I'm currently sitting in a quite posh hospital here where I live. My mom is receiving a pacemaker later this morning. We actually started this journey at the local state ran hospital earlier this week...you know, the one where all the "poor" people go...and she was transferred to this current 1 because the state hospital has no cardiologist on staff. Sitting here bored, I'm comparing the 2 in my mind. This private hospital is VERY modern...ornate decor in the waiting areas, futuristic in all the medical areas....the state hospital was much older, though very clean, kind of the like some nice lil 'ol ladies house...compared to the private one (a giant mansion in a gated community) The state hospital is happy receiving just money from whatever insurance u mite have (my mom has just medicare and has never been asked for ANY out of pocket money from state hospital) Upon our arrival at this private one, we were informed we would have to pay for all expenses not covered by her medicare....but here's what rubs me wrong...at the state hosp. employees (nurses,docs, CNAs, even cleaning people, were constantly in and out of her room asking if she needed anything...even making special trips to get her what she wanted to eat if she didn't like what was on the meal menu. When the "help" button was pushed, she never waited more than a couple of minutes for cheerful help to arrive. Here at this private hosp. there is usually a 30 min wait before someone shows up, and rarely do smiles show on the employees faces. I just had an "interesting convo" with an admin person after she came into my moms room "asking" for a $2500 deposit for treatment to continue (I "won" this "conversation, by the way, and no blood money was exchanged) I'm just wondering, should our politicians come take advice from our lil old state hospital concerning healthcare?

Ive noticed the same thing here man. I went recently with my friend to this "posh hospital" as you say up in chapel hill and it was the same thing....no smiles, long waits, all about money....yet here in town they are alot more welcoming and down to earth so to speak.....

I'm sorry 2 hear about ur misfortune MrRam. I hope ur mum gets well soon. Here in Australia its nothing like that medicare pays 4 everything even if u r poor but 4 the rich the all pay but they have there private cover. I really am sorry about hearing how different it is where u r. It just not fair at all.