mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> Ryan Ginstrom <ginstrom@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
>>Michael Cash wrote:
>>
>>>This is from an e-mail from my mother. Kim is my sister.
>>
> 
>>Like Mike Fester said, the US medical-care system is truly great if you have
>>money. If you don't, you'd be better off in Cuba
> 
> 
> Not really.
> 
> 
>>or even Japan.
> 
> 
> Probably.
> 
> The US actually offers pretty good services in the form of clinics and
> various forms of care. The worst case is if you're middle class, where
> you don't qualify for the freebies, and can't afford the best.
> 
Somewhat true in my experience, but a lot depends on where you are and 
what insurance you have.

> 
>>When my wife became pregnant, I saw very clearly how the line was divided
>>between those with money, and those without. I decided at that time to make
>>sure I was on the "with" side of the line from that moment on. Probably a
>>big reason why I quit grad school to translate full time.
> 
> 
> My wife had a baby in Japan and one in the US. In Japan, they kept her
> in the hospital for about a week, and wouldn't let anyone touch the
> baby (until I insisted) and then wouldn't let it back in with the other
> babies.
> 
My sister in law (Japanese) was particularly frustrated that after the 
birth of her second child she had to go through classes and stuff on how 
to care for the baby. I guess they have to fill the time somehow.


> In the US, they kicked her out the day after the baby was born. 
> 
Mine was in 48 hours. Could have stayed more if she paid for it.

> She figures something in between would be better.
> 
Probably so. The US does a lot more stuff as outpatient surgery than in 
Japan. I've known people who had heart bypass surgery and were out 
within a week; in Japan you'd probably be in critical care without a 
clue why you needed to have heart surgery since you came in with a 
sprained ankle.

John W.