Posted on 02/24/2005 1:47:43 PM PST by paltz
From the time Tilly Merrell was a year old, doctors told her family she would never have a normal life -- or even a normal meal.
British doctors found that the food she swallowed went into her lungs instead of her stomach, causing devastating lung infections. They said she had isolated bulbar palsy, and their solution was to feed her through a stomach tube. Forever.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"Tilly's plight drew media attention in England, from stories in the Daily Mirror and Worcester Evening News to several visits from the BBC, which is working on a documentary about her."
In light of the diagnosis, does anyone believe that this "documentary" from the Beeb will ever see the light of day?
last I heard England has what we used to- the loser pays
system. not many bring frivolous suits when they know they
have to pay the lawyer fees if they lose.
something we should have again.unsure if it applies to medical suits.
Makes sense. My point was that with government monopoly on health care one has an ability to limit damages and costs of lawsuits that private (or, "more private") health providers would not. This can "keep costs down" and be "more efficient" but what had in mind was to say that the results ought not necessarily be to the liking of a leftist.
As regards socialised medicine, it is my understanding that you already have it in the USA but that you can only benefot from it if you are a deadbeat or an illegal immigrant. Perhaps I am wrong?
I don't think you are substantially wrong. I would classify our system as partially socialized or hybrid. But in the context of a conversation about US vs. other systems, ours gets called "not socialized" or "private" by comparison, if only as as shorthand. No system is "fully socialized" (or for that matter "purely private"), it's a matter of degree. Best,
Do you all have to put up money for Medical Insurance if you come over to the US?
I like the idea of loser pays.
Another point I should have raised: even if one can sue in England, it also makes a difference who bears the costs. If this girl's family sues and wins and then (as I assume) the British taxpayers bear the cost, the question is whether/to what extent the doctors' mistake ever "feeds back"... in the US the doctor's insurance company bears the cost (and then, he does, in the form of higher premiums and perhaps even not staying in the profession)
I see benefits and drawbacks to both sides.
From my experience there are companies that sell limited (short-term) insurance policies for foreigners travelling to & staying in the US for extended periods, if that's what you're asking.
This incident isn't in and of itself sufficient to condem the entire British healthcare system. We have horrible things happen in America too.
The reason, I asked because my wife and I were in a Pub in England eating and a couple both Doctor's said they had to purchase Insurance when they came to the states for vacation. I thought you were in GB.
Brought to you by socialized medicine!
Dec 13 2004 Daily Mirror: I WANT TO EAT REAL FOOD AT CHRISTMAS
Anybody find any more British media coverage, especially since the "cure"?
"Cox said he has contacted the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, asking doctors to follow up in the coming months to make sure Tilly eats enough and isn't having complications. They will also need to remove the small valve on her stomach, the one used for more than 7 1/2 years as the portal for her food supply."
I'm not sure I would trust them to get it right.
OK that was funny.
Just where was all that swallowed spit going?
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