Isn't it so wonderful that we don't have socialized medicine in this country like all those other

[world wide wally]

pansy-ass, so called democracies in the world? If we did, we'd probably have lines around the block of people concerned they might have the Ebola virus. And then imagine the crowds if it indeed becomes an epidemic!
Let's all be thankful for our "for profit" medical system. The greatest in the world!






Yes, this is sarcastic

[djean111]

1. Yes, I was thinking about how people with no insurance might not want to go to the emergency room

when they "just" have a little fever or whatever. And those who are used to toughing it out when sick.
This system we have, IMO, is barbaric.

[Vox Moi]

2. The current system makes this is a great time to be a virus.

People with little or no health insurance are more likely to use the ER but tend to do so belatedly.
Most avoid medical care until the last minute because the payment onus is on them. Some are in the ER for chronic conditions that could be treated in a non-emergent venue.
The ERs are sand-bagged by the current system's 'leftover' patients.

One of the health care problems with our 'system' is early detection and a lack of continuity of care.
HMOs, hospitals and insurance companies all have different data systems and sharing is difficult and slow.

Epidemiology is very difficult when data is scattered among health care entities and when people move around from one provider/insurance plan to another. This weakness is a direct consequence of treating health care as private enterprise working under the profit motive. Epidemics are more likely in this situation.

Let's stress this point: when the primary motivation is profit then the primary motive is not health care.