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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