Hi Jeff,

[...]
>> covered by insurance companies.  If someone like my daughter, who has no
>> insurance needed it, then forget it.. I'm sure it wouldn't be affordable
>> unless this country gets some kind of clinics set up for people :(


> Boy, could I rant about that one! Until last year when my daughter began
> working, we were spending, on average, about $350/mo. for her diabetic needs.
> However, her employer offered health insurance, and her monthly premium is
> so low compared to what we would normally spend, that it made perfect sense
> for her to accept the plan. We save several hundred dollars a month now.

Of course, that makes sense.  The difference in price even at the pharmacy
if you don't have insurance is more than notable.  In other words, the
pharmacy charges more to patients without insurance than it does to those
who do.  It can be a difference of a few hundred dollars for some
prescriptions.. I'm sure it's the same for any hospital procedure as well. 
We just went through that with my son.

> But concerning health care systems, let me just say this: It is a shame and
> an embarrassment that the U.S.A. -- which claims to be the richest, and the
> most powerful nation on Earth -- has such an ineffective, malfunctioning
> health care system. The U.S. Government spends billions a year on its wars,
> and on propping up friendly dictatorships and other governments, while it
> ignores the needs of its own people.

I'd like to hit those in the House and Senate on the head with a 'wake up'
ruler like the Nuns did in catholic school when I was a kid  
FWAP!  Wake up!! :)

> The health care systems of Canada, Britain, France, and even Cuba, may not
> be perfect, but they are miles ahead of what the U.S.A. has to offer in some
> regards.

I know a few people who came here to the US for health care because they
had problems with Canadian health care, but people have to understand that
provinces in Canada may each have their own 'flavor' of health care.. in
other words, they are not all the same.. my brother and his wife who live
in Vancouver BC wouldn't switch their health care for anything .

> I imagine that you've probably seen Michael Moore's "Sicko". While

Yes, I did. Good expose film I thought.

We're a bit offtopic here, we should end this discussion... I think we
should create a new echo.. "Please_Insure_US"  no pun
intended :)

Take care,
Janis

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