Look out for beagles

I'm still playing around with Beagle (wiki, planet) when I can find the time - I really like what these Novell guys are doing. The ideas they're coming up with are getting mirrored elsewhere - I've found that I now can't live without the copycat LookOut for OutLook at work when I'm compelled to use this abbomination of an MUA.

tech/code | 14 Oct 2004 | #

The US Medical System

So I was quite a bit sick the last couple of days - ear infection, infected throat and conjunctivitis. Being overseas in Chicago for less than a week made this more difficult than it should have been - trying to get medical attention without knowing the full details of your employer-provided medical insurance means that everyone wants to charge you full price.

A simple trip to a family doctor (a GP in Australian-lingo) costs USD 151. Eye drops and some anti-biotics costs a total of USD 122. That's a total of AUD 380! That would have cost me AUD 30 for the doctor and maximum AUD 40 for the medicine. I should be able to claim back all but USD 100 (AUD 140), but that's still double the Australian price!

I know the aim of the 2 systems is different - Australia aiming to have affordable healthcare for all and the USA aiming to have the best healthcare in the world, but this is ridiculous. How can anyone afford to get sick over here unless they are earning amazing amounts of money?

tech/misc | 14 Oct 2004 | #