The Forum > Article Comments > It’s time for a ‘new Medicare’ > Comments
It’s time for a ‘new Medicare’ : Comments
By John Humphreys, published 22/10/2009Allowing open competition in health would decrease administration costs and result in higher quality, more efficient health care.
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However I remember the first time I presented at the emergency ward during an asthma attack in 2000, and I felt lucky to be immediately led to a cubicle with a chair and an oxygen system, with a monitor attached to a little sensor that I attached to my finger to watch my blood/oxygen level rise from the mid-70s (dangerous) back up to the 90s (safe) over a few hours that night, and gratefully discharged myself before breakfast time that morning.
2002 was the same helpful and efficient experience. Then in 2004, I encountered a very obstinate nurse who tried to force me onto ventolin instead of oxygen. Once left alone in another cubicle that had an oxygen system in place, I was able to change to the oxy and recovered by morning once again.
In 2008, I called three different public hospitals to ask if I might utilise an oxygen tank at their premises during the asthma attack, and was told that they could not promise me anything unless I presented, so I got in the car and made it to emergency, on faith.
That was the last I remember. They drugged me sensless for five days, and held me captive in the ICU for another five. Luckily, I survived by bluffing my way out, threatening the registrar with legal action at one point.
More privatisation will save more dollars but IMHO after what happened twice in 2008, cost human lives. Not because I didn't have the money to pay for the hire of the oxygen tank, but because they were too stubborn to give it me.