My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
<vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
TYIA

Sky

================================
Kitchen Rule #1 - Use the timer!
Kitchen Rule #2 - Cook's choice!
================================

Sky wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and
> fun, physically. If course, there's always a library and movie
> theaters but that's not a good option at the present time given
> health circumstances. It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so
> I'll be sure to mention it to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an
> 'eatery,' but it does have food <vbg>. Since I've never been to
> "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues. TYIA
>
> Sky
>
> ================================
> Kitchen Rule #1 - Use the timer!
> Kitchen Rule #2 - Cook's choice!
> ================================

There is a Rochester in MN? Sorry, no clue!

--

Sky > wrote:
> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
> physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
> that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
> It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
> to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
> <vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
> TYIA
>
> Sky
>
> ================================
> Kitchen Rule #1 - Use the timer!
> Kitchen Rule #2 - Cook's choice!
> ================================
>
>

What kind of restaurants do they like and what part of town are they
staying in?

--
jinx the minx

jinx the minx wrote:
>Sky wrote:
>> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
>> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
>> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
>> physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
>> that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
>> It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
>> to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
>> <vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
>> TYIA
>
>What kind of restaurants do they like and what part of town are they
>staying in?

Yes, it would help to have some details, otherwise it's easy to search
for restaurants; 10 best;
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...Minnesota.html
Also if they'll be around the Mayo Clinic ask for recommedations at
the hospital, everyone eats.

Sky wrote:

> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
> physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
> that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
> It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
> to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
> <vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
> TYIA
>
> Sky


Yelp is my go - to site, start he

https://www.yelp.com/c/rochester-mn-us/restaurants

And as Sheldon mentions, Trip Advisor...


--
Best
Greg

The Greatest! > wrote:
> Sky wrote:
>
>> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
>> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
>> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
>> physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
>> that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
>> It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
>> to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
>> <vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
>> TYIA
>>
>> Sky
>
>
> Yelp is my go - to site, start he
>
> https://www.yelp.com/c/rochester-mn-us/restaurants
>
> And as Sheldon mentions, Trip Advisor...
>
>

That's all well and good to recommend googling and whatnot, but that is of
little help when you don't have a concept of where these restaurants are in
terms of convenience to where they are staying or accessibility based on
mobility limitations or transportation needs. Depending on their
schedule of medical tests and procedures, they not be up for getting
fancied up and going miles away from their hotel for dinner. Sometimes
it's nice to know of smaller, lesser known good eateries that are close by
but not largely recognized by the traveling, Trip Advisor rating, public.
Further, this is Minnesota in winter. If they are coming from a warm
climate with little snow/ice experience, they may not want to run around
town at all, or be able to, depending on what the weather is up to that
day.

That said, the restaurants listed on Trip Advisor and Yelp are all good
choices. Having spent half of my 47 years living in Rochester and still
having my parents and other relatives there, I'm there all the time and I'm
fairly familiar with several of them (although I haven't personally been to
all of them).

--
jinx the minx

Thanks folks, for all the comments regarding Rochester MN and Mayo
Clinic. Having never been that far north before in the USA Midwest, I
had no clue what to expect in that neck of the woods, especially during
deep winter. The weather was unseasonably warm during the visit (28Jan
to about 04Feb), with most day-time temperatures above freezing. There
still was some snow on the ground upon arrival, only about a couple of
inches or so.

My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive. What a 'city!' My
experiences there were very interesting and roaming the 'underground'
and 'skywalks' was fun for the most part, though rather tiring (grin)
since I am unused to walking so much or so far.

Due to the health of my folks at the time, there really were no
opportunities to dine at restaurants; they had most meals delivered to
their motel room by me or delivery service. The motel included a (very
poor, IMO!) daily continental breakfast. Many of the eateries/bars
about and near the Mayo complex have "happy hour" with a few 1/2-priced
appetizers and entrees, and some even had "special" menus available to
accommodate Mayo patients' restricted diets, such as simply sauteed
salmon, white rice, and other simple options.

Thankfully, my elderly folks are doing much, much better now, and I am
grateful to be able to help them. They won't be around for much longer,
and every day definitely matters.

Sky

P.S. Yes, I visited the Trader Joe's and even purchased three of their
very nice, heavy canvas totes ($3.99/ea)

================================
Kitchen Rule #1 - Use the timer!
Kitchen Rule #2 - Cook's choice!
================================


On 1/27/2017 11:34 PM, Sky wrote:
> My folks will be in the Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) area in the near
> future, and I hope someone can recommend eateries and the like, and
> perhaps other places and sites of interest that might be easy and fun,
> physically. If course, there's always a library and movie theaters but
> that's not a good option at the present time given health circumstances.
> It seems a Trader Joe's is in the area, so I'll be sure to mention it
> to them; er, not that TJ's is exactly an 'eatery,' but it does have food
> <vbg>. Since I've never been to "Minnysoda" before, I have no clues.
> TYIA

On 2/11/2017 3:19 PM, Sky wrote:

>
> Thankfully, my elderly folks are doing much, much better now, and I am
> grateful to be able to help them. They won't be around for much longer,
> and every day definitely matters.
>
> Sky
>
> P.S. Yes, I visited the Trader Joe's and even purchased three of their
> very nice, heavy canvas totes ($3.99/ea)

In spite of the reason for the trip it sounds like it was overall a good
one.

I've never been their but I've had business dealing with people from
many areas of the country but MN and WI seem to have the nicest people.
I hope that is the type you met there.

On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
wrote:

> P.S. Yes, I visited the Trader Joe's and even purchased three of their
> very nice, heavy canvas totes ($3.99/ea)

I have probably a dozen reusable bags, but the two I have are by far
my favorite and use them most of the time.

Glad to hear your parents are doing well. I've never been to
Minnesota, but it's on my bucket list.


--
Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them.

On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
wrote:

>Thanks folks, for all the comments regarding Rochester MN and Mayo
>Clinic. Having never been that far north before in the USA Midwest, I
>had no clue what to expect in that neck of the woods, especially during
>deep winter. The weather was unseasonably warm during the visit (28Jan
>to about 04Feb), with most day-time temperatures above freezing. There
>still was some snow on the ground upon arrival, only about a couple of
>inches or so.
>
>My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive. What a 'city!' My
>experiences there were very interesting and roaming the 'underground'
>and 'skywalks' was fun for the most part, though rather tiring (grin)
>since I am unused to walking so much or so far.
>
>Due to the health of my folks at the time, there really were no
>opportunities to dine at restaurants; they had most meals delivered to
>their motel room by me or delivery service. The motel included a (very
>poor, IMO!) daily continental breakfast. Many of the eateries/bars
>about and near the Mayo complex have "happy hour" with a few 1/2-priced
>appetizers and entrees, and some even had "special" menus available to
>accommodate Mayo patients' restricted diets, such as simply sauteed
>salmon, white rice, and other simple options.
>
>Thankfully, my elderly folks are doing much, much better now, and I am
>grateful to be able to help them. They won't be around for much longer,
>and every day definitely matters.
>
>Sky
>
>P.S. Yes, I visited the Trader Joe's and even purchased three of their
>very nice, heavy canvas totes ($3.99/ea)
>
I'm glad to hear that things worked out well for you and your folks.
Janet US

> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
> wrote:

> >
> >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
> >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
> >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.

Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
trip from their home to the Mayo??

If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
their regular tests done?

(None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
health care)

Janet UK

On 2017-02-12 8:38 AM, Janet wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>> wrote:
>
>>>
>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>
> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>
> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
> their regular tests done?
>
> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
> health care)



That is the distance one way. Don't worry. It is not the the only
hospital around Sky or the nearest. It is a world class hospital, top
ranked in the US.

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:

>
>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>> wrote:
>
>> >
>> >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>> >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>> >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>
> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>trip from their home to the Mayo??
>
> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>their regular tests done?
>
>(None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>health care)
>
> Janet UK
>
Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
Janet US

In article >,
says...
>
> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>
> >
> >> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
> >> wrote:
> >
> >> >
> >> >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
> >> >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
> >> >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
> >
> > Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
> >trip from their home to the Mayo??
> >
> > If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
> >their regular tests done?
> >
> >(None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
> >health care)
> >
> > Janet UK
> >
> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
> Janet US

I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)

Janet UK

On 2/12/2017 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>
>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>
>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>> their regular tests done?
>>>
>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>> health care)
>>>
>>> Janet UK
>>>
>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>> Janet US
>
> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>
> Janet UK
>
Don't ask me to explain the US healthcare system. I was absolutely
astonished to see ads on TV (public service announcement urging people
to complains) saying hospitals that call themselves "cancer treatment
centers" in the [US] State of Georgia can only accept 30% of Georgia
residents as patients. Apparently there is some silly law in affect
that says gee, sorry, you need to live in another state before they can
treat you. How ridiculous is that?

Jill

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:20:31 -0000, Janet > wrote:

>In article >,
>says...
>>
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>> >> wrote:
>> >
>> >> >
>> >> >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>> >> >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>> >> >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>> >
>> > Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>> >trip from their home to the Mayo??
>> >
>> > If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>> >their regular tests done?
>> >
>> >(None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>> >health care)
>> >
>> > Janet UK
>> >
>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>> Janet US
>
> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>
> Janet UK

No, there are more -- a couple more Mayo in different parts of the
country, plus some university associated ones and some other
hospitals. But most of us would have to travel to get to one of this
caliber just because of the size of the US.
Janet US

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 10:04:20 -0700, U.S. Janet B. >
wrote:

>On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:20:31 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>
>>In article >,
>>says...
>>>
>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>> Janet US
>>
>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>>hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>>
>> Janet UK
>
>No, there are more -- a couple more Mayo in different parts of the
>country, plus some university associated ones and some other
>hospitals. But most of us would have to travel to get to one of this
>caliber just because of the size of the US.

It probably has more to do with population density. UK: 268 people per
km2. US: 33.

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:20:31 -0000, Janet > wrote:

>In article >,
>says...
>>
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>> >> wrote:
>> >
>> >> >
>> >> >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>> >> >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>> >> >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>> >
>> > Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>> >trip from their home to the Mayo??
>> >
>> > If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>> >their regular tests done?
>> >
>> >(None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>> >health care)
>> >
>> > Janet UK
>> >
>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>> Janet US
>
> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>
> Janet UK

The US is a big country and there are many big research hospitals but
they are located in the more densely populated areas, in larger
cities, not in the boonies. This is not to say there are no hospitals
in the rural areas, there are plenty but not those on the cutting
edge. For general health issues I'd go to one of the hospitals an
hour away in Albany but for something serious like cancer or a kidney
transplant I'm making the three hour trip into Manhattan to Sloan
Kettering. For typical ER services there are lots of excellent small
coummunity hospitals everywhere... for the typical gash requiring
stitches or for setting a simple fracture they are fine, but for more
serious issues they will recommend going to one of the larger research
hospitals some distance away, in fact they will set up the appointment
at the appropriate facility with the appropriate doctor and if a real
emergency that can't wait they will medivac you by helicopter.

On 2017-02-12, U.S Janet B > wrote:

> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
> Janet US

It's only as good as its current staff.

When Patrick Volkerding, the creator/maintainer of Slackware Linux,
almost died several yrs ago, it was with zero help from the Mayo
Clinic, where he initially went. Their staff was clueless as to his
condition and they essentially told him to go home and die.

It was only by extensive online research by Pat and other Slackers,
that Pat survived. IOW, Pat discovered his own diagnosis, which
basically saved his life!

In short, The Mayo failed.

nb --true story

On 2/12/2017 12:51 PM, notbob wrote:

>
> In short, The Mayo failed.
>
> nb --true story
>

I had Mayo fail too, but the Clinic was able to help me put the oil in
at the proper rate and I got better consistency.

On Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 3:38:57 AM UTC-10, Janet wrote:
> > On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
> > wrote:
>
> > >
> > >My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
> > >Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
> > >(~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>
> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>
> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
> their regular tests done?
>
> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
> health care)
>
> Janet UK

For a lot of folks, America's health care system has failed them. It's a pay to play system and many Americans cannot afford to pay.

On 2/12/2017 12:16 PM, Bruce wrote:

> It probably has more to do with population density. UK: 268 people per
> km2. US: 33.
>
It varies greatly.
My part of the UK - Sutherland - has 2.3 people per square kilometre,
Highland region as a whole is 9.1 per square km.

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:32:32 -0500, S Viemeister
> wrote:

>On 2/12/2017 12:16 PM, Bruce wrote:
>
>> It probably has more to do with population density. UK: 268 people per
>> km2. US: 33.
>>
>It varies greatly.
>My part of the UK - Sutherland - has 2.3 people per square kilometre,
>Highland region as a whole is 9.1 per square km.

Yes, they're averages.

On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>
>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>
>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>> their regular tests done?
>>>
>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>> health care)
>>>
>>> Janet UK
>>>
>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>> Janet US
>
> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)

You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
34,000 people on staff.

Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of hospitals.

On 2/12/2017 2:54 PM, dsi1 wrote:


>
> For a lot of folks, America's health care system has failed them. It's a pay to play system and many Americans cannot afford to pay.
>

Unless you have nothing, then you can be well covered. It is mostly the
lower middle class that makes enough that they don't qualify for help
and cannot afford the premiums that get hurt.

The ACA has helped some people, hurt others. We need something other
than what we have now and in the past.

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:37:50 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
>> In article >,
>> says...
>>>
>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>>
>>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>>
>>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>>> their regular tests done?
>>>>
>>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>>> health care)
>>>>
>>>> Janet UK
>>>>
>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>> Janet US
>>
>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>
>You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
>hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
>doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
>because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
>with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
>34,000 people on staff.
>
>Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
>have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
>procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
>father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
>hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
>had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
>was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
>insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of hospitals.
>
she said "one such hospital" meaning one like Mayo capabilities. She
didn't mean any old medical facility.
Janet US

On 2/12/2017 10:55 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 2/12/2017 2:54 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>
>
>>
>> For a lot of folks, America's health care system has failed them. It's
>> a pay to play system and many Americans cannot afford to pay.
>>
>
> Unless you have nothing, then you can be well covered. It is mostly the
> lower middle class that makes enough that they don't qualify for help
> and cannot afford the premiums that get hurt.
>
> The ACA has helped some people, hurt others. We need something other
> than what we have now and in the past.

As a practical matter, it allows coverage for people that didn't have it
before and that's the only thing that matters. I don't give a shit if
some people have to pay more. We should focus only on those things that
matter.

notbob > wrote:
> On 2017-02-12, U.S Janet B > wrote:
>
>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>> Janet US
>
> It's only as good as its current staff.
>
> When Patrick Volkerding, the creator/maintainer of Slackware Linux,
> almost died several yrs ago, it was with zero help from the Mayo
> Clinic, where he initially went. Their staff was clueless as to his
> condition and they essentially told him to go home and die.
>
> It was only by extensive online research by Pat and other Slackers,
> that Pat survived. IOW, Pat discovered his own diagnosis, which
> basically saved his life!
>
> In short, The Mayo failed.
>
> nb --true story
>

Are you absolutely sure that's how the story turned out? As in, some
doctor somewhere verified his google self-diagnosis and then treated him
for it? As far as I remember, he "recovered" but it was never proven what
he was sick with in the first place.
--
jinx the minx

On 2017-02-12 4:04 PM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:37:50 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
>>> In article >,
>>> says...
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>>>
>>>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>>>
>>>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>>>> their regular tests done?
>>>>>
>>>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>>>> health care)
>>>>>
>>>>> Janet UK
>>>>>
>>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>>> Janet US
>>>
>>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>>> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>>
>> You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
>> hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
>> doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
>> because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
>> with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
>> 34,000 people on staff.
>>
>> Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
>> have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
>> procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
>> father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
>> hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
>> had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
>> was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
>> insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of hospitals.
>>
> she said "one such hospital" meaning one like Mayo capabilities. She
> didn't mean any old medical facility.


She originally asked if there was anywhere closer for an old pair to
have their regular tests done. The "one such hospital" would mean a
place where they could have their tests done. Lots of places can do
them, but Mayo has a reputation. I don't know if they do tests that
other hospitals do, but I would imagine that Chicago must have a number
of good hospitals. For some reason, sky's folks go to Mayo.

On 2017-02-12, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

> Unless you have nothing, then you can be well covered.

Bull-puckey!!

I was on COBRA after my insurance company refused to accept my offer
of "2X" my intitial group plan (single). IOW, I was willing to pay
twice what I was previously paying fer health insurance. Beneficial
declined and I was dropped immediately after COBRA ran out (18 mos),
despite still offering "2X".

I'm talking 20 yrs ago, so cannot talk about current rates. Still,
health insurance is a total scam in this country. Even my Medicare
cost me $100 mo ....plus 12 hundred deductible at the hospital (A&B).


nb

On 2017-02-12, jinx the minx > wrote:

> notbob > wrote:

> Are you absolutely sure that's how the story turned out? As in, some
> doctor somewhere verified his google self-diagnosis and then treated him
> for it?

I figure it's kinda hard for any doctor to treat a person if sed
doctor cannot diagnose the problem. Equally hard for a patient to
treat himself without the tools available to a doctor.

> he was sick with in the first place.

I'd reply, but have zero idea what you jes sed.

nb

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:35:09 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2017-02-12 4:04 PM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:37:50 -0500, Dave Smith
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
>>>> In article >,
>>>> says...
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors' appointments) to
>>>>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip driver
>>>>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>>>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>>>>> their regular tests done?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>>>>> health care)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Janet UK
>>>>>>
>>>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>>>> Janet US
>>>>
>>>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>>>> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>>>
>>> You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
>>> hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
>>> doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
>>> because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
>>> with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
>>> 34,000 people on staff.
>>>
>>> Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
>>> have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
>>> procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
>>> father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
>>> hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
>>> had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
>>> was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
>>> insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of hospitals.
>>>
>> she said "one such hospital" meaning one like Mayo capabilities. She
>> didn't mean any old medical facility.
>
>
>She originally asked if there was anywhere closer for an old pair to
>have their regular tests done. The "one such hospital" would mean a
>place where they could have their tests done. Lots of places can do
>them, but Mayo has a reputation. I don't know if they do tests that
>other hospitals do, but I would imagine that Chicago must have a number
>of good hospitals. For some reason, sky's folks go to Mayo.

We don't know which illness is involved but Mayo is a top choice for
transplants like Sloan is tops for cancer. My wifes hair dresser is
at Sloan now, hopefully he will luck out for brain cancer... they
found a large NON maglignant growth in his brain that's into his
sinuses... he thought he had a sinus infection but turned out to be a
lot worse... 48 years old with a wife and two teens. He's a very hard
worker with two high end salons... a very nice guy, all his employees
and customers are pulling for him.

On 2017-02-12 3:35 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2017-02-12 4:04 PM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:37:50 -0500, Dave Smith
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
>>>> In article >,
>>>> says...
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors'
>>>>>>>> appointments) to
>>>>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip
>>>>>>>> driver
>>>>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>>>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>>>>> their regular tests done?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>>>>> health care)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Janet UK
>>>>>>
>>>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>>>> Janet US
>>>>
>>>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>>>> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>>>
>>> You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
>>> hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
>>> doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
>>> because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
>>> with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
>>> 34,000 people on staff.
>>>
>>> Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
>>> have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
>>> procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
>>> father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
>>> hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
>>> had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
>>> was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
>>> insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of
>>> hospitals.
>>>
>> she said "one such hospital" meaning one like Mayo capabilities. She
>> didn't mean any old medical facility.
>
>
> She originally asked if there was anywhere closer for an old pair to
> have their regular tests done. The "one such hospital" would mean a
> place where they could have their tests done. Lots of places can do
> them, but Mayo has a reputation. I don't know if they do tests that
> other hospitals do, but I would imagine that Chicago must have a number
> of good hospitals. For some reason, sky's folks go to Mayo.
>
The granddaughter of a friend has a serious, chronic condition and
although we have a 2 "world-class" children's hospitals in Alberta, the
specialists backed sending her to the Mayo for a second opinion, at
Government expense. As it happened, they too were stumped.

On 2017-02-12 5:38 PM, notbob wrote:

> I was on COBRA after my insurance company refused to accept my offer
> of "2X" my intitial group plan (single). IOW, I was willing to pay
> twice what I was previously paying fer health insurance. Beneficial
> declined and I was dropped immediately after COBRA ran out (18 mos),
> despite still offering "2X".
>
> I'm talking 20 yrs ago, so cannot talk about current rates. Still,
> health insurance is a total scam in this country. Even my Medicare
> cost me $100 mo ....plus 12 hundred deductible at the hospital (A&B).
>
OHIP is a couple hundred bucks per year. No deductible. No one is
rejected due to pre-existing conditions. We spent less on healthcare
than American, everyone is covered and we live longer.

Ed Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On 2/12/2017 2:54 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>
>
> >
> > For a lot of folks, America's health care system has failed them.
> > It's a pay to play system and many Americans cannot afford to pay.
> >
>
> Unless you have nothing, then you can be well covered. It is mostly
> the lower middle class that makes enough that they don't qualify for
> help and cannot afford the premiums that get hurt.
>
> The ACA has helped some people, hurt others. We need something other
> than what we have now and in the past.

This is true. I checked on ACA rates for me and my family. They want
in excess of 40% of my take home pay to cover us 3. As it is, Don just
hit medicare and i have my tricare so we are ok. Charlotte is the most
expensive at 350$ a month on Tricare young adult. Her same coverage
pre-ACA would have been about 125$ a month.

What we did was shift the 'can't afford it' from the lower income, to
the upper poor and lower mid set. Where ACA is breaking down, is a new
set that 'aren't paying into it' as expected, because they *can't*. As
the load of cost shifts to the states (part of ACA over plan time), the
rates have some pretty wild flux going on.

Technically middle class is income of 250,000 a year for a family. I'm
well under 1/2 that.

--

On 2017-02-12, Dave Smith > wrote:

> OHIP is a couple hundred bucks per year. No deductible. No one is
> rejected due to pre-existing conditions. We spent less on healthcare
> than American, everyone is covered and we live longer.

Much like our prison industry, we are prisoners of our own
--> capitalistic health care cabal. <--

(ooh, say it fast, five times)

nb

On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:04:35 -0700, graham > wrote:

>On 2017-02-12 3:35 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2017-02-12 4:04 PM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:37:50 -0500, Dave Smith
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 2017-02-12 11:20 AM, Janet wrote:
>>>>> In article >,
>>>>> says...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:38:52 -0000, Janet > wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:19:01 -0600, Sky >
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> My parents' recent, quarterly visit (several doctors'
>>>>>>>>> appointments) to
>>>>>>>>> Mayo Clinic and its environs required me to be their round-trip
>>>>>>>>> driver
>>>>>>>>> (~460+ miles one-way); neither was able to drive.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Was that your round trip from home to their place, or their round
>>>>>>> trip from their home to the Mayo??
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If the latter, was there no-where closer for an old pair to have
>>>>>>> their regular tests done?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (None of my business so feel free to ignore, just curious about US
>>>>>>> health care)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Janet UK
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mayo clinic is where you go when you want the experts in the field.
>>>>>> Where you go if you want to know if there is some new treatment out
>>>>>> there. It isn't a just a regular hospital.
>>>>>> Janet US
>>>>>
>>>>> I know its reputation. But I'd be shocked if there's only one such
>>>>> hospital in USA (or only one within reach of Sky's parents.)
>>>>
>>>> You could have Googled and saved yourself the shock. There are lots of
>>>> hospitals in the US. The actual number of hospitals in each country
>>>> doesn't really tell much about the availability of hospital services
>>>> because a hospital could be little more than a clinic or a huge complex
>>>> with thousands of staff. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester has more than
>>>> 34,000 people on staff.
>>>>
>>>> Even the number of beds per capita can be misleading. Modern hospitals
>>>> have the facilities, equipment and expertise for less invasive
>>>> procedures so that hospitalization is not always required. When my
>>>> father had his gall bladder removed in the early 1960s he was in the
>>>> hospital for 2 weeks and had a scar more than a foot long. When my wife
>>>> had hers removed a few years ago she had the surgery in the morning and
>>>> was released just after noon. They may not have problems with medical
>>>> insurance in the US, but there certainly isn't any shortage of
>>>> hospitals.
>>>>
>>> she said "one such hospital" meaning one like Mayo capabilities. She
>>> didn't mean any old medical facility.
>>
>>
>> She originally asked if there was anywhere closer for an old pair to
>> have their regular tests done. The "one such hospital" would mean a
>> place where they could have their tests done. Lots of places can do
>> them, but Mayo has a reputation. I don't know if they do tests that
>> other hospitals do, but I would imagine that Chicago must have a number
>> of good hospitals. For some reason, sky's folks go to Mayo.
>>
>The granddaughter of a friend has a serious, chronic condition and
>although we have a 2 "world-class" children's hospitals in Alberta, the
>specialists backed sending her to the Mayo for a second opinion, at
>Government expense. As it happened, they too were stumped.

my ex was just referred to Mayo for a second opinion on an extremely
rare blood cancer. There is no cure but there is maintenance. He's
waiting now for a prescribed number of days before he can begin all
his childhood inoculations again. The bone marrow transplant process
eliminated all his immunities. Doing good so far. Meanwhile he is in
isolation in his home.
Janet US

notbob > wrote:
> On 2017-02-12, jinx the minx > wrote:
>
>> notbob > wrote:
>
>> Are you absolutely sure that's how the story turned out? As in, some
>> doctor somewhere verified his google self-diagnosis and then treated him
>> for it?
>
> I figure it's kinda hard for any doctor to treat a person if sed
> doctor cannot diagnose the problem. Equally hard for a patient to
> treat himself without the tools available to a doctor.
>
>> he was sick with in the first place.
>
> I'd reply, but have zero idea what you jes sed.
>
> nb
>

IOW, you don't really know what happened you just repeated some story you
read somewhere and took it lock, stock and barrel as 100% truth.

--
jinx the minx

On 2/12/2017 5:07 PM, dsi1 wrote:

>> The ACA has helped some people, hurt others. We need something other
>> than what we have now and in the past.
>
> As a practical matter, it allows coverage for people that didn't have it
> before and that's the only thing that matters. I don't give a shit if
> some people have to pay more. We should focus only on those things that
> matter.
>
>

Well if you had to pay a lot more and have higher deductibles you'd
probably change your arrogant attitude about it. Some people are paying
thousand of dollars more but you don't give a shit because it is not you.

On 2/12/2017 6:42 PM, cshenk wrote:

>
> Technically middle class is income of 250,000 a year for a family. I'm
> well under 1/2 that.
>

Median income for a household is about $65,000. Foran individual $45,000.

Medicare and a good supplement for the two of us is $780.00/month.