cat insurance?

Q) can you get insurance for your pets?? my cat, emma, has seizures--so i have to buy phenobarbital every month. also, she has skin allergies--so she has to go to the vet and get treated which is aprox. $100+ dollars/month. does anyone know if they offer insurance for pets?? she has a lot of health problems...and she's okay as long as i take good care of her...but it's getting expensive and i love her dearly. please help! thanks!

A) Yes, there is insurance for pets but they not cover preexisting problems. One brand of insurance is VIP.

I got my Green Card by Immediate relative cat.,if my sponsor does not take care of me at all,what can I do?

Q) I got married to an American in US year 2000.We lived a short time in USA,in my homecountry in Europe,short time in Asia & back in my homecountry I got my Green Card(permanent resident in US since Apr 10th 2005). A Green Card by Immediate relative cat. .He is my only sponsor. He quit or get fired from every job. We have no food,money,health insurance etc. I have several thousands of dollars in debts now because of this. He is an alcoholic and verbally abuse me(sometimes also physically) several times a week.He treats me VERY bad. It is difficult for me to find a job & take care of myself . I have nothing to go back to in my homecountry. Are there any laws saying what he MUST do to provide for me as a sponsor? Can I get help from my sponsor even if I get divorced? Can I sue him? He has signed to be my sponsor & take care of me & what exactly are his obligations towards me as a sponsor? Please help me, I am desperate,scared and I want away from him NOW! Little me...

A) I'm so sorry to hear about your situation! There are options and laws provided to protect immigrants such as yourself! What you are probably not too clear on is the fact that I-864 ( Affidavit of support) is aimed towards him! He is the one responsible for your support , even in a divorce! In the section " Sponsor's Obligation", is as follows--- The person completing this affidavit is the sponsor. A sponsor's obligation continues until the sponsored immigrant becomes a US citizen, can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work, departs the US permanently, or dies. Divorce does not terminate the obligation. By executing this form, you, the sponsor, agree to support the intending immigrant and any spouse and/or chidren immigrating with him or her and to reimburse any government agency or private entity that provides these sponsored immigrants with Federal, State , or local means- tested public benefits! If you divorce and seek any government assistance, he has to reimberse it! If you were granted conditional permanent residence , then your two year probation should be coming up! I- 751)Petition to remove conditions on residence) has a qualifying category where you can file alone! . In the section "Who May File" is as follows-- If you were granted conditional resident status, through marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident, use this form to petion for the removal of these conditions. Your petition should be filed jointly by you and the spouse through whom you obtained conditional status if you are still married. However, you can apply for a waiver of this joint filing requirement form if: (1) You entered into the marraige in good faith, but the marriage was later terminated due to divorce or annulment; (2) You entered into the marriage in good faith, but have been battered or subjected to extreme mental cruelty by your US citizen or permanent resident spouse. So you see there are laws put into place to protect you! If you divorce, you can either make him pay spousal support or you can get a job! Going back home is not going to be a requirement for you! I know that's what your worried about. You can stay even after a divorce. Good Luck! I hope I've helped!

Don't envy France's health-care system?

Q) Don't envy France's health-care system So Cheryl Szpaichler (letter, "Moore has it right with 'Sicko' film," July 10) envies the French because their government doesn't siphon off their hard-earned money from their paycheck to pay for medical benefits. Have you never watched the news or read a newspaper? The French income tax and sales tax (19 percent) together total about 50 percent of their hard-earned money. Sure, they have socialized medicine, but don't get sick in France, because the long lines for the treatment you require will be a long time coming. In the United States, if you need an MRI or CAT scan, you can get one in about three days, or immediately if it's an emergency because of an accident. If you need one in France, get in line. You might get an appointment as soon as, well, how does four months sound? Does that work for you? Canada has the same socialized medicine and same wait time, and that is why many Canadians come to America for their medical needs. Here's another scenario that is for surely going to happen with socialized medicine. You may need operations, drugs and treatments, but the government will pick and choose who gets what. If you are 80 and need the same treatment a 20-year-old needs, guess whose name goes to the bottom of the list? Our government cannot possibly take care of every single medical bill you have, and that's why we have private insurance. The more the government provides, the more it's going to cost you in taxes. It's a proven fact that the more involved the government is in our lives, the poorer the service. Privatization is the answer, not socialism. So instead of longing for the French way, be grateful you live in a free society where we still get to keep most of our earnings.

A) I agree

Ways to cope with Major Depressive Disorder?

Q) I read the symptoms for Major Depressive Disorder, from this link, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20070411151501AAZbuhh&grp_name=Men_overcoming_depression&grp_spid=1601040823&grp_cat=/Health___Wellness/Support/Diseases_and_Conditions/Mental_Health_Disorders/Mood_Disorders/Depressive_Disorders&grp_user=0 , and I have all of the normal symptoms and some of the severe symptoms as well. I am currently unemployed and the bills are stacking up, I have no health insurance and everyday is a struggle to try and look for a job, does anyone have any suggestions for help that for the moment doesnt involve professional health care? Any thoughts, suggestions or comments would be GREATLY appreciated.

A) Sorry for your troubles, but there are no quick fixes for major depression. The only way to get well is professional help. Make an appointment with your local social services office. They will steer you to a free clinic. Good luck.

I have just been dx with breast CA. I am Canadian. could I move back to Canada for free health care?

Q) I have been in the states for over 20 years. I have insurance but it is 70/30. I have a feeling this is going to be very costly and I have no family members to move in with should I lose the house. Plus, I have two dogs, two cats. My job can move with me (medical transcriptionist and work via broadband).

A) If you move back to Canada it generally takes 12 months for health coverage to kick back in. But here is the form and I could be wrong, it's a different form that the last time I went looking for it: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/AttachDocsPublish/014-0265-82~11/$File/0265-82_.pdf Ahh this is probably a better page, this is the eligibility: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/eligibility.html So it looks like you may qualify as soon as you come back. There is a 1-800 number you could call. Hope treatment goes well! (FYI the wait times really aren't bad unless you plan on moving back to a really small northern town. I would plan on moving to an urban center. And I can't stress this enough for all people -if your doctor refers you to one specialist and that specialist can't fit you in for a long time, pick up the phone and call some others. Just because one oncologist has a 1 year wait doesn't mean another can't fit you in next week. That happened to my grandma. The specialist her doctor referred her to had too many patients so she called a few others and found one that had fewer patients. Don't expect your doctor to do all your work for you. They don't have time to make calls)

Does anyone know someone in the USA that didn't get the medical attention they needed because they had no..

Q) Health Care (HMO or insurance) covering them or their families? Is this crazy or what? the USA isn't so great!! when people are avoiding Doctors orders to get CAT SCANS of their skull due to a possible tumor because they cost over $4000 each and would need to get a personal loan for it!! I can' be the only one that sees a MAJOR problem with the USA??? people are dying right here in the USA today due to no quality treatment due to no health insurance!! do you and your family have quailty coverage right now ? do you pay for it weekly? is it reliant on your continued employment? This is something that "WE THE PEOPLE" of the USA MUST DEMAND FROM our government!! Every presidental election they say it will be "number one to provide health care for all" then they fail to do it...it's time we make sure the government listens to the people!! make your voice known!! And this is the worst in cases where your sick, the Doc knows it, you know it but guess what? your NOT on the emergency table yet and until then your sick and not getting treated due to no insurance come on people speak up here tell us the answer... I pay the same taxes as everyone. BUT I also have to pay over $110 dollars a week on top of all the tax and that $110 dollars is the percentage of the cost of the HMO my employer offers as they do not pay the whole thing.

A) You are correct; people are dying and/or living with crippling pain due to the lacking or lack of health insurance. Generally, someone has to have a damned good job before you can receive health care benefits. Many employers simply don't offer health insurance due to financial burden. More and more people are becoming under or uninsured and the states struggle with getting a decent budget for Medicaid and Medi-Cal (depending where you live). I am among the uninsured. Presently, I would have to have a catastrophic accident or injury before I could enroll in Medi-Cal programs. I have had trauma to my neck and it's reached a point where I need the surgery I that I turned down 3 years ago when I was still employed. Unfortunately, it is considered an "elective" surgery therefore the underwriters reject the claim. So the best I can do is with heat, ice and ibuprofen and I just deal with it. I don't have a choice. This is a widespread problem; it affects millions across the country. I don't believe in big government, but this is one area that needs to be addressed. England and Canada has a fairly decent socialized medicine system. Until the people start making enough noise to our elected officials, nothing will get changed. Another problem is medical institutions, doctors offices and health care providers in general overcharge (I have seen as much as a 400% increase above the principal). Of course, this will trickle down to the taxpayers and employers and employees. No wonder our medical system is in shambles. Also, the pharmaceutical and insurance industries are guilty of promoting this problem. Political pressure will be necessary to induce a change.

Cat bite - Please help??

Q) Hi...I was just bitten by a cat (long story, but not her fault)...she was in boarding and highly stressed. I am allergic to every antibiotic I have ever tried and I am away from my home country (Australia) in Canada where I have no health insurance. It happened about 2 hours ago and doesn't look infected yet, but of course I am worried. I saw a doc here who was rude and useless and said they all get infected 24 hours later and I have to take antiobitics....when I told her I was allergic, she didn't really care and acted like there was nothing she could do then. I'm tempted to get back on a plane to Australia this evening so I can get proper treatment if I need it, but not sure what to do. I'm up to date on tetanus and the cat is healthy. The area feels bruised, and there are 2 holes that are a bit swollen, the others not so bad. If I go back to Australia, that's not good as I have to leave all my cats behind here in boarding til I can get back. Please help.

A) Make sure that you wash it out well, and watch for infection. Often times they do give you an antibiotic because cat's mouths are so filthy, but as long as you keep it clean and watch for infection you should be fine. If you see any signs of infection you probably should go to another doctor when you get home or while you are still in Canada.

Making politicians into Public Servants again !?

Q) Why don't "we the people" Take back our country by starting a petition in every state where elected politicans are paid minium wages,provide housing for them with those trailors they expected people to live in that lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.treat their pensions like the airlines do,and give them Tricare (the crappy health insurance Military Retirees were given by those FAT CATS in Washington DC)and jail every one of them who take(bribes)Lobbist money and try them for treason for lying to the American People to get us in any war that takes the lives of our young(and older)men and women for anything other than defending our country.End all foreign aid to most countries and use the monies to help rebuild our ecomony,help our young and old and provide health care as a preventive .What do YOU think?

A) I agree, only I would go farther - let them work a real job & have their political jobs on the side. Forget health insurance, they should know what it's like to pay for it. Yes, if we weren't supporting them with the taxes they squeeze from us, there would be alot more money for disasters, like Katrina.

What did they do to convince the people it's the working class's fault when it comes to capitalized medicine?

Q) And the totally outrageous cost of health care? How can they afford it. and before the person talks about medicaid, it is virtually impossible for most working class people to qualify for that. Charities don't do squat-- I KNOW because I lived it. So why do supposed christians start acting christ like and brotherly when it comes to the working class, compassion for the ill and their families? Instead they take the side of the billion dollar fat cats? something is wrong with this picture. PRo life it is NOT. IT really is true what they say about those neocons: they only care about the baby until it's born, after that it's all: well, why can't you afford insurance? Get a job lazy whore! well if you can't pay for the insurance and the child care you should have kept your legs closed ho! -- the compassionate smile fades when she gives birth, they save their true feelings of hatred and disdain of the poor alone mother until after she gives birth. me? probaby/promom

A) Maybe because we don't want to be taxed to death like Canada and Britain and we don't want the long wait for healthcare. And I don't want my daughter to have teeth like Austin Powers just because the dental industry has been socialized just to suit you and your liberal socialist ideas.

What can I take instead of Paxil to ease my withdrawl?

Q) My horribly incompetent doctor's office hasn't refilled my Paxil and yes, the withdrawls are very bad and I'm alone and very scared. I have Effexor and Lexapro in the house. Which should I take? I can't leave the house. I DON'T leave the house. I'm agoraphobic. My husband had no choice but to go out of town this week for work. Besides my poor sick doggy and my cats, I'm alone and scared out of my mind. I have health insurance, cash and a buttload of credit; So why can't the damn doctor just refill it? Don't they know what can happen? What IS happening? I'm dizzy, lightheaded, naseous, have an upset stomach, diarrhea, crying, fear... I'm so SCARED!!! Who will care for my poor dog if I go to a hospital? How do I go when I'm afraid to leave the house? Will they commit me b/c I'm so nutty right now???

A) The best thing is for you to remain CALM. Do you have any chamomile tea or any eucalyptus or any kind of mint in the house? These two herbs are known for non medicinal calming. First of all, the doctor is an IDIOT for allowing you to run out of this medication(unless you did this deliberately(sorry, but doctors do not let patients normally go through withdrawal with this kind of medicine). Paxil is one nasty medication and you cannot go off it cold turkey. It is one of those medications that you need to be weaned off of slowly. DO NOT take any other anti depressants. If you are alone and scared and physically in dire distress, you can either call a local hospital, a paramedic, or the police. Effexor is the lesser than either Paxil or Lexapro, but again DO NOT take EITHER of these. DO NOT take any kind of sleep aid or alcohol. If you must go to a hospital, call your husband, then a family member, or a close neighbor to deal with your pets. They will be okay. The most important thing right now is YOU and your health.