• Jo Miran@lemmy.ml
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    6 days ago

    True story: In 2018 I was pretty sure I was or was about to have a heart attack and possibly a stroke. I drove to the ER rather than call an ambulance. As soon as they checked my vitals, they prepped me for emergency surgery. As I was in the O.R. my wife was listing our second home (he one we wanted to retire in) for sale because she was certain that the medical expenses would bankrupt us. Everything worked out well, but the fact that while I might be breathing my last breaths all I am worried about is leaving my wife in financial ruin is not something I can let go of.

    • OmegaLemmy@discuss.online
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      6 days ago

      This is honestly

      I can’t imagine

      This would cost us 20 dollars in turkey

      We don’t even have good healthcare…

      • Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        In the UK it would cost about the same, but that would be because he went by car and needed to pay for parking, parking charges at hospitals are getting ridiculous

        • Sergio@slrpnk.net
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          5 days ago

          I’m sure they’ll just add a fine next month: “using residence for unauthorized life event” or “reducing number of occupants without permission” or something.

    • Strider@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Well, to be fair, I died about a year ago (literally) and me staying dead would also pretty much have meant leaving the current home. So while in Europe the immediate medical bills do not ruin you a family loss still might, since you’re missing the (part of) income.

      (there’s a circular relationship between living location/costs and possible job)

  • then_three_more@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    With the level of ambulance delays after 14 years of managed decline under the Tories, you might be better off with the Uber in the UK too. Just for different reasons.

    • HowManyNimons@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      Basically the same reason though: woeful government underinvestment in order to funnel money to the ruling class.

    • uis@lemm.ee
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      5 days ago

      Is it worse than in Russia?

      Here was a scandal, when paramedics could not drive to village and had to use sleds:

      • Pieisawesome@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        Weather related or due to lack of investment?

        I used to live off of 3 miles of dirt road that was not maintained by anyone. After hurricanes sinkholes would open or the road would flood with 1-5 feet of water.

        During this time, paramedics or fire department would use boats, helicopters, or swim if neither was available…

        • uis@lemm.ee
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          5 days ago

          Weather related or due to lack of investment?

          Found good source. The only bridge lacked lights and was in such severe disrepeair, that it was closed with padlock(LMAO), which in winter became frozen and could not be opened.

          During this time, paramedics or fire department would use boats, helicopters, or swim if neither was available…

          As I understand, nobody told ambulance that village has no road connetion, but even then I’m not sure they had helicopter nearby. I found news article, that says Karelia bought one 8 months earlier, but I don’t know why it wasn’t used. Either lack of connection was not reported or UR member stole it. Regional MP posted that bridge condition was reported to administration long time ago, but they did nothing. Also he mentioned abandoned building that is near collapsing near school, but it’s unrelated.

    • ParadoxSeahorse@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Since they’ve made paramedics do a degree, they’ve been using that increased knowledge to justify whenever possible not taking people to hospital, even against doctor’s wishes. A lot of this is insurance costs as well as turn around time.

    • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Fun fact the British islands are on the same tectonic plates as the rest of Europe so technically they are indeed European… of course that plate is the Eurasian plate so technically all of Asia is in Europe too so when are you gonna welcome China into the E.U?

    • GiddyGap@lemm.ee
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      5 days ago

      They are for sure in trouble somewhere. The Europeans will definitely be offended.

    • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Hopefully America isn’t contagious.

      And jokes aside, the sentiment here in America seems to be people have had enough of this shit. I went for my annual physical, my insurance covers it. But I was given a paper to sign that says if I mention something ailing me to my doctor that it may turn into a sick visit and be billed accordingly.

      I am very fortunate, I make decent money, my wife has insurance for us, and so when my doc said “Do you want vitamin D screening in your blood work? It will cost extra.” I was able to say yes. And that’s a minor issue, but there are people barely scraping by, they think they’re okay because they have insurance, and then to be told this visit will cost you more money if you say you’re unwell? Get the fuck out of here.

      I love my wife and my kids to the end of the world, but I can’t imagine my mindset if I’m some single dude, at this point. How much are they going to push people? Thoughts and prayers to the difference makers out there is all I can do unfortunately.