Healthcare

Question: healthcare? can i ask about the american healthcare system for my culture project. 1) do you have free universal healthcare, if not how much is it for an individual. 2)what is the most you would pay for a prescription. 3)what is the average life expectancy. 4)are you happy with the healthcare system. 5)what would you change about it. 6)are you afraid universal healthcare would bring socilism. thank you.

Answer: 1) No. Insurance may be offered through occupation, or you can get a private provider. 2)Depends on how badly I needed it. 3)78. 75 for men, 81 for women. From wiki 4)It has pros and cons. I'd like to see some reform. 5)I'd like to see more employers offer insurance, and private insurance be more affordable. I'd also like to see caps on the cost of healthcare. 6)Somewhat. If it stopped at universal healthcare, I would be okay with that. I'm afraid it may open a door allowing more socialist ideals to enter.

Question: Healthcare becomes universal then what happens to people like me that work in healthcare? If healthcare gets revamped will I get CUT IN PAY? I am a X-ray tech. When everybody can afford healthcare, will I loose money? I am confused if revamping healthcare is bad or good for me. I am for everybody getting great healthcare, but not for a pay cut that I worked hard for!

Answer: First, I doubt that healthcare will become universal. Second, I see no reason why you as a X-ray technician should lose pay...ompare it to salaries in France & other places where they have universal health care.

Question: How does universal healthcare in Europe work? My professor today mentioned that most European countries have universal healthcare. This means that everyones healthcare is provided by the state, correct? How much more money do people pay in taxes in Europe than in the U.S.? It would have to be more since their healthcare is covered, right?

Answer: I am English and now live in California. Like most people I thought that there was a huge tax burden in Britain, but after coming here I now think that's not the case.We pay two forms of tax from our wages:Income tax and National insurance. Your income tax is tax like everywhere else, national insurance pays for your pension and healthcare. I have lived in England all my life up till now and I will fiercely defend our healthcare system, the NHS (national health service). In thanks largely to the effort of our heroic doctors and nurses (and all other staff) the NHS survives....the healthcare is nothing like as bad as people make out, and there are no long waiting lists anymore (now if you're waiting more than six months for routine surgery they'll send you abroad to have it done, paid for of course). No-one pays anything for medical care and the one reason it's under stress (As a healthcare proffesional I know this from experience) is the fact that something built as a national health service is used as a world health service. People come to the UK from all over Europe to take advantage of the NHS and from all over the world. I would like to see treatment restricted to citizens/people who have paid at least 5 years national insurance contributions but at the same time I would never ever want to see anyone, citizen or not, turned away or denied medical care because of money. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford health insurance in the US but the amount hospitals/doctors charge is disgusting and I don't really understand why people are so opposed to universal health care, can you really put a price on life? By the way income tax is 20% of anything you earn over about 5 and a half thouse pounds ($11k) and national insurance is 11% of anything you earn over 84pounds a week ($160) And people have the option of private healthcare in england too if they want to pay for it

Question: How would Universal Healthcare impact the advacement of medicine? I think that unversal healthcare would be detrimental to the advancement of human medicine. Drug companies would tirelessly to develop a breakthrough drug or a cure for a disease because they know it would be a huge payout. Would they have such a large incentive if the government would be paying them? Also, I heard that universal healthcare would result in everyone getting healthcare, but it would involve long lines. Everyone would get treated for cancer and not worry about the bill but they would have to wait 6 months for treatment. What are your thoughts?

Answer: Since the drug companies became privatized, there have been far, far less cures than when it was government controlled. Drug companies only want symptom relievers, since they will be reused over and over, whereas cures are not needed once the problem is gone. No money in cures. Drug companies are more interested in Marketing. Obscene amounts go into marketing. At least thousands if not millions are spent on just pens, clocks, notepads, lunches, clipboards, and a ton of little practically useless stuff they give away for the sole purpose of having the name all around the dr. You should go in a dr's office and just look at the amount of stuff with a drug name on it. That is only a small fraction. The government should really take back the pharmaceutical industry, that would definitely lower regular health insurance prices. If universal health care is brought in, it doesn't mean you can't get regular health insurance. Considering how very little the health insurances pay out ($0.67 on a $10 charge) I highly doubt that the doctors income would be impacted negatively. I think universal health care would be a great thing. And this is coming from someone who would probably have to find a new job. You don't see the people who come in who don't have to money to get seen. People who are already sick, dying, and still getting harassed about payments. There are already tons of people who die because they just didn't have the money for a doctor. What is a couple of days wait to that? 6 months is quite far fetched. I was in the military, and the same type of system ran. Health care was FREE and there were no massive wait times. The only valid complaint that I have heard is that you would not always be able to see the same doctor. Not exactly a big deal. It could very well be that some doctors could choose to take more regular health insurance patients, and then you could have one of those for your regular doctor. As atrocious as regular health insurance is, most doctors take most of them. Why? To boost the number of patients. Universal health care could work the same way. Universal health care will certainly not stop the advancement of medicine. With a little less fear involved, it may even enhance it. Besides, that sounds an awful lot like you want to believe the US is the only place in the world who has helped medicine. Nope. Would you give up your career to keep universal health care from coming? That's how strongly I support it.

Question: What is a conservative solution to healthcare? 47 million Americans dont have healthcare. I know about 60% of that number is illegal immigrants and many more are people that make $75,000 per year and choose not to get it. That still leaves millions of americans that dont have healthcare. The liberals say universal healthcare is the solution. What is a conservative solution to the problem?

Answer: Don't get sick!

Question: What are differences healthcare funding around the world? I am most interested in a good detailed resource for healtcare funding around the world (England, France, Germany, US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina) I mostly need to know how Healthcare if funded. For example in Japan, private employers of over 700 employees, healthcare is funded through payroll taxes. Though I do not know if the tax is 100% paid by employees or the Employer pays something, too.

Answer: I am from Canada where medical coverage is free for everyone,regardless of whether you work or not.

Question: What healthcare job is least likely to risk a lawsuit? I know Doctors pay a hefty sum for malpractice insurance, but are nurses likely to get sued as well? What job in the healthcare industry is least likey to get sued for malpractice? Please no desk jobs like medical transcriptions or coding.

Answer: Hospitals carry liability insurance for their nurses. It is unlikely that a nurse will get sued unless she/he does something very deliberate and intentional to harm a patient.

Question: What healthcare providers cover orthognathic surgery and how much does it cost? I'm with bluecross blueshield and they exclude this surgery. The real pain is my company just switched to blueshield from aetna, who does cover it. Just my luck. This surgery is very important to me, I want to fix my underbite. Does anyone know what healthcare providers cover this, and what employers use it so I know where to apply to get this insurance? Or at least recommend an oral surgeon that knows what he's doing and is somewhat affordable? Thanks.

Answer: An option to consider is traveling overseas for your dental work. I am originally from Los Angeles, but have been living in Monterrey, Mexico for about 2 years now. I have had regular dental visits and am VERY impressed with the quality of the facilities and the doctors. The best part is that dental work is about 50% less expensive here than it is in the U.S! Monterrey, Mexico is just two hours south of Texas, so it is very easy to get to wherever you are. And, you can always combine your visit with a vacation! If this is something that interests you, check out www.travelforcare.com a Medical Travel facilitator that will help you with all the details.

Question: What section of the healthcare bill protects children from preexisting condition exclusion? I know that everyone will be protected from preexisting condition exclusions, in the new healthcare bill, beginning in 2014. However, children begin protection immediately. My friends refuse to believe children gain immediate protection without reading it themselves. What section in the healthcare bill says that children are immediately protected?

Answer: The bill was just signed into law and some of it still is not finalized. It probably is not published yet and will not be for a couple of weeks minimum.

Question: What is the conservative plan for providing healthcare to those who cannot afford it? Is this a case of "You don't have healthcare because you are poor, minority, lazy, stupid and useless and therefore don't deserve it?" Why do so many working class people without healthcare not see that their interests are not being served by letting the AMA and insurance companies dictate healthcare reform by making massive donations to conservative politicians and blatantly distorting the truth about the administration's reform plans?

Answer: Um, their plan is called "We don't give a lick if you get sick". Conservatives are not notorious for their caring nature. Really, the type of thing you are talking about would require them to have foresight and common sense. They just hear the words "Health Care Reform" and they automatically start spouting all of their anti-socialist crap. They don't even know what the hell that they are talking about, as well as not being aware that they are shooting themselves in the foot. The Republican party of the party of mindless idiots if you ask me.

Question: What are some websites that healthcare payors use? I'm trying to look into the healthcare industry as a possible career. I was just wondering what kind of sites healthcare payors use to see how their day to day is and what kind of information they look at. Thanks.

Answer: That would probably be private information. HMO's have fee schedules that list what they allow for certain procedures, but that's probably not available except to providers. They don't "look at information" - they have set schedules, for the most part. Why would that be important to you in looking for a possible career??

Question: How long does it take you to reach your healthcare provider? Is it difficult for you to reach a healthcare provider? How long does it take you to reach a healthcare provider? What state do you live in? How long does it take to reach a healthcare provider? Do you neglect to see your doctor as often as you should due to the amount of time it takes for you to reach him/ her? Also do your friends and relatives have trouble reaching a healthcare provider? Is it inconvenient?

Answer: Maybe 5 or 10 minutes on the phone to make an appointment and in the same day if it's an emergency. If it's not an emergency then about a week.

Question: What exactly does the new healthcare law say? What exactly does the new healthcare law say? Many people are stating that you can be criminally cited and charged if you fail to have healthcare insurance. Is that the gist of it? Or is there more to it?

Answer: Well there's a whole lot in the law so I'm gonna break it down into sections addressing the main aspects of the bill. For starters, what you're referring to is the individual mandate. However, there are no criminal charges for failing to get health coverage. The law states that in 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are however, some exceptions for low-income people. The main purpose of the bill is to expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured and there are several ways it intends to achieve this. *HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES* The first is a system of health insurance exchanges. The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level. Separate exchanges would be created for small businesses to purchase coverage. These go into effect in 2014. This also includes funding available to states to establish exchanges within one year of enactment and until January 1, 2015. *MEDICARE* The bill aims to close the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole" by 2020. Seniors who hit the donut hole by 2010 will receive a $250 rebate. Furthermore, beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs. The bill also includes $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade. *MEDICAID* The bill expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four. Starting in 2014, it requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults. The Federal Government must also pay 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016. *INSURANCE REFORM* Six months after enactment, insurance companies could no longer denying children coverage based on a preexisting condition. By 2014 insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to anyone with preexisting conditions. Finally, insurance companies must allow children to stay on their parent's insurance plans until age 26th. *ABORTION* The bill segregates private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage by making two separate payments, private funds would have to be kept in a separate account from federal and taxpayer funds. No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States could pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange. *EMPLOYER MANDATE* Technically, there is no employer mandate. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances. *IMMIGRATION* Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges -- even if they pay completely with their own money.

Question: How do i break into the healthcare industry? I have a strong science background and have worked as a business executive for several years. I would like to break into the healthcare industry but dont want to go to a school to do it. Is there a decent paying entry level position for someone who has proven accomplishments but not in the healthcare industry?

Answer: Nursing homes train geriatric nurses aides. Pay is decent but not great. My daughter in law does it and she makes about a little over 14.00 per hour in upstate New York. But if you have worked as business executive, that wouldn't be enough pay.

Question: What does the healthcare reform mean for me? Now that the bill has passed I need to know. I don't really keep up to date with current events, so could someone explain to me what the healthcare reform is and what it means to me as an individual?

Answer: It depends on who you are. If you're a decent person, and work to take care of yourself.. you'll be hammered with higher taxes and insurance premiums. If you're a worthless mooch, who expects society to take care of everything for you.. you'll get a free handout.

Question: What's the difference between healthcare and health insurance? and What's the difference between healthcare reform and universal healthcare?

Answer: Health care is the actual supplying of medical treatment to patients--tests, diagnoses, prescriptions, nursing care, and so forth. Health insurance is a means of paying for it over time--we pay into a fund even while we are well so that when we get sick there is money to pay for our care. The difference between national health insurance and private health insurance is that the private insurer's primary goal is to deliver a dividend check to its shareholders, whereas the national insurer is interested in a healthier and more productive population. Private insurers deliver about 65 cents of care per dollar collected in premiums; national insurers closer to 95 cents per dollar. Health care reform means changing the inefficient system we currently have--universal healthcare (everybody has national insurance) is one method that many countries have chosen to keep their people healthy and competitive. The only two industrial countries without national health care are the USA and South Africa. The US spends nearly twice as much per capita as the citizens of any other nation, and our medical outcomes are 37th best in the world.