We wait sometimes, in Canada, but so far have resisted going the US way.

I had a similar experience in Chile, Millicent: private but  
affordable, at least to me, & immediate service at the hospital for an  
ear infection.

I hear these tales from the US & wonder why anyone would be against a  
public health system... (that works, as some dont so well any more;  
but that's because governments are trying to undermine them: see  
Britain these days I suspect).

Doug
Quoting "Millicent Borges Accardi" <[log in to unmask]>:

> This is a side note to a discussion I have only read parts of, but I  
> wanted to chime in about the inadequacies of US pharma.
>
> In Lisbon for a writers conference, I took ill. A basic cold turned  
> nasty probably due to a 17 hour flight and lack of sleep, etc. At  
> any rate, I went to an urgent care. Tests that would have taken  
> referrals and weeks back home were a five minute walk down the hall  
> of a clinic. I left with what would have been considered a physical  
> back home and a nebulizer and other meds-- all for 11 Euros. And,  
> unlike in the US where pills are counted and dealt out like  
> contraband, I got full sized boxes and was sent on my way.
>
> I nearly cried.
>
> For a heart condition, my husband is on a shoe box full of pills and  
> nearly every week it is an argument with the US insurance company  
> over timing, like can he get the 14 pills that his Dr prescribed  or  
> will they only give him ten?  These are not perceived "fun" or  
> addictive drugs even, mind you.  They are heart and blood meds.   
> Plus, half of what he is on have patents and are ten times the price  
> that a generic would be--only there is no generic.
>
> My morning spent in a local clinic in Portugal opened my eyes. They  
> were kind, personal, and caring.  Sure the walls needed paint. But  
> there was no bureaucratic mess. It was doctors and patients.They  
> called names, then the doctors met and spoke with each patient. If a  
> test was needed, they performed it right there.
>
> It is insane what we go through in the US to get health care. And  
> the war on drugs? Please do not get me started.
>
> Mill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christopher C Jones <[log in to unmask]>
> To: POETRYETC <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sun, Jun 19, 2011 10:03 am
> Subject: Re: some brains are homosexual in men
>
>
> On Sat, 2011-06-18 at 17:21 +0100, David Bircumshaw wrote:
>  I entirely agree about the inadequacies of pharma
> to this I would very strongly disagree on these terms. Free and easy
> ccess to pain relieving drugs is a basic human right. In this country
> uch access is denied.
> By this I mean access to Valium, heroin (dia-morphine) MS Contin, a slow
> elease version of morphine, and other pain relieving opiate medication.
> As an anti-moralism, most people who deny the need for drugs have never
> xperienced severe disabling pain. I would and have chosen methadone
> ver not being able to even stand and take a few steps due to severe
> ain. Severe pain is dangerous. Heroin is a far safer alternative.
>
> -
> ave chronic fatigue syndrome so may be delayed in reply or brain fog weird
> just to let you know that's all, Chris Jones.
> Blog: http://abdevpoetics.blogspot.com/
>
>



Douglas Barbour
11655 - 72 Avenue NW
Edmonton  Alberta  T6G 0B9

That’s not a cross look it’s a sign of life

			Frank O’Hara