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Author: Subject: My Experience with Mexico's Socialized Medicine
bajajurel
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[*] posted on 7-31-2011 at 10:29 AM


My experience - after my fishing buddy buried a hook in his hand I tried to force it through and that didn't work so I cut off what I could so not to interfere with fishing. After a good day of fishing I took him to the Clinic in La Bocana and they treated us very well. The Nurse came in and cleaned it up and prepped his hand, then the Doc came in and cut out the hook, sewed the hand up, and gave him a tetanus shot. I asked - what's the charge Doc, he replied - NOTHING. After many thanks we left.

On our return trips we now buy supplies for the clinic and take it back with us to show our appreciation for their helping us.

That's my story.




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[*] posted on 7-31-2011 at 12:10 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Geez.This whole thread should be in the Off-Topic forum.And isn't even a full moon!:o


I think you and your daughter are the experts on the Mexican vs. American medical care systems... after what you just experienced.




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[*] posted on 7-31-2011 at 04:47 PM


Twart has stated an interesting fact.

How can you be eligible for such a low cost health insurance in Mexico when you are a retired military vet with a high pension income (in Mexico) including healthcare in the USA? Is the Mexican government aware of your military pension and your family's total combined income and benefits? Please let us know so perhaps others can do the same.
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[*] posted on 7-31-2011 at 06:29 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Geez.This whole thread should be in the Off-Topic forum.And isn't even a full moon!:o


I think you and your daughter are the experts on the Mexican vs. American medical care systems... after what you just experienced.


Yes, this would be interesting to hear this first hand experience in comparing both systems. From what I remember in following the thread, the US health care system comes out looking pretty good.
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[*] posted on 7-31-2011 at 07:09 PM


Well, as someone who has had the privilege to use the medical system, pharamacies, etc in Mexico on several occasions while house sitting let me tell me - great service, fabulous doctors, cheap medicine that is always available. This is in little villages to big city such as Merida. A few for instances:

1. My friend, and American, who has lived in a tiny village of 300 for the past year or so....had an accident while visiting me. She was immediately put on someone's bike and taken to the doctor. He arranged xray, then put on a cast as she had broken toes, gave her meds, gave her a prescription to continue meds and did twice weekly follow ups with her for several weeks until the cast came off. And, everyone made sure to find her suitable crutches. Cost for all of it - zero. She offered money, they said NO. It is taken care of. She does not have any med insurance, national plan or otherwise.

2. I ran out of several med's / prescriptions while house sitting....someone said, oh don't bother going to the doctor go to the pharmacy first and see what they will handle for you. I took in all my meds, asthma inhaler, allergy nose meds, etc. After reading bottle labels the pharmacist rounded up a six month supply for each and showed me the Spanish prescription name as it compared to the US product in a book. No need for prescriptions from doctors....and the whole thing averaged $7 per month for all my refills. Now, in the USA, my one allergy nose spray is $98 for a one or two month supply, depending on how it is used. So I had all 9 medicines that I was using for $7 a month. How can one go wrong with that. Not a problem with them...and certainly not old or expired or shipped to Mexico from Libya or China. Top notch products.

3. I was forced to see a specialist while off in the deep wilds of a small city.....I was quite ill and thought I might have pneumonia. The specialist was at the wonderful cool very clean hospital and took me in right away without an appt....he spoke enough English and I speak enough Spanish that we understood each other. After testing he determined that I had triggered an asthma attack four weeks earlier due to exposure to lots of mold at a hotel I had stayed at....and because I didn't treat it properly it had turned to severe bronchitis...but he also felt that there was something else wrong...and so I was given an immediate chest xray, cultures, blood work etc....and then he told me that I had a new allergy that I wasn't aware of....and upon discussion and evaluation I realized he was absolutely right. So I had to get two shots from the nurse, loads of new meds and syrups to fight all three conditions for the next 10 days and then I returned for the 2nd follow up visit. I do not have med insurance in Mexico....my total cost for all of this came to usd$ 45....so I can't say more about how effective the treatment, how excellent this specialist/internist was and my treatment and care....and obviously the price can't be beat.

So when I live in Mexico....I would really want the national medical insurance. I've nothing but good experiences with it as have my friends who live there.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 12:38 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Dominica
Well, as someone who has had the privilege to use the medical system, pharamacies, etc in Mexico on several occasions while house sitting let me tell me - great service, fabulous doctors, cheap medicine that is always available. This is in little villages to big city such as Merida. A few for instances:

1. My friend, and American, who has lived in a tiny village of 300 for the past year or so....had an accident while visiting me. She was immediately put on someone's bike and taken to the doctor. He arranged xray, then put on a cast as she had broken toes, gave her meds, gave her a prescription to continue meds and did twice weekly follow ups with her for several weeks until the cast came off. And, everyone made sure to find her suitable crutches. Cost for all of it - zero. She offered money, they said NO. It is taken care of. She does not have any med insurance, national plan or otherwise.

2. I ran out of several med's / prescriptions while house sitting....someone said, oh don't bother going to the doctor go to the pharmacy first and see what they will handle for you. I took in all my meds, asthma inhaler, allergy nose meds, etc. After reading bottle labels the pharmacist rounded up a six month supply for each and showed me the Spanish prescription name as it compared to the US product in a book. No need for prescriptions from doctors....and the whole thing averaged $7 per month for all my refills. Now, in the USA, my one allergy nose spray is $98 for a one or two month supply, depending on how it is used. So I had all 9 medicines that I was using for $7 a month. How can one go wrong with that. Not a problem with them...and certainly not old or expired or shipped to Mexico from Libya or China. Top notch products.

3. I was forced to see a specialist while off in the deep wilds of a small city.....I was quite ill and thought I might have pneumonia. The specialist was at the wonderful cool very clean hospital and took me in right away without an appt....he spoke enough English and I speak enough Spanish that we understood each other. After testing he determined that I had triggered an asthma attack four weeks earlier due to exposure to lots of mold at a hotel I had stayed at....and because I didn't treat it properly it had turned to severe bronchitis...but he also felt that there was something else wrong...and so I was given an immediate chest xray, cultures, blood work etc....and then he told me that I had a new allergy that I wasn't aware of....and upon discussion and evaluation I realized he was absolutely right. So I had to get two shots from the nurse, loads of new meds and syrups to fight all three conditions for the next 10 days and then I returned for the 2nd follow up visit. I do not have med insurance in Mexico....my total cost for all of this came to usd$ 45....so I can't say more about how effective the treatment, how excellent this specialist/internist was and my treatment and care....and obviously the price can't be beat.

So when I live in Mexico....I would really want the national medical insurance. I've nothing but good experiences with it as have my friends who live there.


That's great and I'm happy for you. My concern is with life-threatening conditions, the situations you describe are fairly minor and routine. And yes, my concern does arise from experience.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 05:56 AM


I have lived the last 22 years in Mexico. Most everyone I know is dependent on the Mexican health system, a few have died, most have survived, although eventually, we all will die, hummmmmmm. I expect, folks al otro lado would say the same, after all, it is the human predicament.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 10:15 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Lobsterman
Twart has stated an interesting fact.

How can you be eligible for such a low cost health insurance in Mexico when you are a retired military vet with a high pension income (in Mexico) including healthcare in the USA? Is the Mexican government aware of your military pension and your family's total combined income and benefits? Please let us know so perhaps others can do the same.


bajatripper has logged on several times since either you or I posted and has seen the comments. He's is not going to answer the question. Socialists believe they are entitled to whatever they can suck out of society. And, apparently from Dennis'comment, they want to beat you up if you challenge their belief system.

Knuckledraggers.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 02:35 PM


You know, twarnt, you aught to be a bit more careful how you cavalierly bandy about the term 'socialist'. Just because some of us do not believe that our current USA healthcare system is as good as it should be or that it is way too costly for all citizens and that 15 million uninsured in one of the wealthiest nations on earth is a moral abomination, doesn't mean that some of us are socialists.

As a career entrepreneur and business professional and having studied formal economics in some detail, and moreover, being an avid proponent of a proper market based capitalistic system, I can tell you that change is desperately needed to our USA healthcare system. We need to cover more people (covering all people would be best), provide more basic care to more people, we need to lower the cost of healthcare services and drugs drastically across the board, and we need to do it now.

I don't know, maybe you think everything is perfect the way it is and that no changes are needed at all.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 02:46 PM


UH-OH.... LOOK OUT....





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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 03:07 PM


Really. Know your adversary.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 03:46 PM


Last March my Husband didn’t feel right, so we went into La Paz to see Dr. Diaz.. He ran all types of test on Rod, he felt he needed to see an Cardiologist. We were referred to Dr. Cuevas a Cardiologist, he ran a stress test, then a echocardiogram. We were told he was going to need to have two stints put in, he had two blockages on the right side.. Dr. Cuevas recommend we go to Guadalajara., we thought about it. We do have Mexican Medical Insurance but no insurance for the US. We were concerned about going to Guadalajara, Dr. Cuevas said he would come with us. We boarded a plane out of La Paz on Saturday morning. Arrived at the hospital that afternoon, within 10 minutes they had Rod on the table. Dr. Cuevas was gowned up and in the room the whole time. After about 15 minutes someone came to me and asked if I would go and sign Rod in. They never once asked for Credit Card, Insurance Card, just his information. Everyone spoke very good English.. They go in the wrist here in Mexico, Rod was on and off the table under a hour. The little spot where they went in on his wrist was amazing ,I agree it’s not US Medical but I can say that we had the best care. Everyone seemed to care about the person not the INSURANCE.. The total cost for two stints came to $15,700.00 US dollar.We flew back to La Paz the very next afternoon..
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:00 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Collector
The total cost for two stints came to $15,700.00 US dollar.


And...what did your Mexican insurance carrier have to say about that?
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:16 PM


If you are in a really bad car accident, would you rather be taken to an ER in USA or Mexico?

Would you rather have a paramedic/ambulance from US or Mexico respond to accident scene?
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:20 PM
My My


Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
You know, twarnt, you aught to be a bit more careful how you cavalierly bandy about the term 'socialist'. Just because some of us do not believe that our current USA healthcare system is as good as it should be or that it is way too costly for all citizens and that 15 million uninsured in one of the wealthiest nations on earth is a moral abomination, doesn't mean that some of us are socialists.

As a career entrepreneur and business professional and having studied formal economics in some detail, and moreover, being an avid proponent of a proper market based capitalistic system, I can tell you that change is desperately needed to our USA healthcare system. We need to cover more people (covering all people would be best), provide more basic care to more people, we need to lower the cost of healthcare services and drugs drastically across the board, and we need to do it now.

I don't know, maybe you think everything is perfect the way it is and that no changes are needed at all.


I farnkly have never been able to understand the kneejerk reaction that so many folks exhibit when confronted with something like a public option or Medicare for all.

In my opinion, Obama blew a golden opportunity to create a system wherein most, if not all, could have received basic, affordable medical.

Such a system would not preclude those wtih means to seek care in a private market. But, the Health care juggernaut prevailed.

Pity that almost all the nations in the industrialized world do provide healthcare for all.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:22 PM


We submitted all our bills, after our deductible we received a check for 14,700 peso. check was here in 4 weeks. We pay $2,000 us dollars a year per person.. We pay in peso but that's what the exchange rate would make it..
Since we have chosen Buena Vista as our home for the last 16 years there is no option as US or Mexico. This is our home, not the USA..this is our choice.
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:23 PM


I often wonder at the comparison to other medical systems around the world where this countries lack of medical care is compared to others great services. No country in the world covers a populace of 350 million with a 95+% coverage on the level of services the US does. Not China, Russia, India, etc.
To compare the US to Canada, Norway, Germany, or any other social service system, think of how few they actually serve compared to the enormous size of our med system.
If we desire to excel to such great supposed heights as these systems lets:
Lower medical care workers pay to their levels (watch the flood for the exit door).
Stop paying for liability insurance and trial lawyer services (try getting compensated for mistakes in those other countries).
Change our luxurious lifestyle of high percentage obesity that outstrips the world in all categories of related ailments.
Cease catering to addictive abusive personalities that soak the monies from our system and crowd our 'community' hospitals (all operate in the red)
and, OH, one time I was having some tequilla with a group of French tourists on the mainland (mex) and the conversation came to the declaration that the US was the richest country in the world and should do more for those around the world...I stood up and threw my wallet down on the table and told them to take what they thought was needed...the point being, the richest country in the world gets its money from my back pocket. Not from Washington!
I don't have any more to give for 100% of coverage for those who 'need' in the Obamacare plan!
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:27 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I farnkly have never been able to understand the kneejerk reaction that so many folks exhibit when confronted with something like a public option or Medicare for all.

In my opinion, Obama blew a golden opportunity to create a system wherein most, if not all, could have received basic, affordable medical.



unfortunately, it was obamacare that gave a name and cause to teabagging hobbit knownothings.

obama did the best he could in face of ridiculous fight put up by hobbits and their puppet masters.

the gop and hobbits were able to rally the troops and p1ss all over universal health care. why? because they hate people!
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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:28 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by paranewbi
Stop paying for liability insurance and trial lawyer services (try getting compensated for mistakes in those other countries).


Really? Tried suing a US based HMO lately???




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[*] posted on 8-1-2011 at 04:29 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
If you are in a really bad car accident, would you rather be taken to an ER in USA or Mexico?

Would you rather have a paramedic/ambulance from US or Mexico respond to accident scene?


Of course I would prefer the US level of care however that means in order to be assured that care I can't travel to interesting third world areas. There is a certain level of risk that I have always been willing to take to do interesting things. The willingness to knowing take those risks has led to some of my greatest experiences in my nearly 70 years. To anyone with any small sense of adventure in their life your questions are irrelevant.
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