Canadian Health Care System

[ferris198]

I have followed and posted on the thread on the community board.
I take great comfort in knowing that if someone I care about needs serious medical care, it is taken care of and I do not need to worry about it financially.
Reading about families of children living with life threatening illnesses, and having to worry about raising funds for their care is terrible.

 

[christiane]

I have followed and posted on the thread on the community board.
I take great comfort in knowing that if someone I care about needs serious medical care, it is taken care of and I do not need to worry about it financially.
Reading about families of children living with life threatening illnesses, and having to worry about raising funds for their care is terrible.

You were definitely trying your best over there on the community board, ferris198.

To me, what you say about knowing that everyone is taken care of, is what it is all about. So many Americans on that thread seem to be saying "Well, I'm covered, I don't want to lose what I've got in order to help others."

And that is a real shame.

 

[brighteyes]

Anyone seen the movie John Q with Denzel Washington? Heartbreaking...

Stephanie

 

[ferris198]

I tried.
I just got so sick and tired of the comments and remarks from people who have no idea how it works here.
Listening to the "stories" of Bobby's cousin, three times removed, knows someone who knows someone who said, etc, etc. I had had enough.
And yes, John Q was an excellent example of why I am glad to live here.

 

[minnie56]

I posted on that thread too..was told that because 'others pretty much' pay higher taxes than me (???) I should be appreciative I have health coverage? WTH? Nobody has handed anything to me that I haven't put in for myself!

Pretty typical US thread that pops up from time to time..

I have lived State-side..trust me...we have it WONDERFUL compared to what they have, or do not have?

No complaints here...

 

[christiane]

Anyone seen the movie John Q with Denzel Washington? Heartbreaking... Stephanie

No. What's it about?

I still haven't been able to bring myself to watch Sicko...but I hope to one day.

 

[christiane]

I posted on that thread too..was told that because 'others pretty much' pay higher taxes than me (???) I should be appreciative I have health coverage? WTH? Nobody has handed anything to me that I haven't put in for myself!

I saw you there, too minnie56. Your points were good ones and I didn't get what the replying poster meant about you getting a free ride...it didn't make any sense based on what you said in your posts.

But I think many of the posters there aren't really interested in discussion. They are just there to spout off their ideas.

Well, except maybe for ducklite. You've got to love her point by point rebuttals.

 

[minnie56]

I attribute much of it to ignorance. I admit, I sure do not know all the facts..but it always seems that we and our system get ripped apart when they are complaining about their own? I don't get it?

It isn't perfect as has been stated MANY times over, but I sure am happy it's there for me and mine are I am sure are you!

 

[brighteyes]

No. What's it about?

I still haven't been able to bring myself to watch Sicko...but I hope to one day.

Well it's been a while because it is such a tear jerker. A family with very very sick son who needs a heart transplant I believe and his work benefits are not enough to cover him for the hospital bills and the cost of the transplant. Very shocking and a very very sad movie and based on a true story. That's not all but the jist.

Stephanie

 

[damo]

Every few months, a health care thread pops up on the community board. It inevitably ends up bashing the Canadian system. Some responses get so ridiculous that there is no sense getting riled up about it.

 

[morgy827]

There are faults to every system but I know that if I were living 2 hrs south (in the US instead of Canada) I would be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt right now.
My husband owns his own business with no heath insurance. This summer he fell ill requiring a serious thoracic surgery requiring a chest tube, a one week hospital stay, 1 month of at home nursing with IV antibiotics at home and dressing changes. He also required a second surgery in December due to complications of the first surgery. I know that, because of the fact that my husband is diabetic. most American companies would'nt give him health insurance but because he lives in Canada he was automatically eligible for my health insurance when we got married. No questions asked. Also, even before he had health insurance he was still covered under the national plan and received nearly everything for free...just a nominal fee for antibiotics. Maybe we need to wait in waiting rooms a little longer, maybe we need to wait a little longer for tests but everyone has a right to the same health care here. No matter what your job or age. If we lived in the US there is no way we would be able to afford to go on our fabulous Disney honeymoon in April because we would be paying our medical bills. I am very thankful that I am a Canadian right now.

 

[starrzone]

This is why I love our health care system:

-We take care of our people. There is no "Well, WE have insurance, so who cares about anyone else?", or "Why should I have to pay for someone else's insurance?". Our country cares about its people.

-I will never have to worry about losing my home/car/livelihood because I have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I won't have to go into debt to save my life should I become sick.

-For those of you who have seen "Sicko"; remember the part where the American man who cut off a couple of his fingers in an accident had to chose which one he wanted replaced because his insurance would only pay for one to be reattached? And then they interviewed a Canadian guy who went through the same thing, but even more of his fingers had been cut off? And he got them ALL reattached for FREE?

There is a myriad of arguments against universal health care; the taxpayers are supporting illegals, why should I be forced to pay for those who laze around and do nothing, everyone should take care of themselves...well, I like to think that a country is viewed by the way it treats its people. No system is perfect, but I'll take a FREE imperfect system like ours over a system that throws dying people out on the street and that refuses to treat people unless they can show proof that they can pay.

And that's what I think!

 

[ferris198]

I have been following the life of a little boy named Julian Avery. I found out about hin through a blog that I sometimes read. He story is/was so sad as that at the age of 3 he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has 3 other brothers, who loved him dearly. He lived in Texas, and the point of this is, that when his treatment ended, and he was sent home to die with his family, he was given hospice for a few days, but then it was taken away, leaving his parents to be the primary care givers and nurses for a child who is dying as well as explaining to the rest of the family what is going on.
In the end hospice was reinstated for the family, but a mother should not have to be counting her child's breath before that happens.

 

[calliemom]

O.K. so I couldn't just read the posting here, I had to put a couple of my most recent personal experiences on this threat just to prove that our system is great.
January 1st, 2006 10:30am,broke 3 bones in my ankle....by noon I was in emergency,by 3:30p.m. same day I am in surgery to have ankle put back together by a Ortho Surgeon...New Years Day no less.
January 1st,2007 I request to have the metal hardware removed, Febuary 2007 I have the surgery to remove hardware.
If this is not incredibly fast treatment, I certainly do not know what is.

January 17th 2008 Had yearly physical with my family doctor of 15years. She spends 45 minutes with me and is very patient with my list of questions. I ask to have a ultra sound as I believe I may have fibroids....Book appt. for ultrasound for Monday January 21st at 11:30, by today January 22nd I have a call from my family doctors office to advise on the results.

I think as with anything you need to be educated and smart about the time you spend with medical personnel. They are busy people but if you have your questions ready they will help. No our medical system is not perfect! But tell me what system is and I will sign up for it. We as Canadian have the right to medical care paid for by our tax dollars.

My own personal experience over the last couple of years has been incredible, and I feel very blessed to live in a country that enables all its citizens to have "free" health care regardless of your economic status.

 

[drag n' fly]

Every few months, a health care thread pops up on the community board. It inevitably ends up bashing the Canadian system. Some responses get so ridiculous that there is no sense getting riled up about it.

I agree very uninformed resposes. Notice no one south of the border gave reference to Sicko? Honestly I know most Americans are great but some of those responses are what gives Americans a bad name eg: arrogant, self absorbed and would literally walk over their dead Mother to save themselves. A little harsh I know but giving uninformed opinions is ignorant and so annoying!

 

[Kurby]

I truly wonder why Americans will not accept uhc as the preferred system. They keep saying uhc isn't perfect...but what is in life?? An imperfect system that helps all of its citizens (Canada) is better than an imperfect one that only helps 75% of its citizens (US).

it's called having the big business and half the media in your back pocket.

when your best friend is the president you can pretty much ask and get anything.

Hurricane hit your state - not friends with the prez too bad so sad
hurricane hits your state and your best friend is the prez you get aid the next day.

tell me again what's happening in New Orleans vs Texas? who's living where?

i'm not 100% but i've got a pretty good guess that the lobbyists for the medical ins companies have bush on their speed dial. can you say "lunch"

i listen to Fox and Friends in the morning and Sheppard Something in the afternoon on my cell phone (it's either that or treehouse - not much to choose from yet) and although they claim they are "fair and balanced" they are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO republican it's not even funny.

the continually bash the democratic and put bush high on a pedestal if he fell he'd prob die from the height.

it's pretty bad at times when they talk about being fair and balanced but hardly let the democratic supporter talk without being called stupid or having no sense.

bush can do no wrong and if he says private health care then they go on the "news" saying it's the best thing since sliced bread.

and we all thought Tom Cruise was in a cult...... media has a lot of americans brainwashed. i know i know i'm going to get slammed for this but oh well - i'm not saying ALL americans. there are very educated ones who know when they are being given a snow job. they know the world doesn't revolve around them, they know that it doesn't snow in canada 365 days a year.... but i'm sure they also have health care.

the ones who don't have it aren't in positions where they are making 100k a year, they are living pay cheque to pay cheque. they don't vacation in europe or the islands, they don't ski at vale or the Rockies, the don't drive Bentley's and they certainly can't afford to get sick for too long.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I'm not here to debate because this is a very hot issue, but I will give my opinion. (I have not read the thread on the debate board)

There are many positive experiences posted here with the Canadian system, but I bet we could come up with many negative experiences too. And I've heard many from family and friends coming from a small town complete with Doctor shortages, closing of hospitals and clinics and limited access to care. There are many positives in the US, but positive experiences aren't as news worthy.

I am Canadian and lived in the US for four years. If I had to chose, I would take the US system in a minute.

From what I've experienced (and I've had some great medical experiences in Canada) the US seems to be practicing preventative medicine while we can only keep up with reactive medicine. It's ridiculous that we have to wait in clinics, emergency rooms, for elective surgery, get procedures like MRI's, to see a specialist, etc. when we have a UHC system. Not everyone waits, but a great majority do. And we pay a lot for this poor service. There are people who don't have access in the US, but there are people here who don't have access either.

Please understand that for the US it's a very complex issue. Not only is UHC about providing health care, but it's about government intervention, trusting something as important as your own health to someone other than you, having accessibility to affordable Health Insurance, and who is going to pay for it. This is how American's think. They have an inherent distrust for big government. Hence all the Republican vs. Democrat debate. Don't think for a minute that the Democrat’s aren't using this issue just to get votes. And the Republicans too.

We had many positive experiences with day to day health care in the U.S. We did crunch the numbers and the amount of money DH was paying up front and through his work in the US was in fact less that the taxed amount that we pay here in Canada. Always remember, the Canadian system is not "free". And the big difference is the "service" was much much better in the U.S. I knew I could get looked at immediately by our Doctor's in the US. Here, I'm not so sure. An X-ray was taken and read within 5 minutes. Can that be done here?? Never experienced it!

Another problem with UHC in the US is population base. We have 35 million people. The other small countries promoted as "ideal" UHC systems are small countries. The US has over 300 million people, providing UHC for that many would severely deteriorate their current system and would therefore create massive wait times, inefficiences and impersonal service. Sound familiar?

Remember, out of the 45M in the US that supposedly don't have Health care or insurance, many chose not to (that can afford to) That is their choice in a system that doesn't provide UHC. They don't budget the cost into their daily living expenses for various reasons.

Our system is far from perfect and I'm sure we all agree on that. But, our negatives are what the US media reports. It is not appropriate to bash another system, but fear creates fear.

I don't think the US fix is UHC. Their problem is with access to affordable health insurance, and plans that suit their particular situations, especially for people who normally could not afford it.

The reason why a lot of people didn't give any reference to "Sicko" is because there are also two sides to Michael Moore. I'll leave it at that.

Get ready for a very interesting political season in the US with health care being very much the hot topic!!!

 

[morgy827]

No the heath care system is not "free" in Canada and maybe we do pay for it in the long run. But, as a nurse, I can say that I have seen the benefits of the Canadian style of health care in both my professional and personal life. I would like to hear if nurses in the US would sing the praises of their health care system like Canadian nurses do.

It's also interesting that every time a Sicko is brought up an American has to point out that Michael Moore has "two sides." There is a general fear of flaws and failure in the US and the fact that someone is out there trying to fix the most flawed parts of the American system should spark commendations for what he is doing NOT condemnation.

 

[christiane]

There are many positive experiences posted here with the Canadian system, but I bet we could come up with many negative experiences too. And I've heard many from family and friends coming from a small town complete with Doctor shortages, closing of hospitals and clinics and limited access to care. There are many positives in the US, but positive experiences aren't as news worthy.

I am Canadian and lived in the US for four years. If I had to chose, I would take the US system in a minute.

From what I've experienced (and I've had some great medical experiences in Canada) the US seems to be practicing preventative medicine while we can only keep up with reactive medicine. It's ridiculous that we have to wait in clinics, emergency rooms, for elective surgery, get procedures like MRI's, to see a specialist, etc. when we have a UHC system. Not everyone waits, but a great majority do. And we pay a lot for this poor service. There are people who don't have access in the US, but there are people here who don't have access either.

I too, have lived in both countries. And I feel just the opposite.

I just want to make 2 points:

1) I'm not sure why you think Americans focus on preventive care and Canadians don't. Sorry to offend, but this is a ridiculous statement. If preventive medicine is so wonderful in the US, there wouldn't be an epidemic beyond proportion of preventive diseases. Look around at your fellow Americans next time you are visiting there. Or just watch a little Tv. Adult onset diabetes, orthopedic diseases, heart disease, cancer ---all could be considered to have preventive components. Yet, the lifestyle choices made by many Americans lead to their development. Prenatal care is another preventive issue. The US has one of the lowest rates of prenatal care among developed nations. And this is reflected in higher morbidity & mortality neonatal rates than is expected of such a "rich" nation.
These are just 2 examples. If you want more, just let me know.

2) An important point many Americans is missing is this: Canadians seem truly happy to provide health care to everyone. Not just those who are fortunate to have employee sponsored plans. Saying there are Canadians who do not have access to healthcare is absolutely untrue. Even new residents to Canada qualify after 3 months of residency.

When I lived in the US, the corporation I worked for had excellent health care coverage for the professional staff which was provided as part of our overall compensation. We did not have further deductions on our gross income. However, the non-professional staff had to pay out of pocket for the same coverage, at a cost of several hundred dollars a month. The staff were earning $8-10/hr while I was compensated extremely well and could have afforded my own premiums if necessary. This situation made me feel terribly uncomfortable because I knew most of the staff were going without health care coverage because they couldn't afford it.

Canadians know no one will go without health care based on their ability to pay. And that is priceless.

 

[wee-haggis]

I too, have lived in both countries. And I feel just the opposite.

I just want to make 2 points:

1) I'm not sure why you think Americans focus on preventive care and Canadians don't. Sorry to offend, but this is a ridiculous statement. If preventive medicine is so wonderful in the US, there wouldn't be an epidemic beyond proportion of preventive diseases. Look around at your fellow Americans next time you are visiting there. Or just watch a little Tv. Adult onset diabetes, orthopedic diseases, heart disease, cancer ---all could be considered to have preventive components. Yet, the lifestyle choices made by many Americans lead to their development. Prenatal care is another preventive issue. The US has one of the lowest rates of prenatal care among developed nations. And this is reflected in higher morbidity & mortality neonatal rates than is expected of such a "rich" nation.
These are just 2 examples. If you want more, just let me know.

2) An important point many Americans is missing is this: Canadians seem truly happy to provide health care to everyone. Not just those who are fortunate to have employee sponsored plans. Saying there are Canadians who do not have access to healthcare is absolutely untrue. Even new residents to Canada qualify after 3 months of residency.

When I lived in the US, the corporation I worked for had excellent health care coverage for the professional staff which was provided as part of our overall compensation. We did not have further deductions on our gross income. However, the non-professional staff had to pay out of pocket for the same coverage, at a cost of several hundred dollars a month. The staff were earning $8-10/hr while I was compensated extremely well and could have afforded my own premiums if necessary. This situation made me feel terribly uncomfortable because I knew most of the staff were going without health care coverage because they couldn't afford it.

Canadians know no one will go without health care based on their ability to pay. And that is priceless.

Well said !

I'm afraid the "I'm All Right Jack" attitude is way too prevalent in the U.S.
There has to be more compassion when it comes to health care for the less fortunate.
I think many Americans have their noses slightly out of joint (over this debate)because in a rich,successful country like theirs, to have a Health care sytem that is so uncaring towards the less fortunate is an embarssment and they therefore automatically go on the defence (thus the embelished..and perhaps non existant stories of their friends,friend or second cousin in Canada that has this "awful" health care system).
The USA is a teriffic country and I love it in so many different ways......but the Health Care system just isn't good enough.