Comments on: Fever

By: Shun Chu

Shun Chu — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 20:57:03 +0000

Now now… to be fair to the American medical system, I do think charging $4-500 is a good deal for emergency vehicle. Consider it your “life-support-team-to-go”. It gets you the entire car to yourself, two emergency staff and a dedicated driver on call, 24×7. You can’t get better than that. $400 may sound like a lot, but when life matters, those three people are critical. And let’s not forget how drivers on the street WILL and DO yield to emergency vehicles in America. This is not true in some places.

Brian, it’s true that marvels of modern technology have drastically increased the chances of survival rates at birth. That’s why we are thankful for all of it. While this entry may sound like a complaint, it is also to point out where the system fails for those who need it (other than self-inflicted pains and injuries).

Grace stayed at the hospital for a total of four days — 1 day for the labor, 3 days for recovery. But typically with hospitals in the U.S., most blue collar health insurance plans only allow the mother to stay there for one day (two at most).

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:00:37 +0000

On the bright side, thank goodness for modern technology. Grace woulda been fuck had we been living in the middle ages.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:58:21 +0000

We were surprised by how short your hospital stay was after the birth (didn’t you leave the next day?). Birgit was in there for three-four days after Laura came out. They really seem to rush people out.

That bum who frequents your hospital was probably one of the many mentally ill people in the U.S. who should be treated by a state institution. True socialism would have givien him an environment where he could be treated properly instead of the emergency room.

So sorry to hear about all the difficulties. Hope Grace gets well soon.

It’s inspiring, though, to read your musings. Makes me want to have another baby.

By: Lil bro

Lil bro — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:53:23 +0000

Since my first experience was life threatening, I was admitted and treated immediately. However, the second time around.. I got the “immdediate” treatment.. Couple months back I stepped on some broken glass…Got admitted to ER at around 9:00PM.. But I didn’t get out of the until 1AM… Great turnover time eh??

And you know what’s the fucked up thing is?? This was in Lafayette, IN… Fine.. there was one doctor.. but there was maybe one other patient… If it took any longer I might have bleed to death from a minor cut..

Anyways.. when I got the bill it was $700!! Good thing my insurance paid for most of it.. And plus I took the taxi to the hospital instead of the ambulance.. Coz I wasn’t sure if my insurance covered that.. Usually a ride in the ambulance is around $400-500.. That would surely break my piggy bank… crooks!!

By: Pigskin

Pigskin — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 01:22:11 +0000

Ya…America Medical System sucks…Terrible..fucking useless!!
I got a sprained ankle 3months ago…Went hopital twice.. and what they did never help.

And when I got the bill.. and now how it cost.. it’s really B.S…. compare with what I can have back in Taiwan with 1/10 of the expense.

No wonder Gozilla would like to destroy NYC, Good Job!