Entrepreneur dies waiting to get on wife's healh insurance

[RedWedge]

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/voodoo-taco-founder-eric-newton-dies-at-he-barged-into/article_a73b92dc-25e5-11e7-9cdc-d790e0245f08.html

Eric Newton, the founder of Voodoo Taco restaurants, lived with gusto and died last week at middle age.

Newton suffered a heart attack in his northwest Omaha home April 13. His 12-year-old daughter, Emma, called 911 and did chest compressions, but Newton was declared dead in the hospital soon after.

Newton, 45, helped create the Voodoo Taco chain in Omaha but had removed himself from operations and sold most of his ownership interest. He was working on a new restaurant concept when he died.

His wife, Colleen, said he had felt ill for weeks but wanted to wait until the health insurance at her job kicked in next month before he went to a doctor.

[mwooldri]

1. Yet another reason for universal health care...

... best when it is free at the point of delivery.

Here's how it works in the UK... you feel ill, you call the doctor. You see the doctor (usually same day). The doctor gives you a prescription and maybe a note to be off work for a while. You take that prescription to the pharmacy. If you're unlucky enough to be in England and cannot claim an exemption, you'll pay about $12.00 for the medicine. The Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish don't have prescription charges. No charge to see the doctor, even if the doctor comes to you. No waiting to be on insurance. If the doctor says you go to hospital, you get to go to hospital. Again, no charge.

Why can't we have something this civilized in America?

[maxsolomon]

2. Because we are Exceptional

American Exceptionalism.

We prioritize the DoD, and that's where our treasure goes.

[OldHippieChick]

3. Had I not had Medicare, I would have waited longer to get medical help and I would

be dead right now. It is cruel and insane that we do not have single payer.

[democratisphere]

4. We need 'free market healthcare' where Wall Street insurance companies

can price gouge for anything related to healthcare. Reasonably priced healthcare should be provided by a single payer from cradle to grave.