The mantra from the anti-reformers we have been hearing (and reading) quite a bit, is that we have the "Best Healthcare System in the World." Well, I am going to disagree with examples from my family experiences.
About 11 years ago my dad was having medical issues. He went to different doctors and specialists for about a year to determine his medical problem. After this timeframe, there was no diagnosis. All he was basically told is it didn't appear life threatening. With that in mind, he went to visit his brother, my Uncle Dave in Upstate NY. After a short period of observation and questions, my Uncle Dave diagnosed my dad with Parkinson's Disease. Upon my dad's return to Southeast Michigan, he asked his doctor if it was possible for him to have Parkinson's. Tests were ordered and completed and guess what? Yes, he had Parkinson's.
So for over one year, numerous doctors and specialists ordered numerous tests and could not determine what condition my father had. In a short time frame, my Uncle Dave could diagnose it. You know what else; my Uncle Dave is a retired DAIRY FARMER! He is not even a doctor and diagnosed the condition. So, the medical industry spent thousands (if not more) and could not determine it, but a dairy farmer in Upstate NY could figure it out—"Best Healthcare System in the WORLD!"
In 2000, my sister died of an accidental drug overdose. How did this happen? My sister had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and had a family physician and a specialist. To treat her MS, both doctors gave her a prescription which had Lithium in it (why I don't know and apparently these doctors did not talk with each other). One was brand name, the other a generic—both had Lithium. The problem with Lithium is that you have to stop taking these drugs for a certain period of time to purge your body of the Lithium. If you don't, you will get Lithium poisoning and potentially your heart will stop beating do to the Lithium. That is what happened to my sister. She did of cardiac arrest related to an accidental drug overdose. I would call it negligent homicide because neither doctor, not the pharmacists apparently had any idea she was doubled up on this medication that can kill you if not taken properly and will kill you if you are taking twice the amount thinking you are taking the regular amount—"Best Healthcare System in the WORLD!"
Now, I will tell you about some of my experiences. In 1995, I was diagnosed by my doctor as having reaggravated a hernia and needed surgery. To my good fortune, he said I should go to Shouldice Hospital in TORONTO, CANADA (that's right not the USA). Shouldice Hospital is probably the best hernia repair hospital in the world—doctors go there, world dignitaries, celebrities—link here;
http://www.shouldice.com/
Anyway, it took 9 months for my US Insurance Company to approve the surgery. I head over to Toronto from Southeastern Michigan. I get to Shouldice Hospital and the doctors check me out. Guess What? I don't have a hernia!!! They said I could leave and No Charge. I go back to Michigan and that week go to see my doctor. He is surprised to see me and said, "I thought you were in Canada." Yes, I don't have a hernia. My doctor then asks me, "What do you think it was?" I told him probably a pulled muscle. He agreed it probably was and then billed me for the frickin visit!! He misdiagnosed it, sent me to Canada and then billed me when I confronted him—"Best Healthcare System in the WORLD!"
I had shoulder impingement, but it only flared up in activities such as throwing a baseball. My doctor sent me to an Orthopedic Surgeon. The surgeon did tests, X-Rays, etc. He comes back and says he can't see anything, but is willing to do "Exploratory Surgery" to check it out or I am out of luck. I said, "No thanks." I go back to my doctor who basically said without the surgery I am out of luck. So, I go to my Fitness Center and tell one of the employees there what's going on—he puts me on a weight training program and guess what—it makes my shoulder much stronger and basically negates the shoulder impingement—"Best Healthcare System in the WORLD!"
Lastly, I have been doing the "Texas Three Step" in trying to get a knee brace which was prescribed by my doctor 9 months ago. I was denied by the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Provider because the knee brace I had wasn't old enough (talk about rationing). But, if my doctor said it was worn out—I could get a new one. My doctor said it was worn out—guess what—now your Insurance Company doesn't cover it. I talk with the Insurance Company Rep., who directs me to a Third Party who consults those who get screwed by either their Insurance Company and/or another party—in this case the DME Provider—
"Best Healthcare System in the WORLD!"