3 ms·

PS Ask my friend in Canada who is waiting 16 months for a hip replacement how happy he is.

by slt555q 13y ago

HarryHirsch 13y ago
This very issue is known in Britain as the "little old lady problem". Resources are limited, and society needs to decide who gets care first. There are many life-threatening conditions, but arthritis in the hips and knees isn't one of them. Consequently, if you can pay, you get to the front of the line, and if you can't you'll get one eventually, but you won't die. They always roll out the little old ladies in wheelchairs when it comes to healthcare reform.
- slr555 13y ago
  "Consequently, if you can pay, you get to the front of the line, and if you can't you'll get one eventually, but you won't die." That's such a great comfort when you are in excruciating pain and can't walk. I think that should be the motto of the NHS "at least you won't die". Aim high. Actually it's not the little old lady problem. I did a documentary on healthcare in the UK. One of the patients suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, a serious autoimmune disorder, she was told it would take 6 months to see a rheumatologist. She had the means to pay for private care and saw the same doctor within a week. You see arthritis which you probably don't have and obviously don't understand comes in many for from the less complex osteoarthritis to forms that have many nasty sequelae such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis. I have worked in healthcare for 20 years and my wife about the same but she has worked more internationally. In countries with state run healthcare many times newer treatments such as cancer drugs are not available. Flawed though it may be I will stick with US medicine.
  - HarryHirsch 13y ago
    One of the patients suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, a serious autoimmune disorder, she was told it would take 6 months to see a rheumatologist Again: rheumatoid arthritis does not kill you. many times newer treatments such as cancer drugs are not available Good that you say that. In many countries to gain approval the manufacturer needs to show a benefit over what is already on the market. Whatever was there was new, but it didn't prolong survival or improve quality of life. Why should the public pay for something very expensive (because it's still under patent) when something equally good is available for much less as a generic?

PS Ask my friend in Canada who is waiting 16 months for a hip replacement how happy he is.

by slt555q 13y ago

PS Ask my friend in Canada who is waiting 16 months for a hip replacement how happy he is.

This very issue is known in Britain as the "little old lady problem". Resources are limited, and society needs to decide who gets care first. There are many life-threatening conditions, but arthritis in the hips and knees isn't one of them. Consequently, if you can pay, you get to the front of the line, and if you can't you'll get one eventually, but you won't die. They always roll out the little old ladies in wheelchairs when it comes to healthcare reform.

slr555 13y ago
"Consequently, if you can pay, you get to the front of the line, and if you can't you'll get one eventually, but you won't die." That's such a great comfort when you are in excruciating pain and can't walk. I think that should be the motto of the NHS "at least you won't die". Aim high. Actually it's not the little old lady problem. I did a documentary on healthcare in the UK. One of the patients suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, a serious autoimmune disorder, she was told it would take 6 months to see a rheumatologist. She had the means to pay for private care and saw the same doctor within a week. You see arthritis which you probably don't have and obviously don't understand comes in many for from the less complex osteoarthritis to forms that have many nasty sequelae such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis. I have worked in healthcare for 20 years and my wife about the same but she has worked more internationally. In countries with state run healthcare many times newer treatments such as cancer drugs are not available. Flawed though it may be I will stick with US medicine.
- HarryHirsch 13y ago
  One of the patients suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, a serious autoimmune disorder, she was told it would take 6 months to see a rheumatologist Again: rheumatoid arthritis does not kill you. many times newer treatments such as cancer drugs are not available Good that you say that. In many countries to gain approval the manufacturer needs to show a benefit over what is already on the market. Whatever was there was new, but it didn't prolong survival or improve quality of life. Why should the public pay for something very expensive (because it's still under patent) when something equally good is available for much less as a generic?