just wait awhile for and get for free. Unless it's just the Canadian version of 1%ers where money does not really mean anything?

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2086639)

Originally Posted by thevillages2013 (Post 2084349)

Well first it was Nike. Threw away or gave to charity all all my Nike stuff including a golf bag and would never buy anything with a swoosh on it again. Now Adidas is running a commercial pushing transgender women in sports.
Pretty soon I will be barefoot