Health Care..what do you think?

[Fleck750]

I think Americans as a whole would be in favor universal healthcare. The gov't already takes 1/3 of my income for mostly bullshit.

What I think bothers us the most is our gov'ts ability to fuck up most things it gets its hands on. Most of our social programs were started for the right reasons, but time, greed and bad management has turned those into a joke.

People that need things don't get them, but those willing to scream the loudest and sit on their asses do.

Professionals, i.e. doctors, nurses and all those in the health field like to get paid. Gov't is notorious for not doing that. Plus, they spent many years to get a degree and feel it's their right to make as much money as possible. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I doubt that most doctors want to help people, most are in it for the money.

[Tsunami]

Originally Posted by cbrchick

I'd gladly pay higher taxes so that any of you could receive health care. But that's just the way we think in a social place

I rather pay higher taxes for that reason than to have it go to bail out big businesses!

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by cbrchick

I'd gladly pay higher taxes so that any of you could receive health care. But that's just the way we think in a social place

Sweet. Next time I'm at the doctors office I'll let them know where to send the bill.

Now here is a question. Why can't the people who want to pay higher taxes so we can get healthcare just set up a seperate box on their tax forms that says "I want more money taken out for the healthcare of others". That way it's strictly voluntary and we can all get healthcare!

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

idk... I'm deployed with a guy who's wife is canadian... they both hate the canadian healthcare system. Too slow and indecisive. She has been waiting 2 years to get her gall bladder removed.

I have a friend who's father went into the doctor, they found a problem and he was in the getting surgery a day or two later. For somethings there is a wait if your going to a specialist but that could happen anywhere.

James

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

idk... I'm deployed with a guy who's wife is canadian... they both hate the canadian healthcare system. Too slow and indecisive. She has been waiting 2 years to get her gall bladder removed.

I have a friend who's father went into the doctor, they found a problem and he was in the getting surgery a day or two later. For somethings there is a wait if your going to a specialist but that could happen anywhere.

James

[Tmall]

Honestly cutty.. He's a liar. There is no way you're waiting for 2 years for anything.

Anybody who told you that deserves to be ridiculed, or she wants it removed pre-emptively..

[Tmall]

As for indecisive, there is no board to decide if you get treatment.


If a Dr prescribes it, it gets done. That is a fact.

I have never heard of somebody being denied a procedure, much less waiting on a "decision".

It sounds like somebody is passing you on fifth or sixth hand info.

[Tmall]

Our drs make a lot of money...

[cbrchick]

Originally Posted by Tmall

Our drs make a lot of money...

And they work a lot, a lot of hours and do it b/c they give a shit. Not everyone's in it for the money. It's not something I'd want to do. They have zero time with their families. Some here graduate with more than 500 grand in debt. It's a lot after 8 years of school, then specializing. I don't think some of them get paid enough for the time, compassion, volunteering, love, continuing education, commitment... I'm sure some people are in it for the money, but it's a lot of responsibility and sacrifice for a monetary gain that could be acquired with far less time and consequences in a different field.

[nhgunnut]

Originally Posted by sherri_chickie

I would really love to hear the Canadian and American opinions on universal health care. Americans maybe you can enlighten me as to why the country seems so opposed and Canadians maybe you can shed some light on how it works here.

I personally love our system, I've lived in both and a good portion of why I came back to Canada was because of our health care system. I had gall bladder surgery, and then went back in a few days later with a raging infection. How much did the operation cost me? $0. How much did a week in the hospital on morphine, percoset and antibiotics cost $0. I just got to focus on getting better and not " how the hell am I going to pay for this ( even just a co-pay can be insane) I do pay more in taxes up here, but seriously the additional taxes is less than what I paid monthly for shitty insurance in the states. Plus prescriptions here are MUCH cheaper than in the U. S.
And in the states the people are already paying for the healthcare of people on welfare, gives no incentive to get off and get a job if you are going to lose your healthcare, dental and vision benefits. I saw it a million times where I worked.

Having worked in and lived with both systems I chose the US system. I was 4 years in Ontario.(late 80s Early 90s) While I was thrilled with the idea of the Canadian system my experience taught me that while Canadian system has excellent initial care that more complex issues are hindered by the system itself and that this is why Canadians per capita remain the number one consumers of medical tourism. The other issue is one of Culture, Canadian Culture is very different ( a fact that is often hidden on both sides of the border because of a common language) Canada has a centralized system Canadians think nothing of paying upward of 45 percent or more of there income in taxes (this is before you get to things like local taxes) Canada has a National Sales Tax , most Provinces have a "Sales Tax" ( you mention prescriptions in your post they are cheaper because like most things under a centralised system the prices are regulated and subsidised) In the past this has been described by a Canadian I respect as culture of "Raising the Floor" as someone who was raised in the US I experience it as "Lowering the Ceiling" A culture that guarantees basics but limits service and opportunity. Again I am not slamming the Canadian system I respect it, but I would rather not live under it again.

I live in a state that has no sales or income tax and combined with all local fees pay less than 30 percent in federal state and local taxes. I pay for my own heath care insurance balancing my needs and risks against cost and benefit ( My insurance is in my opinion far better than I had under OHIP and when you examine the tax differences much much cheaper oh and I pay $10 for a prescription). I fear that our current president and those marching mindless in lock step are going to do to our system and if they mess it up to much I may ask the cousins in Quebec to keep an eye out for a peice of retirement property for me, but right now as someone who has experienced both systems I will take the US without question,