Do you have private health insurance?

Bloody hell - that's an absolute fortune each month.
And $80 just to go to the Dr????????
I simply couldn't afford to live in the US.

I only pay $5.60 for 6 months worth of Thyroxine and the Dr is free - including the blood tests where I get everything tested each time.


I really like the US, but I can't believe a country can do that to their people. Everyone should be entitled to decent health care - whether they are rich or poor. I just hope like friggin' hell that AU never treat us like that.
And when I visit the US I'm making sure to have very good travel insurance.

The health care system in the US is a complete crock unless you're rich enough to afford it. Some cities have free or sliding scale health clinics for low income individuals, but these clinics are pretty limited in what they can do for you. I don't generally disclose this information publicly, but I have Schizoaffective Disorder. I take both antidepressants and anti-psychotics as treatment. In my county, there is a program through the Department of Human Services that provides mental health care for uninsured, under-insured, and low income patients. Thank G-d for this program, because I would not be able to afford my medications or counseling otherwise. Still, I have to pay for regular visits with my primary provider and non-psychiatric meds. For non-psych meds, I spend over $100 per month. Each doctor visit is over $100 as well, and that's with the clinic's "uninsured discount".

I understand the importance of health care for children, but I feel like many assistance programs also discriminate against childless people. Up until a couple of years ago, only women and families with children could get BadgerCare (a type of public medical assistance).

I am Canadian, too, but live in the US and have insurance through my employer. I get quick treatment here in the US but miss the feeling of no economic concerns associated with paying for illness in Canada. Both systems have their issues though..

You live in a great place, Shellz. People have to do what Alice does just to stay even minimally healthy in the US. Our own oldest daughter has no health care, and it breaks my heart every day. She's sick right now and can't afford a doctor. She goes to Walgreens Take Care clinic and they do little. It's all she can afford, and we've already helped her out as much as we can. She has to beg the company that makes her Tourette medication, as it costs more than $200.00 a month out of pocket and she can't afford it. She lost her job that had health care, and couldn't afford the $800.00 a month COBRA payment, so she's shit out of luck. We're freakin' middle class and this happens! My OWN child can't see a doctor when she needs to, and GE doesn't pay any taxes. Nor do many billionaires. We get no health care to let the VERY RICH live their lifestyles. What a fucked up place this is!

In a society where the rich have SO much and the middle class and the poor can't even see a DOCTOR when they need to, it's a shame, a real sin.

My youngest daughter's Pediatric Neurologist costs $280.00 a single visit! As our deductible was raised, we have already paid for two of these out of pocket, plus several of my visits to my doctors.

I can't explain how bad it is here, especially since the Bush Administration made it easier for the RICH to not have to contribute to the General Welfare of the Country. They don't give a shit, just want their own stacks of cash and fuck the rest of us.