United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Please read the article "Patients, Know Your Rights", reproduced on our site with permission...I especially like the part about seeking out second opinions and not worrying about offending doctor's egos! I was surprised recently to learn that in many countries other than the U.S. seeking out second opinions is highly frowned upon. Our reality here is so different, it is so important to take control of our own health care.

http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/

The link to the article is on the page above.

Bridget

Good article Bridget, i agree your health is more important than docs egos! We have no choice who the NHS appoints to se us.In our system NHS UK we have the healthcare provided universally in theory, in reality its just not well enough funded so we have looooong waiting lists for treatments, unless you can pay to go private. But one thing thats scary about your USA healthcare system, how do the people with no insurance get the decent treatment? what choices of healthcare do they have? its good different cultures learn about this stuff!

I have no health insurance and from what I know never will be able too because of my bpi. If anybody knows of a program for adults let me know. Government programs have turned us down flat(We our a family of five with no health insurance).
To answer your questions Dave. For general care if you have a credit card you have a 50% chance of seeing a doctor.(That is from my personal experience) In larger cities I have been told they have free clinics but in the rural areas there is no care if you have no insurance. For adults needing specialized care there is nothing. For children with no health insurance needing specialized care there is the Shriner's Hospitals. These people are doing God's work to the highest.
So in the US I believe it is something like 60 million people have no health insurance and our lawmakers do not care. Medical professionals meaning doctors our in this field to become rich in the US. So as far as finding a doctor who actually cares in my opinion it would be much easier to find a needle in a hay stack.

Dave,

You are right, it is good to be aware of the differences in health care systems around the world. Probably both of us are lucky compared to others in the world...

Mindy, what state do you live in? I believe that there are options for you that we can look into.

Bridget

If you watched ABC's report last night you would be aware that I am one of millions in this country. The US has a gaping whole in our health care system thanks to private health insurance. Some us make too much money to get on the government programs(which is where my family is) but yet we do not make enough to pay for private health insurance(in my case my arm is considered pre-existing so we our ineligible). In my case this car accident has permanately wiped us out financially. The US is headed for some serious problems and our lawmakers are not listening. 'Feed the Children' is now looking for sponsors to help feed American children for this same reason. Working families cannot make it on minimum wage any more. Our government needs to listen but it will not because almost every politician is independantly wealthy and all they care about is making the wealthier Americans wealthier.(If you do not believe me look at the percent of tax middle class Americans pay compared to the wealthy.) I do not mean to get on a soap box but it is ridiculous that our government is taking immigrants in and giving them all these government subsidies but yet people born in this country our living like they live in a third world country. Working class Americans should not be called poor not when we live in the wealthiest country in the world.

Mindy,

What state do you live in?

Bridget

Hi Mindy, i was remembering your trials with trying to get treatment when I asked Bridget about patients without insurance. Whoever said the true test of any nation's strength is the way it treats its vulnerable members was bang on the nail.. there HAS to be a way for you to get decent diagnosis and treatment, UBPN must have heard this type of thing loads of times, what can Mindy and TBPI in her position do to get decent treatment? Good Luck Mindy keep fighting!

Dear Mindy
I am so sorry to hear you still have not received any help in your state. I hope some of these websites can help you in your quest for proper medical care... I know in NY and NJ you cannot be refused because of a pre-existing condition... otherwise I would have no insurance either....
Kath

Patient Advocate Foundation
help@patientadvocate.org
753 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Suite B
Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: 800-532-5274
http://www.patientadvocate.org/

This site has all sort of links and information
disABILITY Information and Resources
http://www.makoa.org/

Dave,

I am more than willing to work with Mindy to see what can be done to help her family, but she will need to reply to me in order to move forward!

Mindy, you can always email me privately.

Bridget

This is the Paitent Advocate page
Ensuring equal access to health care for all Americans
There should be something there to help.
http://www.patientadvocate.org/patient.htm

The National Financial Resources Guidebook for Patients: A State-by-State Directory
Patients seeking financial relief for a broad range of needs including housing, utilities, food, transportation to medical treatment, home health care, medical devices, pharmaceutical agents, child care and interim funds to satisfy deductibles in insurance policies to continue assurance of payment for outstanding medical balances comprise the needs of this organization to develop the Financial Resource Guidebook.
http://data.patientadvocate.org/

Select your state and you should come up with an agency