United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I just watched the movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore about the health insurance industry. Interesting material to digest.

There was this one scene where a list of pre-existing conditions were listed that many insurance companies use to deny eligibility for those applying for insurance...guess what was listed? It was listed at Brachial Plexus Disorder, but there it was. I'm guessing it's too expensive to treat. UGH!!!

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 5 years old

I remember when frankie was born applying for the gerber life insurance for $1.00 and was turned down because of his BPI. Mare

Thanks Tanya, that would explain why I just got denied. They said it was because of my continued need for surgery. Last thought I had was that I am done having surgery. Grr I hate insurance companies!
I should watch that movie.
Thanks Tanya!
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

For this most important reason to vote for universal heath care for every human in america!!!!!!!! we MUST change our system!!!

Tanya-

We watched this movie this past weekend and were really upset by it. Aidans's first surgery was initailly denied and it was terrifying and horrific! This movie brought alot to light but even though it has, I'm not sure about the rest of you, I haven't seen anything change because of it. It upsets me that so many of us are aware of the problems but are still left with no other option. We could always move to England!

The NHS in the UK has many problems too, if you talk to those in England. I live in Canada where we too have universal health care, and though there are problems, it seems to me (talking to those in the UK) that we in Canada have it better.. somewhat less waiting times to see specialists, though of course it depends on where you live (city vs outside areas). But I love that I live where I get all medical help free! Though if I want PT now, as an adult there is a wait list for the public sector UNLESS I hurt myself and it is acute, that's the only part that sucks.
Marieke (32, LOBPI)

Marieke:
If you didn't want to wait, and had the money to do so, could you get pt? In other words, can you "buy" services outside of the NHS?

I'm just wondering how it works.

thanks,
claudia

Great movie, loved it, but it wasn't like he broke new ground, the World Health Organisation has been pointing out these problems in the US system for years.

Universal health care does usually involve waiting lists, but as far as acute injury goes like tbpi, there is no waiting list in the UK. Some members at the tbpi group had nerve repair surgery before they had even come round from the accident that caused it. Sometimes people aren't referred to specialists quickly enough, that's because the doctor initially assessing the injury is stupid, stupid doctors are everywhere, sadly. Routine surgery can involve a waiting time, around 3 months for amputation in the UK, but here in NZ (with partially universal health care) there is such a long list that I'd need to pay to have it done privately. In the UK, if your GP says you need PT, even decades after the injury, you get it, fast and free.
I have found it very depressing to support people from the States who aren't covered by insurance or medicaid, over the years I've been coming here, I've 'met' many people who are totally unable to get any kind of surgery or see any specialist for tbpi. There is no Shriners for adults. That situation is awful. The other situation is the shenanigans you guys have to go thru to get surgery approved even if you are insured-the protocol on tbpi now is, if avulsions are suspected, surgery needs to be done immediately/as soon as possible for maximum recovery. That can't happen if you have to jump thru hoops to get the surgery and surgeon approved by a load of people who don't know or care about the injury. A large proportion of tbpi have multiple avulsions, waiting is not an option. I've often wondered if that's why the more advanced/experimental techniques such as reimplantation of avulsed nerves are not widely done in the US, it needs to be done very soon after injury and that can't really happen if some bureaucrat has to approve it first.
Hope the movie changes things, but the reality is that even the best health services are under strain now, we live longer and expect stuff to get 'fixed', that isn't easily sustainable in any country under any system. But 40 million plus uninsured is a bit eye popping!

I don't know. I haven't seen the movie, but I don't think Universal Health Care solves problems either. They just solve DIFFERENT problems. From a BPI standpoint, we get one perspective because that is where our focus is. However, I have family in Canada and a best friend that is British and they both have their own issues, including my aunt's friend that had to be flown to Montanta while she was in labor because of problems she was having. I'm not saying that Universal Health Care is bad, just that it serves in a different way. Here in Wisconsin they are putting something through that is similar to universal healthcare except that is just the state and not the country. Because of it, we have many friends that are moving because they can't afford the taxes...might I add that two of these families are uninsured. So, I don't see that it will answer all the problems. Universal health care solves some problems and causes others... it's just a matter of perspective. There's my rambling for the day. Now I'm going to bed.
Jamie

I haven't had a single problem getting anything covered by my insurance. I could possibly have a different point of view if I were having a lot of problems with insurance coverage although I doubt it, but I agree with the last poster. Universal health coverage SOUNDS good on the surface, but brings with it a lot of problems that are beyond the scope of this board. We can commiserate about the bills we have to pay dealing with our childrens' injuries, but let's not get into a political debate regarding health care. We live in the countries we live in, and we deal with the policies we deal with. Let's save the politics for political sites. Please!