In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>
>It's not quite that simple. If you need a procedure, they evaluate
>how urgent it is. If it's extremely urgent you get bumped to the top
>of the list. If it's not so urgent, you get on the waiting list and
>get done after others who have been waiting longer are processed. If
>you don't want to wait and can afford it, you go to somewhere that you
>can pay for the procedure, which is down south. A great system if
>you're wealthy.
>
>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?

Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
rationing involved.

--
Matthew T. Russotto mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue." But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.

 

In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>
>It's not quite that simple. If you need a procedure, they evaluate
>how urgent it is. If it's extremely urgent you get bumped to the top
>of the list. If it's not so urgent, you get on the waiting list and
>get done after others who have been waiting longer are processed. If
>you don't want to wait and can afford it, you go to somewhere that you
>can pay for the procedure, which is down south. A great system if
>you're wealthy.
>
>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?

Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
rationing involved.

--
Matthew T. Russotto mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue." But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.

 

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
(Matthew Russotto) wrote:

>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>
>>It's not quite that simple. If you need a procedure, they evaluate
>>how urgent it is. If it's extremely urgent you get bumped to the top
>>of the list. If it's not so urgent, you get on the waiting list and
>>get done after others who have been waiting longer are processed. If
>>you don't want to wait and can afford it, you go to somewhere that you
>>can pay for the procedure, which is down south. A great system if
>>you're wealthy.
>>
>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>
>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>rationing involved.

And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
well.
--
Brandon Sommerville
remove ".gov" to e-mail

Definition of "Lottery":
Millions of stupid people contributing
to make one stupid person look smart.

 

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
(Matthew Russotto) wrote:

>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>
>>It's not quite that simple. If you need a procedure, they evaluate
>>how urgent it is. If it's extremely urgent you get bumped to the top
>>of the list. If it's not so urgent, you get on the waiting list and
>>get done after others who have been waiting longer are processed. If
>>you don't want to wait and can afford it, you go to somewhere that you
>>can pay for the procedure, which is down south. A great system if
>>you're wealthy.
>>
>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>
>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>rationing involved.

And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
well.
--
Brandon Sommerville
remove ".gov" to e-mail

Definition of "Lottery":
Millions of stupid people contributing
to make one stupid person look smart.

 

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
(Matthew Russotto) wrote:

>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>
>>It's not quite that simple. If you need a procedure, they evaluate
>>how urgent it is. If it's extremely urgent you get bumped to the top
>>of the list. If it's not so urgent, you get on the waiting list and
>>get done after others who have been waiting longer are processed. If
>>you don't want to wait and can afford it, you go to somewhere that you
>>can pay for the procedure, which is down south. A great system if
>>you're wealthy.
>>
>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>
>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>rationing involved.

And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
well.
--
Brandon Sommerville
remove ".gov" to e-mail

Definition of "Lottery":
Millions of stupid people contributing
to make one stupid person look smart.

 

In article <e7359b94e95c7b42780a15f66a4b4f62@news.teranews.co m>,
Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
>(Matthew Russotto) wrote:
>
>>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>>
>>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>>rationing involved.
>
>And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
>well.

But in the US, we've got enough MRIs to service both the critical needs and
the less-critical needs in a timely manner. Or do you want to hobble
around in pain for 8 weeks longer? (or perhaps MUCH longer in my
case, as it took three studies to diagnose the problem -- and then there's the
issue of waiting periods for non-critical surgery in Canada)
--
Matthew T. Russotto mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue." But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.

 

In article <e7359b94e95c7b42780a15f66a4b4f62@news.teranews.co m>,
Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
>(Matthew Russotto) wrote:
>
>>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>>
>>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>>rationing involved.
>
>And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
>well.

But in the US, we've got enough MRIs to service both the critical needs and
the less-critical needs in a timely manner. Or do you want to hobble
around in pain for 8 weeks longer? (or perhaps MUCH longer in my
case, as it took three studies to diagnose the problem -- and then there's the
issue of waiting periods for non-critical surgery in Canada)
--
Matthew T. Russotto mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue." But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.

 

In article <e7359b94e95c7b42780a15f66a4b4f62@news.teranews.co m>,
Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
>(Matthew Russotto) wrote:
>
>>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>>
>>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>>rationing involved.
>
>And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
>well.

But in the US, we've got enough MRIs to service both the critical needs and
the less-critical needs in a timely manner. Or do you want to hobble
around in pain for 8 weeks longer? (or perhaps MUCH longer in my
case, as it took three studies to diagnose the problem -- and then there's the
issue of waiting periods for non-critical surgery in Canada)
--
Matthew T. Russotto mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue." But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.

 

Matthew Russotto wrote:
> In article <e7359b94e95c7b42780a15f66a4b4f62@news.teranews.co m>,
> Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
>>(Matthew Russotto) wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>>>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>>>
>>>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>>>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>>>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>>>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>>>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>>>rationing involved.
>>
>>And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
>>well.
>
>
> But in the US, we've got enough MRIs to service both the critical needs and
> the less-critical needs in a timely manner. Or do you want to hobble
> around in pain for 8 weeks longer? (or perhaps MUCH longer in my
> case, as it took three studies to diagnose the problem -- and then there's the
> issue of waiting periods for non-critical surgery in Canada)


Which wasn't really an issue until the last decade when massive cuts to
the system were carried out. If the funding was restored (yes, I know
it will cost me more money), this wouldn't be such a problem. Oh, there
was also the issue of cutting the enrolment at Medical Schools to reduce
the number of doctors out there. Seems they wanted 80% of the
physicians over 60 years old, uh-oh, now they are all retiring! What do
we do now??

Dan

 

Matthew Russotto wrote:
> In article <e7359b94e95c7b42780a15f66a4b4f62@news.teranews.co m>,
> Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 13:24:57 -0600, russotto@grace.speakeasy.net
>>(Matthew Russotto) wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In article <7dc396f584336d32b246a944411c15de@news.teranews.co m>,
>>>Brandon Sommerville <grimrod@mindless.com.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I know that no matter what happens, if I blow out my knee I'm going to
>>>>get an MRI. It may take 8 weeks, but I'll get it and it won't cost me
>>>>anything extra. Can you say the same thing?
>>>
>>>Not exactly. In my case (hip rather than knee, but same idea), it was
>>>same day (first MRI) and later in the week (second MRI) and it still
>>>didn't cost me anything extra. There was no urgency in the medical
>>>sense. The more complex MRA did take a month, because it had to be
>>>scheduled with both the radiology department and the MRI center. No
>>>rationing involved.
>>
>>And if there was no one who needed an MRI I'd get one right away as
>>well.
>
>
> But in the US, we've got enough MRIs to service both the critical needs and
> the less-critical needs in a timely manner. Or do you want to hobble
> around in pain for 8 weeks longer? (or perhaps MUCH longer in my
> case, as it took three studies to diagnose the problem -- and then there's the
> issue of waiting periods for non-critical surgery in Canada)


Which wasn't really an issue until the last decade when massive cuts to
the system were carried out. If the funding was restored (yes, I know
it will cost me more money), this wouldn't be such a problem. Oh, there
was also the issue of cutting the enrolment at Medical Schools to reduce
the number of doctors out there. Seems they wanted 80% of the
physicians over 60 years old, uh-oh, now they are all retiring! What do
we do now??

Dan