Hopefully everything turns out ok Batman (damn, I feel weird typing that...), and you feel better soon. This just sounds crazy.
I'm guessing that they did all the emergency room stuff you'd expect after getting hit by a car. Treatment of pneumonia, or a broken leg, or an appendectomy falls more into that category. Surgery is a non-emergency action, so I'm not surprised there is more bureaucracy around it.
Hey, if you need anything I live in Brussels. It's just a 2.30 hours drive, unfortunately I don't have my car this week but anyways, if you need anything just ask. Got to look out for fellow Rockets fans!
I haven't read the whole thread, but: This ^^^. At the very least, CALL AND SPEAK WITH YOUR OWN DOCTOR AT HOME!!!! Do this to ensure your own safety.... And yeah: it is socialized, you're not a citizen, and they don't want to pay for it. Get well, man.
So sorry to hear about this, my man. I have nothing to add, but to wish you well. Good luck with the embassy... I hope they help you out.
Hope you start to feel better and that everything gets worked out, especially on the insurance side. Sorry you are having to deal with pain like that - that is really awful on their part to do that to you. This situation reminds me of a guy I knew (who was a lot older than Batman) that went on a cruise with his wife in the Carribbean and he suffered a massive stroke. They got him on a plane and had to fly him to a country in South America (I want to say Bolivia) because they had no time to get him home to the US. Anyway, he wasn't able to make it to a hospital in time - really sad story. I'll keep you in my prayers, Jason.
Wow thats terrible batman. Hopefully youre getting some good news from the embassy and that the flight back isnt too painful. Youre in my prayers.
Like I said earlier in the thread, my wife had to pay for all of her medical care up front before we were married, became a resident, and put on my insurance.
I'm still in shock about this dude. Stay positive. If you are ever in Austin, I'm sure DD and the rest of Atown clutchfans would love to buy you a beer.
Ordinarily, I might agree with you, JV, but forcing Batman fly to the US for surgery is beyond the pale. It's the type of treatment I might expect from a third world country, with limited resources, not one of the most advanced countries on the planet. And for the record, the Dutch medical system is superb. You won't find 2.5 million Dutch citizens without health insurance, out of 16.5 million total. That's about the same percentage of their population as those in the United States that have no coverage, using 300 million for our population and 45 million as the number of uninsured. That's an approximation, of course. I can't help but think that a ball has been dropped, big time, and he should be able to get surgery there, instead of making an arderous trip across the Atlantic to Houston, or wherever Batman would chose to have the surgery (possibly New York).
Vegan cupcakes? That will probably make him feel worse.... I also recommend you contact the U.S. embassy - and it might not hurt to let the press know about their refusal to treat you (especially given that it was caused by a hit and run).
no doubt there are many fine doctors in the netherlands, but i would not equate universal coverage with superb care (and batman's dilemma illustrates the point). this is the type of "Care" we can look forward to in this country. there is much that's wrong w/ healthcare in this country (i say this with parents who were both physicians, and my sister and step mother as well), but refusing treatment is not one of the issues we face.
