HealthCare is the US will always be expensive

[RandyRandy]

Because treating patients in the US is a business and not a service.

I've spent the last two weeks in Colombia (where I have no health insurance) and saw how good treatment could be when it is service-oriented.

I arrived two weeks ago on a Sunday night with a knee so inflamed by gout that I had to take a wheelchair from the plane to the terminal. I had tried, unsuccessfully, to get my prescription for Indomethacin refilled before leaving - that would have made my inflammation manageable.

Upon arrival, I was met by a friend with Indomethacin in hand - because it's not a prescription in Colombia. It also costs 1/3 of the price as in the US - WITH insurance.

The next day, a holiday in Colombia, my knee was better, but still swollen. My friend called the local doctor, who arrived 45 minutes later carrying a black bag, the likes of which I have only seen in black and white movies. He gave me an injection directly in my knee and gave me some Vicodin for the pain - total charge was 50,000 pesos or about $25.

I took a nap and woke up in the afternoon, feeling great and able to walk without pain. And I was able to fully enjoy my two weeks in Bogota.

Yesterday I felt a twinge in my knee, so I went to the pharmacy, where the pharmacist gave me an injection in the butt, and so far my knee feels great. Total cost - 12,000 pesos or $6. No need for a doctor, pharmacists here are trained to dispense many treatments.

ObamaCare, no ObamaCare, the HealthCare system is broken in the US and will never serve the people, as long as it's a business first.

[- Jesus Christ -]

Free markets = competition = lower prices.

http://kfor.com/2013/07/08/okc-hospi...prices-online/

http://www.surgerycenterok.com/pricing/

It really is that fucking simple.

[Barry-xlovecam]

Have you ever tried allopurinol for your gout? Not that pricey here (USA) ... Reduces the uric acid in the blood that causes the deposits leading to gout and kidney stones.

The retail is $10.30 /90 days

[RandyRandy]

Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

Have you ever tried allopurinol for your gout? Not that pricey here (USA) ... Reduces the uric acid in the blood that causes the deposits leading to gout and kidney stones.

The retail is $10.30 /90 days

My doctor had me on it a few years ago, and it got my uric acid level down to where he took me off. I'm back in NY tomorrow and I'm going to try these enzymes to neutralize the acid before it becomes a problem.

http://www.herbalremedies.com/enzymes.html

if that doesn't work, I'll go back to the allopurinol - thanks so much for the recommendation!

[RandyRandy]

Originally Posted by - Jesus Christ -

Free markets = competition = lower prices.

http://kfor.com/2013/07/08/okc-hospi...prices-online/

http://www.surgerycenterok.com/pricing/

It really is that fucking simple.

It totally is that simple - hopefully we're moving towards more competition.