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In Reply to: Jojo's take on how things are now posted by Jojo (reposted) on February 25, 2006 at 22:54:31:
Hello everyone,
In reading over the posts from different ones, one thing came to mind. I was living in Taiwan. In the city we lived in there was a doctor who offered to every member in the city free medical treatment. Be it x-rays, blood tests and general care, plus medicine. (say whatever you like about the F abusing doctors or misleading them etc....this doctor was a regular visitor to our home and offered his help)We were free to visit him without fear of costs.
About 10 years ago in Taiwan the government started a national health care system. To visit a doctor costs from 4 to 6 aussie dollars and the doc gives you the medicine at his clinic free, which is the way the health care system is set up.
My oldest son ruptured the ACL in his knee. He was able to have an MRI, plus reconstuctive surgery in the best hospital available for only about $300, due to the health system set up by the government.I have had extensive physiotherapy due to knee problems for years now, and the cost there is only $2 a visit to the clinic. (Here in Australia it has cost me over $33 a visit, with Meidcare not covering anything.) In fact several people in Taiwan had operations which were very cheap and easily afforded. Maybe the situation there is different from other countries where some medical treatments are prohibitive. Another example: A sister who had pins put into her fractured arm in Taiwan and had returned to the USA made the trip back to have them removed. Why? USA=$3~$5000, Taiwan:$500.
On a rather sad note, here is another thing that has given me cause for some grief. Jasper who had the horrific accident in Latin America on his way back from Cuba to the USA, was refused assistance from the FAF. Due to his many very good friends pitching in and donating way over $40,000US towards his care. He had more than enough to help him out. Then on the other hand once in Taiwan there was a young single YA, heavily pregnant and wanting to return to the USA to leave. Went into early labor and had to be rushed in for an emergency delivery, which wasn't covered by the medical insurance. The shepherd (Sweetie) paid out over $2000AUD to cover her bills from the FAF and then helped send her back to the States to leave the F. Funny things do happen.
All the best, JoJo
