You aren't kidding about the Dutch not coming here for treatment. Frank Camp had a debiliating headache: a doctor came to his house, on Saturday night, in a special van loaded with whatever might be needed. He checked back with Frank on Sunday, and when Frank said it was still bad (it turned out to be encephalitis), the doctor arranged for Frank to be admitted to the hospital immediately.

I remember having a house call from a doctor back in 1952 or 53. I think I've heard that some Park Ave. doctors still do house calls.

Meanwhile, our Dr.'s are being graded on how few services they use. "Let's watch that suspicious thing on your nose until it gets bigger before we send you for a biopsy." That's not made up: it happened to me in the last year, and then it did get bigger, and the story gets a little (but fortunately not a lot) gloomy after that. But what do you expect from a system in which health expenditures flow to the bottom line of corporations with stockholders to please, and options for the executives on the line?

Hank

>>If you feel the quality of your care is better how do you dispute people lining up to come here for treatment? How is it that most every country complains about long lines, rationed services, and behind the curve solutions? Talk to any Canadians lately who are taxed at over 60% and still have poor healthcare.
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>I think you'll find that under every system, there are some unhappy people to complain. But the key question is whether the majority are satisfied.
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>I also think that, if you look harder, you'll see that those coming here for treatment are mostly from countries that don't have modern health systems. I doubt many Dutch people come to the US for treatment.
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>>I can speak from experience as I have excellent healthcare and I pay for it. I CHOOSE to pay more for better care and not spend that money on entertainment, alcohol, American Idol, drugs, and other non-necessary items. It has paid off twice as my children were involved in a car accident that necessated a helicopter ride, 5 MRI's/scans, 4 days in an ICU unit, and so far 5 months of follow-up stuff every 4-5 days. I dare say everyone should get the help they need but they should also pay for it. My insurance paid for all of that because I lay out for it and CHOSE not to spend that money on secular, worldy items as do most if given the choice. Insurance is expensive but not so that you cannot afford it if you choose to make that type of thing a priority instead of cigarettes, a DVR and twice daily trips to Starbucks ( or whatever your poison is ).
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>I agree that health care should be a priority, right after a roof and food in your belly. But for some people, even that's not possible financially, without the luxury items.
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>Our system, where health care is tied to employment, is really screwed up.
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>Tamar