Anna,
Best of luck on your paper!

Send it to the presidential candidates too!!!
It might give them a new subject to debate about.

well, as my husband lost his job in the winter, my family went on IPA (illinois public aid). he has since been employed with the option for blue cross/blue shield insurance. however, IPA paid for my surgery, therapy, my pain doc, the shots, my meds... the copays are like $2 for the pain doc and most of my meds are free except the occasional $2 or $3 one. the only thing it doesn't pay is for a psychiatrist (i go to a private clinic) and psychotherapy (doesn't accept IPA).

as my husband's job does not pay well - we opted for more time with the family over pay - i don't think we will be buying health insurance only to pay for the premium, co-pays and deductables. i have been extremely lucky to be poor. isn't that amazing?

shalom,
ang

duchess,
Here in the US we have to help pay for our insurance needs. Everything we do has to be approved by the insurance companies, and if denied we either have to do without or pay for it out of our pockets. Having been lucky enough to have lived in Asia for 10 years in and 9 in Europe, I can tell you we have the worse insurance programs in the land. I know in Germany, that they pay almost 50% of their income in taxes, but you never have to do with medical, dental or any drugs the docs say you need. I was not a german citizen but I needed to spend over 2 weeks in a Kidney clinic. didn't have to pay for anything, including all the many test and exams I needed. It was nice knowing that they were not going to toss me on the street and let me suffer. Also, europe has some of the best and most advance doctors in the world. They take great pride in what they do and and as they all get paid from the gov.,they care for you and not what your pocketbook can do for them.
Hope that helps
Mary

coach, wondering what kind of treatment you have been having that has actually helped? not heard much about anything that actually works for rsd, investigational or otherwise. thanks, jenny

my lawyer says people get nice bonuses for dumping people who use the insurance system too much ... i was dumped from my long term diability and had to get him to get me reinstated which was quickly done once he got involved. we are considered a burden especially if we are young. insurance sompanies say they are ther for you but when truly needed it is all about $$$ to them.
i tell everyone if you have rsd you need two things, a doctor who listens and a good lawyer! sad but true. joan