From: "JaneL" 

"Gary Britt" wrote:

> but then the Russian skaters
> knowing the pitiful piss poor state of their nationalized health care
> showed
> up at the hospital with needles, equipment, bed linens, etc. all purchased
> on the black market because that's the only way to have a non-used clean
> needle, etc.
>

From what I remember of the story, it was just Victor Petrenko who showed
up with his personal hospital kit.

http://www.championsonice.com/skaters/bio.php?useid=9

I have to agree, though, that the stories we're currently getting from my
brother-in-law's nephew are closer to what I've always read health care
conditions were in Russia than the treatment Phil's friend received.  The
nephew is living somewhere outside St. Petersburg, and his wife has been
hospitalized for pregnancy-related problems several times already during
her pregnancy.  He's been rather appalled at the conditions of the local
hospital and clinics and is considering bringing her back to the US before
her due date.  I don't doubt that Phil's friend was treated well - I just
wonder which one is the norm, and if it's a case of where they're located.

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