Bill Corcoran: Do Republicans Know What It's Like in the ER?
BUZZFLASH GUEST COMMENTARY
To: Fox and Friends
I hope NONE of you EVER have to visit an emergency room if the health care plan fails because you are going to find out the poor and uninsured in our country use an emergency room like a visit to a doctor's office.
Two months ago, I was suffering from severe chest pains and went to a Level One Trauma Hospital in the Chicago area and had to wait NINE HOURS before they admitted me and then they diagnosed my condition wrong.
Four days later, I had two stents put in my heart and the cardiologist told me I had a 99% blockage in the main left artery and I had "dodged a bullet."
I told the doctor I damn near died waiting NINE hours to be admitted and I made it abundantly clear that something has to be done about our health care system, now ranked 37th in the world behind even Costa Rica.
I guess Republicans are so healthy they never have a problem or ever have to go to an ER.
However, the Republicans might like to think long and hard at our health care system because some day either them or one of their family will be rushed to an ER and have to wait NINE hours just to be taken care of, and then there is the strong possibility they won't be treated for what really brought them to the ER in the first place because the doctors and nurses in the ER are totally overworked taking care of poor people who don't have insurance and use the ER like a visit to a doctor.
Look beyond your own nose, Fox News people.
Try just ONCE to care about someone other than yourself.
BUZZFLASH GUEST COMMENTARY
Bill Corcoran
Chicago
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talk about 'death panels'
Total agreement. several years ago I waited eight hours to see a doctor when I checked in at 5 AM with a kidney stone/blocked urinary tract and other problems, didn't get to see a doctor until 1 PM, didn't get a doctor to come back to me until 7 PM that evening. I was lucky I didn't have renal failure.
In the past few months (as a result of another ER visit), I've heard horror stories about ER's sending people with broken bones home because of insurance SNAFUS (the person had insurance, but the ER didn't want to do surgery that day). This isn't a problem that will go away until the insurance component is the least important part of healthcare. And frankly, we already have 'death panels'--it's the hospitals that don't properly staff ER's because they lose money.
What it's like in the ER
During the glorious time of W's reign, I was downsized from my good job of 20+ years. When my job went so did my health insurance (along with my house, retirement, and marriage of 22 years, but those are subjects for other postings). I've been lucky that at age 51 I'm still holding-up well physically. About 2 months ago, I caught a virus from my granddaughter who had, in turn, caught it at pre-school. The virus left me with a lingering cough and congestion- a respiratory infection. Having no insurance and nearly no money, I fought the ailment as best I could until after 6 weeks it blossomed into a full blown sick: bronchitis, total laryngitis, fever, etc. Since our local free clinic for adults is open 4 hours a week (!), I wound-up in the emergency room. It was a lovely 5 hour experience. I wish everyone in the U.S. who opposes single-payer universal healthcare would wind-up finding-out firsthand what it is like. To any foreign readers out there: If you live in a nation that tries to take care of its citizens, thank your lucky stars that you don't live in the U.S.A. and fight like hell if they try to impose our brand of "Capitalism" upon you.
Medical care in Japan is outstanding
as well as in Germany and the rest of Europe. Keep in mind, the Okinawans are among the healthiest people on the planet. Some Americans seem to be stuck on the word "socialism," even though their own military is the most socialistic organization in the country.
Glad you're okay from your own experiences in the ER.
Are you still a regular on Ray Taliafero?
Ray Taliafero
Ray Taliafero should rightfully rule the Western Hemisphere, from it's new capitol in San Francisco.
Correction: BROKE
The Emergency Room IS NOT FREE -- if you have any assets they can get. If you planned on going bankrupt - or are already bankrupt - then it's free. Americans get billed for emergency room visits all the time - if you have any money they'll take it.
Amen!
Yes, think beyond your own short term self interests. Let's pass HCR for the good of the country.