Health ins. (CANADA)

I am glad after reading about USA health care that i live in canada ("8 days=$68000") they must feed you gold. We go see the doc no charge hospoital stay no charge med in hospital no charge.We pay only prescriptions and I have 8 kids we spend less than $200 a year on any meds.I don't know how the goverment pays the docs. nurses etc. but I like the way it is.

Yes, yours sound like heaven on earth. The big problem it that many of the Canadian hospitals are closing as they can't break even. They don't have the equipment either. The care is ration there by just not being available. I have a college friend that married a woman from there. He had to come to the US to get an MRI done on his back. He had three ruptured disks. The Canadian system would only give him pain meds. He moved back here and had back surgery. He has some nerve damage that the US doctor says would not have happened if he had been worked on sooner.
So in Canada he would have been a doped up cripple. Here he had expensive surgery but now is back in the work force. You decide which system you want. I want to be able to buy what I want.
Asked Liam Nelson if he would like his wife back??? She died on the way to a hospital that could do a MRI that would have picked up her brain bleeder quite easily. Closest one was several hundred miles away. First two did not have the machines.

I pay your medical bills.
It isn't halfway through the year yet and the (*&^%^*(* government has taken $24,000 of my hard earned money. To pay for people who don't want to pay.
Welcome to the welfare State. The harder I work the more I'm punished with taxes. Sit on you butt and breed. The government gives you my money.

gov. takes 50% of what I make in taxes so ya I guess I pay my own medical just not up front

Canada's system does have some flaws but the biggest advantage it has over the US system, they will treat you in Canada as long as you have your health card. In the US they pretty much make sure you have the money or assets to pay before they will treat you. I've heard of people having to sell their house to pay for medical bills in the US. Dave

I use the VA, and feel it is the best around, at a fraction of the cost. Government care can work, but the government can't seem to run things real well here in the US. My VA is great, and government run, while others say they get bad care. It all depends on the hospital and managment.
Most of the hospitals in our rural comunity are ok, and lack equipment because there isn't enough money to go around.

BUT the managment seems to get lots of the money that could have went for equipment, and our drug companies, and insurance companies want private care for obveous reasons.

I have always said that if private health care can make billions, our government should be able to purchase everything a lot cheaper, and at least break even.

Those that do not want government health care are usualy wearing a very comfortable shoe when it comes to income levels. The poor folks are the ones in our system that suffer. And you will hear from some of us that we know a guy who doesn't work, gets all the good stuff etc.

Many get free health care if you look at the farm programs, comunity grants, government jobs, and the ones who milk the insurance system.

Many folks in the US die every year because they can't afford decent health care. Some have HAD good insurance, but have had a need to use the insurance, and then are dropped, or otherwise the cost is way beyond their income.

Our private system has failed for many, while others will hate government run care. Either way, the fat dogs win at the expence of the working class. If you listen to the politicians, they want everyone to have good health insurance, not so much statments on the good health care. The politicians seem to have a little beeter plan for themselves.

It was on TV (extreem worse example)that medicare pays 68% more for the same drug than the VA. Hummmmmmm...... same drug, same government, same pill bottle from the same company????? The VA can dicker prices, while medicare can not.

I know only a dozen or so folks that came from Canada. They get defensive, and see little fault with your system despite what others (who only know of stories) have accused your system painted as being bad for everyone. They (ex Canadians) claim our private is worse, and seven or so work in the health care system.

We will never see government run health care in the US, because their is way to much profit made here.

I'm like everyone else, I can spout off, but till I experiance it how could I actualy know it will be bad or good, we seldom if ever hear anything that doesn't have a political party in mind as the article is written, or broadcast.

A very interesting stament has been made by three of the (ex Canadian) nurses when comparing our systems. They say your system does not force folks to suffer near the end, they get drugs to take away the pain. If it takes the life, that is OK. They say here in the US we make folks suffer when pain meds do not work in small amouts while we worry so as not to chance killing someone already on hospice.

One such gal says she is content flippin burgers at Mc Donalds, now she doesn't have to see our health care every day. Her husband was very fast at claiming she made lots more money being a nurse however.

I tell my kids to just pull the plug on me, and they feel they would fight over who gets to pull the plug. FUNNY IS IT KIDS?....... I do have a will, so maybe I can get the real last laugh yet!

There is a lot misinformation in both countries about the others system. Both of my parents had extensive heath problems and our Canadian system worked extremely well for them. I don't know where all these hospitals are that have supposedly closed, I live in a town of 45000 people, we are in the middle of a major expansion to our hospital there are 2 more fairly large hospitals within 20 miles of our town and a major teaching hospital within 45 miles. At least here if you get sick you will not lose everything you own in order to get medical treatment.

All I can add to this never having lived the USA experience, is that everyone here in Canada gets the best care that is available to them in the area in which they live. I live near Toronto {with in 100 miles} and every kind of treatment and procedure you can get in the USA is given here too. Nobody is turned away, and there are no death lists, and best of all nobody is forced into bankruptcy to pay for health care for there self, or loved ones. And one other thing, life expectancy in Can. is several years more than in USA.

There are rolling closures of ER's in small hospitals due to a lack of doctors and nurses willing to do the work. I doubt that's much different in the US. It's not to do with a lack of money here.
I'd also agree that MRI's are not available in every small town and no doubt some other similar diagnostic equipment, but it is generally available within an hour's drive. One has to keep in mind that the population is quite spread out here relative to the size of the area and there are a lot of older, smaller hospitals... so no, all services are not available in all of those places. It's just not practical.
Are you suggesting that every small town of 5000 people has a full service hospital, with MRI, etc in the US?

Rod

How about it. I love hearing people talk about their "free" health care.

I have had both, having resided in Alberta for a number of years. I liked the Canadian system and don't have many bad things to say about it. Do people die while waiting for service? Occasionally. Canadian hospitals are quick to cough up in wrongful death cases and seldom are lawyers involved. Do you wait for service? Yes, if its elective. Delays for MRIs are one of the few things that bottleneck the Canadian system. Here in the US if you have money or insurance to cover costs you can get anything you want.
Who has the best system? The answer is in your individual needs.

My wife is from Canada. She recieved her BS in Nursing in Manitoba and her Masters in North Dakota. For what it is worth she has no desire to work, or be a patient, in the Canadian system. You don't hear of to many US doctors and nurses moving north, however many Canadian, as well as British and German doctors and nurses are working in the US.

Lots of Canadian doctors have moved to the states and returned because they were very unhappy with the US system.

Nothing in life is free, there just different ways of paying for the service. Our system covers everyone yours covers those who can afford it.

Without incentive to do so, people will have no interest in being able to "afford it".

I live in Ontario, in 89 had a daughter born with a muscle disease. She lived till she was 5 1/2 years old. Never made it past the level of a 3 month old. Was a number of surgeries, long hospital stays, a number of different doctors. When at home nurses would come in once a day to check on her. I was driving delivery truck at the time, had extra insurance that cost around 40 bucks a month to pay dental and perscription.
I wonder what the cost would have been in the US? I bet she would have been denied coverage for being born with the muscle disease. Or she would have hit that $250,000.00 cutoff I have read about in the first 6 months. I would have lost my house and still be paying for it. Or daughter would have just had to die in her first year from me not being able to have the funds to pay for her hospital stays and doctors. Let me know if I am wrong.
Also I have a friend that works in the health field in USA in Ak.. She was laid off from the clinic she worked at. Started her own business on contract to clinics. She is unable to afford health care due to a pre exsisting condition. She likes external_links plan for the working poor. I cant say much about it I dont know enough.
Also have a friend right now fighting cancer. He was not feeling good, went to emergancy, doctor saw something he never liked, got sent from local hospital to a bigger hospital by ambulance same day. Was admitted, test done and diagnosed within a few days. Went right to cancer ward, started on treatments. Stay was 5 weeks in total. He was home for about 3 weeks, was getting weaker. His wife called doctor, was in to see doctor at big hospital next day, that was on Friday. He was admitted again and not sure what they are going to do now. I doubt he would have got any faster care in the USA. Also how much would have the US health Insurance cover? If no insurance would they have lost home and savings?
There are wait times for some things in Canada but if your bad off you go to top of list and get the care you need right then. I could give a dozen examples easy of this.
I guess from what I have seen and heard in Canada people and companies pay more in taxes but we are well looked after as anywhere. Maybe better because we have no stress of worrying about being looked after if get sick. The people in the USA paying $1,000.00 or more a month for insurance and still have a co=pay of $1,500.00 I just say WOW. Them insurance companies and hospitals are making billions, look it up. If the peoples and companies taxes were just a bit higher, no big insurance companies the average American would be better off money wise.
Sorry for long post but Canada's health care system is better then what people in US seem to think. I feel sorry for US citizens they are getting screwed big time by insurance companies.

I would think the option of health care as apposed to no health care would be incentive enough, to me its a no brainier! With the collapse with of so many of your poorly managed financial institutions and other industries I would be wary of the companies who provide heath insurance in your country.

NO CHARGE? Just who in the heck do you THINK pays for it? Must be some health fairy I guess. It always get's my dander up when I hear a abundant talk like everything is just free and the money comes from nowhere. The Canadiens have some of the worst health care in the world, their people have to come here to get good health care, and that is only if THEY can afford it, otherwise they die wating.

You see what you have here is a person who was raised in this kind of society and doesn't know any better. Thinks that it's just fine. I'm sorry but we here in these UNITED STATES of AMERICA believe in working for what we have and not waiting on the GOVERNMENT to give it to us if some bureaucrat decides at some date of their choosing as to wether it is deemed nessary or if that person is worthy of medical treatment.

You can keep all your Socialism up there and we'll get along just fine. I don't hear of too many illegal aliens coming across your borders.

Jim

""""In the US they pretty much make sure you have the money or assets to pay before they will treat you."""""" NOT TRUE!!! Lots of folks have 'heard' of a case where this has happened, but no one can site a specific case. Young lady works with/for my wife in a bank; been married about 6 months. They're young and healthy and neither has insurance; can't be bothered with something so mundane. About 10 days ago, her husband became deathly ill; was carried to local, small town emergency room, then to large hospital emergency room about 50 miles away and admitted......to one of the best hospitals in this part of the world, where he stayed 5 days. Don't know what will happen about the bill, but he was treated just like he had the finest insurance in the world. As far as having to sell your assests to pay your bills.......the way I was raised, we're responsible for our own debts and the way we choose to live.

"I don't know how the goverment pays the docs. nurses etc. but I like the way it is."

Your government can pay your doctors, nurses, etc., because we down here in the States pay for your Defense, and Europe's, et. al.

We build those carrier battlegroups that roam the globe taking care of everything for you. We train, outfit, feed the Army and Marine troops that keep you and the rest of the world safe. That's how you afford your socialist healthcare.

Well said, Scotty.

Flurette Farm: "Who has the best system? The answer is in your individual needs"

Unless you happen to me one those unfortunate people that occasionally dies.

Really? Give is some examples of people being turned away, rather than your, "I've heard" stories.

We treat people down here who have illegally entered our country and have no right to our services.

Nor do people sell there houses to pay for care. I have had surgery without insurance, hospital and doctor said pay us as you can. Took me a few years, with some months missed, and some very small payments, but I paid my bill, and no one ever gave me a hard time for slow payment.

And you claim we turn people away. Should be ashamed of yourself for talking out your backside.

50% and rising.

Really? Who?

That's probably a true statement. Once a person is forced into Socialism or Communism they lose their ability to compete for better things and are ready to accept a lesser way of life. Also remember there is always an exception to the rule.

Jim

The difference, Rod, is that in the US the hospitals that are closing are located in the southwest, and are closing because so many illegal aliens go there for service and don't pay. Not quite the same at all, now is it?

I follow the fellow that has the web site The King of Obsolete where he lives there used to be a local doctor but now he has to travel 300 miles just to see a doctor. All this after your Government health care went into affect. Yeah I bet he's going to argue with you.

Jim

No sir, our's covers those who want to work for a living. There has always been a system in place for those who are incapable of working, not the lazy.

Jim

The problem with our finacial system right now IS the government interferance. That is why we don't want them deciding our health care. Also if we are forced to this health care who's going to invent all the new cures, sure as the heck isn't Canada. When was the last new life saving cure discovered in Canada?

Jim

So everybody should live where you live? How is anything going to get done elsewhere? You continue to show your ignorance. A prime example of today's society, IF IT'S OK FOR ME THE HELL WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I sure hope for our country's sake we get this turned around. Just listening to people who are willing to accept a life like this is really scary.

Jim

No sir, you're wrong. The reason our health care is so high is the same as your's was. THE GOVERENMENT!!!! Ignorance is so bliss isn't it.

Socialism does strange things to the mind.

Jim

2006 World’s first clinical trial to combine gene and cell therapy to treat a cardiovascular disorder. The PHACeT (Pulmonary Hypertension: Assessment of Cell Therapy) trial will assess the use of adult stem-like cells called endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. (St. Michael’s Hospital — Toronto, Ontario)

2006 Discovery of the precise molecular chain of events that initiates the wide-scale immune destruction of “super bug” infections such as flesh-eating disease, toxic shock syndrome and severe food poisoning. (Robarts Research Institute — London, Ontario)
2005 Using neuropsychological testing, researchers accurately predict which study participants will develop Alzheimer’s disease within five and 10 years. Previous studies were able to predict Alzheimer’s only for shorter periods of time; other studies showed predictions for 10 and even 15 years, but these did not indicate the predictive accuracy of the tests. (Sunnybrook & Women’s Research Institute — Toronto, Ontario)
2005 Scientists show that early surgical removal of the spleen combined with antiangiogenic therapy, which arrests the growth of tumour-feeding blood vessels, may stop the progression of leukemia. (Sunnybrook & Women’s Research Institute — Toronto, Ontario)
The list is far too long post here. also a little drug called insulin which has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands.
By the way your government as well as ours bailed out the lying cheating corporate leaders who caused the financial crisis, the mistake the governments made was to believe the lies the corporations were telling their investors!
If those are the type of people you want looking after your heath care so be it.

My friend I am not saying you should do anything the way we do but the majority here are happy with our system. I would be happy if people like you stay in your country, by the way you seem to be an expert on ignorance, there is a big world outside your borders.

Ignorance is bliss.

Actually... as a factor of GDP, perhaps a more relevant measure of health cost... ours is somewhere just over half the cost of yours, last I looked at stats. That was mabey a year ago.
Insurance company profits and lawyers is mostly why your cost is so high.

Rod

So in other words.... the gov won't pay for their care and the hospital corp is going broke?

That's a whole other debate that really has little to do with healthcare...

Rod

Yeah, those eeevil corporations.

The financial crisis here started WITH the government run mortgage industry.

Barney Frank. Chris Dodd. Not held accountable because they are in charge of policing themselves.

How did the government bankrupt GM and the rest of the manufacturing industry? The whole thing started with pure greed and overspending on executive salaries and benefits. Lets not forget Enron, where the financial statements were absolute fiction like most of them. Keep supporting them, you will never get out of this mess if they are allowed to carry on the same as before.

Interesting thing about this thread is, it's the people who live in the US, who AREN'T under the Canadian healthcare system, who have the most negative things to say about it. Those who have never had to deal with government-run healthcare are its most vocal opponents, it seems.

I've discovered that, under the American healthcare system, if you have insurance, you get charged a discounted price. And if you have cash, and ask up front, you get a discounted price. But if you have no insurance [and perhaps can't get any], and you can't afford to pay cash, not only is there NO discount, but the hospitals and doctors also want to file liens against your home and any other property you own in the event you are required to pay over time.

So...in other words...those who are LEAST able to pay--and I'm not referring to the truly indigent, who get Medicaid--such as the working poor, are the ones who need the price break the MOST, and who are the LEAST likely to get one.