Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "Americans Living Abroad: First Time You Realized America Really Messed You Up - American Reacts" video.

  1. If US applied even 10% of its military spending for public hospital/doctor costs, then free or very near free hospital/medical care could be provided, even a 1% tax levy on income could support that, as is done in Australia a from memory 1.5% and possibly to be slightly raised. Private hospitals can charge more, only part cost there provided equal to public hospital/doctor funding. People can have "private insurance" and/ or cover the higher costs personally to avoid public care or some specialised private facility/treatment offered. No one should mis medical care mere by being too poor, or fear getting treated because of cost fears. Above all excessive mark up and pricing above real costs must be stamped out, business may be entitled to profits, but not extortionist costs, because of no alternative, effectively MONOPOLISTIC RIPOFF.
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  2. To put it in very simple terms, US medical care is beyond terrible given the situation shown by number of US people too scared of receiving medical assistance while overseas. To find out that elsewhere your health is first priority, and is at minimal if not even free personal cost. Complementary story was an aged couple on a holiday to USA, having taken out travel insurance in case of problems. On final return to Australia finding they faced selling their home to cover medical costs in California, Apparently the husband had been for years on a number of tablets for a heart condition. For the trip planned at 1 month duration had full supply for two months of his list of medication. However after the first week, from memory, things took a bad turn. On a tour to San Diego, he collapsed, and it was judged that he needed to be evacuated to a major LA hospital, BY AMBULANCE. That was the start of huge costs accumulating. At the hospital lots of tests were done, doctors, ignored his existing medication list, decided to commence treatment, as it turns out with little difference the identical medications. While finally aware of his existing medications on hand, ALL tablets were issued by the hospital at full costs. None of his available medications were used. The huge costs built at horrific rate. After almost a whole month the hospital prepared to release him, to join his wife to travel home to Australia. Their total costs came close to US$300,000. They even refused to return his own medicine supply, but issued a two week supply at their inflated prices. Among daily costs was around $400 for disposable 'plastic' plates, bowls, cutlery, actual meals served on top of that. To their horror the travel insurance, by a US company, had some fine print clauses not covering pre-existing health conditions, which they used to avoid any payout at all, even loss of the any part of the travel, tours and accommodation costs. Even the wife's hotel and living costs while the husband was in hospital were denied. They were advised the while legal proceeding may get some payments, the costs for such would nullify much if not even exceed payout, and take many years, while existing costs would be current and rising at horrid interest applied. So while US people get pleasant surprises, not so for foreigners visiting the US. Combine the safety risks, with health costs, why would anyone dare visit the US.
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