Wal-Mart

On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:08:28 -0700, JR wrote:

Nor did I say I'd rather be an Italian than an
American, only that if I were poor and sick, I'd get better medical
treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here.

Er, no, this is the first time you've said that you'd "get better
medical treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here"
and phrased that way, I'd offer that such a premise is the losing
position in a debate on the issue. Thus far, all you've stated is where
you'd prefer to be sick. Heck, I'd rather have a cold in Tahiti than be
fit as a fiddle in Los Angeles.

A wealthy Italian or whatever nationality would stand a better chance
of getting _better_ medical treatment anywhere than a "poor" American
or whatever nationality anywhere, but that's a different debate, too.
You appear, as many do, to wish to marry the (apparent) cost to the
patient with the quality/skill of the care. What you _might_ get in
Italy is medical treatment of some degree at a less readily-apparent
cost to you when compared to what you _might_ get in the US.

TC,
R
....and enjoy Uganda...but watch out for loonies with bazookas out
elephant hunting - I'd rather be a poor Italian with 14 serious diseases
on the sidewalk outside a US hospital than be a comfortable US citizen
(with good insurance _and_ AFLAC, no less) in Uganda with a minor flesh
wound...

wrote:
On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:08:28 -0700, JR wrote:

..... only that if I were poor and sick, I'd get better medical
treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here.

Er, no, this is the first time you've said that you'd "get better
medical treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here"

My bad. I assumed since the topic was medical care and health care
systems, that *that* was how what I wrote would be read. The whole tube
sock angle was, I confess, entirely unforeseen.

...and enjoy Uganda...but watch out for loonies with bazookas out
elephant hunting - I'd rather be a poor Italian with 14 serious diseases
on the sidewalk outside a US hospital than be a comfortable US citizen
(with good insurance _and_ AFLAC, no less) in Uganda with a minor flesh
wound...

No ****. I've been to Uganda and surrounding countries a lot over the
years. Folks worry about terrorists, tropical diseases, etc., but being
in a simple car accident is what scares the beejesus out of me.

FWIW, unless things have changed in the past five years, the best option
there is the clinic at the British High Commission. (Maybe that
tradition of socialized medicine......? g)

On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 14:07:33 -0700, JR wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:08:28 -0700, JR wrote:

..... only that if I were poor and sick, I'd get better medical
treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here.

Er, no, this is the first time you've said that you'd "get better
medical treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here"

My bad. I assumed since the topic was medical care and health care
systems, that *that* was how what I wrote would be read.

Why? "Better" is not the same as or even related to "at little or no
apparent cost." Heck, Walmart sells tools and they are pretty
inexpensive...wanna try to rebuilt a Cat diesel with 'em? OTOH, Walmart
sells large white loaves and I'd guess they are probably, well, they are
as good as those costing two or three times as much...

The whole tube sock angle was, I confess, entirely unforeseen.

Nobody expects the tube sock inqui...er, nevermind...

TC,
R