Visa Introduces Holiday Healthcare Gift Card for Americans suffering under a collapsed healthcare sy

[RedEarth]

I'm going to tell you about the newest wrinkle in the American healthcare catastrophe. The VISA Healthcare Gift Card.

The Healthcare Gift Card can be used for a variety of medical expenses anywhere approved merchants or service providers accept Visa debit cards.
Receivers of the Gift Card can use it to help pay for a variety of costs including co-pays at doctor's offices, dentists and pharmacies or for vision care, dental care, health club memberships and elective procedures.

Use it for: Chiropractors, Dentists, Optometrists, Contact Lenses, Doctors, Drug Stores, Health Practitioners, Health Spas, Health Clubs and Memberships, Hospitals, Medical Laboratories, Nursing Facilities, Ophthalmologists, Opticians, Orthodontists, Personal Care Facilities, Pharmacies, Podiatrists, Ambulance Services, Counseling Services, Dental Equipment and Supplies, Prescriptions, Eyeglasses, Hearing Aids, and Medical Services.

http://www.givewell.com/...

Americans are scrambling for any way to access basic healthcare. Healthcare is a privilege which is available in the United States only for those who can pay for it.

It's available for people like me who can scrimp and save and pay close to $8000.00 dollars a year for health insurance.

Or Congresspeople who receive heavily taxpayer-subsidized healthcare benefits.

So what's an ordinary American with high deductible junk insurance to do?

The person postponing a visit to the doctor for that cough which just won't go away?

Or the woman who needs a mammogram which is also financially out-of-reach?

Cancer chemotherapy?

A surgical procedure?

Dental care?

An MRI which the insurance company refuses to pay for?

Well now you can give a VISA healthcare gift card.
Highmark and VISA have come up with an answer to all your healthcare problems.

The suffering inflicted on the American people by the collapsed healthcare system, is a means of generating revenue to many stakeholders. Misery is exploited because it is an opportunity to make money for the insurance, credit cards industries and others.

The gift card is being rolled-out just in time for holiday gift giving, because as we know, medical care for millions of Americans is a luxury as unaffordable as a Lexus in the garage. So just give a VISA Highmark Gift Card. As the health crisis worsens, I have no doubt this card will be available nationwide before too long.

http://www.diatribune.com/visa-introduces-holiday-healthcare-gift-card

[fenriswolf]

1. oh wow i can imagine the headline too

"give the gift of life, not just for mothers anymore"

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. You know, right at the moment I am getting to see this disaster more than

just close up

My parents were visiting, he is 83 and my mom is 78. My dad has had no insurance for over fifteen years, thanks to his health condition. You know, the good ol' boys at the insurance company just denied to cover him once he hit I think 70. They live in Mexico, and two days before they were to fly home... he fell and broke his hip. Now... they HAVE the money to cover this. They have saved all their lives... three or four major accidents and that is another story.

But I am keeping track of the expenses. So far we are hitting close to 50K, and we are not even close to him coming home. (And I expect him to WALK by the time all is said and done, since he is extremely motivated to do so, and is doing better than some folks half his age)

Now by California Law they are looking at Medical, since he was a TOURIST on a TOURIST visa... and nobody plans to break a hip during a trip

Now I was thinking... bout many Americans who don't have that kind of cash... and have a similar event. There are the folks who end up homeless since they loose all, including a shirt.

There are other things I can say about the system... and neither my brother (a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic) nor I, (former medic) have been fully satisfied with all that has happened, medical care wise. But as they say, if you do not become an advocate... and why you will see precious little of me around here for the ... as long as needed. I staid home today as a precaution since I am getting a cold, and last thing he needs is a cold, or I a hospital superbug.

Anyhow... this is the reality for more than just one American (Remember they are tourists and he fell while visiting grand kids), every day of the week. And many families end up in the street because of a similar accident.

Oh and by the time all is said and done, I expect this to run about 200,000 dollars... I hope it is lower... but there you have it.

[NashVegas]

3. Do We Expect Too Much?

I was reading into the story of the girl who was initially denied a liver transplant by Cigna - after a post-bone marrow transplant operation lung infection - and died while waiting. The accountants had figured the operation would cost over $300k, and follow-up would cost $21k per year. She was 17. Total estimated cost was well over a million. And she was given a 65% chance of survival.

Now, forget about the fact the motherfucking CEO was making $28 million dollars a year. Cause as messed up as that is, more than 28 people per year need transplants.

Do we expect too much?

And MRI?

Four years ago, I went to a doctor about what looked like a cyst on my kneecap. He sent me to get a $1,000 MRI, just to make sure it was, indeed, a cyst. That $1k came out of my pocket and it was indeed, a cyst.