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Post by maylily on Oct 19, 2004 7:48:45 GMT -5
Well, my ex grandmother in law went to get her flu shot on Friday. She is very thin and frail and is unsteady on her feet a lot of the time. The poor woman STOOD in line for four hours. Finally, someone from the grocery store brought her a chair. She sat down then fainted and ended up on the floor. Was taken to the ER by ambulance. She's okay but it just makes me so mad! She didn't get her flu shot after all that! Spent part of yesterday calling around trying to find someone that would make her an appointment for it, since she'd already fainted once and ended up in the ER trying to get one. All I got was "oh, that's horrible". Horrible? It's not horrible...it's a disgrace! There was a clinic this morning but she refused my offer to go stand in line for her and let my ex in laws bring her down when it was close to her turn. She's going to hope she doesn't get the flu early and hope that more vaccines arrive. Where she goes to the doctor didn't have any at all this season.
This whole thing has been handled extremely poorly. They should have publicized a number and let people call in. They'd have an appointment then go get their shots. This would have eliminated the lines, etc.
Damn, the freakin' people running the clinic could have jabbed her while they were waiting for the ambulance...geez...(I'm just kidding, I know that wouldn't have been safe). I'm just so angry I'm ready to cry over it.
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Post by whatever on Oct 19, 2004 8:59:24 GMT -5
Well, my ex grandmother in law went to get her flu shot on Friday. She is very thin and frail and is unsteady on her feet a lot of the time. The poor woman STOOD in line for four hours. Finally, someone from the grocery store brought her a chair. She sat down then fainted and ended up on the floor. Was taken to the ER by ambulance. She's okay but it just makes me so mad! She didn't get her flu shot after all that! Spent part of yesterday calling around trying to find someone that would make her an appointment for it, since she'd already fainted once and ended up in the ER trying to get one. All I got was "oh, that's horrible". Horrible? It's not horrible...it's a disgrace! There was a clinic this morning but she refused my offer to go stand in line for her and let my ex in laws bring her down when it was close to her turn. She's going to hope she doesn't get the flu early and hope that more vaccines arrive. Where she goes to the doctor didn't have any at all this season. This whole thing has been handled extremely poorly. They should have publicized a number and let people call in. They'd have an appointment then go get their shots. This would have eliminated the lines, etc. Damn, the freakin' people running the clinic could have jabbed her while they were waiting for the ambulance...geez...(I'm just kidding, I know that wouldn't have been safe). I'm just so angry I'm ready to cry over it. It sure is a disgrace. Yeah, they should have, if nothing else, to prevent that from happening again...practically at their own doors, due to their OWN policy. Thank goodness she's okay. There's a lot of that going around too, thanking goodness  And I know what you mean, you'd have thought for all that, someone there could have sent one along with her to the ER, or someone at the hospital could have found her a flu shot or something. That's just stupid; they knew she shouldn't be sent to stand in a line again. They have to know the demographic standing in the lines is prone to have people who WON'T be able to handle it. By def...those in line are most prone to be sick. Dangerously thoughtless, most especially from health professionals. I think the admin is going to regret doing this to our seniors, don't you? They are a powerful group. Perhaps Bush (I know it all isn't his fault, but the entire admin seems to be so unaccountable anymore) isn't to blame at all for it, but it sure won't help him with their vote. |
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Post by RS Davis on Oct 19, 2004 12:11:09 GMT -5
You know, May - that same thing happened to someone else, except when they passed out, they hit their head and died. This is the kind of thing that happens when the government - rather than the market - tries to guarantee things like this. And some people think single-payer healthcare is a good idea...
Glad it wasn't worse. If I hear anything, I'll let you know...
- Rick
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DanzaSlap
Newbie
Now with a fresh lemon scent
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Post by DanzaSlap on Oct 19, 2004 14:36:43 GMT -5
You know, May - that same thing happened to someone else, except when they passed out, they hit their head and died. This is the kind of thing that happens when the government - rather than the market - tries to guarantee things like this. And some people think single-payer healthcare is a good idea... Glad it wasn't worse. If I hear anything, I'll let you know... - Rick Hilarious, Rick, I drew the exact opposite conclusion. In my esitmation, health care is too important to allow people to profit from. Any and all profits drawn should be put directly back into research and into programs that help destitue people pay for medicine. Right now, America is getting it's flu vaccines from two sources, as most sources stopped making the vaccine because it doesn't turn enough of a profit. Yet, amazingly, there's no shortage of Rogaine or Levitra... That's horseshit. And how much should flu shots costs? If we lived in a pure-market system for health care, the pharmaceutical companies (aka-- Pure Evil) would gouge the hell out of us (of that, I have no doubt). Why should the Board of Directors of Phizer reap millions of upon millions of dollars? They're sitting in their board room saying things like, "Boy oh boy, these people just keep buying their necessary medicines. We're business geniuses!!" That's like someone profiting off tap water or profiting from the sun's rays. Hope your ex-grandmother-in-law is ok, May. I totally agree that this vaccine shortage (and the way it's been handled) has been an utter disgrace. |
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Post by RS Davis on Oct 19, 2004 14:53:10 GMT -5
Hilarious, Rick, I drew the exact opposite conclusion. In my esitmation, health care is too important to allow people to profit from. Any and all profits drawn should be put directly back into research and into programs that help destitue people pay for medicine. Right now, America is getting it's flu vaccines from two sources, as most sources stopped making the vaccine because it doesn't turn enough of a profit. Yet, amazingly, there's no shortage of Rogaine or Levitra... That's horseshit. And how much should flu shots costs? If we lived in a pure-market system for health care, the pharmaceutical companies (aka-- Pure Evil) would gouge the hell out of us (of that, I have no doubt). Why should the Board of Directors of Phizer reap millions of upon millions of dollars? They're sitting in their board room saying things like, "Boy oh boy, these people just keep buying their necessary medicines. We're business geniuses!!" That's like someone profiting off tap water or profiting from the sun's rays. Hope your ex-grandmother-in-law is ok, May. I totally agree that this vaccine shortage (and the way it's been handled) has been an utter disgrace. Flu shots would cost as much as people are willing to pay for them. As it is now, most people don't go. The price would have to be low enough to get people off their asses. - Rick |
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Post by outgirl on Oct 19, 2004 16:38:01 GMT -5
Every yr there is a flu vac shortage. This is a serious issue for the elderly and those with chronic lung conditions who may not survive the flu. For those persons not to have access to something so efficient and cost effective is a sham. Happens every year.
And may, they could have given her the shot while she was waiting. It would have taken 2 seconds. They need to take high risk people first.
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Post by outgirl on Oct 19, 2004 16:39:14 GMT -5
Hilarious, Rick, I drew the exact opposite conclusion. In my esitmation, health care is too important to allow people to profit from. Any and all profits drawn should be put directly back into research and into programs that help destitue people pay for medicine. Right now, America is getting it's flu vaccines from two sources, as most sources stopped making the vaccine because it doesn't turn enough of a profit. Yet, amazingly, there's no shortage of Rogaine or Levitra... That's horseshit. And how much should flu shots costs? If we lived in a pure-market system for health care, the pharmaceutical companies (aka-- Pure Evil) would gouge the hell out of us (of that, I have no doubt). Why should the Board of Directors of Phizer reap millions of upon millions of dollars? They're sitting in their board room saying things like, "Boy oh boy, these people just keep buying their necessary medicines. We're business geniuses!!" That's like someone profiting off tap water or profiting from the sun's rays. Hope your ex-grandmother-in-law is ok, May. I totally agree that this vaccine shortage (and the way it's been handled) has been an utter disgrace. And that is why you got my vote  |
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pyro
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Post by pyro on Oct 19, 2004 16:47:00 GMT -5
Incedently, whether or not the US should import percription drugs from foregin countries is next months public forum debate topic.
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Post by outgirl on Oct 19, 2004 17:01:57 GMT -5
Incedently, whether or not the US should import percription drugs from foregin countries is next months public forum debate topic. That's good. We'll all be interested in hearing about that. |
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pyro
Full Member
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Post by pyro on Oct 19, 2004 17:13:41 GMT -5
Not sure when the tournament next month is, but I will keep you all informed.
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Post by Kender on Oct 19, 2004 23:24:45 GMT -5
My parents got their flu shot today. Took them 2 hours. They got it at St. Alphonsus Ligori parish, also known as "the Rock" church. They said they didn't act like there was a shortage. However, I have no idea if they'll have the flu shots there tomorrow. |
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Post by RS Davis on Oct 20, 2004 1:04:55 GMT -5
Incedently, whether or not the US should import percription drugs from foregin countries is next months public forum debate topic. Absolutely, if people want them. - Rick |
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Post by maylily on Oct 20, 2004 6:08:59 GMT -5
St Alphonsus was where I was going to go wait in line for her but she refused.
I found this so odd. Part of the whole thing against importation of drugs is the possibility of contamination. However, the vaccines are from England (even though it is an American company that owns it, the vaccines still have to be imported, don't they?) and in the debate Bush mentioned talks with Canada to try to get more vaccine from them. Isn't that a flip flop? Individuals shouldn't be allowed to go to Canadian pharmacies to get their drugs cheaper because they might be contaminated but the government is going to Canada to try to get more vaccine....
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Post by whatever on Oct 21, 2004 20:26:43 GMT -5
Help me out folks...isn't the problem occuring becouse our government, in it's infinite wisdom of doing dumb shit wihout us realizing, underpaid for the vaccines?
Didn't they drive the price they would pay down so far that it wasnt profitable? Isn't that why few companies make it, and the one's that do apparently aren't the best? Get what you pay for?
See I don't understand why anyone is even arging this as a health care isue. It's a mismanagement issue. Our tax dollars weren't spent wisely in this manner.
And corporate greed doens't come into play as far as I can see either. If we "the people" were setting the price, all we had to do was pay more, and only take from companies that had good vaccines. Quality controls.
That's my take on it. Anyone care go give in an idiot check?
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Post by maylily on Oct 21, 2004 22:07:54 GMT -5
But, whatever, there comes a time when the public good should come before profits. The drug companies still do make a profit, just not enormous profits.
Some wholesalers began selling the vaccine for $400 to $900 for a 10 shot vial. And that's in a shortage.
Imagine next year, price controls are removed. They charge whatever "the market will bear". Medicare will only pay so much for the elderly. Who makes up the difference? The elderly. How many of them can honestly afford to pay $100 or more out of their own pockets? People with insurance pay $10 copay...how long will it be before insurance will no longer cover the flu vaccine because they "can't afford" to?
So deaths, hospital costs, other medical expenses, time lost from work increase because fewer people are getting the flu shot.
Which is worse? The drug companies aren't making obscene profits or people dying?
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