huge topic:Americans keep getting fatter

[all]

What about countries not as poor as Indonesia?

Personal anecdote – my dad lives in a developing European county. Not Indonesia, but not Germany either. He had a couple of stents inserted in a non-emergency procedure. He went from his personal physician to cardiologist to surgery in less than four weeks. The total cost was close to $5K. He had to cover 10% of the total cost ($500) since he’s under 65 and it was not an emergency.

Had he needed an emergency brain surgery he would have died, but as an average person with a fairly common need he received treatment that is at least comparable to what’s offered in the US at fraction of the cost.

On the other hand, I had to wait more than four weeks to be seen by a sports medicine specialist about a lingering injury. It took him less than 5 minutes to interpret an x-ray, tell me an equivalent of ‘it is what it is, suck it up, come back in two months if it still hurts’. My out of pocket was $80 on top of my $500/month insurance.

[sdrealtor]

Exactly. Our system is not perfect nor is any system. If your dad’s case turned out to be unusual or complex he may have had a different experience. You dont get to pick what is wrong with you, it just happens and you have to deal with. Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. The best part of it all is that he is the most prolific FB poster I know. He posts 5 to 10 times a day so we all get to live his travels vicariously. He has lots of friends in LA/Hollywood as that is where he first practiced out of med school. They have a reality show in development on his life and part of the reason he is in SoCal is to meet with some of the cable networks. Who knows, you may be watching his travels soon also.

[sdrealtor]

Exactly. Our system is not perfect nor is any system. If your dad’s case turned out to be unusual or complex he may have had a different experience. You dont get to pick what is wrong with you, it just happens and you have to deal with. Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. The best part of it all is that he is the most prolific FB poster I know. He posts 5 to 10 times a day so we all get to live his travels vicariously. He has lots of friends in LA/Hollywood as that is where he first practiced out of med school. They have a reality show in development on his life and part of the reason he is in SoCal is to meet with some of the cable networks. Who knows, you may be watching his travels soon also.

[sdrealtor]

Exactly. Our system is not perfect nor is any system. If your dad’s case turned out to be unusual or complex he may have had a different experience. You dont get to pick what is wrong with you, it just happens and you have to deal with. Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. The best part of it all is that he is the most prolific FB poster I know. He posts 5 to 10 times a day so we all get to live his travels vicariously. He has lots of friends in LA/Hollywood as that is where he first practiced out of med school. They have a reality show in development on his life and part of the reason he is in SoCal is to meet with some of the cable networks. Who knows, you may be watching his travels soon also.

[sdrealtor]

Exactly. Our system is not perfect nor is any system. If your dad’s case turned out to be unusual or complex he may have had a different experience. You dont get to pick what is wrong with you, it just happens and you have to deal with. Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. The best part of it all is that he is the most prolific FB poster I know. He posts 5 to 10 times a day so we all get to live his travels vicariously. He has lots of friends in LA/Hollywood as that is where he first practiced out of med school. They have a reality show in development on his life and part of the reason he is in SoCal is to meet with some of the cable networks. Who knows, you may be watching his travels soon also.

[sdrealtor]

Exactly. Our system is not perfect nor is any system. If your dad’s case turned out to be unusual or complex he may have had a different experience. You dont get to pick what is wrong with you, it just happens and you have to deal with. Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. The best part of it all is that he is the most prolific FB poster I know. He posts 5 to 10 times a day so we all get to live his travels vicariously. He has lots of friends in LA/Hollywood as that is where he first practiced out of med school. They have a reality show in development on his life and part of the reason he is in SoCal is to meet with some of the cable networks. Who knows, you may be watching his travels soon also.

[scaredyclassic]

we not only have the best health care system in the world, we also have the best justice system in the world. There is no place on earth where you can get more justice than in US courtrooms. The world over, the injustice in various courthouses is palpable. here, however, the justice is being produced at massive quaantites and of extremely high quality. Also, our basketball teams are better.

[scaredyclassic]

we not only have the best health care system in the world, we also have the best justice system in the world. There is no place on earth where you can get more justice than in US courtrooms. The world over, the injustice in various courthouses is palpable. here, however, the justice is being produced at massive quaantites and of extremely high quality. Also, our basketball teams are better.

[scaredyclassic]

we not only have the best health care system in the world, we also have the best justice system in the world. There is no place on earth where you can get more justice than in US courtrooms. The world over, the injustice in various courthouses is palpable. here, however, the justice is being produced at massive quaantites and of extremely high quality. Also, our basketball teams are better.

[scaredyclassic]

we not only have the best health care system in the world, we also have the best justice system in the world. There is no place on earth where you can get more justice than in US courtrooms. The world over, the injustice in various courthouses is palpable. here, however, the justice is being produced at massive quaantites and of extremely high quality. Also, our basketball teams are better.

[scaredyclassic]

we not only have the best health care system in the world, we also have the best justice system in the world. There is no place on earth where you can get more justice than in US courtrooms. The world over, the injustice in various courthouses is palpable. here, however, the justice is being produced at massive quaantites and of extremely high quality. Also, our basketball teams are better.

[briansd1]

[quote=ocrenter]
this is a system that emphasize emergent heroics, but let millions lapse in fundamental preventives. in essence, we won’t let you die, but we’ll make you live in misery.[/quote]

well said. He have a huge population that doesn’t get health care until they are near collapse. Then we “care” for them one time at the emergency room, until they are near collapse again and reenter the emergency room, and again and again.

[quote=sdrealtor]Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. [/quote]

What’s wrong with us Americans is that we tend to think our model is the best. Look at the prescriptions of the IMF and World Bank.

Of all the “third world” countries, the Philippines most closely followed the American model to a tee. Look at the results.

Then compare the results of those who adapted their own models: Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China.

Like health care, it could be argued that we have the best, safest food supply. When we return from an overseas trip, Customs will screen out food because the microbes from abroad might contaminate our food supply.

But look at the results. We have a population of disgustingly obese people on meds. Few people are not on some kind of meds regularly (Tylenol, Advil and OTC meds count too).

Our life expectancy and old age quality of life sucks.

Our system and the Pharmas enable indulgence and irresponsibility by stuffing people with meds instead of forcing them to make beneficial lifestyle changes.

I say look at the results of our health care system and food supply. The results speak louder than words.

Sure, our system is good at prolonging the lives of people like Dick Cheney and Terri Shivo at great costs (thanks to technology). But what does it do for the population at large?

I’m afraid that American citizens won’t come to their senses until they become chronically sick and bedridden. Those who oppose health care reform should mark my words for when they are old and sick.

[briansd1]

[quote=ocrenter]
this is a system that emphasize emergent heroics, but let millions lapse in fundamental preventives. in essence, we won’t let you die, but we’ll make you live in misery.[/quote]

well said. He have a huge population that doesn’t get health care until they are near collapse. Then we “care” for them one time at the emergency room, until they are near collapse again and reenter the emergency room, and again and again.

[quote=sdrealtor]Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. [/quote]

What’s wrong with us Americans is that we tend to think our model is the best. Look at the prescriptions of the IMF and World Bank.

Of all the “third world” countries, the Philippines most closely followed the American model to a tee. Look at the results.

Then compare the results of those who adapted their own models: Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China.

Like health care, it could be argued that we have the best, safest food supply. When we return from an overseas trip, Customs will screen out food because the microbes from abroad might contaminate our food supply.

But look at the results. We have a population of disgustingly obese people on meds. Few people are not on some kind of meds regularly (Tylenol, Advil and OTC meds count too).

Our life expectancy and old age quality of life sucks.

Our system and the Pharmas enable indulgence and irresponsibility by stuffing people with meds instead of forcing them to make beneficial lifestyle changes.

I say look at the results of our health care system and food supply. The results speak louder than words.

Sure, our system is good at prolonging the lives of people like Dick Cheney and Terri Shivo at great costs (thanks to technology). But what does it do for the population at large?

I’m afraid that American citizens won’t come to their senses until they become chronically sick and bedridden. Those who oppose health care reform should mark my words for when they are old and sick.

[briansd1]

[quote=ocrenter]
this is a system that emphasize emergent heroics, but let millions lapse in fundamental preventives. in essence, we won’t let you die, but we’ll make you live in misery.[/quote]

well said. He have a huge population that doesn’t get health care until they are near collapse. Then we “care” for them one time at the emergency room, until they are near collapse again and reenter the emergency room, and again and again.

[quote=sdrealtor]Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. [/quote]

What’s wrong with us Americans is that we tend to think our model is the best. Look at the prescriptions of the IMF and World Bank.

Of all the “third world” countries, the Philippines most closely followed the American model to a tee. Look at the results.

Then compare the results of those who adapted their own models: Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China.

Like health care, it could be argued that we have the best, safest food supply. When we return from an overseas trip, Customs will screen out food because the microbes from abroad might contaminate our food supply.

But look at the results. We have a population of disgustingly obese people on meds. Few people are not on some kind of meds regularly (Tylenol, Advil and OTC meds count too).

Our life expectancy and old age quality of life sucks.

Our system and the Pharmas enable indulgence and irresponsibility by stuffing people with meds instead of forcing them to make beneficial lifestyle changes.

I say look at the results of our health care system and food supply. The results speak louder than words.

Sure, our system is good at prolonging the lives of people like Dick Cheney and Terri Shivo at great costs (thanks to technology). But what does it do for the population at large?

I’m afraid that American citizens won’t come to their senses until they become chronically sick and bedridden. Those who oppose health care reform should mark my words for when they are old and sick.

[briansd1]

[quote=ocrenter]
this is a system that emphasize emergent heroics, but let millions lapse in fundamental preventives. in essence, we won’t let you die, but we’ll make you live in misery.[/quote]

well said. He have a huge population that doesn’t get health care until they are near collapse. Then we “care” for them one time at the emergency room, until they are near collapse again and reenter the emergency room, and again and again.

[quote=sdrealtor]Every question I asked my friend who consults, teaches and builds health care delivery systems all over the world he always ended with the same statement. With all its flaws we still have the best health care in the world in the US. Next on his calender is the Ukraine and then Iraq. [/quote]

What’s wrong with us Americans is that we tend to think our model is the best. Look at the prescriptions of the IMF and World Bank.

Of all the “third world” countries, the Philippines most closely followed the American model to a tee. Look at the results.

Then compare the results of those who adapted their own models: Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China.

Like health care, it could be argued that we have the best, safest food supply. When we return from an overseas trip, Customs will screen out food because the microbes from abroad might contaminate our food supply.

But look at the results. We have a population of disgustingly obese people on meds. Few people are not on some kind of meds regularly (Tylenol, Advil and OTC meds count too).

Our life expectancy and old age quality of life sucks.

Our system and the Pharmas enable indulgence and irresponsibility by stuffing people with meds instead of forcing them to make beneficial lifestyle changes.

I say look at the results of our health care system and food supply. The results speak louder than words.

Sure, our system is good at prolonging the lives of people like Dick Cheney and Terri Shivo at great costs (thanks to technology). But what does it do for the population at large?

I’m afraid that American citizens won’t come to their senses until they become chronically sick and bedridden. Those who oppose health care reform should mark my words for when they are old and sick.

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