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soul2share -> RE: Marked for failure? (8/4/2011 7:13:30 PM)
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HIPPA actually only protects medical records and medical information about a patient. It is only with the PT's permission that medical records can be released, or a court order. Unfortunately, it really doesn't protect folks from comments like the one the receptionist made; she can always say it's just her opinion (stupidity). It is very specific about what can and can't be released. It's also the reason why when you are trying to find someone and start calling hospitals, they don't tell you if the person is even there sometimes. Heck even the cops can't get information prior to arriving at the ER.....I've called for information, basic info that could affect the outcome of handling a crime scene or crash, and have been told they can't tell me a thing. Depending on which hospital in what area if the country I'm in, they will at least tell me if the person is still breathing. Literally....I've actually begged them to tell me if the victim is still breathing......about half the time, I'll at least get an answer to that.
But to the OP, I was just recently on food stamps, and got assistance with my rent when I was let go from my job. I'm barely making ends meet now, and I'm working too! In this economy, having a job doesn't mean that you're rolling in dough. I had to ask for help just to make my rent...forget groceries! I'm headed to the pet food bank this Saturday to get food for my beebees there. I'm reactivating my food stamp request......but even before, I was getting a lousy $25 a month in food stamps. WTF???? How am I supposed to eat with that? I never did get a satisfactory explanation. I'm making less than HALF of what I was making at my other job.
I think the stigmas comes from the welfare system as it was (ab)used 20-30 years ago. Then women popped out kids for the money, the system was set up to increase with every child born. There weren't any checks or balances on the system back then......healthy, capable people were on welfare, and didn't have to do anything to keep it. I know of the mother of a classmate who popped out 10 kids, and she said it was strictly for the money. She didn't work at all, and they lived high on the hog......they had new clothes, all the latest gadgets, eating steak and lobster with the food stamps.....why should she have gotten a job? She'd make a whole lot less!
I'm with Holly....you showed a great deal more restriaint than I did.....I'dve called the supervisor out to the waiting area immediately and demanded an apology and immediate action taken. But I'm a heartless bitch like that.....you just know if she made that comment then, she's done it for a long time.
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