I’m Canadian. And I’m already sorry for asking an ignorant question.

I know you have to pay for hospital visits in the states. I know lower economic status can come with lower access to birth control and sex education. But then, how do they afford to give birth? Do people ever avoid hospital visits because they don’t feel like they can’t afford it?

Do hospitals put people on a payment plan? Is it possible to give birth and not pay if you don’t have the means? How does it work in the states?

How does it all work?

Again. Canadian. And sorry.

  • moistclump@lemmy.worldOP
    501·
    8 months ago

    I wonder about the effects of having a low grade constant stressor like that. Combine that with at-will employment and gum prevalence and it’s surprising anyone is able to feel secure and get healthy.

    • Naja Kaouthia@lemmy.world
      591·
      8 months ago

      Purely anecdotal, since I can only draw from my own personal pool, but I don’t have a single friend or colleague who feels even remotely secure in their life. We’re all one emergency away from bankruptcy.

        • Naja Kaouthia@lemmy.world
          40·
          8 months ago

          Again just a personal opinion but I’m loving the change I’ve been seeing lately. More people seem to be standing up for their fellow man and calling for things like universal healthcare. I’ve never seen this much unionization and union positive thinking in my life. I have hope that this attitude of radical individualism is going away and that people are going to pull together for the benefit of all people, not some.

          • appel@lemmy.ml
            7·
            8 months ago

            I really hope you’re right. As a Dutch guy in the US it really baffled me how many Americans vote against their self interest only to then do a poor man’s version of social healthcare via GoFundMe when their luck inevitably runs out

            • tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com
              3·
              8 months ago

              In the US it baffles us as well. Though most Americans do actually want universal healthcare, anytime it comes up as an issue in the national conversation there is such massive propaganda against it, articles talking about things like ‘death panels’, hypothetical committees under more socialized healthcare systems that will decide who lives and dies, or that you’d have to wait hours at the ER. Ridiculous things like that. It’s seen as a ‘left’ issue, if you are on the right or conservative in the US you won’t be as likely to support universal healthcare, which does align with one right-wing view of ‘poor people should die more’.

    • pdxfed@lemmy.world
      16·
      8 months ago

      The effects of having low grade stressor like that, combined with non-federal sick leave nor vacation and predatory corporate labor laws are what you witness in the US every day. Precipitously declining mental health for everyone, reduced social and coping skills. Commonplace violence and rage and incredible rates of anxiety and depression and resultant medication.

    • Sharkwellington@lemmy.one
      10·
      8 months ago

      I wonder about the effects of having a low grade constant stressor like that.

      Heart disease like irregular heartbeat and stroke. Gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and IBS. Increased susceptibility to illness. Ability to learn/memorize/perceive are reduced. Not to mention the effects of maladaptive coping mechanisms such as drinking, smoking, drugs etc.

      Source.

      Many disorders originate from stress, especially if the stress is severe and prolonged. The medical community needs to have a greater appreciation for the significant role that stress may play in various diseases and then treat the patient accordingly using both pharmacological (medications and/or nutraceuticals) and non-pharmacological (change in lifestyle, daily exercise, healthy nutrition, and stress reduction programs) therapeutic interventions.