James Van Der Beek dead at the age of 48.

[CF DolFan]

In the early 2000s I ended up with a lot of time on my hands and watched reruns of Dawson's Creek. I also enjoyed Varsity Blues as well. Sucks to see young parents pass away. May he rest in Peace.

[Dave Gray]

Sad.  Cancer is the worst.

[masterfins]

I realize he left a large family behind, but using a GoFundMe to raise over $2 million?

[Dave Gray]

This situation is a sad reminder at the state of health care in America.

[Sibster]

This situation is a sad reminder at the state of health care in America.

Yep.  The insurance companies are in bed with the doctors and both want to stay in business so they keep making donations to the FDA.   Figure out the rest.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Yep.  The insurance companies are in bed with the doctors and both want to stay in business so they keep making donations to the FDA.   Figure out the rest.

The doctors are NOT the problem.  They are key to healthcare.  The insurance companies and private equity buying hospitals and medical practices are the problem. 

[Dave Gray]

Capitalism isn't the right fit for healthcare.

Who is the client?  Is it the person receiving the healthcare?  Is it the insurance industry?  Is it the stock holders of the drug manufacturers?  The system is designed to suck money and for cell-phones, that's fine -- but for healthcare that you can't reasonably choose to do without, it isn't the best system.

It works ok for a while but then the system bleeds you dry.  That's what we're experiencing right now.  We pay way too much for our level of care.

[Sibster]

The doctors are NOT the problem.  They are key to healthcare.  The insurance companies and private equity buying hospitals and medical practices are the problem.  

Bullshit.  Doctors need to stay in business.   No sick people, no business.   They are all part of the problem.   There's a reason why people with money go overseas for medical treatment.   Other countries have much better drugs that do things like fight cancer and diabetes but in America, there's this little organization called the FDA who won't approve many of them.

[Dave Gray]

I mean, you literally have it backwards, Sibster.

If you have money, the US is good.  You might not be able to get some untested sharkfin soup serum from Mexico to treat your cancer (that is almost definitely bullshit, anyway), but that's because we have an FDA.

We probably need to make a decision as a society to take care of younger people instead of older people.  We dump tons of money into preserving the length of life of the super old and sick, while the young and healthy go uncovered and we don't do a good job with prevention.

[CF DolFan]

I mean, you literally have it backwards, Sibster.

If you have money, the US is good.  You might not be able to get some untested sharkfin soup serum from Mexico to treat your cancer (that is almost definitely bullshit, anyway), but that's because we have an FDA.

We probably need to make a decision as a society to take care of younger people instead of older people.  We dump tons of money into preserving the length of life of the super old and sick, while the young and healthy go uncovered and we don't do a good job with prevention.

I actually just had a similar conversation with my wife as I just had a stent implanted. I was very fortunate as I was reluctant to get a heart cath due to the fact I didn't think anything was wrong. Turns out I had 90% blockage in an artery. All previous tests said I was fine until I did the heart cath and they found it. Most people will never be in this position because doctors won't do the procedure unless there are obvious symptoms. As it is, they caught it before I had a heart attack and I'm back on the mend. My wife's best friend had unforeseen heart issues and it turns out the widow maker artery was 95% blocked even though she is pretty healthy and very active. Her cardiologist is using her very low calcium scores to prove that current testing is flawed. This is actually what pushed me to do the procedure as I had cancelled it previously. I'm so glad I did.

Personally I think heart caths and full body scans should be required just like colonoscopies for anyone over 50. While insurances would pay more in the short term, they would pay much less in the long run as hospital stays and rehab would be much, much, less.

[Sibster]

I actually just had a similar conversation with my wife as I just had a stent implanted. I was very fortunate as I was reluctant to get a heart cath due to the fact I didn't think anything was wrong. Turns out I had 90% blockage in an artery. All previous tests said I was fine until I did the heart cath and they found it. Most people will never be in this position because doctors won't do the procedure unless there are obvious symptoms. As it is, they caught it before I had a heart attack and I'm back on the mend. My wife's best friend had unforeseen heart issues and it turns out the widow maker artery was 95% blocked even though she is pretty healthy and very active. Her cardiologist is using her very low calcium scores to prove that current testing is flawed. This is actually what pushed me to do the procedure as I had cancelled it previously. I'm so glad I did.

Personally I think heart caths and full body scans should be required just like colonoscopies for anyone over 50. While insurances would pay more in the short term, they would pay much less in the long run as hospital stays and rehab would be much, much, less.

Not to mention that there's a cutting edge screening procedure that can scan your entire body for cancer.   You catch cancer early enough, you have great odds of beating it.

[Dave Gray]

I actually just had a similar conversation with my wife as I just had a stent implanted. I was very fortunate as I was reluctant to get a heart cath due to the fact I didn't think anything was wrong. Turns out I had 90% blockage in an artery. All previous tests said I was fine until I did the heart cath and they found it. Most people will never be in this position because doctors won't do the procedure unless there are obvious symptoms. As it is, they caught it before I had a heart attack and I'm back on the mend. My wife's best friend had unforeseen heart issues and it turns out the widow maker artery was 95% blocked even though she is pretty healthy and very active. Her cardiologist is using her very low calcium scores to prove that current testing is flawed. This is actually what pushed me to do the procedure as I had cancelled it previously. I'm so glad I did.

Personally I think heart caths and full body scans should be required just like colonoscopies for anyone over 50. While insurances would pay more in the short term, they would pay much less in the long run as hospital stays and rehab would be much, much, less.

I agree and I'm glad you're OK.

[Sibster]

I mean, you literally have it backwards, Sibster.

If you have money, the US is good.  You might not be able to get some untested sharkfin soup serum from Mexico to treat your cancer (that is almost definitely bullshit, anyway), but that's because we have an FDA.

Do you honestly believe that, Dave?    Then explain why in France and Italy, the mortality rate is lower for older adults than in America.   Also, can you tell me why not one single citizen in Israel has diabetes?

[Spider-Dan]

France and Italy have universal healthcare.

Also, can you tell me why not one single citizen in Israel has diabetes?

It is amazing that any person could seriously believe this is true.
It obviously is not.

[Phishfan]