overview for pbjamm

My first experience with Canadian Health Care (BC Health) by pbjamm in c/canada@lemmy.ca

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 12 points 1 day ago

If this visit had cost me less that us$500 I would be shocked. Most likely answer is us$500-$1000.

When my wife had back surgery a few years ago the MRI alone cost us$600, the surgery with all of its various charges was over us$3k. I hope none of you have any idea how horrible it is waiting for a loved one to have surgery AND having to discuss payment/credit options with the staff on top of it. You are not thinking clearly and the numbers mean nothing because you dont have any choice but to agree. Then you feel horrible(r) because you are thinking about money instead of only if they will be OK.

My first experience with Canadian Health Care (BC Health) by pbjamm in c/canada@lemmy.ca

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 7 points 1 day ago

smooth sailing once it moved into my bladder. before that the pain was enough to make me vomit.

Would not wish it on anyone. maybe Henry Kissinger but even then only maybe.

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My first experience with Canadian Health Care (BC Health) (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 day ago by pbjamm@beehaw.org to c/canada@lemmy.ca

8 comments fedilink

My family and I moved from the US to Canada in the summer of 2023 and last week was the first time I had to make use my Services Card. I went to the ER in excruciating pain, had blood and urine labs done, a shot of pain killers then waited around (a long time) for a CT scan. The doctor said it might be a new record, but I had been bumped a few times by suspected stroke patients that came in, so totally understandable. Several hours later with a prescription slip in hand I exited the hospital. Easy as pie.

For anyone who has never had the displeasure of experiencing an American hospital you can not understand how much simpler and less stressful and cheap the Canadian system is. I dont know what it would have cost me in the USA, probably whatever my insurance deductible was, but it certainly was not $0. That state of not knowing what all this is going to cost you, and how you will afford it, makes an already awful experience even worse. Not being harassed for money on the way out, never once discussing the cost of something with the DR was truly eye opening.

TL:DR Thanks BC Health. You are not perfect but you are amazing. Anyone promoting American style health care here in Canada has either never experienced that gong show or is independently wealthy enough not to have to think about the costs.

(kidney stone for anyone who is curious. it was horrible)

Republicans Immediately Seize on Trump Rally Shooting to Incite More Violence by pbjamm in c/politics@beehaw.org

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 29 points 2 months ago

Most likely answer is that Republicans will completely ignore that inconvenient information and if it is ever brought up to them directly label the shooter a RINO and dismiss it.

ChatGPT has caused a massive drop in demand for online digital freelancers — here is what you can do to protect yourself by pbjamm in c/technology@beehaw.org

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 40 points 3 months ago

I think more likely answer is that most businesses are cheap and a mediocre image generated by AI is good enough vs paying a human to make a really good one.

Adobe Announces That They Can Use Your Content for AI by pbjamm in c/technology@beehaw.org

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 27 points 3 months ago

Indeed. Retraining and the extra time using a new tool is a short term loss for what should be a long term gain. The transition will always suck.

Would you fight Alberta's wildfires for $22/hour? And no benefits? by pbjamm in c/canada@lemmy.ca

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 23 points 4 months ago

Would you like to do this vitally important job that requires travel, training, hard labour, living rough, and includes heightened risk of serious injury all for minimum wage?

Seems the answer is obvious.

Winamp is going open source by pbjamm in c/foss@beehaw.org

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 27 points 4 months ago

Winamp still whips the Llamas ass.

I'm looking to drop cable but need live sports alternative. by pbjamm in c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

[-] pbjamm@beehaw.org 49 points 6 months ago

Why so many unhelpful comments here? I get it, you are not into sports, but some people are and want to enjoy them. No need to take a superior stance and tell us we are wasting our time by doing so.