Two TikTokers From The US And Brazil Compare Insulin Prices And The Difference Is Surprising
By this point, it is no secret just how drastically (insanely?) different medical bills can be when comparing the US and many other countries. This is a huge problem for those seeking certain medical services or medication, but not being able to afford them, which very quickly becomes a matter of life or death in some cases.
TikToker Sarah Vieira has recently shared a video where she dueted with another TikToker @iamchloe.com to compare the cost of insulin in the US and her own country, Brazil, which drew the attention of many internauts.
TikTokers recently dueted to show the drastic difference in the cost of insulin for a person
@sarahmva##dueto com @@iamchloe.com Hoje sou eu mas amanhã pode ser você. ##DefendaSUS ##fyp♬ Childish Gambino – This Is America / Post Malone – Congratulations – carneyval
So, a duet video has been drawing everyone’s attention lately. For those unaware, a duet is a TikTok feature where videos from individual people are put side by side, kind of like a collab. It showcases two separate videos that feature the same visual structure and plot, but differ in their message.
The video starts off by showing some insulin pens with the caption “these are my insulin pens” in Portuguese and English, and then transitioning into showing two young ladies who “need them to live.”
TikToker Sarah Vieira posted a video in duet format where she compares how much insulin costs in Brazil and the US
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
The video she dueted with was by @IAmChloe.com
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
Then they show an individual insulin pen, but this is where it starts to differ a bit: the one owned by Sarah has the caption “lasts 7 days” and the cost indicated is “R$0.00,” whereas the video on the right features Chloe’s insulin pen, also for 7 days, and it costs $168. Yes, you read that right.
And it doesn’t end there. Another frame features different insulin pens, ones that last for 10 days, and Sarah’s, again, is a zero-cost one, while Chloe’s costs $134. And then it transitions into both showing a few months’ worth of pens. Again, Sarah’s pens cost her absolutely zero. Chloe’s, on the other hand, amounted to over $15,000. Mind you, they need them to live.
Since Brazil has a universal healthcare system, it costs nothing for Sarah
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
This isn’t the case for Chloe as there is no insulin compensation system in the US
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
The video concludes with both girls showing their medication stashes and the captions “I am privileged enough to live in a country that has a Unified Health System (UHS)” versus “I am privileged enough to be able to afford my disease.”
The last frames also include Sarah captioning “Defend the UHS” and Chloe’s video saying “Not everyone is so lucky.” The former is a reference to plans to reverse 30 years of progress in the healthcare system with the recent austerity measures and new policies brought about by the Brazilian government.
And the costs rack up quickly as diabetes isn’t something that goes away after a few shots
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
And this is the case in a number of countries. If the governments of these countries don’t compensate insulin shots in full, they at least make it super affordable. In context, the average price per standard insulin unit in Australia is $6.94, $12 in Canada, $9.08 in France, $11 in Germany, and $14.40 in Japan. And then there’s the US that clocks in at $98.70 in the same statistics. That’s, on average, 10 times more than most other countries, which begs for a healthcare system reform in the US.
The video soon went viral on Twitter, garnering over 3.2 million views with over 79,000 likes and almost 28,000 retweets. The video was also shared by one other user, getting another 45,000 likes and 22,500 retweets.
Due to recent developments that may negatively affect the Brazilian health system, Sarah made this “what could be” video in defense of it
Image credits: Sarah Vieira
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below!
It is so universally unfair, what the citizens of the USA, have to pay for medication that must be taken to be able to live! Big pharma price gouging in the states, is pure evil money making scams. Even if you have a good insurance, you still have tiers for copays! Some of those are unreal also! This needs to change! I hope it changes under Biden.
It won't change. US citizens don't want it to change. They think a universal health service is Communism and that it's totally normal to risk bankruptcy for a medical emergency.
Hold up there Dodo, there's a lot of us here that want it to change. Medicare for all, or UHS. I'll gladly have either over paying $650/m just for premiums.
Bob Belcher love
Correction, those In Power in the US don't want it to change. The general populace, all those people on minimum wage who would like to not die of some random easily preventable issue absolutely want it to do so. However despite the claim that the people of the US have power it's largely nonsense. Because the people in power are those who can afford lobbyists, which consists of the people making money from and benefitting in other ways from this system.
The thing is that it doesn't even require a universal healthcare system like the one in UK and Brazil. Germany has hwavily regulated, but private healthcare system and our drug prices aren't crazy either.
Actually, over 70% of American voters want Universal Health Care, but a lot of politicians are invested in Big Pharma and Corporate Hospitals. House Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez has introduced the "Conflicted Trading Act" to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks -- such as pharmaceuticals and health care delivery companies.
Steve Cruz what
htmhyn haha
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please dont speak for us all.
In fairness, everyone gouges in the States, the politicians appear to be universally corrupt, pollution is rife, the EPA is a joke (google Flint water or Formosa Lousiana for examples). It's a failing system that is there purely for the rich to get richer off the backs of the poor. And the UK wants to copy the American model, privatise the health service, remove environmental protection and shaft the poor.
Our environment was getting better (with the exception of flint and a few others). Until Cheetos came along and started rolling back all the EPA rules.
Katchen, I believe the statement speaks for itself, don't try to put labels on me to make yourself feel better. I don't live in the US so have no vested interest.
The UK doesn't - some scummy politicians might and they'll have an effing battle on their hands.
Capn_Ahab lol
Is “the politicians are universally corrupt” another way of saying “both sides are bad so vote Republican”? Because the corruption is not the same on both sides.
It won't. I begrudgingly support Biden because Tr**p has done and will do nothing but harm for immigrants, anyone who isn't white, women, and the LBGTQIAP+ community, but it is f*****g insane that Biden does not support UHS or medicare for all. It's part of the reason why I wish Bernie sanders was president and the democratic nominee.
Same, my original vote was for Burnie too but I'll take Biden over another 4 years of living hell.
I live in the US. I'm a type 1 diabetic and a kidney transplant patient. If I didn't have Medicare and Medicaid my monthly medication costs just for the 4 things I HABE to have no matter what would run me over $3,000. I take 2 insulins and 2 anti-rejection drugs plus a bunch of others to help with other things. I spent 17 years of my 25 years as a diabetic with little to no insurance or regular care, which is part of the reason my kidneys failed. I was really surprised to see nobody had brought up the Walmart "generic" insulins. Yes, they do sell 3 types of insulin for about $25 a vial but they're not true generics. They're either Humulin or Novolin brand witha tiny Reli-on label. The three they sell are R (regular) NPH (long acting) and 70/30 ( combo short and long). The thing about these insulins is that they are older insulins like 1st gen human insulins. They work for most people well but it's harder to plan and control blood sugar. I took them for years because that's what was
available in 1996. Nobody should have to ration ANY life sustaining medication EVER. If anybody needs help with insulin costs there are groups on FB and other places that can help.
This comment has been deleted.
Someone needs to find a way to make Americans understand the difference between socialism and communism.
Hear, hear! Socialism is not a four-letter word. Plenty of concepts in American government are socialist in nature. The fire department is a socialist institution. You have no choice but to pay into it, because the service exists to protect all residents! Can you imagine having to voluntarily subscribe to fire protection, and they just wouldn't show up if you hadn't paid?
It won't happen because the Republican supporters are repeating what the Republicans are telling them and view everything else as propaganda. Evidence and logic doesn't get anywhere. It's a very difficult time in the US right now.
Laura Pantazis yes
Carole Deem -
Also between democracy and whatever is going on in the US xD
THIS IS UNFAIR
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Insurance and drug companies in the United States have so much power. I don't understand how this is allowed. It is just not right.
Strong lobby?
Big Pharma and politicians do it because they can. Who is going to step in and stop the greed?
It’s called bribery, kickbacks, and stock options.
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If you dont want others to have your power stop giving it away. If it's been taken, take it back. Thats why you have the 2nd amd no?
In theory that is what the founders meant when the second amendment was penned in 1789, though the world today is a far more complex place than it was at the founding of our state. That's a stark difference between using your musket to kick soldiers out of your cabin and making a military assault on the lobby of an insurance company building. The real problem is all the legal benefit afforded to corporations, insulating them from their executives and allowing profit-motivated decisions to overrule ethically motivated decisions.
What pisses me off, is that the guys who invented this stuff wanted it to be free. This isn't business: this is extortion.
He wouldn't even patent it bc he wanted it to be available for everyone
If he had any brains he would've patented it and then sold it at cost because after the patent ran out people would riot if the prices jumped all kinds.
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TimesNewLogan haha
This is about the 10 000th post I saw about the American Healthcare system. It's on all the social media. Everyone is saying the same: "It's so unfair and inhumane". And yes. it is. But on the other hand, it's a system that the Americans chose and supported whole heartedly. As long as the majority of Americans still think that any arrangement that's beneficial to everyone in their society is "SOCIALIST", it's not going to change. And that's what the companies love about the Americans. Just tell them that something is socialist and the Americans will be against it. That's how they managed to make healthcare a for profit business instead of a service that is by law available to everyone.
You'll find that people like the Koch brothers have invested a loooot of money to convince people of the idea “socialist=end of world“.
Speaking as an American I did not choose this system. This system is why Bernie and Warren were so popular with Americans. They wanted to change it.
Popular enough to not be a party leader, let alone POTUS? Also, Warren only went far left in the last few years. She used to be sensible.
There is a huge problem here, medical matters are just part of the larger rot. The malaise in the US system is absolutely insane. There are many countries with even better amenities and infrastructure and even freedom but people in these (dis)United States are fed lies everyday that it is the greatest country in the world. Its like being given vinegar to drink when thirsty and them made to say it is refreshing like water. Sad but this nation can be great though. Just needs people to stop being lied to and actually want real freedom and live for each other, not the horrible selfishness we see everyday with most.
so many people in USA has the mentality : Why would i paid for others? in canada we paid a s**t load money in taxes but i know that if i got hit by i car i wont have to worried to lost my house to paid for the medical bill.
Selfishness seems to be baked-in to the American psyche. People will go out of their way to not do things which benefit others, at little to no consequence to themselves. Mask-wearing comes to mind.
Health care wise we don't pay that much in taxes. We pay a lot less than what some Americans pay yearly for private health care insurance. Someone that pays $650 a month on insurance has surpassed what the majority of us pay in taxes for health care.
I agree with you, but I wonder how much I pay for health care, and how that compares to a good American private insurance. I've never seen a comparison and I'd like to or else I can't speak to which system is better.
In Australia, if you're on a low income, or a pensioner, everything is free for diabetics. Otherwise, insulin costs $77.60 per YEAR and the syringes are free. Same is true for just about any drug that people need to stay alive. It's subsidised by taxpayers like me who are lucky enough not to need it, as is the hospital system which is free. Do I mind subsidising something I don't use? Not in the slightest. Has it ruined our economy? No. Does it make us a 'socialist' country? Depends how you define the term but if it means people pay taxes to provide universal health care (and education) for all citizens, then I guess it does. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Downunderdude no
As an Australian, my affection for America ENDS where healthcare is concerned; Michael Moore's "Sicko" was like watching one of those Holocaust-level historical war crime documentaries. And our right wingers (white supremacist and otherwise) see the American model as something to aspire to, just as BoJo's England wanted to before COVID-19 hit. To be dramatic, defend universal healthcare from America at all costs, militarily is necessary.
As an american, the only thing that I like about living here is Hamilton. I wouldn't be surprised if we had another holocaust and if Trump gets reelected I'm leaving the country.
I live in Australia and my insulin is free and so are the needles for them. My lancets are subsidised as I am a pensioner so making them cheaper. My strips are about $16 for a 100 strips. Lucky to be a country that helps some. I fill in a form and get a pretty blue card. When I was on non-insulin it cost me about $6 a month and costs about the same for my tablets.
Tracey Hall ?
Vote out every single republican, USA. It's the only way to fix this and everything like it.
I knew there'd be one. *sigh *. Are you saying it wasn't like this under Obama? Take the partisan blinders off, pal.
My mom pays over $400/month in the US. Health insurance used to be non profit until Nixon allowed it to be profitable for his buddy. That’s what ruined it here in the US. These companies are now too big and powerful for it to change 😡
Anna Harding follower
Problem isn't as much as whether the state pays or not, the problem is hiked prices. And I mean astronomically hiked, 10000% in some cases.
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Davor Jelacic yes
A friend of mine has to have infusions for severe arthritis every six weeks. Each treatment is over $6000. Her insurance pays all but about $600, which she has to pay. This is in addition to the inhalers she has to purchase at the full cost out of pocket for over $300 each.
why do Americans fight health care and affordable drug care acts?
Because the republicans have convinced about 30-40% of the country that Universal Healthcare is bad/evil/wouldn't work/means you're a communist/means you're a wimp/would cost too much money/etc.
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mph seti easy
Brainwashing. The wealthy have co-opted the component of the "American Dream" involving becoming rich, and have used it as a measure of success. Rich people are 'successful' thereby nobody should stand in the way of people who are 'successful' because one day when you become rich and successful yourself, you wouldn't want people in your way, would you? All the elite needed to do was convince enough people of low to average intelligence to believe that, and it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Work hard, and pay for our wealth because one day you could be rich too! But that never happens. People toil in the American economic engine, funneling money to the top and die with nothing to show for it.
-I did not get it Oop, Can someone Explain me? TvT-
In Brazil, people that need these shots (pens) to live don't have to pay anything. In the USA, people who need these shots (pens) have to pay over $150 to get just 1 and to survive.
-Ohh, Now I get it, thanks Soap UwU-
Also in Europe it's free. It's obvious that the US, speaking of NHS, are not third word, but fourth or even fifth. Happy are those who, among their citizens, continue to think they are the first.
The NHS has its flaws, but if you need regular medication, it's only £106/year prepayment...
I do that - saves me so much money and yet even if I paid the full fee per drug it's only £9.15 still. The main flaw the NHS has is a Tory Government - no matter what they claim they aren't really behind it.
We also have UHS and no charges for drugs regardless of what they're for or who they're for. Good health should be a right and not just reserved for the wealthy..
I take a weekly injection (not insulin) which I worked out would cost $1,158 PER. UNIT. I also take a few different medications for my mental illness, which would cost $1,212 for a supply of 100 tablets of one of my medications, and the other costing $1,263 per 100. Then theres my painkillers, iron tablets, other various pill I take...not to mention numerous doctor/hospital visits. I'm glad I live in a country that has free healthcare. I can't help my health, and don't understand why I would have to put myself in debt for something beyond my control. It's bullshit, and I often feel so sorry for countries without such simple things as affordable healthcare.
I have some chronical stuff to and pay like 5-10€ each month for my meds. Really dont want to imagine what they'd cost in the US.
I know Nevada provides diabetes supplies for free to its citizens with diabetes. More than 12% of the population has diabetes.
Every time a Democrat raises the question of Medicare for all or any universal health care plan in the USA the GOP starts screaming "SOCIALISM!!" Then they say that government run health care is more expensive than our non-system and that there would be terrible wait times. So, nothing gets done. If we had a rule that political advertisements had to tell the truth we could eliminate all Republicans and actually re-join the civilized nations. Hell, the GOP does not even accept the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which began life as the Republican Heritage Foundation's health care plan and was touted by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s.
Ian MacFarlane good
How do people afford their medication in the US?? I don’t understand. $168 for a week!?? That’s half my food budget for a month. I’d die in the US if I was diabetic. This is totally insane.
There are areas of our lives where capitalism shouldn't be involved. Health is on of those
So... Brazil's healthcare system has its own problems: lack of funding, supplies, and doctors and nurses. Their out of pocket and price per capita are some of the lowest in the world. And this is not going to change in the U.S. unless people make noise. Politicians are so afraid to lose their careers (and monetary backing) that they will not rock the boat to cause an overhaul.
I have the good fortune to live in Canada hence the cost of any medicine is $4.11 dispensing fee by the pharmacist, the actual meds are free. The USA is the only Western nation that allows the drug companies, pharmacies, and medical 'professionals' to screw/rob its citizens,
My dad doesn't have to pay a lot but only because he is insured.
How much is his insurance though?
I live in the US. My cost is $8.50 a month out of my pocket for about $650 worth of insulin. My wife was recently given a prescription for a drug that costs $35K a month. It was $10.00 out of her pocket.Oh. and our insurance is paid by the government.
If only that was available to all American residents...
BluEyedSeoulite lol
BluEyedSeoulite haha
One of the problems is that even our health insurance providers pay WAY less for insulin than yours. Meds in general are ridiculously overpriced in the US, regardless of who pays them. Insulin prices in Germany for example are less than 1000$ per person PER YEAR. Not for the individual, these are the manufacturers prices which get payed regardless of universal healthcare.
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Tiari lol
It should be that way for everyone.
I was talking to jerry, not sure why my comment is under tiari...
Jerry Silverman like
So I had to run into ER, heavy fever. Turns out it was from an infection due to a prostate problem. 5 blood test, 3 urine tests and a complete Doppler scan. Had to have 5 days of drip antibiotics treatment. Am programmed for surgery in January. As a foreigner living in Peru on my wife's social insurance I pay $0, nada, zero, zilch. Anyone has an idea what this would have cost in the US?
The biggest crime is that the Canadian scientists who discovered insulin provided the formulation for FREE, so nobody would profit from it. Colorado recently capped the cost for insurance-provided insulin. The reason this is good news for everyone in Colorado is because those who pay out-of-pocket cannot be charged more than 250% what those with insurance pay. California, Oregon, New York and Vermont have similar proposals in state legislatures. Perhaps states can do what the federal government won't.
Big Pharma is the problem here and President Trump understands that. We pay the exorbitant prices for the same medications that are sent overseas for no return on the investment. Get the pharmaceutical companies in-line and we will get lower drug costs.
America is creating a new kind of refugee - a medical refugee.
The U.S. The richest country in the world. And it's easy to see why. It hoards it's collected tax money all for itself and lets its citizens die. If you want to live, move to Australia.
We have health care and it cost nothing for patient. Everyone should have health care.
I don't know if those pen are free or premium, but in my country there is always atleas one free alternative.
Zintoki follower
lammemineshaft no
Bolsonero = Trump
It's a bit disingenuous to not include the insane taxes in Brazil. It's 25 f*****g percent. Also, insulin in the US costs that much, BECAUSE of the ACA. It was designed specifically to raise healthcare prices so that it would hurt people, and give the Democrats cover to take over our healthcare completely. This is EXACTLY as Obama, and by association Biden, intended. Don't believe me? Why would you? How about believing the guy that wrote the bill? Read the WHOLE article before you try parroting the talking points your overlords have vomited into you. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/11/10/aca-architect-the-stupidity-of-the-american-voter-led-us-to-hide-obamacares-tax-hikes-and-subsidies-from-the-public/?sh=25ff4317c05d)
Get your facts right. Brazilian income tax rates for individuals are progressive and range from 7.5% to 27.5% for those liable to taxation. This details the taxable portions of residents income: https://www2.deloitte.com/br/en/pages/living-and-working/articles/income-taxation.html Not saying anything pro or con about how all this works in Brazil but it's not a flat tax rate across the whole country.
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It didnt "cost her zero." It did cost her whatever current price there is + bureocracy overhead. She, and the rest of taxpayers, paid in their taxes.
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It's true! Basically the people of the United States are subsidizing the cost of insulin for the people of other countries. (It is very much like how the people of the United States subsidize the cost of defense for the people of other countries.) This is a terribly unfair burden for Americans and it should be rectified. There is no reason why Americans should pay extra to cover all the research, development, testing, regulation, etc costs for people of other countries. (The manufacturing cost of insulin is a small part of its total cost.) Also, why should the price of established 1st world drugs like insulin be elevated to subsidize new drugs for developing countries? You guys are right - it is evil and so unfair to Americans!
This is what the Republicans would like you to believe. You are not paying for other countries, you are paying into the pockets of greedy corporations.
Margaret, Margaret. We do not 'subsidize' the defense of other countries. We contribute to NATO in proportion to our size, just like other member-states. You're confused because military action generally stays outside of North America. Iceland is the smallest member-state, they contribute funds and troops just like everyone else. Also, drugs are not country-specific. Most 'developing countries' lack pharmaceutical research and manufacturing infrastructure, they buy those drugs from the manufacturers at negotiated prices. Please stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
Republicans? Again, this has been going on under Democrat POTUS' too. Notice how not everyone, even on this far left TDS site is blaming Trump? This is an old problem.
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I wish someone could find a quick and easy way to make insulin, but insulin is very hard to make and pharm companies need to kill people in the name of money, even if not directly.
Insulin is not that hard to make, and quite cheap in other developed countries around the world. Insulin prices in the US are 5 to 15 times higher than in other OECD countries. “The average gross manufacturer price for a standard unit of insulin in 2018 was more than ten times the price in a sample of 32 foreign countries:$98.70 in the U.S., compared with $8.81 in the 32 non-U.S. OECD countries for which we have prescription drug data. The U.S. prices for the mix of insulin used in the U.S. were 8.1 times prices paid in all non-U.S. OECD countries combined.“
Insuline is probably one of the most inexpensive drugs to make. It's the American pharma companies who add a ridiculous profitmargin on a medicine that 10% of the US population need to survive.
It is so universally unfair, what the citizens of the USA, have to pay for medication that must be taken to be able to live! Big pharma price gouging in the states, is pure evil money making scams. Even if you have a good insurance, you still have tiers for copays! Some of those are unreal also! This needs to change! I hope it changes under Biden.
It won't change. US citizens don't want it to change. They think a universal health service is Communism and that it's totally normal to risk bankruptcy for a medical emergency.
Hold up there Dodo, there's a lot of us here that want it to change. Medicare for all, or UHS. I'll gladly have either over paying $650/m just for premiums.
Bob Belcher love
Correction, those In Power in the US don't want it to change. The general populace, all those people on minimum wage who would like to not die of some random easily preventable issue absolutely want it to do so. However despite the claim that the people of the US have power it's largely nonsense. Because the people in power are those who can afford lobbyists, which consists of the people making money from and benefitting in other ways from this system.
The thing is that it doesn't even require a universal healthcare system like the one in UK and Brazil. Germany has hwavily regulated, but private healthcare system and our drug prices aren't crazy either.
Actually, over 70% of American voters want Universal Health Care, but a lot of politicians are invested in Big Pharma and Corporate Hospitals. House Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez has introduced the "Conflicted Trading Act" to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks -- such as pharmaceuticals and health care delivery companies.
Steve Cruz what
htmhyn haha
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please dont speak for us all.
In fairness, everyone gouges in the States, the politicians appear to be universally corrupt, pollution is rife, the EPA is a joke (google Flint water or Formosa Lousiana for examples). It's a failing system that is there purely for the rich to get richer off the backs of the poor. And the UK wants to copy the American model, privatise the health service, remove environmental protection and shaft the poor.
Our environment was getting better (with the exception of flint and a few others). Until Cheetos came along and started rolling back all the EPA rules.
Katchen, I believe the statement speaks for itself, don't try to put labels on me to make yourself feel better. I don't live in the US so have no vested interest.
The UK doesn't - some scummy politicians might and they'll have an effing battle on their hands.
Capn_Ahab lol
Is “the politicians are universally corrupt” another way of saying “both sides are bad so vote Republican”? Because the corruption is not the same on both sides.
It won't. I begrudgingly support Biden because Tr**p has done and will do nothing but harm for immigrants, anyone who isn't white, women, and the LBGTQIAP+ community, but it is f*****g insane that Biden does not support UHS or medicare for all. It's part of the reason why I wish Bernie sanders was president and the democratic nominee.
Same, my original vote was for Burnie too but I'll take Biden over another 4 years of living hell.
I live in the US. I'm a type 1 diabetic and a kidney transplant patient. If I didn't have Medicare and Medicaid my monthly medication costs just for the 4 things I HABE to have no matter what would run me over $3,000. I take 2 insulins and 2 anti-rejection drugs plus a bunch of others to help with other things. I spent 17 years of my 25 years as a diabetic with little to no insurance or regular care, which is part of the reason my kidneys failed. I was really surprised to see nobody had brought up the Walmart "generic" insulins. Yes, they do sell 3 types of insulin for about $25 a vial but they're not true generics. They're either Humulin or Novolin brand witha tiny Reli-on label. The three they sell are R (regular) NPH (long acting) and 70/30 ( combo short and long). The thing about these insulins is that they are older insulins like 1st gen human insulins. They work for most people well but it's harder to plan and control blood sugar. I took them for years because that's what was
available in 1996. Nobody should have to ration ANY life sustaining medication EVER. If anybody needs help with insulin costs there are groups on FB and other places that can help.
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Someone needs to find a way to make Americans understand the difference between socialism and communism.
Hear, hear! Socialism is not a four-letter word. Plenty of concepts in American government are socialist in nature. The fire department is a socialist institution. You have no choice but to pay into it, because the service exists to protect all residents! Can you imagine having to voluntarily subscribe to fire protection, and they just wouldn't show up if you hadn't paid?
It won't happen because the Republican supporters are repeating what the Republicans are telling them and view everything else as propaganda. Evidence and logic doesn't get anywhere. It's a very difficult time in the US right now.
Laura Pantazis yes
Carole Deem -
Also between democracy and whatever is going on in the US xD
THIS IS UNFAIR
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Insurance and drug companies in the United States have so much power. I don't understand how this is allowed. It is just not right.
Strong lobby?
Big Pharma and politicians do it because they can. Who is going to step in and stop the greed?
It’s called bribery, kickbacks, and stock options.
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If you dont want others to have your power stop giving it away. If it's been taken, take it back. Thats why you have the 2nd amd no?
In theory that is what the founders meant when the second amendment was penned in 1789, though the world today is a far more complex place than it was at the founding of our state. That's a stark difference between using your musket to kick soldiers out of your cabin and making a military assault on the lobby of an insurance company building. The real problem is all the legal benefit afforded to corporations, insulating them from their executives and allowing profit-motivated decisions to overrule ethically motivated decisions.
What pisses me off, is that the guys who invented this stuff wanted it to be free. This isn't business: this is extortion.
He wouldn't even patent it bc he wanted it to be available for everyone
If he had any brains he would've patented it and then sold it at cost because after the patent ran out people would riot if the prices jumped all kinds.
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TimesNewLogan haha
This is about the 10 000th post I saw about the American Healthcare system. It's on all the social media. Everyone is saying the same: "It's so unfair and inhumane". And yes. it is. But on the other hand, it's a system that the Americans chose and supported whole heartedly. As long as the majority of Americans still think that any arrangement that's beneficial to everyone in their society is "SOCIALIST", it's not going to change. And that's what the companies love about the Americans. Just tell them that something is socialist and the Americans will be against it. That's how they managed to make healthcare a for profit business instead of a service that is by law available to everyone.
You'll find that people like the Koch brothers have invested a loooot of money to convince people of the idea “socialist=end of world“.
Speaking as an American I did not choose this system. This system is why Bernie and Warren were so popular with Americans. They wanted to change it.
Popular enough to not be a party leader, let alone POTUS? Also, Warren only went far left in the last few years. She used to be sensible.
There is a huge problem here, medical matters are just part of the larger rot. The malaise in the US system is absolutely insane. There are many countries with even better amenities and infrastructure and even freedom but people in these (dis)United States are fed lies everyday that it is the greatest country in the world. Its like being given vinegar to drink when thirsty and them made to say it is refreshing like water. Sad but this nation can be great though. Just needs people to stop being lied to and actually want real freedom and live for each other, not the horrible selfishness we see everyday with most.
so many people in USA has the mentality : Why would i paid for others? in canada we paid a s**t load money in taxes but i know that if i got hit by i car i wont have to worried to lost my house to paid for the medical bill.
Selfishness seems to be baked-in to the American psyche. People will go out of their way to not do things which benefit others, at little to no consequence to themselves. Mask-wearing comes to mind.
Health care wise we don't pay that much in taxes. We pay a lot less than what some Americans pay yearly for private health care insurance. Someone that pays $650 a month on insurance has surpassed what the majority of us pay in taxes for health care.
I agree with you, but I wonder how much I pay for health care, and how that compares to a good American private insurance. I've never seen a comparison and I'd like to or else I can't speak to which system is better.
In Australia, if you're on a low income, or a pensioner, everything is free for diabetics. Otherwise, insulin costs $77.60 per YEAR and the syringes are free. Same is true for just about any drug that people need to stay alive. It's subsidised by taxpayers like me who are lucky enough not to need it, as is the hospital system which is free. Do I mind subsidising something I don't use? Not in the slightest. Has it ruined our economy? No. Does it make us a 'socialist' country? Depends how you define the term but if it means people pay taxes to provide universal health care (and education) for all citizens, then I guess it does. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Downunderdude no
As an Australian, my affection for America ENDS where healthcare is concerned; Michael Moore's "Sicko" was like watching one of those Holocaust-level historical war crime documentaries. And our right wingers (white supremacist and otherwise) see the American model as something to aspire to, just as BoJo's England wanted to before COVID-19 hit. To be dramatic, defend universal healthcare from America at all costs, militarily is necessary.
As an american, the only thing that I like about living here is Hamilton. I wouldn't be surprised if we had another holocaust and if Trump gets reelected I'm leaving the country.
I live in Australia and my insulin is free and so are the needles for them. My lancets are subsidised as I am a pensioner so making them cheaper. My strips are about $16 for a 100 strips. Lucky to be a country that helps some. I fill in a form and get a pretty blue card. When I was on non-insulin it cost me about $6 a month and costs about the same for my tablets.
Tracey Hall ?
Vote out every single republican, USA. It's the only way to fix this and everything like it.
I knew there'd be one. *sigh *. Are you saying it wasn't like this under Obama? Take the partisan blinders off, pal.
My mom pays over $400/month in the US. Health insurance used to be non profit until Nixon allowed it to be profitable for his buddy. That’s what ruined it here in the US. These companies are now too big and powerful for it to change 😡
Anna Harding follower
Problem isn't as much as whether the state pays or not, the problem is hiked prices. And I mean astronomically hiked, 10000% in some cases.
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Davor Jelacic yes
A friend of mine has to have infusions for severe arthritis every six weeks. Each treatment is over $6000. Her insurance pays all but about $600, which she has to pay. This is in addition to the inhalers she has to purchase at the full cost out of pocket for over $300 each.
why do Americans fight health care and affordable drug care acts?
Because the republicans have convinced about 30-40% of the country that Universal Healthcare is bad/evil/wouldn't work/means you're a communist/means you're a wimp/would cost too much money/etc.
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mph seti easy
Brainwashing. The wealthy have co-opted the component of the "American Dream" involving becoming rich, and have used it as a measure of success. Rich people are 'successful' thereby nobody should stand in the way of people who are 'successful' because one day when you become rich and successful yourself, you wouldn't want people in your way, would you? All the elite needed to do was convince enough people of low to average intelligence to believe that, and it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Work hard, and pay for our wealth because one day you could be rich too! But that never happens. People toil in the American economic engine, funneling money to the top and die with nothing to show for it.
-I did not get it Oop, Can someone Explain me? TvT-
In Brazil, people that need these shots (pens) to live don't have to pay anything. In the USA, people who need these shots (pens) have to pay over $150 to get just 1 and to survive.
-Ohh, Now I get it, thanks Soap UwU-
Also in Europe it's free. It's obvious that the US, speaking of NHS, are not third word, but fourth or even fifth. Happy are those who, among their citizens, continue to think they are the first.
The NHS has its flaws, but if you need regular medication, it's only £106/year prepayment...
I do that - saves me so much money and yet even if I paid the full fee per drug it's only £9.15 still. The main flaw the NHS has is a Tory Government - no matter what they claim they aren't really behind it.
We also have UHS and no charges for drugs regardless of what they're for or who they're for. Good health should be a right and not just reserved for the wealthy..
I take a weekly injection (not insulin) which I worked out would cost $1,158 PER. UNIT. I also take a few different medications for my mental illness, which would cost $1,212 for a supply of 100 tablets of one of my medications, and the other costing $1,263 per 100. Then theres my painkillers, iron tablets, other various pill I take...not to mention numerous doctor/hospital visits. I'm glad I live in a country that has free healthcare. I can't help my health, and don't understand why I would have to put myself in debt for something beyond my control. It's bullshit, and I often feel so sorry for countries without such simple things as affordable healthcare.
I have some chronical stuff to and pay like 5-10€ each month for my meds. Really dont want to imagine what they'd cost in the US.
I know Nevada provides diabetes supplies for free to its citizens with diabetes. More than 12% of the population has diabetes.
Every time a Democrat raises the question of Medicare for all or any universal health care plan in the USA the GOP starts screaming "SOCIALISM!!" Then they say that government run health care is more expensive than our non-system and that there would be terrible wait times. So, nothing gets done. If we had a rule that political advertisements had to tell the truth we could eliminate all Republicans and actually re-join the civilized nations. Hell, the GOP does not even accept the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which began life as the Republican Heritage Foundation's health care plan and was touted by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s.
Ian MacFarlane good
How do people afford their medication in the US?? I don’t understand. $168 for a week!?? That’s half my food budget for a month. I’d die in the US if I was diabetic. This is totally insane.
There are areas of our lives where capitalism shouldn't be involved. Health is on of those
So... Brazil's healthcare system has its own problems: lack of funding, supplies, and doctors and nurses. Their out of pocket and price per capita are some of the lowest in the world. And this is not going to change in the U.S. unless people make noise. Politicians are so afraid to lose their careers (and monetary backing) that they will not rock the boat to cause an overhaul.
I have the good fortune to live in Canada hence the cost of any medicine is $4.11 dispensing fee by the pharmacist, the actual meds are free. The USA is the only Western nation that allows the drug companies, pharmacies, and medical 'professionals' to screw/rob its citizens,
My dad doesn't have to pay a lot but only because he is insured.
How much is his insurance though?
I live in the US. My cost is $8.50 a month out of my pocket for about $650 worth of insulin. My wife was recently given a prescription for a drug that costs $35K a month. It was $10.00 out of her pocket.Oh. and our insurance is paid by the government.
If only that was available to all American residents...
BluEyedSeoulite lol
BluEyedSeoulite haha
One of the problems is that even our health insurance providers pay WAY less for insulin than yours. Meds in general are ridiculously overpriced in the US, regardless of who pays them. Insulin prices in Germany for example are less than 1000$ per person PER YEAR. Not for the individual, these are the manufacturers prices which get payed regardless of universal healthcare.
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Tiari lol
It should be that way for everyone.
I was talking to jerry, not sure why my comment is under tiari...
Jerry Silverman like
So I had to run into ER, heavy fever. Turns out it was from an infection due to a prostate problem. 5 blood test, 3 urine tests and a complete Doppler scan. Had to have 5 days of drip antibiotics treatment. Am programmed for surgery in January. As a foreigner living in Peru on my wife's social insurance I pay $0, nada, zero, zilch. Anyone has an idea what this would have cost in the US?
The biggest crime is that the Canadian scientists who discovered insulin provided the formulation for FREE, so nobody would profit from it. Colorado recently capped the cost for insurance-provided insulin. The reason this is good news for everyone in Colorado is because those who pay out-of-pocket cannot be charged more than 250% what those with insurance pay. California, Oregon, New York and Vermont have similar proposals in state legislatures. Perhaps states can do what the federal government won't.
Big Pharma is the problem here and President Trump understands that. We pay the exorbitant prices for the same medications that are sent overseas for no return on the investment. Get the pharmaceutical companies in-line and we will get lower drug costs.
America is creating a new kind of refugee - a medical refugee.
The U.S. The richest country in the world. And it's easy to see why. It hoards it's collected tax money all for itself and lets its citizens die. If you want to live, move to Australia.
We have health care and it cost nothing for patient. Everyone should have health care.
I don't know if those pen are free or premium, but in my country there is always atleas one free alternative.
Zintoki follower
lammemineshaft no
Bolsonero = Trump
It's a bit disingenuous to not include the insane taxes in Brazil. It's 25 f*****g percent. Also, insulin in the US costs that much, BECAUSE of the ACA. It was designed specifically to raise healthcare prices so that it would hurt people, and give the Democrats cover to take over our healthcare completely. This is EXACTLY as Obama, and by association Biden, intended. Don't believe me? Why would you? How about believing the guy that wrote the bill? Read the WHOLE article before you try parroting the talking points your overlords have vomited into you. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/11/10/aca-architect-the-stupidity-of-the-american-voter-led-us-to-hide-obamacares-tax-hikes-and-subsidies-from-the-public/?sh=25ff4317c05d)
Get your facts right. Brazilian income tax rates for individuals are progressive and range from 7.5% to 27.5% for those liable to taxation. This details the taxable portions of residents income: https://www2.deloitte.com/br/en/pages/living-and-working/articles/income-taxation.html Not saying anything pro or con about how all this works in Brazil but it's not a flat tax rate across the whole country.
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It didnt "cost her zero." It did cost her whatever current price there is + bureocracy overhead. She, and the rest of taxpayers, paid in their taxes.
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It's true! Basically the people of the United States are subsidizing the cost of insulin for the people of other countries. (It is very much like how the people of the United States subsidize the cost of defense for the people of other countries.) This is a terribly unfair burden for Americans and it should be rectified. There is no reason why Americans should pay extra to cover all the research, development, testing, regulation, etc costs for people of other countries. (The manufacturing cost of insulin is a small part of its total cost.) Also, why should the price of established 1st world drugs like insulin be elevated to subsidize new drugs for developing countries? You guys are right - it is evil and so unfair to Americans!
This is what the Republicans would like you to believe. You are not paying for other countries, you are paying into the pockets of greedy corporations.
Margaret, Margaret. We do not 'subsidize' the defense of other countries. We contribute to NATO in proportion to our size, just like other member-states. You're confused because military action generally stays outside of North America. Iceland is the smallest member-state, they contribute funds and troops just like everyone else. Also, drugs are not country-specific. Most 'developing countries' lack pharmaceutical research and manufacturing infrastructure, they buy those drugs from the manufacturers at negotiated prices. Please stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
Republicans? Again, this has been going on under Democrat POTUS' too. Notice how not everyone, even on this far left TDS site is blaming Trump? This is an old problem.
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I wish someone could find a quick and easy way to make insulin, but insulin is very hard to make and pharm companies need to kill people in the name of money, even if not directly.
Insulin is not that hard to make, and quite cheap in other developed countries around the world. Insulin prices in the US are 5 to 15 times higher than in other OECD countries. “The average gross manufacturer price for a standard unit of insulin in 2018 was more than ten times the price in a sample of 32 foreign countries:$98.70 in the U.S., compared with $8.81 in the 32 non-U.S. OECD countries for which we have prescription drug data. The U.S. prices for the mix of insulin used in the U.S. were 8.1 times prices paid in all non-U.S. OECD countries combined.“
Insuline is probably one of the most inexpensive drugs to make. It's the American pharma companies who add a ridiculous profitmargin on a medicine that 10% of the US population need to survive.