One of my family members had a bad headache recently. They had two doctor appointments, a CT scan and MRI, then awaiting results had to go to hospital. Another MRI and CT plus a lot more tests and scans. Next day top neurologist comes in and determines likely MS. A week in hospital later, all the drugs like steroids, immunity boosters, the IV stuff for staying off food for a few days, etc. then off to a neurology clinic for more tests and scans, MS confirmed. Treatments start in 3 months. In the meantime a bunch of vaccinations and immunity boosters, including blood work having to go off to another country for some reason to be tested…
So far, $250—aboit $160USD—and a chunk of that was actually an acupuncture session before first doctor. They’re going onto another state system that makes specialised treatments and tests fully covered because of their diagnosis, so they can be conducted precautionary even when a doctor thinks it’s unnecessary but would like peace of mind.
That’s for life. Any money spent now will be optional care. But most quality of life things related are covered, like if they need carer at any point at home or occupational therapy for work. Obviously normal physical or psychological therapy is covered too.
This is what we get in exchange for 2% of our taxable income each year. Socialism is just the worst.
Edit: Oh, forgot to mention… The state will actually be giving them money each month too to cover micro-costs that may be related. Kind of like a pension or allowance for small-ticket stuff they don’t need to track or declare. Also, their symptoms are mild and they’re expected to live quite the normal and long life.
I am from Europe and know nothing about this. But someone once told me that this would sound like a bigger issue than it actually is. Because you would just need a good job at one of the top companies and then you would get insurance that covers basically all and everything without any extra expenses.
So since I am a programmer I should not worry about these things.
Edit: Since it was not clear, I don’t really believe that.
If someone told you to just use Windows on your computer, b/c it will take care of you, would you listen?
There is some truth to both statements, but in any capitalist society it behooves one to be aware, since many people and especially corporations will try to take advantage of ignorance.
To put it into perspective, one of the leading causes of death in the US is preventable diseases. Many Americans can’t afford to see a doctor to get stuff checked out, nor do they get sick days or could afford to take the time off if they do, so they just keep working and hope it goes away.
Their advice basically boils down to “just have a senior level position in a well-paying field, and you’ll be fine.” As a programmer, you might be screwed right now with the massive layoffs currently ripping through the tech sector.
European too here, but I can make a safe assumption.
Depending on how bad it can get, unless you are a top percentage you will have financial medical issues. Maybe a good paying job can help when its something more minor, but everything can happen in life and if you have quite the nasty emergency you will regardless end up in dept.
even with insurance, in the US you can easily lose absolutely everything you own to a medical emergency.
insurance just gets you in the front door so they can tell you later how very fucked you are.
I know a guy that realized it was better for his family financially to just kill himself rather than pursue cancer treatments. go usa.
One of my family members had a bad headache recently. They had two doctor appointments, a CT scan and MRI, then awaiting results had to go to hospital. Another MRI and CT plus a lot more tests and scans. Next day top neurologist comes in and determines likely MS. A week in hospital later, all the drugs like steroids, immunity boosters, the IV stuff for staying off food for a few days, etc. then off to a neurology clinic for more tests and scans, MS confirmed. Treatments start in 3 months. In the meantime a bunch of vaccinations and immunity boosters, including blood work having to go off to another country for some reason to be tested…
So far, $250—aboit $160USD—and a chunk of that was actually an acupuncture session before first doctor. They’re going onto another state system that makes specialised treatments and tests fully covered because of their diagnosis, so they can be conducted precautionary even when a doctor thinks it’s unnecessary but would like peace of mind.
That’s for life. Any money spent now will be optional care. But most quality of life things related are covered, like if they need carer at any point at home or occupational therapy for work. Obviously normal physical or psychological therapy is covered too.
This is what we get in exchange for 2% of our taxable income each year. Socialism is just the worst.
Edit: Oh, forgot to mention… The state will actually be giving them money each month too to cover micro-costs that may be related. Kind of like a pension or allowance for small-ticket stuff they don’t need to track or declare. Also, their symptoms are mild and they’re expected to live quite the normal and long life.
I think it’s funny, you can get free cancer treatment by the gov in fucking Brazil, but not the US… Such a balanced country amirite?
I am from Europe and know nothing about this. But someone once told me that this would sound like a bigger issue than it actually is. Because you would just need a good job at one of the top companies and then you would get insurance that covers basically all and everything without any extra expenses. So since I am a programmer I should not worry about these things.
Edit: Since it was not clear, I don’t really believe that.
insurance has a profit motive here in the united states. insurance companies only make money when they cause human suffering by denying claims.
we in the US have decided businesses are allowed to hurt people for profit.
Up until recently it was absolutely possible to have good health insurance and still go bankrupt because of costs not covered 100% by insurance.
Affordable care act set limits on what is called the “Out of pocket maximum”
Per plan year that legally allowed maximum will be something like $20,000, which is still enough to knock out most people. To make matters worse, those legal limits are going up for some bullshit reason, but wages are not going up enough to match. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/aca-maximum-out-of-pocket-limit-is-growing-faster-than-wages/
If someone told you to just use Windows on your computer, b/c it will take care of you, would you listen?
There is some truth to both statements, but in any capitalist society it behooves one to be aware, since many people and especially corporations will try to take advantage of ignorance.
To put it into perspective, one of the leading causes of death in the US is preventable diseases. Many Americans can’t afford to see a doctor to get stuff checked out, nor do they get sick days or could afford to take the time off if they do, so they just keep working and hope it goes away.
Their advice basically boils down to “just have a senior level position in a well-paying field, and you’ll be fine.” As a programmer, you might be screwed right now with the massive layoffs currently ripping through the tech sector.
European too here, but I can make a safe assumption.
Depending on how bad it can get, unless you are a top percentage you will have financial medical issues. Maybe a good paying job can help when its something more minor, but everything can happen in life and if you have quite the nasty emergency you will regardless end up in dept.
Very uneducated comment.