Roll Call ! Where is everyone from?

from where

by new to pace.... - 2024-02-01 17:50:10

I do not beleive your question should be on this site.  As this is for those who have concerns or questions about their pacemaker or defilatbrator 

new to pace

yes!

by Pacer2019 - 2024-02-01 18:29:33

there are lots of questions asked and lots of answers provided... beyound that I see it as a community of people supporting each other as they navigate the unknown.... the support can be technical, medical, and yes at times emotional. 

If there are community standards I have violated I can remove the post.

From where

by godrew - 2024-02-01 20:01:09

Hey Virginia 

from New Jersey here, welcome

From the County of Kent

by Gemita - 2024-02-02 01:13:16

No you haven’t broken any rules Pacer2019.  This seems to be a popular question on some sites. 

I am from the county of Kent in South East England.  I live fairly close to London and have access to main London hospitals.  Hello to everyone wherever you live. 

From where

by Aberdeen - 2024-02-02 03:19:49

I am from Aberdeen Scotland. I wasn't very original in my choice of pacemaker club name!

Where we are from is relevant to our treatment as all my pacemaker operations and appointments are free on the NHS.

Relevant

by piglet22 - 2024-02-02 05:31:03

I have no idea what the location distribution is in the club but I do get the feeling that a lot of members are west of the Atlantic.

I'm on the UK side in Southeast England.

Reading posts does reflect the huge difference in healthcare systems available, even down to regions.

What does strike me is the apparent ease of access to services outside the UK which must be down to funding.

I wonder if our American friends would tolerate the worst parts of the UK service. I doubt it.

One example.

How about being told that potentially you would not see or speak to a member of your pacing team for the greater part of the device lifetime?

I do admire the US positive attitude to getting things done, but I think you would find it very frustrating here.

That's just a personal opinion and other UK members have far better experiences.

City of Kent, Ohio

by Good Dog - 2024-02-02 08:01:15

A college town in the Cleveland/Akron metropolitan area

As far as our health care system in the U.S. is concerned; it is in transition. 

Perhaps the most important fact for people outside the U.S. looking-in, is that we do have quality health care "if you can afford it". Much like in the U.K. though, the quality varies across the country. In recent years the number of PCP's has been decreasing as thier income declined due to malpractice insurance rates rising and health insurance agreements for services paid has decreased margins for doctors income significantly. As a result, many doctors are forced to join "groups" as opposed to being self-empoyed. It has been getting more and more difficult to find a PCP and if you have one; the ability to been seen can require a significant waiting time. That varies across the country also. There has been an effort in recent years to help people to aquire health care that in years past they would not have been able to afford. It is called "The Affordable Care Act". However, there are still millions of folks that cannot afford health care even at the more affordable costs. The biggest benefit of the ACA is that it provides the ability for people with pre-existing conditions to obtain insurance when they otherwise would not have been able to.

There are many more pros and cons of health care coverage in the U.S. too numerous to list here, so that is just a brief and simplistic overview. 

Pacific Northwest - Washington State

by benedeni - 2024-02-02 10:08:46

We recently moved here from dry, high, sunny New Mexico to be closer to my husband's son who lives in the San Juan Islands.  It's beautiful but it is Very Very wet and when the sun comes out it's, in a word, BLINDING!  Summers are touted to be perfect.  

yes!

by Pacer2019 - 2024-02-02 12:11:40

Seems to be a large UK presence here which is really cool.   It does at times highlight the differences in how healthcare is distributed.

In America the industry was certainly turned upside down by some of the provisions in the ACA.

It has become a hybrid system with a huge influx of people into the sytem withour increasing capacity

It has become much more common to have layers to work through where you are "screend" by RN's, PAs, and NP's.

Our system for indibvidusl insurance no longer is truly insurance. Insurance uses factors to predict financial future risk then assigns a premium.  When claims exceed premium or revenue you either raise rates or ration care.

With the large influx of patients or users without expanded capacity (the pie hasnt grown) care is rationed ...same pie carved into smaller slices.

While yes the pre existing condition factor was dealt with it came with TREMENDOUS cost when that was factored into the rating formula. 

When you sign up folks who are already ill thats not truly insurance - it is simply disease mnagement. It like calling for Homeownrs insurance when your kitchen is on fire!

The young healtny folks share a financial burden they did not used to share 

We do have a government managed program with no cost called Medicaide which is really just a card in your wallet ... it is nearly impossible to find doctors who want to particioate... as a result even  minor illnesses are treated in the ER at great expense and availability of care is diminished. 

With the rationing of care and it's stressed capacity you really have to fend for yourself... I think some elderly people get lost and give up.

It is also  what makes a site like this so valuasble ! It is great to draw on others experience and knowledge while keeping in mind most of us are speaing form personal experience not medical training.

I am really thankful to kick stuff around with yal

Brrrrr....Minnesota

by MinimeJer05 - 2024-02-06 17:06:41

Hello,

I am from the winter state of Minnesota, although this year we are experiencing a very mild winter (and I am NOT complaining about it).

Jer