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Kaiser Permanente is an example for Obama


Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:15 AM PDT

Comments (77 comment(s))

In a recent letter, a writer states he received a bill for $2,642 for four neck X-rays and some routine blood tests.

While I believe him, I often wonder why people continue to pay such high out-of-pocket amounts to insurance companies.

For the last 50 years, I have been a member of Kaiser Permanente and have found them to be as good as any and better than most when it comes to an outstanding health care plan. The writer might be interested to learn that I, along with all Kaiser members, do not pay for X-rays or lab work.

After my primary care doctor feels the need for me to get blood drawn, or X-rays taken, he types a message to the respective department. All records are now kept on a patient's personal disc — no paperwork or an insurance company to approve an X-ray or CT scan.

Kaiser has the doctors, hospitals and insurance — meaning everything is in house. The medical center on West Lane has everything necessary, except major surgery, to satisfy their patients' needs.

If a patient has access to a computer, he or she can, after inserting a password, view the results of their blood and urine tests online in a matter of hours. Also, you can refill prescriptions online and Kaiser will pay for the postage, meaning no mistakes made from a doctor's bad handwriting as prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy electronically.

Now Obama wants his own idea of what a medical plan should be. To him I would suggest he uses Kaiser Permanente as a model for the country to follow — no insurance forms to fill out. All that is needed for full service is a Kaiser Permanente card, most convenient.

Ed Walters
Lodi

Reader Feedback

Cogito wrote on Sep 2, 2009 11:41 PM:

" Voter, I wasn't asked a single question, only signed up. For life insurance they took blood and checked my medical history. They asked about my hospitalization, so I gave them my doctors phone # and told them to check it out for themselves. I actually got a lower rate than they had quoted me due to my good numbers. If I happen to buy the farm before 75, my wife is set. A lesson in personal obligation and self reliance, with no help from a government program. Just like we conservatives believe it should be. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 2, 2009 4:20 PM:

" Good question, voter. "

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voter wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:45 PM:

" Were you honest with them about your addiction/s? "

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Cogito wrote on Sep 2, 2009 11:36 AM:

" Voter, I obtained my health coverage AND life insurance AFTER I sobered up. So there goes your theory. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:32 AM:

" No, dyan... just you and Brian (aka; Bryan). "

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dyan wrote on Sep 2, 2009 7:37 AM:

" Everyone's confused except Lodian. LOL! "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 1, 2009 11:25 PM:

" Bryan is confused. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 1, 2009 11:25 PM:

" Brian is confused. "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 1, 2009 11:25 PM:

" Brian wrote "I wish the LNS would improve their monitoring of these bloggs so people like Lodian would stop making a mockery of everything that is discussed about here. But then, what would a 400 pound sweathog like lodian do with her time."

Brian: If this kind of comment is your idea of NOT making a mockery of these blogs then you are mistaken. "

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Brian wrote on Sep 1, 2009 2:58 PM:

" I wish the LNS would improve their monitoring of these bloggs so people like Lodian would stop making a mockery
of everything that is discussed about here. But then, what would a 400 pound sweathog like lodian do with her time. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 31, 2009 11:45 AM:

" dyan is confused. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:28 PM:

" dyan wrote "Libs need to be forgiven for 6-year-old name-calling. They simply regress to childhood when that can't argue facts."

dyan: So, you are telling us that you and Brian are liberals? "

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dyan wrote on Aug 30, 2009 5:19 PM:

" Lodian: I thought I cured you from that delusion. If I'm Bryan (whoever that is) than you must be voter. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 5:11 PM:

" dyan/Brian: You may think you are doing well with a tag team routine. It must get frustrating to log in and out all the time in order to change your handle though. Do you ever get tired of it sometimes? Just curious. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 4:54 PM:

" dyan: So, you are telling us that you and Brian are liberals? "

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dyan wrote on Aug 30, 2009 3:27 PM:

" Libs need to be forgiven for 6-year-old name-calling. They simply regress to childhood when that can't argue facts.
I hope Obamacare, before it breaks the country, will have a mental health provision. Maybe it will help with this regressive compulsion, but it is unlikely. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 3:15 PM:

" Brian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:54 AM:

" And lodian will overlook Bob's name calling as usual. "

Pot. Kettle. Black. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 3:11 PM:

" Brian wrote "And lodian will overlook Bob's name calling as usual."

You get what you deserve, and what you dish out, Bryan. And since when do you think I should come to your defense? Fat chance. Be a man and deal with your own problems. You made your bed. "

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Brian wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:54 AM:

" And lodian will overlook Bob's name calling as usual. "

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Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:33 PM:

" rantraves: wtf are you talking about now you loon? "

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rantraves wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:55 PM:

" Where can you find "man-bad" these days? "

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rantraves wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:54 PM:

" Good lord! your idea of compassion is to dig into my pocket. Well stop it! Or I'll get myself a man-bad and hit over the head with it. "

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voter wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:22 AM:

" And before anyone gets too worked up--yes, I realize that mainstream Christians/Jews/others do not subscribe to that fundamentalist nonsense. They are not the ones marching with the misspelled signs at teabagger/birther/deather rallies. "

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voter wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:12 AM:

" Can someone explain to me why a *fundamentalist* would require healthcare at all? Don't you folks believe that everything is God's Will? Won't he answer your prayers for healing? And if he doesn't, you'll be in heaven with him shortly. Isn't that a good thing? It seems like it is the fundamentalist base that is the most fearful of healthcare reform--makes zero sense. Jesus has your back. Why not let those that *need* healthcare access it? Isn't that the Christian thing to do, caring for the sick? "

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voter wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:03 AM:

" Cog, I think you'd be singing a different tune if you ever lost your employer sponsored healthcare. It's doubtful you'd be able to purchase an equivalent plan on your own. Someone in their 50's with a history of longtime substance abuse, obesity, and whatever pre-existing condition caused you to rack up those enormous hospital bills a few years back is a bad risk for any insurance company. Good luck finding healthcare at any price. But then I guess it's what you believe you deserve, right? The poor health being the result of your own stupid behavior. "

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Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 28, 2009 11:41 PM:

" Cogito, you're lucky your employer was able to negotiate such a good plan. Now what about the guy in the hospital bed next to you? He is in for the exact same operation, but doesn't have the sweet coverage you do. Same hospital, same HMO, same operation, but while you pay zero, he pays, say half the cost (in your example $16,000). Where is the equity in that? Is it his fault his employer couldn't get the same insurance deal? The current system is inherently unfair and needs to be fixed. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 28, 2009 6:15 PM:

" Bob, I have employer provided health care. I have medical, dental, and optical. I pay for the Cadillac upgrade. It costs $250.00 a month for everything for my wife and I. I was in the hospital a couple of years ago to the tune of $32,000.00. My portion of the bill was exactly zero. I'm not paying the extra cost for the fools, but my much maligned insurance company is. "

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Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 28, 2009 11:57 AM:

" Rhodie and Cogito -- You're already paying for them fools! Why do you think insurance rates are so high? One reason is to cover the cost of treating the uninsured. Wake up and open your minds. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:52 AM:

" Voter, I'll compare my selfishness to yours anytime. My wife and I give quite generously to charity. In many years, charitable donations have been our biggest deduction, even bigger than Al Gore's when he ran for President. I also believe in taking care of my own first, and the government keeps stealing more and more of my money, and compromising my ability to do so. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:41 AM:

" Voter, no one would be locked out of the system if you and your like minded friends would do what I say. Why should I be on the hook for someone who contracted a disease through irresponsible behavior, and never sought coverage until after they got sick? My private insurance company should be able to discriminate against anyone to keep down rates. If they have a track record of dropping people as soon as they get sick, no one would sign up in the first place. I have Blue Cross, and they take good care of me. If I want to change, I get a chance, every year, to switch. I can't do that under the current proposed Obamacare. Would you want your car insurance company to offer low rates to every chronic drunk driver in the country? "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:27 AM:

" hey rhodie just a little info on the question you asked earlier about if you could sue the gov't program. well i just wanted to let everyone know. after the loss of my baby i contacted a lawyer. the radiologist was negligent in reading my ultra sounds. BUT my lawyer informed me that he would proceed if i wanted him to BUT it would cost me at $50,000 and i would probably walk away with nothing. not that i wanted the money. i wanted kaiser to reprimand the radiologist, and just a simple Sorry we screwed up! but in the 1970's the california legislature enacted a medical malpractice limit. thats $150,000. now you see all the time these big jury awards. it can happen BUT they have to award it as special damages. and the lawyers and judge can not explain this to the jury. they as a group have to be smart enough to figure this out on there own. if they dont do it right the award is not valid and can not be ordered by the judge. "

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voter wrote on Aug 28, 2009 6:42 AM:

" Wow, Cog. Its sounds like you've spent quite a lot of time rationalizing a way for Jesus to approve of your selfishness. Good luck with that. Also pretty clear that you feel those with preexisting conditions deserve to be locked out of the system. It's especially amusing that anyone who shows compassion for the sick and less fortunate is insulted as "idealistic" or a "bleeding heart"--Jesus doesn't like it when you call people like him names. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:34 PM:

" Hey, I've got an idea, since it's been proven that conservatives give more to charity than liberals (they even donate way more blood!), maybe all you bleeding hearts can start a charity to provide health care for all those people who don't have health insurance. If you stick to your guns, you also have to include all those uninsured who even make more money than you. You can use your money instead of using the government to steal it from everyone else who doesn't share in your misguided idealism. When a new customer who has no insurance, yet has recently tested HIV positive, steps into your office, you could provide them with affordable coverage because you don't discriminate against those with preconditions. I think it's the LEAST you should do to put your money where your ignorance spewing pie hole is. Besides, when it comes to showing compassion for your fellow man, you're not holding up your end of the monetary bargain. http://blog.beliefnet.com/castingstones/2008/04/conservatives-give-more-to-cha.html "

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Rhodie wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:21 PM:

" "The problem is they are uninsured, thus stressing the system and costing everyone else way too much. Let's get them some government sponsored coverage and ease the burden on the rest of us."

Uh, Bob, where do you think the money is going to come from for those the government forces insurance on? "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:05 PM:

" Bob, you consider raising your taxes as "easing the burden". Another clueless liberal speaks. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:04 PM:

" Once again, I see Voter is speaking for Jesus. Why strive for anything in this world when there are enablers like voter who have such low expectations for their fellow man. The Lord helps those who help themselves. "

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Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:25 PM:

" Good point voter. Here's another point: Those 47 million people Cogito doesn't care about are in the system, via emergency rooms, free clinics, etc. It is ridiculous to say the system can't handle them when in fact they already are. The problem is they are uninsured, thus stressing the system and costing everyone else way too much. Let's get them some government sponsored coverage and ease the burden on the rest of us. "

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voter wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:09 PM:

" Cogito wrote on Aug 27, 2009 3:40 PM:
" Leonard, ask any doctor, there's no way our current system can handle 47 million new people. It will be a mess. "

This statement is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, you are admitting that 47 million people are locked out of the system. Furthermore, you seem to have no concern for their welfare--you've got yours, and by God, they better not try to get any of it. Jesus would be so proud of you. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 27, 2009 3:40 PM:

" Leonard, ask any doctor, there's no way our current system can handle 47 million new people. It will be a mess. "

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Rhodie wrote on Aug 27, 2009 1:54 PM:

" Here's a question. Right now if my insurance does things wrong and medical needs are missed they can be sued. Any of you know if the government would be immune to this kind of action if their Government owned insurance drops the ball on medical issues?

It looks like not. http://law.freeadvice.com/malpractice_law/nursing_home_abuse/nursing-home-lawsuit-medicare.htm

http://homecaremag.com/mag/medical_seniors_sue_medicare/

This would be an interesting question at a townhall. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 27, 2009 1:45 PM:

" Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:45 AM:

This is false. Many people are cured of cancer and live a long healthy life cancer free

Indeed, my grandmother survived a bout of breast cancer in her 50's and eventually died of a stroke in her mid 80s.

You wonder sometimes what prompts these people to make these absurd statements. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 27, 2009 1:43 PM:

" Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 10:53 PM:

There you go buddy. The Cog Plan, adopt it today, it's better than theirs.

So, you think Brian is wrong when he says that there are not enough doctors to provide health care to all Americans? "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:45 AM:

" alf wrote "last time i checked, there was not a cure for cancer. some go into remission, but it never fails, it always comes back."

This is false. Many people are cured of cancer and live a long healthy life cancer free. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:42 AM:

" kota wrote "Kaiser does a reasonably good job and I would think mistakes are few and far between"

Geez, that's encouraging. A "reasonably good job", when it comes to our health, is not good enough. And those in between mistakes... well, would you feel that they are okay if it were a mistake with your child? "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 11:05 PM:

" last week I saw Sanjay Gupta, Obama's first choice for Surgeon General, on a weeknight news chat show. he was talking about how we need to "legislate" a better diet for the American people. He wants to pass LAWS to determine what we eat! Talk about Big Brother! Talk about Fascist idealism. But, I guess it's cool with you lefties, as long as the Lobotomy Lime Kool-Aid is still available (and mandatory). "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 10:59 PM:

" Leonard, I used to have a doctor that I liked. He quit his private practice to join Kaiser. I don't think he became a worse doctor after going there. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 10:53 PM:

" Leonard, my plan is simple. We compel the 10 million people who have the money, yet choose not to buy health care over a Hawaiian vacation, to purchase coverage. We take another 10 million who already qualify for free government health care, but are too lazy, stupid, or high to sign up, and sign them up. We DENY any free health care to illegals that's non life threatening. If they're really sick, we get them better and deport them. We photo and fingerprint them and make them exempt from any future citizenship possibilities. Then we send their government the bill. Then we take the 15 to 20 million that are left, charge them an 8% to 10% tax on their income, with a modest co-pay, and we put them on Medicare. There you go buddy. The Cog Plan, adopt it today, it's better than theirs. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:41 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:26 PM:

No money is exchanged. How much more evidence do you need, I don`t pay a f***** thing. Now take a pill and go to sleep.

I think the point is that others do. Google the terms "Kaiser", "Radiology" and "co-pay" and you can find plenty of references to additional fees on Kaiser's own websites.

Different plans negotiated by different employers have different benefits. It sounds like you have a pretty good deal.

You are lucky.

Many are not so lucky. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:35 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:44 PM:
" Leonard, that`s some name calling, corporate pimps??? good one.

I think the term is apt. The average talk radio ditto head is just a tool to be cynically used by the corporate elite and then tossed away.

One of the terrible ironies in this country is that the people who often suffer the worst from conservative policies are the rank and file conservative voters themselves.

Just look at Brian, for Christ's sake! That man has been rode hard and put away wet more times than he could count by the conservative thought guides (care to polish the Praeger, anyone?). Still, as long as he gets his diet of corn syrup, mono saturated fats and pure unadulterated hate, he will always be back for more.

Pimping? Perhaps it is in fact too nice a word for what these people do. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:26 PM:

" Nellie, I`ll take the 5th.

What I said is true. A co-pay, that`s it. What I stated concerning an X-ray is correct. My Doctor will type a message to the department, it will be there before I get there. I show my majic card and viola, that`s all. No money is exchanged. How much more evidence do you need, I don`t pay a f***** thing. Now take a pill and go to sleep. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:18 PM:

" So, Dogs4you, you are the writer of the letter, Mr. Ed Walters?

And, I don't need to be "set straight."

Mr Walters states, "The writer might be interested to learn that I, along with all Kaiser members, do not pay for X-rays or lab work."

WRONG. Incorrect. Not factual... you get my point. Do not state something that is not true. "

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KenH wrote on Aug 26, 2009 7:50 PM:

" I don't keep anything in folders, what I'm saying is the truth. Had Kaiser ordered a simple blood test when my aunt first complained of her symptoms, they could have caught her cancer before it advanced, and given her treatment for it, instead they just kept doing pap smears. When it had already advanced to the last stage, did Kaiser finally order the blood test, she died not soon after "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 7:36 PM:

" so if theres any model that should be used it should be them, and they are affordable we pay 200 a month for a family of 5 "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 7:33 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 2:27 PM:

" KenH, notstuckinlodi, I believe I have read your posts before, it wouldn`t surprise me that you put your orginal in a folder, waiting to use it another day.
How very rude of you dogs4you to say that we put our stories in a folder to use for another day. my story was the truth. im so glad that youve had a good experience with kaiser. but i will stick with my blue cross/blue shield ppo where my doctor and myself make all the decisions. i chose everything from what dr to what hospital, or even what specialist i want to see with NO REFERRALS OR RED TAPE. this was the best insurance ive ever had, and came in handy with my last two pregnancies, since i had to have many ultrasounds each time and see genetic specialists and even when my last child was born 6 weeks premature and taken immediately to san joaquin general, my insurance covered everything from the special team that was sent to care for him at lodi memorial while in transport, the ambulance ride, and the nicu stay for more than 2 weeks. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:44 PM:

" Leonard, that`s some name calling, corporate pimps??? good one. I along with most everyone cannot come up with a good health care plan, Kaiser seems to be the best for all concerns. At over 1.8 trillion for health care alone, what do you propose. I had to look twice to see if I spelled trillion correct, never had an occation before to spell it. And over the course of 10 years, close to 9 trillion. It won`t be called the White House, it`s new name will be the poor house. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:30 PM:

" Let me set this straight Nellie, I left out the co-pay which everyone pays. I have never seen anyone at the Lab or Radiology pay for service. The co-pay pays for lab work or X-rays if necessary. The assistance at the desk does not know if any additional service will be needed. Different people have different plans which dictate the amount the co-pay will be. Another thing Nellie, Kaiser Manteca has the best reputation in San Joaquin County, if ever I need an operation that is where I will go. Were on the same page concerning gall bladers.

Leonard, what you posted just goes to prove that this isn`t a perfect world and the reason Doctor`s and Lawyer`s practice medicine and law. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:18 PM:

" So, if Obama loses this one, we are right back where we started with a broken system, millions uninsured, employers steadily reducing the insurance that they provide and costs continuing to skyrocket.

You, conservatives, your corporate pimps and their neo fascist allies have done a fine job of poking holes (real and imaginary) in the President's plan, I am curious what you propose we do instead.

Cog, I would be particularly interested in your response and Gator's as well. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:13 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 2:27 PM:

And Leonard, I don`t think your lying, just not telling the truth, as Kaiser would and will give an X-ray if needed, not all cancers show up on an X-ray. My wife had a double mastectomy, her Doctor`s were amazing

My understanding is that it varies greatly both by location and by primary physician. My friends Mom was LITERALLY SCREAMING at them that it wasn't muscle strain and that it had to be something else and she simply couldn't get the physicians that were attending her to take her seriously. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 26, 2009 5:19 PM:

" First, contrary to what Mr. Walter's writes not every Kaiser member gets x-rays and lab work for free. Most members have a co-pay. Our co-pays have really changed the past few years as our employers have cut back on the provided plan. Example: xrays were $10 and now $20.

My family has had Kaiser for about 15 years now and the service has been fine. Both my wife & I have had serious illnesses requiring surgeries as we age. We have had wonderful specialists located up in Sacramento.

A few years ago I fell ill with gall stones and was treated at Dameron. I too am well aware of it's bad reputation, but I was very pleased with the treatment by the Dameron staff (my surgery was done by a Kaiser Doctor). "

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Rhodie wrote on Aug 26, 2009 3:17 PM:

" In my youth I had to deal with Kaiser. I shattered my hand (alright two broken bones into 6 pieces) at school on a Thursday and needed surgery to put it back together. Kaiser brought in a whole staff on Sunday, April 1st (bad day for surgery) just to get it done as soon as possible. Three summer months, four pins and several casts later my only experience with them ended. I was pleased and my parents still use them almost twenty years later through a series of getting older medical issues.

PS. Never try to bowl with a cast on your bowling hand. I did it left handed and fell more than stayed up but got the same pathetically low score I did right handed. "

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Gator wrote on Aug 26, 2009 3:07 PM:

" I could be wrong but I believe Obama has lost this one. He wanted it done before recess and that didn’t happen, now with Kennedy gone he has a vote
problem. The big sticker is if he looses the Senior Vote he’s lost the whole
deal. If he looses that then he will be a one trick pony… "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 26, 2009 2:27 PM:

" KenH, notstuckinlodi, I believe I have read your posts before, it wouldn`t surprise me that you put your orginal in a folder, waiting to use it another day. And Leonard, I don`t think your lying, just not telling the truth, as Kaiser would and will give an X-ray if needed, not all cancers show up on an X-ray. My wife had a double mastectomy, her Doctor`s were amazing and I belive they are the reason she is with me today, that was 16 years ago, oh and yes, Kaiser paid for the entire time in the hospital and Doctor`s, our phone bill was quite high though.

If Obama has his way, he will use a scalpel so sharp no one will know that they have had a labotomy as their ability to think, reason along with asking questions will be forever gone. You will take what is given to you without any options. I would say, not bad for a a junior senator with 2 years worth of experence, all the change and yes we can people sure as hell bought into his smooth operator approach, now we will have to live with it, untill 2012. "

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Jeff wrote on Aug 26, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Kaiser's been handling my wife's pregnancy great. 30 weeks and we love the care. The new modesto hospital is awesome. My wife likes being able to email her doctor and get a quick response. WE thoroughly enjoy our Kaiser care and have for many many years. "

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peek wrote on Aug 26, 2009 11:29 AM:

" I have never received faster service than Kaiser. There is no countless hours of arguing insurance companies like I had to with Blue Cross/Shield. The Dr's in Elk Grove/S. Sac are top notch. I surely would choose South Sac ER over Dameron anyday. There are too many horror stories with Dameron. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 9:35 AM:

" Stella, it's only a matter of time before all forms of private health care are forced out of business by the "public option", and Obama's stated dream of socialized health care comes true. Get a reality check. Although, I agree, Kaiser may be one of the last forced out. But, they will all be forced out. "

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max stanfield wrote on Aug 26, 2009 9:03 AM:

" Sadly, there are individual stories that are wrenching. The finest medical centers in the United States have problems. A most well-cared for patient suddenly dies. Things happen. When you have a serious problem do you want to deal with your doctor of a DMV-like bureacrat you never met nor wanted to talk to in the first place ? I guess the bottom line is family doctor or Barney Frank ? "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:59 AM:

" long story short. when the specialsit finally got access to all the ultrasounds that had been done he was furious. he saw the low fluid levels from the very first ultrasound they did at 13 weeks. they completly missed it. they made me go to term and go thru labor and deliver a baby that had no chance. because they didnt catch it when i had an option to terminate. and when it was brought to their attention they did nothing. no investigation to see where they went wrong or wht they could do to ensure that they didnt miss important things in the future. nothing. they never even followed up on the complaint that i filed with kaiser. "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:51 AM:

" so its friday at around 4 pm and finally a doctor comes in and tells me that he believes that my baby has Potters Syndrome. he tells me that my baby has no kidneys. and had no chance of survival. but that he wants me to see a specialist in sacramento. but thats gonna take a liitle time to arrange. so we left they hospital not knowing. we had to go 5 days not knowing before we saw the specialist. by this time is been a full 6 weeks since that fist ultrasound. and they cant tell for sure now because as they baby gets bigger its harder to see all the organs on ultrasound. so then we had to do an amnio. and lets just say thats not a small needle that they stick in your belly.. "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:44 AM:

" I go home. i wait for the doctor to call. finally I get tired of waiting i call th doctor. by the way up to this point in my pregnancy i still have not actually seen a doctor all of my visits have been with nurse practioners. they tell me everythings fine. your fluid is just a little low. they told me that i needed to drink lots of water, and come in weekly for stress tests. so i go in for my stress test they tell me that my fluid is so low that i have to be taken to the hospital. that they need to monitor me. so i go to dameron, hysterical again. and they tell me that they have to deliver my baby at 20 weeks. I told them no way its way too soon. and im not doing anything without my husband here. "

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notstuckinlodi wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:37 AM:

" I personally would cut my own arm off before i would visit another kaiser. I was pregnant with my second child. and had chosed kaiser from my employer, because it was the cheapest and had the best benifits. I went for my 18-20 week ultrasound. (thats the one that they check to make sure all of the organs have formed properly and everythings ok) so im lying there and they are looking at my baby, the girl asks me have you been leaking any fluid. i told her no not that im aware of. so then she goes and gets another person(a radiologist) and tghey are looking at my baby but neither would answer any of my questions. so then they finish. they tell me to go home and wait for my doctor to call me. at this point im hysterical. "

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stella wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:13 AM:

" Cogito, if the health reform bill passes, people will still be able to get coverage from Kaiser, unless they have a pre-existing condition, like I do. Then, Kaiser and any other affordable health plan will reject their application and they will be forced to pay upwards of $400 a month for catastrophic coverage only, which is generally only 80% coverage for major illnesses, no doctor visits, no radiology (X-Rays), no prescription coverage. "

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alf wrote on Aug 26, 2009 8:00 AM:

" last time i checked, there was not a cure for cancer. some go into remission, but it never fails, it always comes back. kaiser is responsible for this? what led to the cancer? give more details to see what type of lifestyle this person led. did they smoke for example? hmmm...maybe this led to the cancer. "

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Cogito wrote on Aug 26, 2009 7:20 AM:

" If Obamacare passes, people will be begging for something as well run as Kaiser. Trust me, the government won't even come close to meeting Kaiser Permanente's standards. The horror stories of government administered health care will make Leonard's pale in comparison. Mark my word! "

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kota wrote on Aug 26, 2009 6:54 AM:

" I also agree that Kaiser would be an excellent model for a government plan or just turn it over to Kaiser to operate the system. They would have to add that no one could be excluded due to prior problems.. So far I haven't seen an exact break down or comparison of what Obama's program would contain which I think we need to see. Kaiser does a reasonably good job and I would think mistakes are few and far between, problem is that in medicine mistakes can be very costly to the patient. "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 5:13 AM:

" In essence, a treatable cancer became a death sentence because Kaiser didn't want to spend the money to do an X-ray.

And people say we don't have rationing under the current system! "

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Leonard wrote on Aug 26, 2009 5:11 AM:

" My friends Mom went to her Kaiser with bad back pain. The doctor gave her some exercises to do. She went back a month later because the pain had increased. The doctor gave her physical therapy. A month later the pain was unbearable. More physical therapy.

By the time they finally did the x-rays that they should have done on the second visit, the cancer had metastasized throughout her body and was, essentially, untreatable. She managed to hold on for a couple of immensely painful months but there was nothing that could be done to stop the inevitable. "

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KenH wrote on Aug 26, 2009 4:45 AM:

" After Kaiser Permanente "accidentally" killed a dear friend of the family, that I had known as an aunt since I was 2, I'd rather not see them as the role model for health insurance. Kaiser makes way too many mistakes "

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