plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 226
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:
Let's see, I've spent years paying taxes and insurance premiums - for services I was hoping my family would never have to use, but I realized it was the price to pay for living in a society that supposedly took care of it's sick and elderly; it looks to me like I've been paying more for some mighty fine lifestyles of a few at the top. Just a few facts - the number of dialysis patients doubled from '91 to '01, the costs tripled, and what did we get for all that money? Even a higher rate of deaths. And what occured during this time period? The for-profits taking over this field of medicine - and I'm supposed to be grateful?
But maybe I will open that wallet and wind up like about half of people who filed for backruptcy - broke due to medical bills (
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/bkfacts.pdf ). Canada pays about half of what we do per person for healthcare and has better health stats to show for it (the stories about the long waits are greatly exaggerated by the way). Tell me some more why I should pay even more than I have.
I hope the only way you judge a person isn't by the size of their bank account. I would hate to live in society that forces it's sick to pay as you go, and when the money runs out - shows over, though it seems we are moving that way.
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Guest
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:43 am Post subject:
[quote:5de9d13459="plugger"]Let's see, I've spent years paying taxes and insurance premiums - for services I was hoping my family would never have to use, but I realized it was the price to pay for living in a society that supposedly took care of it's sick and elderly; it looks to me like I've been paying more for some mighty fine lifestyles of a few at the top. Just a few facts - the number of dialysis patients doubled from '91 to '01, the costs tripled, and what did we get for all that money? Even a higher rate of deaths. And what occured during this time period? The for-profits taking over this field of medicine - and I'm supposed to be grateful?
But maybe I will open that wallet and wind up like about half of people who filed for backruptcy - broke due to medical bills (
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/bkfacts.pdf ). Canada pays about half of what we do per person for healthcare and has better health stats to show for it (the stories about the long waits are greatly exaggerated by the way). Tell me some more why I should pay even more than I have.
I hope the only way you judge a person isn't by the size of their bank account. I would hate to live in society that forces it's sick to pay as you go, and when the money runs out - shows over, though it seems we are moving that way.[/quote:5de9d13459]
You're the one that's disgruntled. If you wish to have a higher standard of care than what the "system" provides, then perhaps you could purchase a higher standard of care. I understand that you wish the system was better than what you perceive it to be. Deaths are high because of the co-morbidities that landed these folks on hd...not because of the hd. We're an obese, out of shape society and you lament the outcomes we are receiving in our healthcare settings? This is just the beginning man.
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plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 226
PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:
I think I've pointed out a '94 study that showed even accounting for co-morbidities, we still had a higher mortality rate here. I can see the rise in diabetes accounting for more patients, but not the rise in the mortality rate. I wish I could believe it was just an out-of-shape society accounting for the way things are, but logic and everything I've read say otherwise.
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Colorado DE rep
Guest
PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:22 am Post subject: contact us
Disenchanted Patient,
I'm the Colorado rep for DE and the father of a patient. A state regulator has been contacted about your situation. I can provide other help if you will contact Arlene, she will provide you with my contact information. I'm close by and I want to help.
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Guest
PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:36 am Post subject:
Hi
Just to let you know that in real life dialysis (for profit at least) companies do have your life and soul. My first trip into a center I was told to sign some paper work without looking over them. This was while I was on the machine. When I asked to look them over with my wife , the head nurse told that if I did not sign the papers she would cut me off then and there. By the way esrd is paper lion. What can they really do to a center? close it?lol
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Guest
Guest
PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: Things that make you go Hmmm...
To satisfy my curiosity, can anyone tell me why Arlene pasted in "Disenchanted Patient"'s message and her response into a public forum?
The only reason I can come up with is that it's an effort to prove that DEO is out in the world, saving lives and making a Difference!! Or is it a figurative tossing of a bone to hungry dogs, so that the DEO fanatics can get all riled up and gnash their teeth at the evil deeds of the soul-less Corporate fiends, who are all likely minions of Satan and spend their time clubbing baby seals while driving SUV's the size of small trains.
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Guest
PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Things that make you go Hmmm...
To satisfy my curiosity, can anyone tell me why Arlene pasted in "Disenchanted Patient"'s message and her response into a public forum?
The only reason I can come up with is that it's an effort to prove that DEO is out in the world, saving lives and making a Difference!! Or is it a figurative tossing of a bone to hungry dogs, so that the DEO fanatics can get all riled up and gnash their teeth at the evil deeds of the soul-less Corporate fiends, who are all likely minions of Satan and spend their time clubbing baby seals while driving SUV's the size of small trains.[/quote
Great point. If their mission was to be an effective advocate for dialysis patients, this would be more effectively handled behind the scenes.
Honestly, what this guy needs is a lesson in civil behavior and some tips on anger control. What is this organization going to do for a serial misbehaver? Even if they get him placed in another unit, will his behavior doom him in that one as well. This organization does these people a disservice by telling them that they are being wronged when in fact, they need to be told the truth and told that their behavior has them in the fix they are in. Typical libs, everyone is a victim.
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plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 226
PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:39 pm Post subject:
"libs" or just a bunch of people who think the punishment ought to fit the crime? Seems you make a lot of assumptions about what happened when it could have been a number of things.
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Truth
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:05 am Post subject: money hungry corporate types
Blab it up for-profits, people are watching this thread while you bash and take another life.
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Guest
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:22 am Post subject:
[quote:3ac9d71b71="plugger"]"libs" or just a bunch of people who think the punishment ought to fit the crime? Seems you make a lot of assumptions about what happened when it could have been a number of things.[/quote:3ac9d71b71]
Plugger, you have a lot of criticism but not a lot in the way of suggestions. Let me tell you about a guy that we're dealing with right now. A young ex-con who has been bounced from 2 units. He admits to being verbal abusive and non-compliant. For dialysis, he is showing up in the emergency room every
Saturday. For the 3rd time in 4 weeks, someone has been called in late at night to do this guy because of high K+.
OK plugger, what do you do with this guy? Probably a sociopath. Do you sit him down and try to reason with him? I mean........what is the plugger solution for helping those who refuse to help themselves?
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Guest
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:28 am Post subject: Re: money hungry corporate types
[quote:c304b995f1="Truth"]Blab it up for-profits, people are watching this thread while you bash and take another life.[/quote:c304b995f1]
I work in a hospital and I get paid exactly the same no matter what the chronic units do. I have no stock in a dialysis company. I don't care how much or how little they make. It's not about the money for me.
I demand basic standards of behavior as a courtesy to the other patients. Other patients who could be you, your mother, or your kid. I demand a basic standard of behavior toward the staff. You don't have to like them, you don't have to be buddies, just behave like an adult.
This is all I ask in exchange for receiving a free, life-saving treatment. If you can't do that after repeated warnings and chances, then you don't get the service. Tell me champ, what is so unreasonable or reprehensible about that position? Think about it before you blurt something out.
Also know this....despite what you hear on this site, dismissals are few and far between and reserved for the worst of the worst.
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a guest
Guest
PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:32 am Post subject: Re: money hungry corporate types
[quote:bd61b373c6="Anonymous"]
then you don't get the service.
[/quote:bd61b373c6]
And you should think about what you are denying - a "life-saving treatment" - because somebody was rude?
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