Surgery VS Ransom

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by wolf

I think the horror of the our private payer system vs. your govt funded system is that it would be unthinkable here to have to wait 13 days for a lifesaving procedure done on an outpatient basis.

Regardless of insurance coverage, incidentally.

Even if the patient was stable and monitored? If Dad had needed immediate surgery he would have received it immediately. As it was, patients who already had scheduled operations took priority as he was considered safe.

I'm not asking this because I am trying to defend our system (which I have always admitted has faults) just to clarify.

I know in many countries in Europe he would have had his operation sooner because they have smaller waiting lists, as well as (effectively) free of charge. If he was unable to pay in the US (retired, fairly low pension) would he still have received immediate treatment if he was on a cardio ward?