tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post8652126312561639850..comments2024-02-18T12:18:45.788-05:00Comments on Sun and Shield: Thoughts on Health Care in the USMartin LaBarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-29918222362326495782009-08-12T03:18:58.031-04:002009-08-12T03:18:58.031-04:00Thanks, Technology. I guess.
Much of the upset is...Thanks, Technology. I guess.<br /><br />Much of the upset is over nothing. There are also genuine fears of features people like now, if there is change, and of how we're going to pay for all of this.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-9321790563467326592009-08-11T23:41:56.352-04:002009-08-11T23:41:56.352-04:00It seems like people are understanding what they w...It seems like people are understanding what they want from the proposed health plan then getting upset over nothing.Technologyhttp://www.technologyslice.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-81369704801820671862009-08-11T03:18:19.191-04:002009-08-11T03:18:19.191-04:00Help yourself!
Thanks.Help yourself!<br /><br />Thanks.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-87326913070842233842009-08-10T23:51:23.548-04:002009-08-10T23:51:23.548-04:00May I send this post to some of my friends, and/or...May I send this post to some of my friends, and/or put it on another website?<br /><br />Thanks, NancyFancyHorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17597963447367752342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-38167903904579096042009-08-10T22:13:23.403-04:002009-08-10T22:13:23.403-04:00Thanks, Hamster.
This seems to work for you, and ...Thanks, Hamster.<br /><br />This seems to work for you, and shows yet more reason why saying that the US "system" is the best in the world is either lying or delusion.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this won't work for everyone. Not everyone in your age and employment group can pay for health insurance, and not everyone needing care can spare the money, or the time, to go to Thailand.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting!Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9661811.post-54503331913335242982009-08-10T21:08:19.885-04:002009-08-10T21:08:19.885-04:00I just thought I'd mention what my wife and I ...I just thought I'd mention what my wife and I have done to cut the cost of health care.<br />We are in our 60's and self employed...one of the most unfortunate groups of all. Our Blue Shield premiums are $920 per month. Our deductible is $4000 for me and $4000 for my wife.<br />(I understand that is pretty standard for folks at our age and with our health conditions)<br />So before I can get a dime of help from my insurance policy I have to spend $15,000 per year out of pocket on medical bills and premiums.<br />Needless to say we try not to use the medical system in the US unless we have to.<br />Over the last 5 years we've started going to Thailand for our medical checkups, dental care and medical needs.<br />Almost every November we hop on a plane and head to Bangkok where we check in a private hospital called Vejthani. Airfare can vary from $800-$1200 round trip depending on what class you fly. But even taking that into consideration...we really save a lot<br />There are a lot of hospitals in Bangkok that cater to Americans..the best known is called Bumrungrad Hospital which was featured in the "60 minutes" episode. (more expensive but still cheap by us standards)<br />Many Private hospitals in Thailand put my local US hospital to shame.<br />The care is excellent, equipment brand new and the cost...just a fraction of what I would have to pay out of pocket in the US. For example, last November I had an Endoscopic balloon dilation for a condition known as dysphagia. The specialist in the US said the operation would cost me $2500. (His bill for the 15 minute consultation was $250.) I decided to wait until I got to Thailand<br />This time I had it done at a public hospital in Bangkok called Chulalongkorn Hospital...cost $100 including biopsy, (all I needed for ID was my US passport. No questions asked!!)<br /><br />I have to keep my US insurance in case I have a heart attack or get hit by a bus. Otherwise I would like to drop my health insurance here and just rely on the Thai medical system.<br /><br />Anyway, that's my solution to the health care problem.Hamsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10045933530624125001noreply@blogger.com