I understand that Bush The Elder is up in age, but does everyone that faints go to the hospital?

[RB TexLa]

I just found that odd.

[Systematic Chaos]

1. At that age, if it is at all feasible to do so, I would hope yes.

I know this is a member of the BFEE we're talking about here, but even so I think it was correct to give him a once over. I fucking can't stand the lot of them, but if this were my 80+ year-old relative I would have had him in the hospital too.

[Redstone]

2. Yes.

Redstone

[Erika]

3. I wonder if the 80 year old could survive the bill

that old man Bush didn't get.

[bullimiami]

4. youre just being too cynical.

[Erika]

6. Not at all. I just reviewed my medical coverage

Very few of us received the care he did. I would have had to pay all kinds of costs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. I hate to tell you this

but a true nightmare for ANY hospital is a VIP showing up at your ER.

Their care ranges from very good... to oh so crappy... it is not even funny

It is called VIP medicine for a reason

On the other hand, we need to continue to agitate to get single payer universal health care

[RB TexLa]

7. I just found it odd that someone would seek medical treatment because they fainted n/t

[Journeyman]

5. With fully paid insurance, no deductible, no out of pocket expenses. . .

the finest of doctors and specialists at your beck and call, complete control over any and everything that would happen in hospital -- private room (hell, private suite), private nurses, catered food -- why wouldn't you go into the hospital at the slightest twinge?

We should all be former Presidents (or at least all have comparable health insurance). . .

[leftofthedial]

8. unka dick has a mobile MASH unit traveling with him everywhere

you can never tell when an old repuke might blow someone's face off

[Stephanie]

10. jinx

you owe me a coke

[Stephanie]

9. Cheney has an ambulance follow him around everywhere.

And I've heard a rumor he has an OR in his basement. Which would make sense, weirdly, if you're as paranoid about secrecy as that sick fucker.

[leftofthedial]

11. LOL

that's where they drain the blood of virgins that's keeping him alive

[Stephanie]

13. seriously, I heard that's what all the blasting was about a few years ago

remember that? neighbors complaining about blasting, which went on for months? I heard it was to build his own private OR. If I paid for it, I have a right to know about it. Can I FOIA this?

[melody]

12. Sort of like when celebrities go to the hospital for "exhaustion"

If I was hospitalized every time I was exhausted, I'd never leave the place.

But Bush is rich and important (to some people anyway), and so he rates while we commoners do not.

[Prophet 451]

14. It is here

Granted, we have universal healthcare but here, it would be entirely routine to be taken to hospital if you were someone of Pappy's age and passed out.

[QMPMom]

15. Yes, they surely do if they are a politician. A few years ago

the former Premier of Alberta, Ralph Klein, fell in a hot tub while he was drunk. He broke some ribs. He got to spend several days in the hospital recuperating. I broke some ribs around the same time. I was told by the Dr. that nothing could be done and to come back if I needed a refill on the pain meds he prescribed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. At that age

you'll ahve to sing the AMA for me not to take you to the hospital

[RB TexLa]

17. have to sing what?

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Against Medical Advise

it is a form, and it is a form of CYA... but if I were a medic these days and I get to a scene with an 80 something who fainted.. yep you get to sign that

[RB TexLa]

24. Oh, siGN. OK. If I had fainted and I had not called a medic

I would not be signing anything. And if you tried to take me somewhere I hope the words "kidnapping" and "false imprisonment," are clearly understood. Regardless of my age.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. If you are unconscious

I hope the words implied consent enter the vocabulary

If you are conscious I would hand you the AMA after explaining why going to the hospital is advisable

that is a legal document, usually witnessed by other people

[RB TexLa]

29. And I would hand it right back to you as it is

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. That is nice, I can have your refusal witnesed by two other

people

You see, you refuse the care if my medical control and I think it is necesary, I will protect myself

It is that simple.

[RB TexLa]

32. That's fine, I'm just saying someone that has not hired someone to provide medical

services has no need to sign anything from them, or communicate with them in any way.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. If you go unconscious

and somebody places a 9.11 call, EMS has an obligation to respond

This is not a contract job...

Legally saith medics left the scene sans that paperwork... they can legally be charged with patient abandonmment... and they are liable for anything that happens to you medically

So lets say the real reason for your episode is a heart attack and you go home and die later in the day... guess what? Those medics are responsible. They can even end up in jail

[LaPera]

18. He probably has very good medical coverage.

[RB TexLa]

19. I was asking about people in general

[sandnsea]

20. Some day you will outgrow your invincibility

others will be depending on you, your life will mean something to you - and you'll realize the necessity of seeing the doctor when you're sick instead of 'winging it'. I hope you haven't screwed up your chance to have good insurance by the time it happens.

[RB TexLa]

25. I have good insurance and a growing HSA n/t

[sandnsea]

27. You have a monstrous deductible

and a fortune in your HSA (which is really a pittance) because you think going to the doctor is stupid. You better hope you don't get some chronic illness before you wise up. Your HSA will be gone in an instant, your premiums will skyrocket, you'll lose your job, and then you'll be fucked.

[RB TexLa]

34. Others? I don't think I should have to worry about possible future employees in regards

to my health. I could understand informing them early if something were to occur, to help them make decisions but I can't see how that constitutes an obligation past that.

[Horse with no Name]

22. Yes they should

It can indicate a severe heart block that needs emergent pacing, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or any other myriad of problems.

[intaglio]

23. If they're scared of dying and burning in eternal Hellfire

then, yes.

This guy does not want to die and face an eternity of torture

[NMMNG]

30. Particularly when one is elderly or ailing

Yes. Fainting is not a normal thing to do.