I did have a full fledged asthma attack 20 years ago. I was VERY fortunate there was a hospital nearby. I actually stumbled into the ER and collapsed on the floor. I was not breathing! They worked on me right in the lobby, putting a tube down my throat and pumping some epinephrine down it. I was breathing again within thirty seconds. A little later they had me in a bed, hooked up to an IV. The doctor who had treated me on the floor came in to see how I was doing. I asked him how bad it was and he told me I would have been dead in 10 minutes, or less! So I got a second chance at life. Every day above ground is a gift!
Years later I had a kidney stone attack. Back to the ER. I begged them for a shot of Demerol, which they gave me after a few preliminary exams. Within an hour I passed the stone which had disintegrated to sand in my urine. This time I had AARP insurance which is a co-pay. They asked me how I would pay the other 50% and I told them I would pay cash right now. $600 later and I was out of there, receipt in hand.
Fast forward to the Philippines a few years later, and I was experiencing nerve damage in my leg. I could barely walk. I went to a good hospital and they sent me immediately to the cashier where I was told to give them 10,000P (about $225) for my treatment. It was pay as you go here. No money, no treatment, plain and simple. I paid the fee and very shortly was seen by a vascular specialist, who correctly diagnosed my problem. She gave me a prescription for two drugs which I filled in the hospital pharmacy. Total cost for medicine was about $30. I took the meds as prescribed and began a fairly quick recovery. It took maybe one week for me to walk normally again. I shudder to think how expensive this would have been in the USA.
Years later I had a kidney stone attack. Back to the ER. I begged them for a shot of Demerol, which they gave me after a few preliminary exams. Within an hour I passed the stone which had disintegrated to sand in my urine. This time I had AARP insurance which is a co-pay. They asked me how I would pay the other 50% and I told them I would pay cash right now. $600 later and I was out of there, receipt in hand.
Fast forward to the Philippines a few years later, and I was experiencing nerve damage in my leg. I could barely walk. I went to a good hospital and they sent me immediately to the cashier where I was told to give them 10,000P (about $225) for my treatment. It was pay as you go here. No money, no treatment, plain and simple. I paid the fee and very shortly was seen by a vascular specialist, who correctly diagnosed my problem. She gave me a prescription for two drugs which I filled in the hospital pharmacy. Total cost for medicine was about $30. I took the meds as prescribed and began a fairly quick recovery. It took maybe one week for me to walk normally again. I shudder to think how expensive this would have been in the USA.
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