Just saw Sicko, and I am throughly appalled.

It should not be effecting me this badly, after all, I have been living with this issue for over 30 years. I remember my Mom trying to get us in to a dentist at least once every few years, and how thrilled we were when we became eligible for Medicaid for a few months. I remember telling the Doctor at 15 that we weren't going to even discuss treatments for my severe acne - I knew we wouldn't be able to pay for the medications, and none of them were covered.

So, my family is one of the millions in the US with no access to health care. (a combination of job losses, employers dropping health care ins. and the fact that we live just above the poverty line). I'm now 38 years old, with 2 boys still at home. (My oldest is in the National Guard. He joined specifically for Education and Medical). Oh sure, if I was to have a stroke or something, I'm sure I could get treated somewhere... and spend the next 5-10 years paying the bill. 4 years ago, when I came down with Cervical cancer, I had fairly decent insurance. It cost my employer over $250 per month, and they paid almost half of the bill. Yippee. Just before that diagnosis, I was all set up with a Dentist to finally get the work done I had needed for years. We were planning for the end of the 2004-beginning of 2005 so the insurance would pay for all the work I needed. In Oct. of 2004 my employer had to drop the Dental because the rates doubled between Sept. and Oct. 6 months later, I was laid off.

After a bout of unemployment that lasted almost a year, I managed to get back to work, but at half my previous salary, and no health care.

Now my teeth have deteriorated to the point where I am very limited in what I can eat. My diet sucks because everything has to be soft or cooked to the point of mushiness. I haven't' bitten into an apple in over 5 years. (I haven't eaten a Corn-Nut in over 10. God, I miss Corn-Nuts! )
I've actually learned to muddle along... I can eat fresh carrot if I grate it first. (The celery experiment didn't turn out so well.)

Until 2 months ago, I had been able to get along in public just fine, no-one except my closest friends knew any of this.
Then one morning, I woke up to find that one of front lower incisors (the one the Dentist told me 2 years ago was dead and needed to be removed) had fallen out during the night.

Now, I've never been one of those women that has to gussy up to go to the Grocery store, never spent a whole lot of time caring what I looked like. But this... I've seen the change in the way people look at me. I'm automatically downgraded in their eyes as soon as I open my mouth, regardless of the absolute brilliance and wisdom of my words .

I spent the first few days not talking. I could hear myself slurring my s's (I'm still working on that.) I find myself not looking people in the eye when I'm talking to them, because I hate seeing their reaction. Luckily, there are a few programs where I can get some help, for slightly less cost, and I'm digging through them now. The facts are however, that my boys have not been to a dentist in 2 years, one has a cavity starting and the other is losing a cap. They will be first, then I will find a way to get myself taken care of.

but, I digress...


Sicko - I realized while watching this that things HAVE to CHANGE. NOW! My problems suck, but PEOPLE ARE DYING! So I have to eat soup and mush for the rest of my life... big freaking deal, others are DYING!

What can I do? I've been writing letters to Legislators, opeds to newspapers, and I bitch about it here. Not enough.

Starting today I will do one more small thing (in the grand scheme of things, for me it will be hard. I'm usually very shy)... When I speak to someone, I will look them in the eye. I will make sure they are face to face with the problem. I will bring up Universal Health care in every conversation possible, strangers and friends. I will ask everyone, Have you seen Sicko? How much do you pay out of pocket every year for health care? Why do we pay twice as much as every other industrialized country for such dismal, sub-par, and frequently completely unavailable "care"?


WHY??! and what are YOU going to do about it?





Thanks for listening... We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

...and all sorts of things that this for shit capitalistic oligarchy gives us.

I've had relatives suffer (and one die) due to lousy insurance or no insurance and this has turned me into one angry Leftist.

Damned straight we need a REVOLUTION!

Just need the US to stop promoting the most unworkable and inefficient health "system" among industrialized nations. Folks, we're the only ones who do it this way, and for good reason.

I think its odd that being a citizen of the US gets you so little. If the gov't cannot provide the most basic of needs, why do we have it? For wars and roads?

And a 6-pack of Bud, all is well.

the good old NHS of Britain you can't beat it. You just have to have a brain to go to the hospital or doctor who can treat you first.

They're threatening to trash our system and adopt yours.

prepared to kill 15-20 or more million of our fellow citizens? Are you prepared to die for your beliefs? The corporations ARE prepared to kill you and yours and 100 million or more of your fellow citizens to protect what they have. What will you think of your precious troops when they come for YOU?

And for myself I am willing to risk it all.

Your estimates are rather barbaric.

and it isn't friggen right, nobody should have to make the choice between feeding your kids and paying the bills and getting basic medical care. The US government a lot of blood on its hands over this issue (and many others). I'm hoping as more and more people see this movie, they will demand action from the government.

Right now I have no medical insurance and won't have any until August when I go back to school. Fortunately I have no health issues I need addressed at the moment but I have to give pause every time I step into a car...what if I get into a serious accident, it could literally bankrupt my family and me.

I had essentially the same problem as one of Moore's Cuba entourage, extreme wear due to bruxism due to stress. I found an excellent doctor in Tijuana. It still cost $10,000 but that's less than half the cheapest quote I could find in the US.

She doesn't have insurance and there is no way she can afford any of the treatments offered here. She visits family while there too but far from a good situation. A lot of the people I work with from India have family that does the same. They have to travel back to India for different treatments they need because they are too expensive here.

Clinic) that provides dental care? If not check to see of there is one in your area. They are usually very good about taking care of children and they could possibly help you out.
If you want to PM for more information please do so.
Don

Lots of little, mostly local programs out there, but not enough funding to go around.

I also have severe phobia's about Dentists (I was in the waiting room while my little bro was having a tooth pulled. Apparently Novocain does not affect him, and he screamed the whole time.) It took me a lot of years to get back in the chair after that, and I have only been able to if they give me Nitrous. Most of the programs I have looked at will not cover the gas... with some I will be allowed to pay for that myself, but most don't even allow it. It's not 'medically necessary"

http://www.orpca.org/FQHC/index.php from the aforementioned url:

Central City Concern
232 NW 6th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
Sheila Bonczek, Administrator
(503) 294-1681, FAX (503) 294-4321
Seven Locations – Portland

Multnomah County Health Department
426 SW Stark, 8th Floor
Portland, OR 97204
Vanetta Abdellatif, Program Director
(503) 988-3663, FAX (503) 988-3676
53 Locations in Multnomah County

Native American Rehabilitation Association
1776 SW Madison Ave., 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97205
Jackie Mercer, Executive Director
Theresa Monteverdi, Clinic Admin.
(503) 224-1044, (503) 621-1069
FAX (503) 621-2235
Four Locations – Portland

Outside In
1132 SW 13th
Portland, OR 97205
Clinic Phone: (503) 535-3890
John Duke, Clinic Manager
(503) 535-3804, FAX (503) 535-3868
One Location – Portland

Also, if there is a Dental School in or around Portland that would be another route to go as another DUer suggested.
Wish you the very best.

I call it "Better living through Chemistry".

Make sure you have someone drive you home.

looks promising, and I thought others might need the link.

This Web site will help you find a clinic that will give you medical care, even if you have no medical insurance or money.

This Web site provides the address and contact information for clinics that offer Primary Medical, Obstetrical and Gynecological, Dental, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care, Other Types of Medical and Support Services.
http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc /


edit: just saw your post, lol.

For the most part, I have never had insurance, Medicaid only when I was pregnant.I'm afraid my experiences with doctors in our system have left me with an absolute desire never to see one of them again. I'm not in too bad of shape, but Mr. Feb needs some care. We will check these out. Once, again thanks especially for the OP who brough the info my way. !

I too have no insurance of any kind. Although my teeth aren't bad, I've had a toothache for two weeks and can't afford to go to the dentist. My kids are covered under a divorce agreement with their mom, but if something happens to me, tough shit. The problems are not just with the uninsured. Even those with insurance find that when the time comes to cash in on what they've been paying for for years and years, that they aren't covered under some clause, like the Katrina victims being told that flooding isn't related to hurricanes, or whatever. Several of my friends have severe dental problems and have no way to deal with them. There is a dentist across the line in Mexico who takes care of many folks around here for a quarter of what local dentists charge. Doctors, dentists, insurance agents, lawyers, politicians, cops, they all suck. I read recently that doctors don't want too many college kids entering their field for fear that too many doctors might mean less earnings. Shame.

Mix up some warm salt water and swish it around your mouth, especially around the toothache area, then spit it out. Do this several times a day. The salt kills germs.

Years ago I had an abscess between my two front teeth. I couldn't afford dental work at the time, but a dentist told me to do this and it got rid of the abscess.

A mixture of baking soda, salt and a cap of Hydrogen Peroxide is
also a great holistic treatment for brushing teeth and gums
where bacteria is hiding.
Don't swallow.
Spit it all out and follow with a mild salt water and HP mix rinse.
Again, don't swallow.
Follow with clear water rinse.
Keeps the dental decay at bay.

BHN

Mixed into a thick paste. It can actually make a toothache "feel good".

peroxide (honestly, it works!!, especially if the pain is caused by an infection!!) or a gargle of sage tea.

I put some on a Q-tip and held it on infected area for a minute 2x daily, and it helped heal a swollen and infected gum; watch out because too much can irritate the tissue. Also helps relieve pain. Hydrogen peroxide is a great mouthwash to fight gingivitis. I have big dental problems too - I'm so sorry, I know how debilitating tooth issues can be - not to mention costly.

I recently had a run-in with a repub friend over national healthcare. I was lamenting about some insurance issues my husband is having and said that national healthcare would be nice. She then said, "oh, you mean socialized medicine" and proceeded to tell me how it wouldn't work and it would raise taxes. I pointed out, among other things, that the U.S. defense budget is more than all the other countries combined. Of course, this didn't get a response. I asked if she thought it was ok for there to be that 45 million uninsured and her only reply was to say that she always sounds like a cold-hearted, selfish person when she has these discussions with me. Of course, I didn't say, well, if the shoe fits. I just can't imagine not having a problem with all the money that's wasted on bullshit while those who are in need go without. And I have insurance!

I'm so pissed at people who vote one issue (late term abortion) and then don't pay attention to ANYTHING their administration is doing and then proclaim that things are fine. It's such asshole behavior.

I stumbled across the movie, 'Sicko' on some site and managed to watch about 2/3 of it. She stills like George Bush. However we both work in health care and know that it's costly. I was telling her about what I had been able to watch. She believes in universal health care.

Our deductible is outrageous and our portion to pay is rediculous. Why? Because of those who are the most sick, those who come down with tragic illnesses, etc. People don't see the trade-off. If people are cared for it eventually (sooner more quickly than later) level out because then we can talk about health maintenance....caring for yourself in order to STAY healthy.

As it is, when 'Sicko' does come out, I'll go see it. I'll encourage others to see it. I'll buy the DVD.

And he will (one of the perks of his job). So what could be more American than to want everyone in the country to be as well-cared-for as a president, so they don't have to worry about any of the things he's had during his time in office -- household accidents, colonoscopies, removal of pre-cancerous lesions, treatment for recent bout with stomach flu, etc.!

This isn't simply about Bush and the health care he receives as president. I don't see what thinking that all American citizens should be covered by universal health care has to do with his health. The health care he currently receives is a benefit as president, and one that the fucker will continue to receive as a former president.

My point in pointing out her regard for Bush was to demonstrate my surprise at her being open to UHC because THAT is about an additional tax burden that will be carried by everyone.

Or, she might have seen what people go through re: medical bills, in the course of her work. And she might have done the math, and figures she'd rather see her tax dollars go for something that has positive consequences ... and would arguably have more pleasant spinoffs than defense spending does. (Particularly if, as you mentioned earlier, the system shifts to become more preventative than it is now, since healthier communities would be the result.)

Sorry, ecoflame -- I wasn't trying to twist your points around. I know it's not just about Bush or any of the elected representatives who will be getting health benefits -- although I've yet to meet a Bushie who doesn't believe that they are just as deserving of perks as the president (and particularly Congress!). I had momentarily forgotten that you'd said your co-worker was supportive of universal health coverage.

I don't know. I know she grew up in North Dakota and they're were pretty darn poor. We've talked some about the correlations between our childhoods - we were just as poor.

At the same time, I don't understand how anyone with her background can think that Bush & his ilk are looking out for her interests.

Born in the 30's not many people went to doctors or dentist. It seems to be an easy thing for the poor to give up and not because they want to. Go to the poor parts of Maine and you will see people who do not care for their teeth. I do not know what they are doing for the rest of their bodies but this you can see. I my self did not have to worry as my father made en ought so we had all those things and married to a service man I had very good care there but and there is always a but. I got divorced and lost tri-care. On a fixed income health care is hard to pay for. I ran into some trouble with medicare and a check up. They charged me for every test that they say is free. I fought them for a year on it and that meant you could not drag me to a doctor for a check up for 7 years. I just had to go and the bills are coming in now. With eyes to be fixed and teeth done and health care ins. each month I am not looking forward to the next two or three months. Last check up they told I would have to pay as I was not sick. Is that crazy or what? Since so much of our medical comes from tax payers money it should be a thing the govt. does for the people. Yes we would have to pay for it but we are already paying for a good part of it. New drugs, hospitals, training doctors. are all partly paid for by our taxes now and some one else gets the profits from it.

The only candidate with a workable plan that would give real dental coverage is Dennis Kucinich. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we can get a plan in that would cover your getting your teeth fixed. There are solutions. They cost but there is no reason the wasted dollars in our present health care system couldn't go to actual health care to people who need it like yourself.

Hubby has End Stage Renal Disease (fancy name for kidney failure) and is on dialysis. We went through bureaucratic hell before he was declared disabled. All we qualified for was a low-income program that has a $934 income cutoff. Above that one pays "share-of-cost" down to that income. Now he is on Medicare/Medicaid, but I still have to be on the other program, and my share-of-cost is $280 per month . This comes out of his SSDI payment of ~$1200/mo.

We are fortunate to live where there are a lot of low-income/senior health programs, so I am at least able to see a dentist, yearly. But my medications have to be paid out-of-pocket, so I have to get some as samples from my doctors. Otherwise, I would be writing from a psych ward.

Something is definitely wrong.

Singin' my song. I can afford to get the broken tooth fixed, but the gum surgery is way out of the question, so why bother with the broken tooth when I'm going to lose them all in a few years anyway. Yeah, I hear ya.

And what's our infant mortality rate ranking these days??????

What about dental schools in the area? We had a young guy on our chit-chat evenings at Americablog and we actually managed to hook him up with something.

How-ever...

Patient Care
School Of Dentistry > Patient Care

Admitting
Phone Number: (503) 494-8867
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
Cost: Up to $135 for first visit, Including cost of visits and X-rays (radiographs)

from the FAQ page...

What time commitment is expected?

Depending upon your needs, and the student's schedule, you may be asked to be seen up to twice per week and up to four hours each session.

May I request certain times for my appointments?

Yes. However, students' clinic schedules are controlled by classroom instruction, outside assignments and rotations, academic year calendar and availability of the appropriate faculty for the specific clinic. Your student has limited time periods to schedule your treatment.

What if I cannot meet with my student at the appointed time?

Notify the student or appointment desk (494-8867) immediately. Cancellations, broken appointments and no-shows could jeopardize your opportunity to continue receiving care.

How much will my care cost?

The School of Dentistry fees are generally less and tend to fall in the one-half to two-thirds range of the fees charged by community dentists.

When do I pay for my Dental Service?

The school must collect for each procedure at the time it is provided.
http://www.ohsu.edu/sod/patient_faq.html



That's 4-8 hours (only open m-f, so I would have to miss work), and $260 just to get the boys taken care of. My work will cost into the thousands.


Still looking, though. I have hope.

Reading the FAQ is fine....CALL! If you seriously want it done, you'll find the time.

about trying to find a dental college.

Also, there's a book called "Where There Is No Dentist". I've sold it enlistees (all ranks) many times since the start of our current wars. I take it with me when I go camping with my family. If you are in dire straights, it might help you out. It gives simple and straightforward instructions for everything from cleaning to extraction. Don't let anymore teeth get to the point where they fall out.

and see if they have a Dental Tech program...know that Lane Community
in Eugene has one. If so, check and see what services are available.
Students will do the work, but it is overseen by professionals. Know they
do cleaning, etc. They might be able to refer you to some local low cost
clinics, too. Worth a try. Good luck.

wouldn't cover even life saving procedures. I'm self employed so I cover all of my own dental and medical insurance. Dental insurance is more affordable than you may think. Check out this site: http://www.dentalplans.com /

I KNOW how important it is. I am very shy and I sort of hide because I don't think I look good. You're only 38! What is wrong with this country? Why doesn't Insurance cover cosmetic procedures? People should realize that when a person doesn't look their best it effects their whole life including work. 'you can't hide your mouth and do your work' I have problems with my teeth too. Get this I always brushed them too much and too hard. That home whitening can ruin your teeth! My son has perfect white teeth and I warned him about using a hard toothbrush and abrasive tooth polishes. He uses the sonic toothbrush. I sure hope I advised him right on that. I hope someone helps you,you are too young and too beautiful a person not to have beautiful healthy teeth! Self-conscious to Self-confident
I can't think of anything that would change a persons life for the better more than a great smile! I wish some really rich dentists would all pitch in and donate their services to our troops and their families! I don't think they have cosmetic dental coverage for their families! I may be wrong.

"Why doesn't Insurance cover cosmetic procedures?"

Because a lot of people would never stop if someone else paid for it. They don't like the shape of their chin, their nose, their hairline, too much upper arm or upper leg flab, they want hair implants, etc.

brought it all back home to me. Stuff I've been trying to avoid. Luckily my kids are covered under insurance by their Dad for their health and he takes care of their dental bills too.

What am I going to do? I have written etc to my Reps in the past to no avail. I am going to sit back for a few weeks with a wait and see to the nationwide reaction to SICKO.

and I'm hoping for lots of reaction, maybe we'll finally have a real discussion about this.

It's a horrible racket. Just disgusting.


One minor inaccuracy in the film though. Moore at one point says that the US is the only advanced nation without free universal health care. He's right about the universal, but not the free.

Not all countries are free like Canada, UK and Cuba.

Here in Japan, I pay about $35 a month premium for medical and dental for my family of four and $4 for office visits. It's a good deal, but not quite free. And our premiums are low because my income is from outside the country, so I am treated as though I were very poor. Most people here pay around $100 a month for premiums for a family.


But I wouldn't go back to the US extortion system for the world. "Sicko" only made me even more sure of it.

I hope Sicko wakes people in the US up,
but not just in the US.

The US government and US corporationas are consantly pressuring Japan to privatize it's healthcare system, and to institute the pricing and denial systems described in the film.

Stay away from my healthcare, vampires!

... on top of what is automatically deducted via payroll taxes. In BC it's $54 Cdn per month, per person (which you can pay separately, or have it added to your payroll deduction at your workplace). The amount can be government-subsidized by anything from 20% up to 100% if your income is low (see link for chart).
http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium...

So, by "free" they mean that you don't have to take out a wallet or charge card if you're admitted. (I saw this last year when I checked myself into the local emergency room at 2 AM with nausea and dizziness ... they inquired about my symptoms, then did an electrocardiogram to check for possible irregularities, and kept me under observation for a few hours. I never saw a bill -- presumably it went to the government department that looks after such matters. By the way, the waiting room was nearly vacant, with only one person ahead of me.)

Wandered into emerg complaining about chest pains. Next thing I know I'm in a bed hooked up to a million dollars worth of equipment with a bunch of nurses, doctors and a cardiologist lurking around.

Turned out to be a pulled chest muscle.

My cost - $1.00 for a can of Coke.

I went through the same thing and it turned out to be .... gas

Talk about humiliation... but I was reassured over and over again, not to let the experience deter me if I felt chest pains again.

The quick shot of some talking head claiming that Ottawa probably only has "one chemotherapy machine" enraged me!

Absolutely no need for embarrassment. My mom and uncle, retired from health care now, have both told me that they would MUCH prefer that a patient's problem turns out to be easily-treatable after all, than to deal with a fatality that "could have been prevented if only they had come in immediately". ("Makes for much less paperwork, you know," says my uncle -- always the tease.)

I noticed that lately the Heart Foundation has been quite concerned that gastro-intestinal symptoms are so often dismissed, when they can be an important sign (not just for heart problems either). Mom sent me a huge clipping last month, about how heart attacks in women are often undetected because they might not get chest pains but nausea/indigestion, instead.

Anyway, in my case it turned out that the dizziness and racing heartbeat were likely due to a combination of indigestion (possibly related to a virus that others in my workplace reported experiencing?), and maybe an environmental contaminant as well (something in some spilled machine oil that made me queasy as I was cleaning it up). I was just glad that I didn't have to worry about hospital bills on top of all that!

"One chemotherapy machine" for Canada -- yes, it goes with our CAT scanner, which is made of actual cats!

the health consequences of the ANXIETY of knowing you can't get medical care. I wake up in the middle of the night, worrying. TG melatonin is so cheap!

.... does have physical impacts. Fear and frustration cause our endocrine glands to work overtime, and this can have serious long-term repercussions. I did a bit of research into this, as it relates to a) workplace health complaints, and b) the discontent experienced by people affected by environmental toxins, ranging from Agent Orange to Bhopal and Chernobyl. In the past, policymakers (and even some physicians) used to brush this off as "just in your minds" -- but of course there is nothing "just" about it (in any sense of the word!).

I know from experience that losing the front ones is tough.

Some of the others upthread have offered some suggestions. I hope that they may help.

The Corporate Owned Democrats have "hijacked" the term "Universal HealthCare". It no longer means what it used to mean. When the frontrunners say "Universal Healthcare" what they REALLY mean is "Mandatory For Profit Health Insurance"...not the same thing at all. We all know how well that worked for the AutoInsurance CEOs.

I now use the prefix "Single Payer" whenever I mention Universal Healthcare (Medicare for All).
I also will support Dennis Kucinich for as long as possible because his presence in the campaign will spotlight the difference between "Mandatory For Profit Health Insurance" (Hillary/Obama), and REAL single Payer Universal Healthcare. If they (Big Insurance + HMOs) can force Dennis Kucinich off the stage, the difference will be lost on most Americans who will be sold a program that only diverts MORE taxpayer money into the pockets of the RICHEST CEOs in the World.

John Edwards is saying some of the right words concerning Medicare for All, so I am watching him, but ONLY Kucinich has a clear and consistent record on REAL Universal HealthCare.


Bob

Here is a problem that affects nearly everybody to some degree or another yet there is no real demand that it be fixed.

The answer is simple. Single-payer, one big pool, universal coverage.

But the whiners and greed-mongers bitch and moan how it is too expensive, socialism, big government, blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile people continue to die, go bankrupt, be limited in their employment opportunities, and in general live in fear of being sick.

is that people are actually shocked by this. I grew up my whole life without health insurance. If we got sick we waited it out. I think I maybe went to the doctor 10 times growing up. I know for a fact my parents never went. My mom has the same issues as you with the teeth, and now has only 1 visible tooth. My father worked for years with a broken hand because there was no way he was gonna pay a dr to fix it. Then, a few years ago, my father had a brain aneurysm and was placed in a VA hospital. My mother went through medical bankruptcy and lost her house. Thankfully my father was a veteran so he was able to stay there and has been there ever since. I myself didn't have insurance until I got my first full time job at 21. I had absolutely no idea what to do with it. I couldn't believe how much was taken out of my paycheck. Then I started working for Blue Cross Blue Shield and still had to pay over $200 a month for it. Now I work for a company that takes out over $400. I still don't go to doctors for anything because I'm just not used to it, and I really don't feel like paying an arm and a leg out of pocket beforehand for things that may or may not be covered. When I worked for BCBS, I would try to find loopholes so that a person could get their claim payed. I also felt like telling these people they should feel fortunate they even have some of it payed.

At least in my case, you KNOW how fucked up it is (I grew up with fairly decent coverage because my mom was a VA nurse for 30 years, but lost mine when I dropped out of college and only got a job with benefits last year). But to actually see it in all its dysfunctional glory, especially compared with actual civilized countries and how they take care of their citizens...Jesus H. Christ on a trailer hitch. I downloaded the movie on Sunday and watched it and it really just hits you. Especially when you see things like the woman who lost her daughter because of Kaiser Permanente denying the treatment she needed because it was too costly or whatever, and a woman in Canada whose daughter had the exact same issue and got it treated in about ten minutes for FREE. Or the guy who had to choose which finger he wanted re-attached because they wanted tens of thousands of dollars due to not having insurance.

I think it's the compare and contrast that really hits home and this movie is going to have an even bigger impact than Fahrenheit 9/11. Even freepwits have health insurance problems. I'm gonna go see it in the theaters and take as many people with me as I can.

Kicked and recommended.

Since we are pretty much a cash-based one-paycheck family; I think we can qualify for Medicaid; but we don't have time to get him up there to sit and wait to file for it!
I need some work done myself; and I don't smile too wide to cover my problems; but I'm not nearly as bad off as he is.

I hope you can get your tooth replaced very soon; and your children looked after.

How this could happen in America is just beyond me. It's criminal.

Remember the scene with the Nixon tapes? Even then they were out to screw us for $.

drilled the last nails in the coffin of American Healthcare system.

and for all of us dealing with this sh!t.

had much better medical care.

But then, who will take care of her when she needs help?

I really hope this effort of Mike's goes somewhere.

So many people think our healthcare system is adequate until they get screwed over by it.

My wife and I got pushed off the "good health insurance" boat a long time ago, and ever since we've been fighting off sharks.

Currently we are covered for catastrophes, but we have to pay for the chronic stuff ourselves, and what little insurance we do have is very expensive.

It's a constant never ending struggle, and I hate it. A Canadian style health care system would relieve the greatest burden in my life.

Why can't I simply visit the doctor, pick up my meds, and not worry every time I do that I'm taking the first step on a path that will end in our family's financial ruin.

How did we get here? It's as if some right-wing oligarchy wants us to be afraid of dying in a crowded, dirty E.R. because we couldn't afford adequate meds or health insurance.

If we were truly a first world nation and a democratic republic then we would have a healthcare system that works.

Yeah but, America has other priorities. We can destroy anything
on the planet and are the greatest nation on Earth due to that
ability.
Don't mis-underestimate the value of being great destroyers. All
that destructive capability costs lots of money. Who in America
wants to give up on the next generation of missiles, nukes, or
fighter aircraft?
International corporations will always be more important than
working people.
In case you may wonder, I have definately mixed a huge dose of
sarcasm with some observations in this commentary.
The people of America need to wake up and vote for the most
Socialist candidates on the ticket if we are to improve the lives
of the greatest majority of Americans.

It's immoral.

You have my thoughts and sympathy, and my willingness to get this fixed. I wish I could offer you more than that.

Please do look into the federally qualified health centers. They provide care to everyone on a sliding fee scale. You should be able to make an appointment and be seen just as in a regular private dentist's office. The only difference is that the government provides a subsidy to health centers to cover the care provided to the uninsured.

reproductive choice and upholding our constitution as well.

We have been brain washed people.... America is making money off of sick people while other countries are looking out for their own....


The thing that struck me about this film was the segment about Hillary and how when she was first lady how she formed a commission to instigate universal health care and of course the Republicans (of the me, myself, and I party) blocked it... The really strange thing is she is the number 2 receiver of funds now from the Health-care Co's and her stance on health-care has changed....


One of the saddest parts was that poor guy who did not have insurance and he cut off the tips of his two fingers on his left hand, his ring and middle finger... They wanted 12,000 to attach the tip of the ring finger and freaking 60,000 for the middle finger... Now mind you these are just the tips, not the entire finger... Why would the middle one cost so much more? Poor guy opted for his ring finger...

the look on his face when Mike asked him how much it cost him was priceless

One of my friends went down to Mexico to have her knee replaced. Costs a fraction of what it does here, and they did a good job. She suggested to me that I go down there to have dental work done. I know of several happy customers. I think it is about 10-15% of what it costs here. Just a thought.

--IMM

These folks have lived in Belize since the 80's and run a relocation tour
program each year. Hubby and I went on it two years ago. We saw the medical facilities in Chetumal.

It might be something to seriously consider.

... the dentist only work 4 days a week so they can golf the other day, but charge fees to support their full 5 days of the week. Most insurance will not cover it to their satisfaction either.

Doctors are not much better! Their office staff is huge so they can fight the layers of paper & the nurses that limit fees by insurance companies - kind of a self made empire on both sides that is never ending? Each side just keeps getting bigger & bigger...

Universal Health Care is a great idea, but by doing so, money is directly taken away from those who live a wonderful life style basking in their empires of their creation, so they will fight it tooth and nail (no pun intended) to keep it. Your right, we pay more & they live better than in other countries too. Or in your case, live worse, except maybe than in Africa or another poverty nation. But this is America, not a third world nation.

"Doctors are not much better! Their office staff is huge so they can fight the layers of paper & the nurses that limit fees by insurance companies - kind of a self made empire on both sides that is never ending? Each side just keeps getting bigger & bigger..."

I am a doctor, have done the private practice thing and I can tell you that there is no empire being created by most of us. The size of staff gets bigger and bigger in order to have people who can fill out all the insurance company forms correctly, answer phone calls from the insurance nurses who are checking the correctness of our procedures, and then who are computer literate enough to figure out the 43 different ways we have to file a claim on-line (only to have it rejected over and over again until finally getting paid a fraction of the cost about 6 months later).

Please be careful about your generalizations. Most physicians in my field are struggling to stay afloat.

... Yes, I know as I have worked as a computer expert on those systems in small hospitals, doctor groups & pharmacies. Your explanation was exactly what I was saying - Insurance companies create a barrier of hoops to increase profits; doctors increase their staff to compensate; insurance companies again devise methods to increase profits; again doctors hire more staff to compensate; multiply that times the number of different software systems, different health care insurance companies and so on, and the Empire builds itself (unintended consequences). All of that capital investment, personnel & non-personnel costs add up quickly. Not to mention, supplies for scientific equipment that is marked up 500% by suppliers (Smith-Kline-Beckman of days past) to provide such wonderful care. But the truth is that the system is about profit sometimes more than customer service, not by the doctors, but by those who make money around the doctors, the system as a whole is what I speak of. Even with all that said, we still have the best medical service in the world, but the cost must somehow be contained to provide for everyone?

My point is that to disturb or alter the existing system would send shock waves of profit loss, such that an intense resistance will and does form - from doctors, insurance companies (health care & liability), supplies, pharmacies, construction, telecommunications, computers, power & utilities and so on. This does not even address research costs or continued education. One of the most brilliant people to tackle some of these issues was Howard Hughes - Hospital Bed Design, Diversion of profits & taxes set up for a trust into pure medical research for years to come, and as a private company was not bound to profits alone.

Forgive me if you took this personally - it was a systemic point I was trying to make mostly, but there are bad doctors too motivated mostly by money & golf in Vegas!

Lots of Americans are concerned about this issue. Don't believe the polls that say only 6% or some other ridiculous number of Americans are only concerned about health care. A lot of people are concerned about this issue.

I am very fortunate that my job (though the pay is low) provides health benefits. I was uninsured for more than a year and it was a scary feeling. This country's system is based entirely on greed, greed, and more greed, and it is disgusting. Everyone SHOULD be outraged by it, but people continue to keep swallowing it because politicians keep conjuring the 'socialism' and 'big government' bogeymen. Politicians are some of the biggest culprits because of the big fat paychecks they collect from the sleazy insurance industry. These politicians, in combination with the fucking scumbags that run insurance companies, do not WANT single-payer universal health care. They want to continue to collect fat profits off of the sick and dying. They are our enemy, whether Democrat or Republican.
This is a MORAL issue, not a POLITICAL one...we can afford billions upon billions for pork and waste, but can't ensure that the children of our country have health care? That is criminal, and this nation should be ashamed of such a sickening set of circumstances.
Obama/Hillary have lousy med plans that are little better than what we have now. Edwards or Kucinich are the way to go...we need CHANGE not more of the same SHIT!

You might want to see whether you can get services from them.

when it is actually FREE is completely inhumane. Not only are you a learning aide for UNDERGRADUATE students (if you want a graduate student, you have to pay), they treat you like shit.

I guess if you really need a tooth pulled, it's better than leaving it to rot into a brain infection.

or pay $1800.00 for a root canal. Guess which one I had to choose? I don't have the $$ for the care I really need. My insurance coverage was pretty piss poor to begin with, and it's getting worse and worse every year.

a recent post of mine has a FEW links.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
you might google "Smiles for Success".. http://www.smilesforsuccess.org

http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc /
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/FindingDenta...

I know I work in it... all its going to take is a major recession and things are going to fall apart at the seams

emergency rooms are stressed to the MAX

I predicted single payer coming for a long time

the GREED
just kept rising at incredible rates

Medicare exists and Medicaid exists... we have national Health already kinda
just put everybody in the system and streamline the BS that is going on

but just remember the Government will make decisions on your health like Germany does and others but their people live longer than we do so hey it can'tbe so bad

Corporations are going to drop health inusrance and its got to be single payer

Congress WAKE UP its coming

Obviously F-9/11 as well, and also One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (god I hate Nurse Ratchet! lol) but this movie takes the cake. It is just unbelievable what we don't do for our dying and in need. We literally throw people who can't afford onto the curb whereas countries like France and Britain get free care ALWAYS.

The one thing I wish it had was more focus on the crook CEOs and top execs who literally live in wealth from causing people to die. I wish Moore would have gone after them like he did Heston in Bowling for Columbine; maybe show a CEO's house, vacation house, ski house, yacht, etc. - show what wealth he/she lives in at the expense of people's health. The movie was very moving indeed but to be honest I think it gave the CEOs a free pass in terms of how scathing it could have been for them.

But anyways, it was an amazing movement and I swear that I hope this moves people to take action. The person in the movie who said We the People are afraid of our government is right. And kudos to Moore for blasting the MSM lies multiple times. Overall one of the best films I've ever seen.

Looks like they've deleted it. Democracy Now has a one hour interview with Moore and several clips from the movie.

Three weeks ago I went to the doctor because of this sharp pelvic pain that had been bothering me for two weeks, after having a pelvic exam and an ultrasound, it turns out I have a complex cyst on my left ovary. The cyst is pretty large and the doctor is worried that it will twist over the ovary cutting off the blood flow - I could lose my ovary should that happen. He wants to do laproscopic surgery on me to remove the cyst, but I don't have any health insurance. I am a full-time student and the 3/4-time job I have doesn't have health benefits. I tried to get on the Oregon Health plan, but they aren't taking anyone who doesn't have kids or otherwise qualifies for disabilities. I am automatically covered on the insurance plan at the University I'm transferring to this fall, but the benefits do not start until August 15th, and even with those it will only cover a little over a quarter of the cost of the surgery. Paying for the doctor's visits and tests alone are wiping me out of any money I have - I just don't know what I'm going to do. Something needs to be done with health care in this country... It's damn pathetic that the supposed richest country in the world cannot take care of it's citizens.

You're beautiful, and I know that for a fact having met you.

I haven't seen Sicko yet, but I certainly will.

You are brilliant. Your boys are lucky to have such a great mom.

I'm privileged to know you. Hang in there.



PS - I will never support a candidate who is not for 100% universal health care, dental care, and prescription drug coverage. The situation in the U.S. is a joke.

I love Portland DU'ers, they have absolutely kept me sane the past few months.
Come have a brew with us on the 7th... we miss you.

However, it costs us. We each pay $93 a mo. for basic medicare, $30 for drug coverage, and $133 for supplemental insurance to cover what medicare doesn't. This is a total of slightly over $500 per month for us, and we live on SS. It's ridiculous. Medicare isn't free. This would break us if we didn't get help from our children. We hate this. This country should do a lot better; and, forget dental work; we, nor our children can afford it.

My job doesn't provide dental coverage. I'm covered under Ms. D's policy (she is a government worker, among the few remaining who still get decent benefits).

But Ms. D will retire in 3-4 years, she's 59. I'm 52. I have no idea what we'll do then.

Good luck to you folks.

just kidding.

I haven't read the responses yet, but do we have any Portland dentists who might want to help to give Vivala her mouth back? Or some way we can help this marvelous babe out together?

I'll check back later tonight.

I fully intend to see the movie.

I want help for all of us.

to take care of it now, all the better.

That's what I want.

I've read a few suggestions upthread, and I'm going back to read the rest.

I live and work in Canada, I belong to a union. Not only do I never see a medical bill because of the nationalized health care (union pays premiums which are 50$/month), the union also negotiated extended benefits so everyone gets free dental care, medication coverage and emergency care. The hospitals are modern and well staffed with excellent care. It's do-able guys.....

I mean the employer pays premiums!

We'd much prefer too spend $8 billion/mo to bomb the crap outta innocent people, steal their natural resources and occupy their country, rather than take care of our own citizens' health and welfare.

vegetables and fruits. Juicing.
Fruit in the morning and veges later.
Add free range chicken eggs and goat or sheep cheese(feta) and yogurt for protein.
Healthy diet.

I have a hard enough time affording enough for my family to get a serving or two per day.

I am growing as much as I can on the patio... I should have my first tomato in a week or so.

Good grief, do some of you people live in the real world? I just love it how people here tell us that you can achievce a healthy diet no matter how poor you are - on welfare, SSI, a minimum wage job, no problem! - just buy a food processor and lots of fresh fruit and veggies! Eat beans and rice! Feta cheese! Yeah, just sprinkle a little organic feta on your beans and serve a glass of green liguid that tastes like grass to your kids - they'll never notice it's not mac 'n cheese!

Exactly where the money is to come from for this food processor and juicer, not to mention the fresh fruit, never seems to concern the food enthusiasts.

How about universal health that includes dental and doesn't consider saving teeth to be a cosmetic luxury?

They are sucking all the money out of the health care system
making sure none of us gets the medical treatment we need.

Your not alone!

He charged what people could pay and if they couldn't pay, he would simply do the work for free (which in the long run cost him as he had overhead and the cost of supplies and the office personnels' salaries). He was still a full-time dentist at nearly 83 years old when he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He worked for another month and then died three months later.

He always said that national health care would be a boon for him--that he'd come out ahead.

Dad loved being a dentist. When people would call with a tooth problem at night, on weekends, or holidays, Dad would always meet them at the office to take care of them.


I wish that you and your boys could have met my dad! You wouldn't be having problems with your teeth.

And I feel exactly the same way. How can we change things? It seems like everyone's in the pocket of Big Insurance. I've never felt so helpless. I write letters and everything but it seems like such a drop in the bucket and nothing ever changes.

I FINALLY got a job with decent enough benefits (I can finally get the new glasses I've been needing for two years) but I can barely make ends meet with as much as they're taking out of my check.

Dammit maybe we should just all move to France.

Nor does anyone else that has free healthcare. Face it, folks, we're stuck. Whodathunkit. Americans wanting to leave their country.

Excuse me, whoever wrote that future doctors don't care is dead wrong... at least us in AMSA - the American Medical Student Association - have been lobbying and advocating for Universal Health Care for years now.

http://www.amsa.org/uhc /

There are plenty of fact sheets on the above link, so feel free to dig in! Personally, even though I'm from Puerto Rico, I have lobbied my rep in Washington, D.C. 2 times. It doesn't matter if you think it won't make a difference... Puerto Rico's rep is akin to D.C.'s rep, in which they both have limited rights, er, powers. Unless you are stuck with a really stupid rep, like Sam Brownback or that skinny bitch that called Murtha a coward on the Senate floor.

Though a good chunk of us genuinely believe that Universal Health Care is the way to go, other medical students have their balls literally wired to the stupid conservative mantra of "Universal Health Care is socialism/communism!" Or, "if you like that free health care so much, why don't you go live to Canada, Cuba or Venezuela?" And one of my favorites, "Universal Health Care for all Americans is just impossible! What about the costs? Don't you realize capitalism requires that people and corporations compete and charge for everything in order to promote innovation?" (or some other lame regurgitated shit I fail to remember).

What can you do, as non-healthcare professionals? Simple: everytime you go to a doctor's office, or to an hospital, ask the docs if they believe things would be better for them and their patients if everyone had Universal Healthcare. If they start to spout some conservative-idiot nonsense, stop them in their tracks by saying, "gee, for being a doc, you're not that smart to figure out that the system is not working".

By the way, if there are any health professionals in this thread/forum, why don't we start a discussion group of our own, like "health care professionals for Universal Health Care"? Feel free to contact me if interested!!

How and where did you see it early? I thought it didn't open in theaters until 6/29....

I can't justify spending money to go to a movie anyway... so I watched it there.

though I don't really know how that might happen. Just know you are loved for your opinions and your honesty.

have you ever seen what your screen name comes up as when you spell check it?

Try it. I suggest that everyone try it. That name again is "sfexpat2000".

I just can't keep my hands off of you!

and I'll come back as stormwarning or ladybug.

I'm self-employed, and without dental insurance, dental care seemed like something easy to postpone.

However, I developed problems that I couldn't ignore, and as a result, I'm no longer debt-free

Please do some investigation. In the small town I live in (that is, however, growing rapidly) there are free clinics that are staffed by a number of humanitarian doctors and dentists. There may be like it where you live.

To anyone with common sense, to have a country this rich and still have starving people and have hundreds of thousands without health care is insane. To spend billions on useless wars and drive the country deep into debt is even crazier.

This situation cannot go on!

& R

,...I don't know if I even want to watch the movie because it would likely add distress to an already difficult situation. Besides, I really don't need anyone to tell me about how our nation courts profits rather than people. That 'conservative compassion' sure is cold.

I had no idea!

Can you look for your closest dental school and make an appointment with them? Most schools will do the work for a much reduced rate if you let the students do the work. They are supervised closely but they actually need patients to get the hands on experience with. When I find myself in a bind like this one, I always look for the closest "school" for whatever service I need and start there seeking help.

If you lived here, I would have taken you there myself!

I, on the other hand, have insurance right now and my teeth are still in dire need of attention. Even with the insurance, paying my portion to any private dentist is usually out of range for me.

If I lived closer to Mexico, I would be over that border in a heart beat for this service. Sad state of affairs we have found ourselves in, isn't it?

I've checked, the schools are still out of reach for now, but I'm working on it.

I was talking to the friend of a patient at Parkland. She knew her friend had to go to the hospital, but couldn't afford an ambulance. They took the bus, even though her friend was in a wheelchair. The bus driver made a hard turn and this woman's wheelchair fell over and landed on top of her. They wound up calling an ambulance anyway. Since Parkland is a county hospital, they have to take everybody regardless of ability to pay. I talk to a lot of these folks and I summarily call Sessions/Cornyn/Hutchison to tell them the stories I hear. All I get from the girl that answers the phone is snarkiness and I believe she thinks I'm making all this up.

I hope you and your children can get help soon. Some dentists will work on a sliding scale. At the hospital, I can pay as little as $10 a month which is helpful, because it seems like I'm making those payments to everybody.

I complain about what Thatcher and Blair did to our health service but I realize how lucky we are compared with many of you. Some of your stories sound like something out of the 1930s. I really wish all of you, and your country, all the best for improved health and health care - you all deserve something so much better than this.

I've been a nurse for over 20 years. I said BEEN as I can't take it anymore and left my career. The whole system is broken and I can't and won't be a part of it. The poor get treated like dirt and they are neglected. The system will suck your $$$ and leave you to fend for yourself and the bastard's wallets get fatter. The ONLY candidate that has an answer is Dennis Kucinich. I love him but I know he won't get elected. My question is why won't the other candidates push his plan???????? There should be ZERO profits in healthcare...ZERO. Yet the other candidates keep that in the equation. I don't see this getting better.
This administration has neglected so many and yet they thump their chest on religious values...yeah right...my Dad always said "look out for the one who sits in the front pew"...boy was he ever right.

As for your tooth...go to the dental colleges or Hygienists school...put you name in and they do it for free...you may have to wait...but it will be done right. Bless you and good luck.