Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Making Use Of Free Market Health Care (For Now)

"A Hospital is no place to be sick." ~ Samuel Goldwyn

I spent Monday shopping and taking my wife out to eat to celebrate her birthday. Her Birthday was Tuesday, but we could not celebrate it that day, because she spent her birthday in the hospital, in Richmond, recovering from surgery to replace her right knee. She has a private room, so I was allowed to spend the night in her room, which, as it turns out, does not a restful night make. The hospital staff must have been in and out of that room 20 times during the night to prod, probe, stick, poke, and generally bother her, all the while disturbing my sleep as well. Imagine waking someone up to give them a sleeping pill!

Sounds like an Obama policy to me.

She will remain in the hospital probably until at least Saturday this week depending on how she heals.

I will be spending my time divided between work and the hospital. I will have little, if any time, for blogging. I haven't had time for blogging this week up until now. And I really don't have much time for blogging today. I have to go into my office to do some paperwork, and then out to Ashburn, VA to work tonight.

Richmond to Ashburn is about a 140 mile swing. And then back to Fredericksburg, another 65 miles or so.

Tomorrow morning, I will probably drive back to Richmond to spend some time visiting my wife.

Sheesh! I'm tired already!

Oh well, it could be worse.

If she had waited about a year or so to have this surgery, due to Obama's health care plan, (modeled on Canada's and/or Great Britain's plan) she likely would have had to wait a couple of more years just to get in, and then possibly still be turned down because Obama's health care Czar would decide whether or not her procedure was a necessity.

Anyway, now you know why I am not blogging this week. If you wondered.

So, don't abandon me yet. I shall return.

20 comments:

Joe said...

We shall be waiting!

Most Rev. Gregori said...

Mark, When I was in the hospital many years ago with double pneumonia and a collapsed lung, they did that sleeping pill routine with me to. Wake me up in the middle of the night to ask me if I'm sleeping. MORON'S

Any how, hope the wife feels better, and do try to get some sleep.

Trader Rick said...

Our prayers are with you. Don't overtax yourself, leave that to B.H.O.!

The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth said...

Blessing on you and your wife and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Krystal said...

I wish your wife a speedy recovery and you safe driving!

Jim said...

due to Obama's health care plan

What health care plan? There isn't one yet. He's trying to get all parties together to try to solve the problem of America's rapidly rising health care costs. You got a solution? I love the way you bash something that doesn't exist.

I don't know why you are so worried about a health care system where the government does the paperwork and makes the payments. Why do you think that the government making decisions about what is covered is worse than a company making the same decisions only they have a profit motive and the less they are on the hook for the better?

Marshal Art said...

My mo-in-law had both her knees replaced at the same time. She's 70 and in a swanky retirement village with plenty of amenities. Now her knees feel great, but the rest of her legs are sore. Then, my own mother had one of her's done, but developed a respiratory condition whilst sequestered in the hospital. She's almost recovered enough to get the other leg done. Her left leg, the one replaced, feels great. It's good to see she's eager to go on the other, as she wasn't so sure whilst enduring the breathing problems. She's 82.

Anyway, out of the four, three knees feel great, despite other issues elsewhere in their aging bodies.

Good luck to your wife. May God speed her recovery.

Mark said...

Oh Jim, Shut up.

We all know Obama wants to nationalize health care so that means he has a plan. We also know that whatever it is, it will not work, because nationalized health care plans never do. His only models for nationalized health care are the failed government health care plans of Canada, the UK, and Cuba, etc.

I don't know why you think those plans would work here, any more than they do there.

Then you make this idiotic statement:

"I don't know why you are so worried about a health care system where the government does the paperwork and makes the payments."

Well, if you really don't know, (although I think you do)it's because the "government" is the people. And the only way for "the people" to get free health care is if "the people" pay for it. Hence, overburdening taxation, and overburdening governmental control.

It isn't as if Obama hasn't already started the proverbial ball rolling toward way too much governmental control via new taxes and government intrusion.

Boy, sometimes, when you get stuck on stupid, you really get stuck.

I don't have health insurance myself. But, since you are so keen on others paying for our health care, I'm sure you will be happy to pay for my costs, right? I really need a hair transplant.

Mark said...

Thanks to all my fellow bloggers for the hopes, good wishes, and prayers.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to bring her home.

Pamela Zydel said...

Mark, a speedy recovery to your wife.

Jim, what do social security, the department of motor vehicles, the post office and public schools all have in common? They are all run by the government. Need anyone say anymore?

Jim said...

Pamela, I can put a letter is the mailbox on Monday and my sister will receive it on Wednesday and it costs me 42 cents. I have no problem whatsoever with the Postal Service. what's your beef?

Social Security is one of the most efficient systems in history. It's administration costs are about 3%. Never heard anybody complain about getting their checks on time. Social Security is completely sound and could continue paying current levels at current contribution rates to about 2041, could continue indefinitely from there at 75% of today's benefits, and could continue indefinitely at today's benefits with minor adjustments.

Public schools are not run by the government. They are run by local school boards in local districts. Do you attend your board meetings?

Anonymous said...

"I don't have health insurance myself. But, since you are so keen on others paying for our health care, I'm sure you will be happy to pay for my costs, right? I really need a hair transplant."

So much for personal responsibility. You're just mad you're going to have to pay for your own health care.

Who paid for your wife's knee?

But in the spirit of Christian fellowship I'll pitch in for the hair transplant, if we can find a package deal for a brain transplant with it.

Mark said...

Jim, You make this statement:
"Public schools are not run by the government. They are run by local school boards in local districts."

Maybe so far. But the wheels are in motion, to wit:

1887: federal money (unconstitutionally) began funding specialized education. Smith-Lever Act of 1914, vocational education; Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 and other relief acts of the 1930's. Federal school lunch program of 1935; National School Lunch Act of 1946. National Defense Education Act of 1958, a reaction to Russia's Sputnik satellite demonstration, provided grants to education's specialties. Federal school aid law passed, 1965, greatly enlarged federal role in education, "head-start" programs, textbooks, library books.

Mark said...

Anon, in answer to my sarcastic point made to Jim, said, "So much for personal responsibility. You're just mad you're going to have to pay for your own health care."

I'm not mad. If I need health care, I pay for it. You pay for all other goods and services in this country. Why not health care? How does that avoid personal responsibility? For the record, I don't really need a hair transplant. I'm quite happy the way I am. I was making a point, which apparently went over your head.

"Who paid for your wife's knee?"

Not that it's any of your business, but most of it was paid by her insurance, and the rest? Her and I. What's your point?

"But in the spirit of Christian fellowship I'll pitch in for the hair transplant, if we can find a package deal for a brain transplant with it."

OK. It's a deal....If you can find a brain smarter than mine anywhere in the universe. By the time you find one, that technology might just be possible!

Mark said...

Any brain that smart, installed in my gargantuan cranium, would rattle around like a BB in a boxcar.;)

Jim said...

the wheels are in motion ???

And the wheels start in 1887 and your last cited turn of the wheel is 44 yeas ago? Whoah! Hold on steady!

Please cite exactly what part of the Obama education plan you are worried about?

Krystal said...

I have no health care AND I'm uninsurable so I CAN'T get it on my own.

And I want Obama to keep his crooked hands out of the health care system!!!

My girlfriend in Canada was really sick and called the doctor SIX WEEKS to get in. ER waits in Canada are several DAYS long. They drove her two hours to the States to go to an ER. She had double pnuemonia and WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IN 24 HOURS if she had had to wait.

Again, I'd rather take my chances uninsured!

Mark said...

Good point, Krystal. Another anonymous made a comment which I rejected who said "Polls show that more Canadians are happy with their health care system than Americans are."

My response to that is this:

Then, why are so many Canadians traveling hundreds of miles into The United States to pay for health care?

Jim said...

Then, why are so many Canadians traveling hundreds of miles into The United States to pay for health care?

Well, because they aren't. That's a myth. Read some data on this here.

Jim O said...

Best wishes for a full recovery. With three hospitalizations of aboutr a weekat at a time over the past couple of years, I can truly empathize.
Man, that other Jim is annoying.