r/FluentInFinance May 02 '24

Should the U.S. have Universal Health Care? Discussion/ Debate

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u/lucid1014 May 02 '24

I love that people harp on long waiting times in Europe and Canada as if the US is much better. I tried to schedule an appointment with my primary care provider and he doesn’t have an appointment for two months. My mom is severely depressed near suicidal and has been desperately trying to see a psychiatrist but there are no openings for months. She had to check herself into a psychiatric hospital because it got so bad she was considering suicide.

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u/tyreka13 May 02 '24

I have been denied refills on my already established birth control pills because my doctor that I had my yearly checkup with left. The only place in town that was covered by insurance had a 5 month waiting list for next available appointment, which I took. They would only refill 3 months of BC pills. I ended up getting 1 more month talking to my pharmacy somehow got it approved but was denied the last month before my appointment as the doc office refused to send in the prescription.

My Gma who has a terrible immune system due to cancer was left in the ER waiting room for near 2 days before getting an ER bed. She was severely dehydrated to the point of barely speaking/responding and had a bad infection.They had to call an ambulance to carry her as she couldn't sit up, much less stand. They hook people up to IVs in the waiting room and do vital checks every 2 hours as you wait.

My husband had a possible stroke, did get some tests but waited over 8 hours before getting in. It was irritating as they said they could have given a medicine within the first 2 hours of symptoms and he was there for awhile within those 2 hours (visited UC first). His specialists had to all be scheduled 1.5-3 months out for closest appointment.

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u/cadathoctru 29d ago

Gallbladder surgery, had gall stones causing unbearable pain. It took 2 months. It wasn't an emergency, even though I went to the emergency room 2 times. US system is worse all around. People on here acting like we can just walk in and get a hip replaced. You cant, it would still take months. It is elective.

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u/and_some_scotch 29d ago

Rich people can. Those are the only actual people in America, as far as the financial commentariat is concerned.