Socialized medicine

[t-barr at t-barr.com]

The benefits of a regulated profession stated below.
A team approach to proper rehabilitation is necessary for appropiate
delivery of services.
Most all developed countries outside of the USA require some form of
regulation and oversight by a govt.agency.What other health care provider in
the USA doesnt require minimum educational standards to deliver these
specialized services?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael WILKINS" <michael at nackles.freeserve.co.uk>
To: "Amputee Information Network" <amp-l at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 3:48 AM
Subject: Socialized medicine


> Hello Wayne and all,
>
>
> I've noticed a lot of activity on the list of late regarding all the
changes
> in medicare, funding and insurance reimbursment.  Someone made a fleeting
> comment about socialized medicine which I found rather irritating.
> Something to the effect that one has a right to care, but it may not be
the
> right care or the best care.  I am not quoting exactly but the gist of the
> comment is there.
>
> My husband and  I moved to the United Kingdom last year for a number of
> reasons, one of them being I could no longer continue to do  my well paid
> and well insured job physically. No job, no insurance except cobra which
> cost over 750 dollars a month.  On top of that Michael needed a new set of
> prosthetics. Double above knee bilateral legs cost about 50 grand or so.
The
> co-payment would have been outrageous. Like most Americans we had heard
all
> the horror stories about the dreaded socialized medicine, so we were more
> than curious to see how "truly awful" it would be.
>
> Michael had his first appointment at the Artificial Limb Center in Swansea
> yesterday.  We were astounded by the reception and attention he got.  They
> almost never see a bilateral above knee amputee who not only wants to walk
> but wants to get back on horseback!  The entire team  of doctors, physical
> terrorists, leg makers and tech folks surrounded him and made the
immediate
> decision to call in the top expert in leg design in the country to give
him
> the best set of legs they can.  Not bad for a start anyway.
>
> We'll wait and see what the final results are.  We'll keep you posted.
>
> LaRae
>
>
>