Hawking: Ironically, My Death Panel Saved My Life

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As has been pointed out many times, the US has one of the worst rates of survival for babies amongst industrial nations.

We also have the highest cancer survival rates.

[SMOKE 1,426]

I wrote a paper once about how higher ed is b1tchy mean to folks with disabilities; except when you have the wits and brains of Stephen H. But that's a bit off topic I know, but the amount of assistants, TAs, blah blah that he gets rivals some small departments; which is not something ANY tenured professor with disabilities gets. Oh, and the grapevine says he is a mean SOB to his staff. Phucker.

However, when it comes to medical treatment in a Canada/UK type system, I doubt it had ####### to do with him being THE man. Everyone gets the treatment they need. And I am talking from experience.

thank you. thats what i wanted, an opinion from someone who has experience in the system.

[Peikko 1,575]

As has been pointed out many times, the US has one of the worst rates of survival for babies amongst industrial nations.

We also have the highest cancer survival rates.

Of course, there are good things about the US system as well, but the good things do not eliminate the bad things, the shocking things, the things one should not find acceptable in a civilized society.

The good things also would not mysteriously 'disappear' with a system overhaul. There is a chance that these survival rates would be applicable across the board and the mean rate would in fact increase!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As has been pointed out many times, the US has one of the worst rates of survival for babies amongst industrial nations.

We also have the highest cancer survival rates.

Of course, there are good things about the US system as well, but the good things do not eliminate the bad things, the shocking things, the things one should not find acceptable in a civilized society.

Just gotta be careful we don't screw up the good while trying to fix the bad.

[Peikko 1,575]

Anything is possible of course but if it's done right, as I said, the good treatments will be applied more evenly among the population and the mean survival rates should increase

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Perhaps - a little research goes a long way.

There are problems with the NHS, it's by no means perfect. It has been underfunded in the past and decisions are made on a quality of life points system, just not in the way that has been portrayed - age is one of the factors.

As has been pointed out many times, the US has one of the worst rates of survival for babies amongst industrial nations. That should be a cause for concern for US citizens as these are very preventable deaths for the most part and caused by a lack of anti-natal care but it's far more 'fun' to demonise socialism than address legitimate concenrs.

One of the bizarre things that came out of the Terry Schiavo fiasco from a few years ago was that George Bush, while he was Texas Governor actually signed a bill into law that put the decision to switch of life support machines solely in the hands of hospital administrators without requiring any consent from the patient's next of kin (and regardless of any living will the patient might have).

So really there aren't many of these accusations that aren't applicable to the current system - you don't really have freedom of choice when it comes to your healthcare, because its always contingent on what the insurance company is willing to pay for and what they think you are worth.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Private Pike

[Peikko 1,575]

That is just wrong. Insurance companies, those with a vested interest in saving money and no interest in patient care, should never be the ones in the position to make that decision. It's not like there is any incentive for the insurance company to keep a patient alive or in good health - if there was the insurance model would be working out very, very differently.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That is just wrong. Insurance companies, those with a vested interest in saving money and no interest in patient care, should never be the ones in the position to make that decision. It's not like there is any incentive for the insurance company to keep a patient alive or in good health - if there was the insurance model would be working out very, very differently.

It is wrong - but it rather explains the survival of the fittest attitudes that abound (i.e. if you can't afford it, you don't deserve it).

[DIARD 1]

"I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

Oh, snap.

I thought the same thing when I read this in the Dailymail a few minutes ago.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

"I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

Oh, snap.

how many of those treatment do you think he would have recieved if he wasn't stephen hawking?

So imbued with the US system that you think the UK system works the same, eh?

Do you seriously believe that celebrities receive the same standard of care as everyone else?

Pretty sure Hawking's medical issues predate his fame... But...

[familyguy 2]

There's simply no way to answer that question...

I presume it was rhetorical, based on the idea that because he is a celebrity that he "must" have received special treatment...

yes it is. so do you think the average joe would have gotten the treatment?

As I say, there's no way to answer that question.

But as others have indicated Mr Hawking has been receiving NHS treatment for much of his life.

i'm asking for an opinion. 3 letters-yes 2 letters-no.

You missed the 6 letters - STUPID

Glad to help you out

[SMOKE 1,426]

There's simply no way to answer that question...

I presume it was rhetorical, based on the idea that because he is a celebrity that he "must" have received special treatment...

yes it is. so do you think the average joe would have gotten the treatment?

As I say, there's no way to answer that question.

But as others have indicated Mr Hawking has been receiving NHS treatment for much of his life.

i'm asking for an opinion. 3 letters-yes 2 letters-no.

You missed the 6 letters - STUPID

Glad to help you out

here is 6 more BLOW ME

[William33 110]

Please stop with the insults.

Thanks.

[mawilson 2,133]

There's simply no way to answer that question...

I presume it was rhetorical, based on the idea that because he is a celebrity that he "must" have received special treatment...

yes it is. so do you think the average joe would have gotten the treatment?

As I say, there's no way to answer that question.

But as others have indicated Mr Hawking has been receiving NHS treatment for much of his life.

i'm asking for an opinion. 3 letters-yes 2 letters-no.

You're fishing. I see no evidence of preferential treatment.

Perhaps you do. If so, please share.

If the answer is "yes", why don't you just say "yes"?

Do you always have to leave issues hanging on purpose through vague and ambiguous language?

Are you a lawyer?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't see any value in speculation.