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Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 3:33:27 PM

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WASHINGTON - Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17372104

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 4:09:36 PM

Gauge

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Level

WASHINGTON - Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17372104

I am furious. No... I am livid. This is a pathetic commentary on the state of health care for the poor and just health care in general.

I do not think that doctors shouldn't be paid for their services, they must make a living and that is acceptable, however would it really break them financially if they gave some of their care away to people that desperately need it? I really am tired of the entire health care system... in a country such as this, there never should have to be a headline like this one.

When I suggest that a doctor gives away some of his treatments, I mean in extreme situations like that in the article, life threatening illnesses not for the common cold. Doctors chose their profession, I am certain that they understood that dealing with insurance companies is not fun so, really, they have little right to complain about having to jump through hoops to get paid.

I also lay the blame at the doorstep of the insurance companies that make things so difficult for everyone that people make mistakes and the insurance company can reject the claim. Whatever happened to handing the insurance card to the office secretary and they take the information, hand it back to you and smile and tell you to have a seat? I believe that there needs to be some universal requirements for insurance form formats. Make it easy again. Simple, yes?

Lastly, my ire is directed at the shyster lawyers that feel the need to sue doctors for a hangnail that got infected and their client lost their fingernail. Yes, that is an exaggeration, but you get the point. If it weren't for the doctors having to sweat every time they see their patients, worried that they will turn and sue if they make a mistake... it just can't be a fun feeling.

I am among the ranks of those that have no health care. I thank God that I rarely get sick. I can tell you though that it is a horrible feeling knowing that if you really need it, it isn't there. I know that hospitals are required in the USA by law to give you medical attention regardless of insurance status, but that isn't the point. Here a twelve year old boy lost his life because some doctor wouldn't give away some of his care which would have maybe cost him $500 to extract a tooth. Now the bill is $250,000 and a child is dead. Way to go.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 4:29:42 PM

farglebargle

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From: Albany, NY
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Well, the Socialist State of New York has a comprehensive Child Health care program, as does I understand the Socialist State of Mass. I guess Maryland doesn't have something comparable?

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 4:47:27 PM

juliaoceania

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I have lost someone I grieve to this day because we lacked medical insurance as a family. No one should lose a parent or a child for this reason... it is criminal to me

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 5:01:41 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: farglebargle

Well, the Socialist State of New York has a comprehensive Child Health care program, as does I understand the Socialist State of Mass. I guess Maryland doesn't have something comparable?

I have no idea and I do see your point. What is wrong here is IF Maryland does have a program like that the doctors should have pointed her in that direction. I still say that the right thing to do would have been to extract the tooth for the kid before the shit hit the fan. Too late for that.

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"For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." Herman Melville - Moby Dick

I'm wearing my chicken suit and humming La Marseillaise.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 5:09:36 PM

poplolly

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From: Edmonton
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I thank God that I live in Canada. I am considered a "low-income family" as a single mother with four teenaged UM's and a grandson for whom I am financially responsible. I pay no health care premiums (subsidized by the provincial government) and yet am fully covered. My children receive benefits from the government to cover their eye care, prescriptions, and ambulance services (if necessary). Why is such a system seemingly so difficult to institute in the United States of America??

That ANY child in the Western world should die from a tooth infection is shameful and completely unacceptable. My heart breaks for his family.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 6:43:55 PM

KatyLied

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This is shameful. He's a child. No one should die from an infection from a tooth, but to lose a child in this manner it's a sad commentary on the state of health care.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 6:55:28 PM

Dtesmoac

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Even with medical insurance I am amazed at how big the medical bills are that come in for even simple visits to the doctor etc.
Of all things that I can not understand since comming out to the US the crazy medical system is the one I find most appalling, confusing and disgusting. it is more expensive than most other developed nations, takes up a greater proportion of national wealth and yet still leaves vast numbers of people without access to treatment......the US really is first world and third world all within the same borders.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 7:03:24 PM

Sternhand4

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Its tragic that the child died. But the true tragedy is that the mother failed him.

"The Driver children have never received routine dental attention, said their mother, Alyce Driver. "
Its not the states job to insure that a parent looks out for their child.
Its not an insurance companies fault that for months she ignored the problem.

But as taxpayers we will pick up the check for her lack of attention.
" For instance, Deamonte's bill for two weeks at Children's alone was expected to be between $200,000 and $250,000."

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Post #: 9

RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 7:15:02 PM

redpetals

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I think it is BOTH parent's fault.
They could have gotten an antibiotic at ANY walk in free clinic.
Don't any one dare blame this country for this tragedy.
Uncle Sam is not our friggen keeper!!!!!
Everywhere I turn I see people blaming others for the beds they sleep in.
We have more opportunity in this country than ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD.
And you can take THAT to the bank.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 7:23:23 PM

redpetals

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And by the way..if you think those free European Drs are so good you have been swallowing a big chunk of propaganda.
I have lots of family in Germany.
Sure, they get free Drs.
And they get lousy care.They get what they pay for.
They come here if they get really sick.
Is out health care system perfect?
No.
Is the cost of health care fair?
No.
Can you design a better one?
Then do it.
Call Hillary and let her know.(said SOOOO tongue in cheek)

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 7:38:56 PM

sharainks

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No amount of antibiotic is going to get rid of an infected tooth. Treat the infection yes. While it may be the parents fault they are poor and not providing for their children it is not the child's fault and no 12 year old should die because of it. So, I am daring to blame this country's attitude towards the care of children's health including dental for this situation. They should not be paying with their lives for any reason whatsoever.

I would be more than happy for my tax dollars to pay for medical or dental care for a child. A whole lot happier about that than funding the war in Iraq, which we appear to have endless funding for. Chalk this up to more govt. shortsightedness. Fail to pay the 80 bucks to pull a tooth and pay hundreds of thousands to deal with the end result of that attitude.

< Message edited by sharainks -- 2/28/2007 7:44:32 PM >

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Post #: 12

RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 9:25:29 PM

Dtesmoac

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quote:

ORIGINAL: redpetals

And by the way..if you think those free European Drs are so good you have been swallowing a big chunk of propaganda. Nope I've experienced it and other European systems and also the American system - in the USA it costs more and more people have no cover........some US hospitals are no better than other first world and some third world hospitals, others are not.
I have lots of family in Germany.
Sure, they get free Drs.
And they get lousy care.They get what they pay for. You appear not to have experienced it. As with the US system there are faults but the key is that those who are sick receive treatment not just those who are rich and think they are sick.
They come here if they get really sick. Who does? And many Americans now go to top grade hospitals in Thailand and India because it is affordable, and of equivalent quality. Other Americans take the risk of substandard treatment in other countries or no treatment.
Is out health care system perfect?
No.
Is the cost of health care fair?
No.
Can you design a better one? Yes
Then do it.
Call Hillary and let her know.(said SOOOO tongue in cheek)
Take the GDP that is currently being spent in the US and provide medical care for all with the option to top up for additional requirements. The key is that critical and medical care should be available for all based on need and that non critical and medical care can be available for money. The only people that would suffer would be those involved in the massive medical insuranc industry that contribute nothing and cost lots.

Over the couter antibiotics and misuse of prescription drugs in one of the causes of drug resistant diseases, this is driven by unafordable / lack of access to real doctors.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 9:50:57 PM

Zensee

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Sternhand - no child should have to suffer from their parent's negligence, disability, situation or inability. Blaming children for your country's inhumanity is just plain mean, as in both cheap and cruel. The welfare of a country's children is the business of all its citizens.

redpetals - If your Commie Pinko Canukistani cousins to the north could figure out universal healthcare, surely the greatest country the world has ever known can do it. (I wonder how many toothaches a day of stuffing 'democracy' up the Iraq's ass would pay for?)

Z.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:04:28 PM

BBBTBW

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It is really sad that this poor young man couldn't get some preventative care that would have cost a SMALL fraction of what the ending cost was (immeasureable). The really sad thing is most employers don't offer dental insurance to their employees, IF they offer insurance at all. So YES there is something VERY WRONG with the HEALTH CARE in the USA.

Sure the parents could have taken him to the free clinic to get some antibiotics, but that would have only served as a temporary fix to a more serious issue. 80.00 to pull a tooth, its a real shame a $200,000+ a year dentist couldn't see past an 80.00 expenditure that he could have had his accountant write off as some kind of charitable donation.

< Message edited by BBBTBW -- 2/28/2007 10:10:24 PM >

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:05:16 PM

popeye1250

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From: New Hampshire
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We have plenty of money for stationing Troops all over the world, guarding other countrie's borders, wars, foreign aid, nation building, forgiving the debt of foreign countries etc but we're one of the few industrialised countries who still don't have a national healthcare program.
And now our children are dying from toothaches.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:08:31 PM

playfulotter

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Hey, my mother, who is dead now, couldn't afford to take me to the dentist till i was 16 years old...i could happen to anyone! She did the best she could with what she had...

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:13:11 PM

marieToo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Sternhand4

Its tragic that the child died. But the true tragedy is that the mother failed him.

"The Driver children have never received routine dental attention, said their mother, Alyce Driver. "
Its not the states job to insure that a parent looks out for their child.
Its not an insurance companies fault that for months she ignored the problem.

I agree. A routine extraction that didn't take place because his mother didn 't get him to a dentist is not the fault of the state of health care issues in America. We aren't talking about thousands and thousands of dollars worth of hospitalization, we are talking about routine dental cleanings and preventative care. A child's prophylaxis is about 65 bucks. And a couple of annual x rays cost about 12 bucks a piece. In fact, she couldve taken the kids to her local dental/medical training facility and paid next to nothing to have this work done by dental students under the supervision of licensed dentists. This could've been prevented by regular dental care and good at-home hygiene. I am a former dental assistant and licensed dental radiographer who has worked for several dentists in the past,and I don't know any reputable dentist who turns away those without insurance. They will take care of you and you can send them 10 bucks a month if thats all you can afford. As long as you send them something regularly, dental care is available to whomever wants to get it. They do not turn you away because you dont have dental insurance. Sorry. Mother's neglect on this one.

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RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:31:12 PM

Gauge

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quote:

Its tragic that the child died. But the true tragedy is that the mother failed him.

Really? I have no idea but I can almost bet you have never been in a situation that you had to rely on the government for your health care.

quote:

"The Driver children have never received routine dental attention, said their mother, Alyce Driver. "
Its not the states job to insure that a parent looks out for their child.
Its not an insurance companies fault that for months she ignored the problem.

Newsflash, Ace... If her children would have had the insurance coverage they would have gotten the routine care they needed. You assume quite a lot about the mother's ability or lack of ability to care for her children.

I can go hunting for the article but forcing/overseeing the parents care of their children has become an issue recently. There was a court order for a mother to look after her severely overweight son. You are right in saying that it should not have to be, but in some instances it is necessary.

quote:

But as taxpayers we will pick up the check for her lack of attention.
" For instance, Deamonte's bill for two weeks at Children's alone was expected to be between $200,000 and $250,000."

Stop already. This is the most asinine of comments. The problem COULD have been solved for substantially less namely the price of routine care and a tooth extraction. Yes, taxpayers will foot the bill or the hospital will write off the bill or both but can you not see the flaw in your logic? Rather than have a $250,000 hospital bill it would make more sense to solve the root of the problem than it would be to pine about your tax dollars.

Look, I am not attacking you so please do not think that my post (though strongly worded) is a flame. I have needed health care and I have been unable to get it because I do not qualify for it through my job, nor do I qualify for it through any government agency because I earn more than their income requirements. So I have not had any routine medical care for almost five years now. The funny thing is that when I was a child I got into a habit called eating and I have yet to be able to kick that habit... I cannot afford to get routine care and the normal tests that go with it and eat too. True that this is my problem but I am but one of many in the same situation.

_____________________________

"For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." Herman Melville - Moby Dick

I'm wearing my chicken suit and humming La Marseillaise.

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Post #: 19

RE: Maryland boy dies from toothache - 2/28/2007 10:33:45 PM

Sternhand4

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Joined: 3/6/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Zensee

Sternhand - no child should have to suffer from their parent's negligence, disability, situation or inability. Blaming children for your country's inhumanity is just plain mean, as in both cheap and cruel. The welfare of a country's children is the business of all its citizens.

redpetals - If your Commie Pinko Canukistani cousins to the north could figure out universal healthcare, surely the greatest country the world has ever known can do it. (I wonder how many toothaches a day of stuffing 'democracy' up the Iraq's ass would pay for?)

Z.

I dont blame the child, I blame the parent/s. As they article doesnt mention the father, or as its commonly refered to in the hood, "my baby's daddy" so its tough to say that there's blame there.

I still hold the mother responsible. She and only she ( unless the father is known ) is to blame. I would say that her other child needs to be taken from her as well for his safety.

I ( and many others ) would have loved to have more than( 2 in my case ) UM's but I knew that taking care of them would be beyond what economic means that I had at the time. So I made a choice to have fewer and do more for them.

Our country isn't inhumane.We have programs to help the less fortunate, and sometimes the system fails. Especially if you dont try hard enough. Can you imagine not taking your UM to the dentist and allowing a problem like this, I bet not.

As for national heathcare I and others oppose it. For many reasons, it will never happen here. I would support a national insurance system. But first I'd support a system to make people like this kids parents less likely to breed indiscriminately.

(in reply to Zensee)

Post #: 20

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