Monday, April 18, 2011

Son of Elbow Debacle

Take my elbow. Please.

I know, I know. It's an old joke that was never funny in the first place. Don't worry, though, because I have a whopper coming up.

For those of you who have a longer memory span than I do, you will remember that I wrote about my Great Elbow Debacle waaaay back on February 28. As a visual aid, a refresher, or for those who know little or nothing about human anatomy, this is an elbow:



One of mine got infected, and this is what it cost to fix it:



According to my calculations, the true cost of draining the ick out of my elbow was $ .64; the remaining $11,233.00 is attributable to "the high cost of healthcare in America."

Hey Professor, how about Mr. Obama's "historic healthcare reform" that was signed into law? Hmm? How about that?

All smoke, mirrors, and total bullshit, my dears. As a matter of fact, "healthcare for all" is headed in the opposite direction. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to do away with Medicare (the health insurance program for those 65 years and older), for all those folks under 55. That will change 36 times or more, of course, because neither the Pres nor the Congress can get their shit together.

But I ask, and here's the whopper of a non-funny joke I mentioned way up on top: What the FUCK is this country doing for its own people?

27 comments:

hope said...

Ah, you and I are on the same page today. I got on my soapbox for a minute, then got off because if I fell, it would probably cost more than I can afford to put me back together again.

Joking aside, I hope the elbow at least FEELS better.

Ponita said...

For crying out loud, Charlie... Next time your elbow decides it wants to abcess, call me and I'll come take care of it. I'll even snitch a few supplies from work. That's just plain highway robbery, that is. You shouldn't have to fork out anything!! Well, that is... if you live in Canada. You may have to wait a while, but it won't come out of your pocket. (Hey, I didn't say our system works any better than yours... it just doesn't hit your pocketbook as hard.)

Attila the Mom said...

Holy crap! At least your funnybone is still intact!

Linda Koons said...

'Tain't funny, McGee. And that's the truth. For that kind of money, they should have sent you home with a silver-plated joint. And a new elbow, too.

Charlie Callahan said...

I read your post, Hope, and I agreed with everything you said, but I didn't leave a comment. I'll do that.

And yes, my $2,640 elbow feels much better.

Charlie Callahan said...

Just where, Mom, is the funnybone located? No, don't tell me—I don't want to screw it up.

Charlie Callahan said...

Highway robbery is the name of our heathcare "system": The insurance companies make billions in profits.

And I'd take the Canadian system any day, as well as the U.K. and Ireland systems.

I'll let you know the next time one of my body parts either explodes or implodes.

Charlie Callahan said...

Linda! Just you never mind about my joint!

Wandering Coyote said...

Oh, don't get me started!

Wandering Coyote said...

OMG, disqus just let me post comment for the first time in like ages.

Linda Koons said...

Spoilsport!

Charlie Callahan said...

I don't know about a silver-plated joint, but wasn't there a movie starring Frank Sinatra called "The Man with the Golden Joint"? Or maybe that was Golden Arm, now that I think about it.

Charlie Callahan said...

Like, congratulations

Charlie Callahan said...

I know better than to get you started.

Kim Ayres said...

So what does your new bioinc elbow allow you to do, Charlie?

Do you remember the old TV series, the 6 Million Dollar Man? 2 bionic legs, 1 bionic arm and a bionic eye. Somehow I can't imagine him getting much for $6million these days.

barbara said...

Dang. I guess I will be staying in Canada. I can't afford to take my increasing aches and pains to the US.

Robert tje Skeptic said...

Fear not for Rep Rand Paul has the answer: Eliminate Medicare and replace it with vouchers. Take your voucher to one of the many many health insurance companies who would be more than willing to insure a low risk population like us older folks.

If you have followed Suze Orman's advice, you will be renting by then, no longer having a home for the hospital to foreclose on. Looks like a win-win deal to me.

Charlie Callahan said...

My new bionic elbow allows me to . . . lean on it. That's it. Leaning.

Didn't they change the name in the UK to the 6 Million Pound Man? Whatever. At today's rates. he'd be lucky to get a pair of bionic sneakers.

Charlie Callahan said...

We'd love to have you, Barb, but this is no place to be if you have aches and pains. Stay home and take lots of Advil—it's the best medicine I take.

Charlie Callahan said...

Congress doesn't know shit about the rapist health insurance companies: funny, how they passed Obamacare, a 2000+ page document written by the rapists.

I don't even want to think what your heart operation and all the "extras" cost. My pulmonologist keeps bugging me about a double lung transplant—cost for the operation ALONE, $550,000.

Attila the Mom said...

Somewhere in the prong neighborhood, I think. ;-)

Pat said...

Joints are the very devil. I hope yours is better.
In the seventies I was appalled when visiting my sister to meet three people who had been
bankrupted through medical bills. We seem to have caught up wit you.

Linda Koons said...

And then, of course, the James Bond contribution...The Man With the Golden Gun.

Charlie Callahan said...

How did we get so far off topic?

Charlie Callahan said...

Having a simple injury nowadays can bankrupt a family. It's a sad state of affairs, one that will only get worse in the US.

stacybuckeye said...

In February, my then 3 month old went to the ER, was sent by ambulance to the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic, spent 5 days there (4 in ICU). During this time many tests were run and consults had and do you know what put him on a ventilator for almost 2 days? Me neither. Not one doctor could tell me. I'm trying to push for a bill that will cut your bill in half if the test is negative. Contact your Congressman.

Charlie Callahan said...

Looks like you were caught in the same nightmare I was. A ventilator is serious business, and no one knew who ordered it? Anymore, when someone walks in the door with a decent medical plan, it's off to the races on a spending spree. It's a sad state of affairs, Stacy, and I hope your baby is fine now.