Algernon Sydney is Dead wrote:
Around here (PRK), you could actually sue your doc and win, for cutting you off. Can't you go to a cheap GP, office visit $45, and get an RX?
65 dollars after my medicare co-pay, but they still had to send me to the shrink for the scrip. That happens December 2nd. Yes, it was unwise to let the deductible go wanting, but at the time it was a choice between that and buying groceries. Still, one of the symptoms I have to contend with is a less than stellar decision making process regarding personal finances. Pretty typical in bi-polar cases, not that I can blame it all on my condition. Suing doctors is somewhat of a taboo in my family, having been a service provider to doctors in the past, as I've mentioned. Also, while he technically cut me off for about two weeks before he sent me official notification via registered letter that he wouldn't see me anymore 30 days after receipt of said letter, he still filled that final prescription, then sent off, what I'm sure is the usual "cover your ass" legal manuever. So even if I were the litigous type, I'm sure I probably have no case in any event.
Algernon Sydney is Dead wrote:
Not at all. Drugs are kept artificially low in Canada (and elsewhere) by the immoral actions of the Canadian and US governments. Likewise, costs are outrageously high in the States for the same reasons.
I was just being a good capitalist and working around barriers.
When you don't have health insurance, you have to really shop around and bargain with docs ahead of time, for cash prices.
When I had insurance, they paid about 25 cents on the dollar -- with a TON of paperwork, restrictions and back and forth.
Medicare/Medicaid combined with my Grandma's supplemental insurance only pays about 20 cents on the dollar, with even more overhead.
Yet, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc., will try to charge you full list price (4 to 5 times what they were happy to get from the huge institutions), unless you shop and negotiate before hand.
And, that's not an argument for full-blown fascism. It's an indictment of the system when the government only wrecks about 3/4's of the medical economy -- as they increasingly have, since the 30's.
[/quote][/quote]
I was joshing you about the commie thing, of course, but I hope you know my style in such things by now. Certainly Medicare and such as flawed systems, however I look at that like I look at the papal decree against birth control... On one hand, it's seems draconian and out of the dark ages, on the other hand, as the last of 6 children (and 10 pregnancies) well, I probably wouldn't be here without said ban. Likewise with medicare and disability. I don't feel bad about being on disability, i paid into the insurance program while I worked, and so, I can continue to eat and feed my family, not in any grand fashion of course, but I've never found myself to be one to place a high priority in the acquisition of wealth... (not that I condemn in any other's that wish to increase their standard of living.) My dad came to the U.S. to pursue the American dream. I like the American dream and wish it to come true for anyone that seeks it. I did try my hardest, post-diagnosis to continue working. My last job was at Oregon Special Olympics working on database stuff. They let me go because "While you are very intelligent and we all love you a lot, your condition is preventing you from being able to focus on the task at hand." Actually, as they knew of my condition prior to hiring me, (and even if they didn't) they were on shaky ground there, under the ADA for firing me. If you think I'm hesistant about suing doctors, imagine what a heel I'd consider myself had I sued special olympics.
I took it as a sign that if OSO didn't have a place for me, an organization that is dedicated to helping those with mental disabilities, albeit a different mental disability than mine, that seemed a sure sign that there were few places that would put up with the distractions, obsessions, and lack of focus on things other than those that were spinning around my head. Two years of support from my family (and my first wife working her ass off to put food on the table) got me to the point where I was sitting in front of the government disability determination psychologist, who confirmed that I was not, in fact, faking my condition. Of course, this was during the Clinton years, so that may have worked in my favor...
All that being said, should I write my Hugo/Nebula winning magnum opus and become as rich as Stephen King, I wouldn't say "Oh, no, that would just not be right." (Although I would take care to dodge vans if I am walking at the roadside...)
I'd be happy to pay my taxes, and by this nice house overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic where my wife and I are caring for her grandfather. It would be cool to keep it in the family. Maybe Steven Tyler will rent the house next door again and I can get his autograph for my son.
Without the combination of family support (I have the best family, both by descent and in-law) and my disability and medicare I'd be one of those unfortunates standing on the street corner, or quite probably, no longer alive and posting here on this forum, garnering critical acclaim from an audience that considers my "strange thought processes" a boon.
Sadly, not all those with conditions like mine (or with conditions much worse) are blessed with such families... If I ever do break through the disability wall and become, once again, a useful member of society, I would like to think I'll try and help out where I can.
<end of soul-baring, unflattering auto-biographical response>
