General Discussion

csziggy

(34,189 posts)

145. Even when you can afford to see the doctors they don't take time

Mon Jan 14, 2013, 11:33 PM

Jan 2013

With patients to solve hidden problems. My BIL had been in and out of doctors' offices and emergency rooms for years. The doctors would spend maybe ten minutes with him, send him off for tests but never took the time to do a full workup to figure out what was causing his abdominal pain.

It wasn't until his pancreatic cancer got to Stage IV that an emergency room doctor figured out what was wrong - and it was far too late to save his life. Looking back at the history of complaints, it was obvious that his cancer had been manifesting itself for at least five years.

For profit health care damages even care for people with good insurance or ability to pay. If the doctors aren't allowed to spend more than a minimum amount of time with each patient, they can't really diagnose subtle problems.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

168 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

" U.S. ranked near and at the bottom in almost every heath indicator. That stunned us." [View all] Follow The Money Jan 2013 OP

It's truly sad when the good news is you're not last. BlueJazz Jan 2013 #1

a reminder of reality samsingh Jan 2013 #2

But we're number one, by far, on the most important indicator MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #3

Not just Cost Manny hootinholler Jan 2013 #70

Yeah, that's more important than humans. :P Cost thrumps everything esle. nt deafskeptic Jan 2013 #116

I'm not surprised at all ... much of America is a storybook myth. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #4

But we are exceptional!!! lunasun Jan 2013 #23

Go USA!!! Go USA!!! Go USA!!! Land of Exceptionalism!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #28

Evidently Dr Woolf does not get out much Fumesucker Jan 2013 #5

Highest in cost though. YAY corporate America! cbrer Jan 2013 #6

Why wouldn't it cost the most? Indydem Jan 2013 #82

I'm stunned that the panelists are stunned Tsiyu Jan 2013 #7

Experts often know much less outside their area of knowledge HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #9

You have to live in a bubble to not know how bad it's gotten Tsiyu Jan 2013 #14

Yep, inside the bubble is where you get to be focused and expert HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #16

Let's hope the national experts agree Tsiyu Jan 2013 #19

^ Super post, Tsiyu! ^ Mimosa Jan 2013 #58

The people who govern our country KNOW. bvar22 Jan 2013 #114

Beautifully said. DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav Jan 2013 #20

Thankie DogPawsBuiscuitsNGrav Tsiyu Jan 2013 #21

They could have just called me. caseymoz Jan 2013 #33

Silly national experts Tsiyu Jan 2013 #43

Hmmm. Our rate of obesity is also twice that of other developed countries. Flatulo Jan 2013 #115

No, it isn't. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #131

Our obesity rate is 2x or higher than Canada, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Iceland, Turkey, Flatulo Jan 2013 #132

The biggest difference is in healthcare provision compared to other developed countries. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #136

Me too--plus, the WHO reported similar findings years ago spooky3 Jan 2013 #48

^^^^This^^^ eridani Jan 2013 #56

Well, remember, everyone the EXPERTS know have health care closeupready Jan 2013 #74

Yes, we have lots of stunned experts these days. bemildred Jan 2013 #61

The "stunned" statement really disgusted me. burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #63

+1 get the red out Jan 2013 #78

Exactly Tsiyu - it's this 'culture' that is killing us, who wants to live like this? I sure don't Hestia Jan 2013 #66

Yeah, as I posted below, "who could have predicted this?" closeupready Jan 2013 #71

And the MAJORITY of rightwing poor will NEVER hear or, if they hear, fully understand these facts. loudsue Jan 2013 #92

Or they'll just say: "This is all their own fault; they need to take personal responsibility..... LongTomH Jan 2013 #94

Funny you mention that bongbong Jan 2013 #152

hey loudsue Tsiyu Jan 2013 #95

no surprise at all Takket Jan 2013 #8

And we wonder why Medicare costs are high? JDPriestly Jan 2013 #10

What I found most amazing is that we rank on the bottom across the socio-economic spectrum... hedda_foil Jan 2013 #11

You're right according to some epidemiologists caraher Jan 2013 #17

But Hannity and O'Really told me that we has the bestest medicine in the world!!1 progressoid Jan 2013 #12

"a legacy of high smoking rates in past decades"--like Europeans weren't smoking? snot Jan 2013 #13

That Stuck Out RobinA Jan 2013 #88

Why is America NOT the greatest country in the world ashling Jan 2013 #15

I was hooked to this series when I watched this. Great beginning and great speech. riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #154

Stunned? Jesus, get out of the office from time to time and talk to people. hatrack Jan 2013 #18

Hm...Teens have the highest rates of transmitted disease and teen pregnancy... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #22

yes ! You get ignorance lunasun Jan 2013 #25

Here's a GREAT movie on the subject: FourScore Jan 2013 #144

The worst health care money can buy! yardwork Jan 2013 #24

This statement from the NAFC breaks my heart! Joe Bacon Jan 2013 #26

It sounds like most of these poor health outcomes are based on unhealthy behaviors. Flatulo Jan 2013 #27

True, But If People Could Afford Regular Doctor Visits...... ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #31

It's up to parents to lead by example. Children need to learn healthy habits before they become Flatulo Jan 2013 #35

When I'm in a grocery store, I look at other peoples carts and cringe. RC Jan 2013 #64

But that's all they can afford! Frontline did a segment on 3 families who were homeless or Hestia Jan 2013 #67

Our health problems are equally distributed across all income levels. Flatulo Jan 2013 #68

And a craving for sweets is a sign of malnutrition Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #96

What about wealthy people? Indydem Jan 2013 #102

That's exactly what the report says. Obesity Flatulo Jan 2013 #113

Which refutes the poster I was responding to. Indydem Jan 2013 #118

Well, this being DU and all, expect blame to be placed elsewhere. Everything bad that happens Flatulo Jan 2013 #122

Indeed. Indydem Jan 2013 #123

No, but really, what is the ratio of fat rich people to fat poor people? Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #125

Amen! nt raccoon Jan 2013 #134

Good on ya. It's no guarantee of a long healthy life, but you can stack the odds in your favor. Flatulo Jan 2013 #126

That's a big leap. Indydem Jan 2013 #83

If your 6 year old child weighs 150 lbs, do you really Flatulo Jan 2013 #112

No time. Dash87 Jan 2013 #164

I know, I know. I was in that position for many years. In my last job, we were expected to Flatulo Jan 2013 #165

Ugh. That sounds horrible. Dash87 Jan 2013 #166

Life in Work Camp America. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #168

American exceptionalism strikes again. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #29

"Something at the core is causing the U.S. to slip behind these other high-income countries" ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #30

for profit healthcare, consistently falling wages, Warpy Jan 2013 #34

Single Payer Health Care Protalker Jan 2013 #81

How does single payer help these issues? Indydem Jan 2013 #84

It Actually Does, In Certain Circumstances ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #87

That will work with some people, but others will not listen to sound medical advice. Flatulo Jan 2013 #124

fornicating? Really Tsiyu Jan 2013 #89

I'm sorry you don't know the definition of words. Indydem Jan 2013 #100

I'm sorry you don't know the cultural significance of words Tsiyu Jan 2013 #105

So because fundamentalists use a word Indydem Jan 2013 #106

Not irritated at all Tsiyu Jan 2013 #108

Someone who knows words? Indydem Jan 2013 #109

You've made yourself clear in your posts hereYou really need use no more words, Tsiyu Jan 2013 #110

I guess it must be easy. Indydem Jan 2013 #120

I understand what you're saying Tsiyu Jan 2013 #128

Developing diabetes wickerwoman Jan 2013 #93

More fornicating! (not less!) Its healthy, burns @ 200 calories for a frisky ride riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #119

Don't get me wrong. Indydem Jan 2013 #121

YET GREED wants to Unfund Planned Parenthood Tsiyu Jan 2013 #130

+1000 FredStembottom Jan 2013 #99

When it became all about me instead of being about us.... WCGreen Jan 2013 #40

With the plutocracy talking openly of "culling the herd," Warpy Jan 2013 #32

Ask yourself why we're getting sick in the first place. Flatulo Jan 2013 #38

Untrue. Warpy Jan 2013 #41

The vast majority of us aren't born sick. We get that way from poor diet and a sedentary Flatulo Jan 2013 #46

From the article it is our diet, smoking and guns siligut Jan 2013 #90

Uh, some of us are born sick Warpy Jan 2013 #137

Uh, the vast majority of us are not born sick, which is what I wrote. That leaves room for "some". Flatulo Jan 2013 #140

It has little to do with access to health care. Obesity and the resultant health problems Flatulo Jan 2013 #50

^ Amen, Warpy! ^ Mimosa Jan 2013 #55

+1 what Warpy said. area51 Jan 2013 #86

+1000. nt raccoon Jan 2013 #135

I suddenly feel the urge... Oilwellian Jan 2013 #36

#1 in profitability? moondust Jan 2013 #37

Candidate for this year's "You Call This NEWS?" Award rocktivity Jan 2013 #39

Kicked and recommended for belated stunning. Uncle Joe Jan 2013 #42

This has happened in my lifetime. Hekate Jan 2013 #44

I'm a half-full kind of guy... we are the MOST PROFITBLE! Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #45

"we" either fix it or not. and if not, what kind of legacy do "we" leave green for victory Jan 2013 #47

American Exceptionalism - Our Finest Hour - The FrightWing Is Ecstatic cantbeserious Jan 2013 #49

Why are the French not obese yet have the best food in the world? graham4anything Jan 2013 #51

So you agree that our health problems are largely lifestyle related? nt Flatulo Jan 2013 #104

Because in America, health care is not about health but it is about Skidmore Jan 2013 #52

Personally, I think that's a big part of why so much is so wrong closeupready Jan 2013 #75

Posted in another thread thought it would fit here as well. Kalidurga Jan 2013 #53

Tragic, compared to where we ranked in the 1950s Mimosa Jan 2013 #54

It won't stun the US aandegoons Jan 2013 #57

What I find stunning is that anyone would be surprised by this etherealtruth Jan 2013 #59

My first husband FlaGranny Jan 2013 #60

I am so sorry for your loss etherealtruth Jan 2013 #139

Even when you can afford to see the doctors they don't take time csziggy Jan 2013 #145

I am so sorry for your loss etherealtruth Jan 2013 #147

Thank you - that BIL was a great guy and he is missed csziggy Jan 2013 #148

Thank you. FlaGranny Jan 2013 #149

How's that health care for profit burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #62

Dam* straight! And we pay good money for that too! AllyCat Jan 2013 #65

"Who could have predicted this?" closeupready Jan 2013 #69

Lotta talk here, but nobody's got it right... TreasonousBastard Jan 2013 #72

Except for one thing: standards of living of typical Americans closeupready Jan 2013 #76

Crappy food, ignorance, bad choices, corporate profiteering, and for-profit health care. Maineman Jan 2013 #73

II would be curious . . . Brigid Jan 2013 #77

= UN-HAPPY! patrice Jan 2013 #79

The Worst Health Care Money Can Buy: per capita expenditure is highest in the USA. nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2013 #80

Exactly, that's why people have shitty diets, don't exercise, hughee99 Jan 2013 #98

k&r n/t RainDog Jan 2013 #85

It's not like the USA is a first world country for the 99%. nt valerief Jan 2013 #91

Wait just a darn minute here.. Permanut Jan 2013 #97

Yet not me. aquart Jan 2013 #101

Doctors can help to keep you alive, but they can't make you healthy. Flatulo Jan 2013 #103

I think the study reaches a wee bit further than merely what we eat... LanternWaste Jan 2013 #117

Yes, it does. But arent most or all of the root causes of our overall poor health Flatulo Jan 2013 #133

i get your point about obesity, however, knowledge keeps you alive noiretextatique Jan 2013 #138

You have to be your own advocate. My appendix ruptured in 1998 and an incompetent MD sent Flatulo Jan 2013 #146

wow...that's just frightening. noiretextatique Jan 2013 #150

Yeah, but our military is AWESOME! Gregorian Jan 2013 #107

Captain Obvious says... krispos42 Jan 2013 #111

The top 1% is hogging all the profits and not paying taxes on it, so what do you expect? ErikJ Jan 2013 #127

No one in the developed world lives shorter lives, or pays more for HC, than american men. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #129

We may be almost last but we are still ahead of Somalia,and we get to carry guns! Rain Mcloud Jan 2013 #141

Many of the social evils in the US are associated with excessive INCOME INEQUALITY. 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #142

It seems like every single person with half a brain knows this, so why is it so fucking difficult Flatulo Jan 2013 #151

Because we've been largely entranced into believing a lie 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #153

Maybe if we took profit out of "healthcare" and used a preventive course of care and action DearHeart Jan 2013 #143

You know , that sounds like Canada's health care system. riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #155

You are very lucky to live in Canada! I hope that your son and husband are doing well and DearHeart Jan 2013 #156

Sadly they died but riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #157

OH my! I'm so very sorry for the loss of both your husband and son! DearHeart Jan 2013 #160

thank you dear heart riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #163

Thank you for your kind words! Our cousin just past due to colon cancer right before DearHeart Jan 2013 #167

I don't think that will last much longer if you guys keep Harper. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #159

Many of the suggestions made in this thread burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #158

Very true! There is just so much wrong with our country and the world and I tend to DearHeart Jan 2013 #161

K&R woo me with science Jan 2013 #162