No country for old men?

[cdnmatt]

Just to throw this out there -- I don't really ever need medical attention, but my parents are getting to be that age. Gotta say, can't really say I'd rely on the healthcare system in Canada or the like, and from the stories I hear, US is no better especially when it comes to things like the price of prescription dugs.

My dad has been trying to get a GP for over 3 years, and still doesn't have one. He did get a latter a couple months ago informing him that no doctors are currently available, and to please be patient.

About a year or so ago my dad went in for minor knee surgery. They got him into a gown, put him on a stretcher, put him in the hallway, and asked him to wait there. About 1am rolled around, my mom hadn't heard anything yet so got a little worried, called the hospital and asked if the surgery is done, or what's up? They basically just told her, "oh whoops, we forgot all about him. his surgery was actually cancelled, and he's still laying in the hallway if you want to come pick him up". They totally forgot about him, and just left him in the hallway for about 8+ hours.

For about 3 years my mom was in constant agonizing pain and barely able to walk due to a bad hip. After years of waiting patiently in pain, she had enough, flew down to Mexico and got a hip replacement. She's back to doing great, walking the golf course, again. All the while, she's still waiting for a phone call to schedule a consultation to see whether or not she qualifies to be put on the waiting list for a hip replacement. She's not even on the list yet!

I don't have much to do with doctors, but for example, I went to the eye doctor here, and it was a 18 day wait to get in for a quick 15 minute check up. In Thailand we'd call to see the eye specialist and it was, "sure, you can come in tonight anytime after 5pm, or tomorrow before 11am". Same goes for dental surgery. I don't know how long I'd wait in Canada, but I'm sure it'd be more than 20 hours, which is all it was in Thailand to see the dentist at KK Ram. Hell, in Canada it's a 5 day wait just to get a haircut, much less see a specialist at a hospital.

[kittyboy]

I think we're all aware that the US is a 4th World country when it comes to looking after its own

I would say the USA is the leading third world country in looking after its own citizens. 4th world is a bit harsh.

[kittyboy]

I suspect - only a suspicion mind you - that my correspondent in Chiang Mai didn't plan to have bowel cancer; my friend with diabetes also didn't plan to develop a chronic condition that would cost him in excess of 1,000 baht a week in medication if he sourced his drugs in Thailand. None of us know what's around the corner (and that includes speeding drivers that can leave people as quadraplegics, for example). But perhaps Dr Pangloss is practising medicine in Khon Kaen?

I would rather die at a younger age living in an exotic place ..than die old hiding safe at home.
That isn't a choice many people would make but it is my choice.
You should like you want to criticize other people's choices or sound the alarm about the dangers of those choices. People don't need your criticism or your alarm ringing.
You can tell me about what you would do..I have zero interest in you telling others what to do, think, consider etc.

[kkjason]

I think we're all aware that the US is a 4th World country when it comes to looking after its own

You can say what you want about America - go ahead - no skin off my back. However, it is sad person who relies on their country to take care of themselves. What happened to personal responsibility? The amount of money that European countries hand out to people simply NOT too work is sickening beyond belief. Add to that the free housing that many immigrants get, while native born citizens are left to fend for themselves...well, I'll take my "fourth world" homeland anytime (even though I will never live there again).

[kittyboy]

You can say what you want about America - go ahead - no skin off my back. However, it is sad person who relies on their country to take care of themselves. What happened to personal responsibility? The amount of money that European countries hand out to people simply NOT too work is sickening beyond belief. Add to that the free housing that many immigrants get, while native born citizens are left to fend for themselves...well, I'll take my "fourth world" homeland anytime (even though I will never live there again).

Oh please...in the USA healthcare is so expensive many people can not afford healthcare. Hayek the intellectual founder of the modern conservative movement realized that and supported national healthcare. The USA is not a politically conservative nation it is a punitive nation... the national debate has been taken over by rich elites who favor punishing the undeserving poor.
I have heard conservatives in the USA say poor people should work harder to get medical insurance. If they don't have insurance too bad. Let them die. That is conservatism for many people in the USA. There are no basic human rights.

[frequent]

However, it is sad person who relies on their country to take care of themselves.

In First World countries (that is, everywhere in Europe, Canada, Australia & New Zealand - everywhere except America) people contribute via the tax system. As the American judge Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr is reported to have said, "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society". To the extent that Americans believe in self-reliance, it's clear they are not civilised

[aot871]

Hail to the chief and down with trump

[frequent]

You should like you want to criticize other people's choices or sound the alarm about the dangers of those choices. People don't need your criticism or your alarm ringing. You can tell me about what you would do..I have zero interest in you telling others what to do, think, consider etc.

Having spent most of my working life, including 10 years in the USA, very profitably helping people make risk assessments, one of the things people definitely do need is someone who will shake them from their complacency from time to time, however uncomfortable they find it, and however much they resent it. I can describe America in one word - dysfunctional

[kittyboy]

Having spent most of my working life, including 10 years in the USA, very profitably helping people make risk assessments, one of the things people definitely do need is someone who will shake them from their complacency from time to time, however uncomfortable they find it, and however much they resent it. I can describe America in one word - dysfunctional

People are crap decision makers. Read anything in behavioral economics to confirm that view.

You cheapen you advice by giving it away for free.
Most people don't want unsolicited advice.

[kkjason]

In First World countries (that is, everywhere in Europe, Canada, Australia & New Zealand - everywhere except America) people contribute via the tax system. As the American judge Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr is reported to have said, "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society". To the extent that Americans believe in self-reliance, it's clear they are not civilised

You are just trying to stir the pot - but what the hell- I'm game. Let's see - you mention Europe. Greece, Portugal, Spain - the list goes on - 30 percent unemployment. Jumps to over 50 percent when you are talking about young people under the age of 25. Immigrants get free housing. Native born citizens - unemployed - get nothing but an occasional handout when the government sees fit - which is not very often. Don't even try to say I don't know what I'm talking about. I've lived in each of the three countries I just mentioned, and still have many friends that are stuck there trying to get out.

Europe again - You famous EU can't even decide who is in and who is out. You are over taxed and get little to show for it. I have not idea what you are talking about when you say Americans pay no taxes. I sure had a lot of taxes taken out when I worked there - so I guess I was just dooped all of those years. Good to know. Canada - we all know what kind of healthcare system they get for their taxes. I know two Canadians here in Khon Kaen who, when they lived in Canada, hopped across the border to New York to get medical care. They gladly paid for it rather than wait the months it would have taken just to get an appointment in their 'tax funded plan'. Our own Matt - regular contributor - can tell you horror stories about what you get for healthcare in Canada. If that is what you get for your tax payer money - then you can have it.

Again - I know you are just stirring the pot - if not - then you really need to get real. If you will look at my earlier posting - I am the first to acknowledge that healthcare in America is crazy expensive. I am also a firm believer that, yes, you can make your own life work. Stop blaming the government for everything. I'm pretty sure if you stop for moment, you can write a long list of things you can't stand about your own government. So be it - live your own life and stop blaming other people and countries for your own self-inflicted misery.