Originally Posted by Paul Markham (Post 16087204)

It happened to a close British friend of mine living is the UK.
He was with a big multinational who decided to cut senior staff and he lost his cover.
Between getting new covered he discovered he had prostate cancer.
All he had in the US was tests, total bill $20,000.
The estimated bill for treating the cancer was $80,000.
He lived the American dream and does not have $100,000 in the bank.

He tried to get Medicaid and was turned down.
He's late 50s, single, no dependents and out of work, even though he will find employment when the cancer is cleared.
During his nearly 30 years in the US he had full cover and paid full taxes on wages that were well into 6 figures.
No insurance company would touch him and cover the cancer.

He flew to the UK and as a British citizen had an operation to remove the tumor.
The UK specialists said it was the cheapest, best and most certain way of ridding him of the prostate cancer and the American recommendations would of not been as good.
He had radiation treatment to make double sure it was gone.
He flew back to the US to take a job and flew back to the UK for check ups and a bit of further treatment.
Total cost for this was the cost of the air flights, I think less than $5,000.

In the US he was a dead man. In the UK he was cured as every other UK citizen. It's a service with a lot less thrills and a lot less cost to all who pay, but the survival rates are far higher. Less money for a better system. And as you can see a system I believe in.

In Czech I'm covered by the CZ National Health system. Over and above my National Insurance tax it costs $1.50 a visit to the doctor or hospital. Today the hospital car park cost $20. :1orglaugh

Will cut that cost down. LOL

Originally Posted by mikesinner (Post 16092589)

It's funny to watch the commercials on American TV where they try to say how bad free healthcare is because the people in power would rather keep the greed based system we have right now.

Originally Posted by Fletch XXX (Post 16146698)

Good to hear you doing good. Not sure if you remember but we were working on some banners for you right as you were undergoing the stuff and it was just left in the air so when you get back together and feeling good, email me to continue that!

http://15dollargalleries.com/order.html (instantly delivered to my desktop)

Originally Posted by Hentaikid (Post 16146693)

Stuff your face with food even if it tastes nothing, keep your strength up. Just imagine it's English cooking :P

Originally Posted by Paul Markham (Post 16092499)

Well he tells a different story. Maybe he could of got the treatment and ended up owing a fortune. Medicaid turned him down. The US hospital was presenting bills that were very big ad in the opinion of the UK specialist were carrying out treatment that would not of cured it as easily or cheaply as an operation.

Still think the system here in Europe is far better. Not perfect but better for less money.

Originally Posted by WarChild (Post 16147307)

I guess it all depends on perspective, doesn't it?

If you have money, and you get cancer, do you fly to the Mayo Clinic or Prague?

Originally Posted by evie (Post 16218199)

Just small update on Paul.

Good positive thought is that we are half way thru radio therapy and there is only tree weeks to go.

The not so good news is that Paul is feeling worse and worse and you may not see him around the boards for while. He feels tired all the time and being fed by the tube straight to his stomach.

Originally Posted by evie (Post 16218199)

Just small update on Paul.

Good positive thought is that we are half way thru radio therapy and there is only tree weeks to go.

The not so good news is that Paul is feeling worse and worse and you may not see him around the boards for while. He feels tired all the time and being fed by the tube straight to his stomach.

Originally Posted by evie (Post 16218199)

Just small update on Paul.

Good positive thought is that we are half way thru radio therapy and there is only tree weeks to go.

The not so good news is that Paul is feeling worse and worse and you may not see him around the boards for while. He feels tired all the time and being fed by the tube straight to his stomach.

Originally Posted by camchoice (Post 16220471)

Happy Birthday Paul
Hang in there... You'll beat it :thumbsup