(no subject)

[pensnest]

I no longer have a brown spot on my nose.

There never used to be one (see icon!) but sometime during the last two or three years, a little brown mole decided to grow, right on the end of my nose. Now, who wants that? So, after procrastinating for a while, I managed to pootle along to my GP (well, I actually had to go and consult about the Thing on my foot, which turned out to be the world's biggest verruca) and enquired whether there might be anything to be done about it.

She directed me to return, and two weeks ago, at the charmingly named Wart Clinic, blasted it (and the grainy mole on my arm, and the WBV) with finely directed chilled nitrogen. And before the return visit (on Wednesday this week), it had quietly fallen off. As had the one on my arm. So my nose is happily blemish-free, just as it should be.

Oh, and. How much did this minor procedure cost me? Nothing at all. Nor did the gall-bladder removal a few years back, or childbirth twice, or the D & C I had to have after my miscarriage, etc etc. Yes, yes, I understand that there has been tax, but this is what taxes are *for*.

I mention this only because I was reading Making Light yesterday and there's a very interesting discussion of the US's current medical overhaul proposals—and a lot of people from various other countries have commented on the system where they live. I know I read somewhere on my friends list but lately—sorry, I can't remember which of you it was/were—about the cost of obtaining a bunch of entirely necessary treatments and consultations (I'm always horrified by this, always). So if you aren't sure whether your government is trying to do the right thing or the wrong thing, take a look at this post, particularly the comments. And also this website. I have no idea whether these arguments will be useful, but I don't think they can hurt.

Comments

[saffronra.livejournal.com]

I really just don't understand how people in any developed country can think that a system of healthcare which decides who lives and dies based on their ability to pay is in anyway defensible?!

[citruslover.livejournal.com]

Because Americans don't like to think of it in those terms. It's the same reason that most Americans are also against welfare, it's this antiquated ideal that we reap what we sow. And if someone has a hard time making it in the world, it's because they're not working hard enough. And we are very good at ignoring the mountains of evidence against that ideal. Nothing is going to change until that psychology changes, unfortunately.



U.S. healthcare=travesty of the civilized world

[pensnest]

I agree. I just can't get my head round it at all.

[call-me-loca.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I was the one ranting about medical costs, though I may not be the only one.

It is ridiculous all of the things I am expected to pay for.

If M and I were to marry? His antiquated insurance will cover the basic birth control if we pay for a maternity rider, yet would cover his vasectomy and viagra and any other necessities (without the rider)

[pensnest]

It is *absolutely* ridiculous, indeed.

Here, I have (fairly mild) diabetes, and am thus entitled to free prescriptions (otherwise, there's a flat charge of £7.20 per prescription item). And there's you, having to pay for... well. It's ridiculous.

[adelate]

Basically, I agree with you (as we have a similar system, it might be the same, I'm not sure, but at the very least it's similar).

And I also wanted to drop in and say how much I enjoy reading your entries because I hear them with your voice in my head. :D

[pensnest]

I should think my recent Poll sounds particularly amusing, then ;-)

[adelate]

Oh IT DOES. Hahah!