Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 So last week I had my yearly well woman exam with Planned Parenthood. I go there because I don't have health insurance and the assholes in Washington don't think it's important that people have access to health care but I digress...I go there because it's the only place I can afford. It's a damn good thing I went too. My pap came back abnormal and now I have to go find a place where I can get another test done. Ooops!! You don't get testing because you don't have insurance. I work my ass off but I don't have insurance. This really pisses me off and it even pisses me off when I don't have anything health related to worry about either. I am scared and more than slightly annoyed. The local charity hospital could take up to 6 mos to get me an appointment. I'm going to drive out of town to Tangi parish to get an appointment set and hope they can see me soon. If I had insurance my Dr. would either re-test the pap then do further testing. This is some bullshit. As soon as I am able, I am taking my ass out of this fucking country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I agree. The US health care system does not support all of its citizens. Sometimes a Pap test yields indeterminate results (just need to re-test), and sometimes abnormal cells are found (just need to go for a colposcopy to rule out dysplasia or precancerous cells). Early diagnosis is key. Is there another clinic that can help you? They should be supporting you in further tests. In Canada, we have an amazing health care system in which everyone gets health care coverage. We do have some waits for surgery, and our hospitals aren't as amazing as yours, but at least we don't break the bank every time we get diagnostics and treatments. In Canada, there is a move towards a two-tiered system, more like the US. Maybe the rich are more deserving of health care than the poor .... I am a part of a group that is fighting this notion. One look south of the border should tell us all we need to know.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 Sadly my options are the only ones listed. I have called several gyns but they dont take the LA Take Charge plan. Canada and Australia are looking like better options every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverAgainV Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 ((Zephie)) I hope you can find some place to help you. I'm not a doc, but abnormal doesn't necessarily mean cancer...but still, I'm sure it's not easy for you. It's so wrong the way our elitist government sets up everyone in the high positions with GREAT benefits & they are making loads of $$ so THEY can afford the BEST health care...but US ordinary folks, the 99% struggle & struggle just to get by. Fucking pisses me off....something has GOT to change in this country. A sick workforce & a sick populace doesn't help anyone....this country needs some type of social medicine because the average Joe, like most of us are, can barely afford everyday expenses, let alone high medical costs for tests, exams, ..... Fucking hell...when will the asshats in Washington WAKE UP!? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par4dcourse Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 The governments attempt to "tighten up" fraud is a cluster fuck. All they are succeeding at is making it harder for people who really need help to get it. Cut middle management and high paid execs and drug company lobbyists for starters. We aren't the problem, Washington, you are. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 The health insurance system in Oz is kind of strange. Like, the government covers most things, and sometimes there is a gap to pay for testing or seeing the doctor or specialist (in the case of private practitioners, it's up to the doctor re: charging the gap or not. My darling doctor is very much against charging people who have chronic conditions or low funds for medical treatment, so he bulk bills a lot of people, me included. The way he sees it is that a patient will not receive the best care if they don't have a constant doctor and only go when they can afford it or have to see different doctors all the time at a bulk billing clinic.). Private health insurance is more a luxury item, so that you can go to the private hospitals and get discounted extras and the like. However, they won't always cover pre-existing conditions, and it is rather expensive, so people with disabilities tend to miss out. In order to address this disparity, the government is currently setting up a health insurance scheme for people with disabilities, so that they can have the same benefits as the rest of the population if they so choose. In recent years the government has had a focus on enhancing the dignity of the disabled, with special intiatives to help them get into the workforce like special agencies that deal with disability job-hunting and workplace support. There are also financial incentives for people with disabilities to study, and they also pay those actively seeking employment or who are studying a mobility allowance to help with the cost of travel. It's for people who cannot, in a worst-case scenario, use public transport, like the blind. I get it because when I am unwell, I get confused by bus and train timetables, the axiety of which easily triggers me, and also because I am forever nearly getting hit by cars crossing the street. I've got no directional hearing- I can't even hear a bus coming up behind me. Yep, that's happened. I was crossing the road, I got distracted looking at something momentarily, and next thing I knew, I heard a beep. Looked around for it, and there was a bus just sitting there, waiting for me to get out of the way so he could keep driving. I freak out my poor fiancee all the time. He actually holds my hand when we cross roads lol. So yeah, basically, the government wants to limit the amount of roads I cross lol. Oh dear, I really went for a wander with this post, hey. Bloody painkillers lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Sadly my options are the only ones listed. I have called several gyns but they dont take the LA Take Charge plan. Canada and Australia are looking like better options every day. Come to Oz!!! Gotta get here before you turn 40 for a skilled migrant visa. Average wage for teachers is at least $50,000 a year, and there's always TAFE if you don't want to teach high school kids. TAFE is one step up from High School, one step down from University. They do vocational training, interest courses, and adult learning courses, even HS subjects for adults wanting to get their Year 12 certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
older Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Fucking hell...when will the asshats in Washington WAKE UP!? They are not going to wake up because they already have a top-quality government-paid health care plan. They do not feel your pain. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 Come to Oz!!! Gotta get here before you turn 40 for a skilled migrant visa. Average wage for teachers is at least $50,000 a year, and there's always TAFE if you don't want to teach high school kids. TAFE is one step up from High School, one step down from University. They do vocational training, interest courses, and adult learning courses, even HS subjects for adults wanting to get their Year 12 certificate. Sweet! I'm researching that right now and had no clue that I could even do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConureDelSol Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I wonder if my future nursing degree will transfer to Canada or Australia... Realistically though, Canada is probably as far as I'll be able to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 Same for us since we want to move to Washington. Canada's not that far at that point but still he'll have skills that can be used anywhere to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Come to Oz!!! Gotta get here before you turn 40 for a skilled migrant visa. Average wage for teachers is at least $50,000 a year, and there's always TAFE if you don't want to teach high school kids. TAFE is one step up from High School, one step down from University. They do vocational training, interest courses, and adult learning courses, even HS subjects for adults wanting to get their Year 12 certificate. Sweet! I'm researching that right now and had no clue that I could even do that. Oh yeah, teachers are on the skilled migrants list. You work here for 3 years, then just go for residency. Once you have residency, you still retain your American citizenship, but you are entitled to everything an Aussie citizen is. Maybe look into doing a course to teach English as a Second Language, too- I don't think the courses are very long, and it would just give you more employment opportunities. You'll need at least travel insurance until you can go for residency. And I'd recommend being very flexible location-wise with work until you get yourself set up or get residency. Housing is cheaper away from the big cities, and besides, Sydney's gone to shit lately- a lot of shootings going on. Maybe see if you can learn Auslan, which is our version of sign language, before you come over. I mean, it's really cheap to learn when you get here, too- the local deaf associations hold weekly classes for like $50 a term, and a sign language interpreter earns $90 an hour, so if you're between jobs it's a good skill to have to fall back on. Interpreters are used everywhere- courts, universities, welfare... You get the picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 Come to Oz!!! Gotta get here before you turn 40 for a skilled migrant visa. Average wage for teachers is at least $50,000 a year, and there's always TAFE if you don't want to teach high school kids. TAFE is one step up from High School, one step down from University. They do vocational training, interest courses, and adult learning courses, even HS subjects for adults wanting to get their Year 12 certificate. Sweet! I'm researching that right now and had no clue that I could even do that. Oh yeah, teachers are on the skilled migrants list. You work here for 3 years, then just go for residency. Once you have residency, you still retain your American citizenship, but you are entitled to everything an Aussie citizen is. Maybe look into doing a course to teach English as a Second Language, too- I don't think the courses are very long, and it would just give you more employment opportunities. You'll need at least travel insurance until you can go for residency. And I'd recommend being very flexible location-wise with work until you get yourself set up or get residency. Housing is cheaper away from the big cities, and besides, Sydney's gone to shit lately- a lot of shootings going on. Maybe see if you can learn Auslan, which is our version of sign language, before you come over. I mean, it's really cheap to learn when you get here, too- the local deaf associations hold weekly classes for like $50 a term, and a sign language interpreter earns $90 an hour, so if you're between jobs it's a good skill to have to fall back on. Interpreters are used everywhere- courts, universities, welfare... You get the picture Mwahahaha! My Master of Arts in Education had a concentration in English as a Second Language so I'll definitely have to look into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Same for us since we want to move to Washington. Canada's not that far at that point but still he'll have skills that can be used anywhere to be honest. Oh yeah, he's doing all that plant sciencey stuff, hey. Oh, and residents can go to university under our system, too- basically, the government pays the fee for tuition, and when you start earning like $47,000 a year, they just deduct a certain amount from your wage to pay it back. It's good, because it's interest-free, and if you get sick, or stop working or your pay goes below the threshold, the repayments just stop until you are earning enough again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Come to Oz!!! Gotta get here before you turn 40 for a skilled migrant visa. Average wage for teachers is at least $50,000 a year, and there's always TAFE if you don't want to teach high school kids. TAFE is one step up from High School, one step down from University. They do vocational training, interest courses, and adult learning courses, even HS subjects for adults wanting to get their Year 12 certificate. Sweet! I'm researching that right now and had no clue that I could even do that. Oh yeah, teachers are on the skilled migrants list. You work here for 3 years, then just go for residency. Once you have residency, you still retain your American citizenship, but you are entitled to everything an Aussie citizen is. Maybe look into doing a course to teach English as a Second Language, too- I don't think the courses are very long, and it would just give you more employment opportunities. You'll need at least travel insurance until you can go for residency. And I'd recommend being very flexible location-wise with work until you get yourself set up or get residency. Housing is cheaper away from the big cities, and besides, Sydney's gone to shit lately- a lot of shootings going on. Maybe see if you can learn Auslan, which is our version of sign language, before you come over. I mean, it's really cheap to learn when you get here, too- the local deaf associations hold weekly classes for like $50 a term, and a sign language interpreter earns $90 an hour, so if you're between jobs it's a good skill to have to fall back on. Interpreters are used everywhere- courts, universities, welfare... You get the picture Mwahahaha! My Master of Arts in Education had a concentration in English as a Second Language so I'll definitely have to look into that. Good There are ESL classes everywhere- it's a requirement for international students of non-english speaking background to do a year-long course before they can study at a university here. Plus we have a lot of refugees and the like who are doing classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I wonder if my future nursing degree will transfer to Canada or Australia... Realistically though, Canada is probably as far as I'll be able to go. Nursing is on the skilled migrants list for Oz. Can't get enough nurses- they come here from all over the damn place lol. We have a lot of English nurses over here. We also have different levels of nursing qualifications, though a degree is the highest-paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverAgainV Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Fucking hell...when will the asshats in Washington WAKE UP!? They are not going to wake up because they already have a top-quality government-paid health care plan. They do not feel your pain. This is EXACTLY it Older. Yep, you nailed it! They have NO idea what it's like to be on the outside. No idea what it's like to be out of the loop of great jobs, connections & all the kickbacks & perks that goes with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpheliaGinger Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 It seems like everyone wants to move out of the states due to one thing or another. I know this isn't indicative of the current zeitgeist. but if it were, I wonder how the rightards would spin this if they saw what amounted to an mass exodus of the skilled and educated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 It seems like everyone wants to move out of the states due to one thing or another. I know this isn't indicative of the current zeitgeist. but if it were, I wonder how the rightards would spin this if they saw what amounted to an mass exodus of the skilled and educated? My guess is that they would find some way to demonize or downplay the education and skill of those leaving. Nationalism would be called upon. Those leaving would be called anti-American or something to the like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue elephant Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I will PM you some details for a migration agent in Australia. He and his wife are friends of mine. You will be able to see from the details on the websites that he is highly knowledgeable. He is ethical, otherwise he wouldn't be on my friend list. I kidnap his wife for a holiday most years when the weather gets too cold in Canberra. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen652 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 my wife studied nursing at uni and i remember her saying that migrants' qualifications are not recognized here, although i could be wrong. but yeah, come on down, our country is THE SHIT!!! i hear the horror stories of US healthcare and i am so thankful i live here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBluegrassSkeptic Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 So last week I had my yearly well woman exam with Planned Parenthood. I go there because I don't have health insurance and the assholes in Washington don't think it's important that people have access to health care but I digress...I go there because it's the only place I can afford. It's a damn good thing I went too. My pap came back abnormal and now I have to go find a place where I can get another test done. Ooops!! You don't get testing because you don't have insurance. I work my ass off but I don't have insurance. This really pisses me off and it even pisses me off when I don't have anything health related to worry about either. I am scared and more than slightly annoyed. The local charity hospital could take up to 6 mos to get me an appointment. I'm going to drive out of town to Tangi parish to get an appointment set and hope they can see me soon. If I had insurance my Dr. would either re-test the pap then do further testing. This is some bullshit. As soon as I am able, I am taking my ass out of this fucking country. Wow Zephie! I am so sorry you are going through this. I sincerely hope you aren't found to have anything cancerous. I went through this mess just under two years ago. I actually was found to be cancerous. Had a conization done. Had ZERO insurance. And, yes, it is horrible how long it takes for a hospital to get charity care figured out. I ended up paying OUT OF POCKET, 100% of all the costs involved for my conization and subsequent radiation therapy (which I only completed half of what was recommended). Today I go in for my bi-yearly testing to see if it is recurring or not (have had symptoms as of late :o/ ). I'm fortunate to actually have coverage this time around, though my job ends in July....hahahahah! So, I'll probably get a positive today and not be able to complete treatment once again. Just hang in there, there are many options out there for you to get treatment you need, but they are hard to run down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 From what I've read it's not pre-cancerous but then again. I really hope not. Everyone has told me that it's going to be okay and that this happens all the time. It's just friggin scary. I hope the symptoms are just eek! occurences for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Valk0010 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 In Canada, we have an amazing health care system in which everyone gets health care coverage. We do have some waits for surgery, and our hospitals aren't as amazing as yours, but at least we don't break the bank every time we get diagnostics and treatments. In Canada, there is a move towards a two-tiered system, more like the US. Maybe the rich are more deserving of health care than the poor .... I am a part of a group that is fighting this notion. One look south of the border should tell us all we need to know.... Ehh what part of canada are you from. Because from all the reports i have heard about canada's healthcare system. It makes the us canada thing a battle of Die by lack of money or die by waiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Valk0010 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 It seems like everyone wants to move out of the states due to one thing or another. I know this isn't indicative of the current zeitgeist. but if it were, I wonder how the rightards would spin this if they saw what amounted to an mass exodus of the skilled and educated? Nah we would only loose the skilled and educated whites. Most of the developing world looses its high skilled and educated labor force to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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