<p>Was Kent Brantley a match, because I read somewhere that he wasn’t. But, the fact remains that not every illness is properly diagnosed on the first ER visit and then promptly cured.with every experimental measure imaginable attempted at no charge. Without all the Ebola hoopla, I don;t really get how this is a lawsuit at all. Although, I agree there will probably be a settlement with someone justified or not and the hospital will never be paid for the care provided… And, this is why getting stitches at the ER costs $1000.</p>
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<p>According to the Wash Post, the Dallas hospital tried to get blood from survivor Ken Brantly
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They will only be able to eliminate it to the extent that an ongoing vaccine program can be successfully instituted, due to its presence in the animal population. Smallpox apparently has no animal hosts and has (hopefully) been expunged from all potential carriers.</p>
<p>I know, Sylvan, it is not a magic wand, but some sort of a vaccination program at the source should be helpful to break the chain of transmission. I would leave that to epidemiologists to decide. Hopefully, the world powers will have learned a lesson that prevention is easier than containment and will throw some money at this.</p>
<p>For vaccines to be effective, they have to be accepted by the most-impacted populations. Look at the recent resurgence of polio in Pakistan. sometimes people just won’t accept vaccination.</p>
<p>Of course, universal coverage would mean that unreimbursed treatment would become almost nonexistent. </p>
<p>For non-citizens? Can I go to another country with universal care and expect to receive a bunch of experimental treatments on the house simply by walking into a hospital? Really? Hmmm.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how they can think that taking someones temperature is going to catch everyone. I would think people could take Tylenol and Motrin to mask the fever and still get in the US. </p>
<p>They don’t. But, it was becoming increasingly clear that the public was demanding something. So, they did something. Even though it’s nothing and wouldn’t have changed a thing about this case.</p>
<p>In the UK: <a href=“Login - Citizens Advice”>http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/healthcare_e/healthcare_help_with_health_costs_e/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm</a></p>
<p>“Treatment which is always free of charge”</p>
<p>“treatment for certain communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, cholera, food poisoning, malaria, meningitis and pandemic influenza. In England, HIV treatment is free. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, testing for the HIV virus and counselling following a test are both free of charge, but any necessary subsequent treatment and medicines may have to be paid for. If you have any problems with accessing HIV treatment, you can get advice from the Terrence Higgins Trust at THT Direct on 0808 802 1221”</p>
<p>It doesn’t specifically mention ebola but, Imo, I’m sure it would fall under the above category. </p>
<p>You are wrong.</p>
<p>@actingmt How do you know emilybee is wrong?</p>
<p>An interesting piece I heard the other day:</p>
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<p>@Consolation</p>
<p>I know because I have family in and from the UK. There is a reason concierge medicine is a booming business there and those who can afford it do not depend on NHS. They will test and stabilize and, of course, isolate you if you are a public health threat but if you think every experimental treatment under the sun is offered free of charge to non-citizens you are dreaming, respectfully. Even citizens don’t get that kind of service. Or anywhere close, actually.</p>
<p>I don’t know what kind of treatment would be given in the UK but I assume similar treatment as was done for Dallas Ebola patient since there are very few experimental treatments even available. However, there would be no talk, as there is here, over who is picking up this bill and if his family would be responsible. </p>
<p>Since non residents are treated for other communicable diseases, it’s my opinion, that a patient presenting with Ebola in the UK would have whatever treatment is needed and which is available. </p>
<p>Flossy, as you know, I said “almost nonexistent.” Duncan’s care is a tiny drop in the bucket of unreimbursed care which hospitals are forced to give. The vast majority of that care is for uninsured Americans.</p>
<p>But sure, let’s bar non-Americans from getting Ebola treatment at our hospitals. Great plan.</p>
<p>@emilybee
You are welcome to your opinion. But, the fact is you would be stabilized or isolated. You would not be cured at no charge. Maybe, the next guy will go there and try it. Since, the US was not the best choice, apparently.</p>
<p>Based on the Ashya King case, it would seem like the NHS is not very open to patients asking for experimental treatments. Of course it may be different in an infectious disease case.</p>
<p>“But sure, let’s bar non-Americans from getting Ebola treatment at our hospitals. Great plan.”</p>
<p>Personally, I would prefer banning people who may have Ebola from getting on airplanes. Also, he was treated, he just wasn’t cured which may very well have been medically impossible, anyway…</p>
<p>Have they officially cleared the deputy yet?</p>
<p>No, but they say it’s highly unlikely he has Ebola. CDC said “no chance”.</p>