Some hospitals receive government funding and/or charitable donations to provide care to patients who do not have the resources to pay. If you need assistance, talk to a financial counselor at the hospital to see if you qualify.
Health and Society
The U.S. population has many disparities in health and well-being when you compare social, economic and environmental conditions. Researchers and scholars are studying ways to improve the nations health as a whole by examining various factors that influence health and inform public policy. Some academic programs have been designed to establish leaders in the health-care community who recognize these differences and look beyond the traditional spheres for ideas.
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Baptist Health South Florida answeredMost medical errors don’t result in serious injury, although a landmark report by the Institute of Medicine estimated that nearly 100,000 U.S. deaths occur each year due to medical mistakes. Recent studies about attitudes toward medical errors, including one published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, have found that patients want disclosure as well as information about what happened and why. They also want to know how the error’s consequences will be mitigated and how recurrences will be prevented. And they want an apology. -
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Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered
Before choosing your surgeon, one area you will want to check is the doctor's malpractice record. This should be one of the questions you ask him in person, and then verify his answer with your state board of insurance. -
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See All 2 AnswersThe topic of medical errors received national attention when the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that an estimated 44,000 to 98,000 Americans died each year due to medical errors. The report titled "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System," helped organizations to look at systems problems that could be contributing to these errors. For example, sometimes the labels on medications were very similar. There has been steady improvement, especially in hospitals that care for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia (The Joint Commission, 2010), however, there is still much improvement needed. This is why healthcare consumers are encouraged to ask questions and become partners with their healthcare team.
The IOM Report can be viewed on the IOM website: http://iom.edu/Reports/1999/To-Err-is-Human-Building-A-Safer-Health-System.aspx
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Dr. Dede Bonner , Health Education, answeredSee All 3 Answers
Getting information on past malpractice suits and disciplinary actions against any doctor or surgeon you are considering is tough, because most doctors and medical associations don’t readily disclose unclean histories. Check out ChoiceTrust/HealthPulse, a comprehensive Web site on sanctions and disciplinary actions. This Web site charges a small fee for reports or a one-day pass at www.choicetrust.com. Other sources for checking on prior complaints or disciplinary actions can be found for free at Docboard.org (www.docboard.org) and Health Care Choices (www.healthcarechoices.org). Additional free services are available from Docinfo (www.docinfo.org) and Consumers’ Checkbook (www.checkbook.org; subscription fee).
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The 10 Best Questions for Surviving Breast Cancer: The Script You Need to Take Control of Your Health
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Challenge America answeredTo file a VA disability claim for military sexual trauma, you should first submit it with your regional VBA office that will review it and request any supporting evidence such as your service records and private medical records. Be prepared to provide additional information such as VA medical records. You may then be asked to undergo a medical or psychiatric evaluation conducted by a Veterans Health Administration doctor. He will submit the findings into the claims file and forwarded to the office rating board. They will issue a rating that identifies you level of social, health and occupational disability. A rating of 10% or more affords you monthly compensation, but the higher your rating, the more the compensation. -
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Challenge America answeredVeterans with a service-related disability are assisted in finding and keeping jobs through what is known as the Chapter 31 program. The formal name of Chapter 31 is the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program. It is a federally-authorized program, providing rehabilitation services to prepare disabled veterans to find the appropriate job to match their skills, interests, and abilities. Other services provided by Chapter 31 include:
- Vocational counseling
- Job search skills and assistance
- On the job training and apprenticeships
- Training through college or vocational school
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Challenge America answeredSupport services for military spouses can be located through many online resources. The National Guard offers Family Assistance Centers at armories nationwide. Their website has a search feature to help you find a local Family Assistance Specialist who can help with emotional support issues. The Marine Corps Community Services offer new parent support among other family support options. Army OneSource provides family programs and services that are searchable through their website.
Online support groups for military spouses are informal and are accessible 24/7 via discussion boards. Search for them by typing keywords like support, group, military, spouse, etc., and browse around on the sites to see if you feel comfortable with the tone and atmosphere created by the participants. You may make new online friends who can be just as supportive in their way as friends you see face-to-face. And you might consider starting a support group yourself, to meet with other veterans’ spouses in your area on a regular basis and discuss common concerns. -
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Challenge America answeredVeterans have a number of options in returning to the civilian workforce. Veteran’s Preference is a government policy that assures you will be considered before other job applicants. Although it is not a job guarantee, it will give you a valuable advantage when you are applying for a job. You must have an honorable or general discharge to quality for Veteran’s Preference.
If you are currently in transition from deployment, look into the Transition Assistance Program through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A three-day workshop is offered to assist veterans (up to 12 months after separation) with their job search and provide training resources and employment information. Through the VA you can obtain a Verification of Military Experience and Training form that will document the skills and experience you gained in the military that may apply to civilian employment. This document can be used with potential employers, schools, and certification programs.
Another resource is the Department of Labor (DOL) office in your area. They usually have a veteran’s representative on staff who can tell you about job training programs available through the DOL Veterans Employment and Training Service. These programs can help you gain new skills or develop existing skills to become more employable. -
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Challenge America answeredSee All 2 AnswersAs a veteran coping with reintegration challenges, you will probably find it helpful to share experiences and learn from other veterans going through the same transition. There are several veterans’ service organizations through which you may get referrals to support and discussion groups.
- The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) may be a good place for veterans of those conflicts to start. The IAVA has created an online social network called Community of Veterans to help vets with reintegration into civilian life.
- The American Legion has been in existence since 1919 and is the largest veteran’s service organization in the U.S.
- The Heroes to Hometowns program is a nationwide service providing reintegration assistance for wounded veterans from the engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- The volunteer-sponsored AMVETS is the American Veterans Association, which has been advocating for veterans in receiving benefits, employment help, and community support since 1944.
- The Disabled American Veterans organization is specifically geared towards assistance for veterans permanently injured during their military service.