Canadian Health Care System

[ducklite]

Ducklite, I find the story of your friend to be rather disturbing, and/or a little embellished.

In Ontario prior to a person being discharged from hospital, they can discuss with the nursing staff, and social worker on home care upon discharge.
The hospital social worker will discuss with the patient what kind of support system is in place at home, and will often arrange for home health care, if required through Community Care Access Centres. The care will depend on the situation of course, but it can include nursing care to change bandages, check on stitches, help with bathing, basically whatever is required.
The amount of time depends on each individuals situation, it can be daily, it can be once or twice a week. Each situation is different, and treated as such.
And, it is covered under our health care.

It's very disturbing, it's not embellished. She does have a home nurse coming in two times a week, the fissures began the day after the nurse was there, and she went to the ER. They sent her home with pain pills and told her to call her doctor--the one she had called two weeks earlier and was still waiting on a call back from because the home nurse felt that her surgical wound wasn't healing well.

And this would be covered under the health care that the majority of Americans have as well.

 

[ducklite]

And BTW--I have a Canadian Social Insurance card. I was required to get one and pay taxes into your system in 1990 because I spent more then "X" number days working in Canada that year.

The ironic thing is that when I had a dental emergency in Thunder Bay, I was unable to use it and ended up paying cash for the services. Had I been in the US where I had my private health insurance, it would have been covered. Interesting to say the least.

(At least teh dentist was hot. )

 

[Kurby]

But the Americans have been called all sorts of nasty things by the Canadians because we don't feel that your model would work in our country. We're not over here criticizing your model, I"m not sure why you are over on the other thread taking pot shots at us.

and that's just it. As Canadians we like our system - we are a country of about 40 million people and what works for us may or may not work for a country of 240 million.

There is no one answer and no one size fits all system. Canadians be thankful we live in a country where we don't have to sell our house, move to another province, get a divorce just to get decent health care and Americans if you don't like your system by all means, voice your opinion to those people falling over themselves to get your vote over the past month. You've got a huge election coming up and use your vote to tell them you're either happy or not.

As for anyone waiting months to get treatment for puss filled infections, while that is tragic it certainly is few and far between.

is our system perfect - no - does everyone wait - no.

do we wait - yes but not for emergencies. we wait to have our child's speech checked (i waited about 6 weeks for an appointment for our daughter and turns out she was just slower in speaking actual words because we taught her sign language first), we wait to get appointments for eye exams (however we do have to pay for those now) we even wait to find a family dr but chalk that up to the lack of dr's in some cities because a lot of dr's are either moving to larger cities or to the States where they can make 3 and 4 times what they make here because of private insurance allows them to charge more then what our government says they can. (however the still make a hell of a lot more here then the average working person)

everyone has their own idea of what is right, what should work etc but that doesn't always mean that what's right for you is right for me.

Like i said - if you don't like your health care let your polititians know - they want your vote make it count.

 

[Kurby]

And BTW--I have a Canadian Social Insurance card. I was required to get one and pay taxes into your system in 1990 because I spent more then "X" number days working in Canada that year.

The ironic thing is that when I had a dental emergency in Thunder Bay, I was unable to use it and ended up paying cash for the services. Had I been in the US where I had my private health insurance, it would have been covered. Interesting to say the least.

(At least teh dentist was hot. )

the SIN number you received only allows you to work in Canada - not receive any benefits from it - the SIN number is what i can gather, your social security number and only for work. If you qualified for it you would have applied for and received an OHIP card (at that time - it's now a Health Card) and you would have received the benefits we all receive and dental is not one of them unless you are on social assistance.

I stated in my first post that i think basic dental care should be included in our Health Care coverage but to date it is not and even if it was, an emergence dental visit prob wouldn't be covered under basic coverage unless your emergence was that your filling fell out or you broke a tooth that could be fixed with that filling compound - other wise it isn't/wasn't basic. (and by that i mean, cleaning, fillings, xrays)

 

[ducklite]

the SIN number you received only allows you to work in Canada - not receive any benefits from it - the SIN number is what i can gather, your social security number and only for work. If you qualified for it you would have applied for and received an OHIP card (at that time - it's now a Health Card) and you would have received the benefits we all receive and dental is not one of them unless you are on social assistance.

I stated in my first post that i think basic dental care should be included in our Health Care coverage but to date it is not and even if it was, an emergence dental visit prob wouldn't be covered under basic coverage unless your emergence was that your filling fell out or you broke a tooth that could be fixed with that filling compound - other wise it isn't/wasn't basic. (and by that i mean, cleaning, fillings, xrays)

I should have been clearer--I had an Ontario Provincial health card as well at the time. I do not know if it's still valid, I would think probably not.

 

[Kurby]

oh ok - but dental still wouldn't have been covered. and i doubt it would still be good - if it's the health card and not the ohip card it has an expiry date on it which has prob passed.

which really should be.

 

[calgarygary]

I've been on these boards for years and Ducklite has always been, and will always be self-righteous in her posts. Many view her in that light. It’s sad, as she seems like an intelligent and otherwise decent person. But she views herself as always right and all those who oppose her are always wrong. And she can never just state her opinions, she has to belittle those who disagree with her.

Frankly, speaking from experience, I have come to the conclusion that whenever I see someone's (especially as in the above mentioned) posts it is best to just skip over them. However, there is a story that I won't go into about a time when I couldn't skip over them and now the above mentioned poster and myself can no longer post on the Disney Restaurants board. Do yourselves a favour and resist the urge...... after all, you are not going to sway the thought process that exists within.

 

[digskat]

Another post on behalf of our system.
A friend of mine was experiencing discomfort, and went in to see his doctor. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer within 24 hours, and was into see a specialist within a week. He had the testicle removed, and started radiarion therapy. Because of the fast actio, he was spared chemotherapy. He has been 6 years cancer free.

A couple of years ago, I was on a shoppping trip south of the border, and ended up doubled over in a parking lot. We returned home, I was seen in the emergency department, and was immediately taken for an ultrasound. An issue was noted in my gall bladder, and I had an appointment for further testing within 48 hours. Fortunately for me, it was not cancerous, but the treatment was extremely fast.

As per the comment someone made that it wasn't many/most without, it was merely some. More than one in six Americans do not have health insurance (1 in 3 under 65), and the number has been increasing by a million per year since 2000. The number of people below the poverty line has increased at the same rate. With the economy in a tailspin, these rates are increasing. While we have the same issues with unemployment and poverty, at least these people have health protection. For the comments that those without benefits should get a job with benefits.......According to the Council on International and Public Affairs (CIPA), the U.S. rate of unemployment, is 11.4 per cent, and the number of businesses that have dropped their coverage for employees has dropped 15%. The only area that has seen a rise in employment is the service industry, most of which doesn't provide these benfits. It isn't always easy to improve one's lot.

 

[Charleyann]

My son has had 200 plus admission to hospital since birth. Cold hard reality is if it was the States we would be ruined or he dead as it would have cribbled us/ anybody with this much problem.

I thank God for Canadian Health Care. I don't have to get up in the morning and worry whether there is enough money to get him help.

Charleyann

 

[PhotobearSam]

My son has had 200 plus admission to hospital since birth. Cold hard reality is if it was the States we would be ruined or he dead as it would have cribbled us/ anybody with this much problem.

I thank God for Canadian Health Care. I don't have to get up in the morning and worry whether there is enough money to get him help.

Charleyann

Oh, your poor boy...Awful but it's nice to know that you can get him help.

Where is Beaver Dam?...I'm in Shediac (Well Grand-Barachois if we get technical but our business is in Shediac)

 

[surfer_ed]

I now live in Ontario and have to say that it seems better than when I lived on the east coast in the late 90's...could not get a family doctor there at all and waited 18 months to see a specalist in Moncton.

That being said...I have now been waiting 7 months to see a specialist in Markham for an irregular heart beat issue. Keep getting bumped down the list because by traditional measures I am not that sick. Tell that to my kids when I am too tired to chase them around. My Cardio says if I had $10,000+ US he could get me into Rochster NY next week.

Also my GP is on mat leave and have been waiting 5 weeks to get his 1 year check-up.

Sorry to vent.

 

[Charleyann]

Oh, your poor boy...Awful but it's nice to know that you can get him help.

Where is Beaver Dam?...I'm in Shediac (Well Grand-Barachois if we get technical but our business is in Shediac)

Beaver Dam is between Fredericton and Fredericton Junction. New Maryland area. Also near Oromocto.

Shediac, we have been. We like to Camp in Shediac!


My son is very resilant. Bounces back very quickly. This is the only life he has known, so it doesn't bother him!


Charleyann

 

[ferris198]

Dear CharleyAnn,
Just prior to reading you post I was thinking of a friend of mine and her son.
He is about the same age as your son, and his own health issues.
He was born 2 months early, and after that was diagnosed with Sickle Anemia. If he was born in the States he would probably be dead s she is a single parent.
He has been hospitalized so many times,I have lost count.
I hope everything goes well for for ypur boy and will keep him in my prayers.

 

[chobie]

So there you go again. First you'd move for health care, then you'd live apart from your spouse for health care and now you'd eat up your savings just for health care. It seems health care is running you and you are happy about it.

Your friend from Toronto needs to stop BSing you or find a new Doctor. If she was that screwed up she should have gone to ER.

Come on ...it's the American Dream. You work three jobs to to afford health care. You uproot your kids and move them away from extended family and friends at the drop of hat to live some place cheaper so you can buy even more insurance in case the health insurance you are already paying through the nose for it is not enough. Isn't that the life you want to live?

 

[Csaks]

I'm done with this.

I grew up with heath care always being there when I needed it and never gave it a second thought. My Mom and I talked about it once and told me dad had a great job offer down in the States when I was about 10. He had to turn it down because getting insurance would be next to impossible because of heart problems and if something happened it would break them.

So that is were I get my opinion on this topic. My parents were held back due to the American system at one point in there lives. I can't understand how the richest country on this planet could not have something for those that cannot afford care. Some of the premiums quoted by our American friends are down right scary, I can't imagine paying that every month (but I guess I do anyway if you consider taxes ) for heath care. But if you read some of the taxes someone like Ducklite pays it makes you wonder who's better off.

If my parents had to make this decision due to heath care, others must have as well and in my opinion that sucks.

I also need to remember this is the system I count on and has served me and my family well. My dad died of terminal cancer at the ripe old age of 56 five years ago Feb. 14. He was cared for by alot of people who helped him and us through a very trying time. To me the system was fine, he was treated and offered different treatments, but no matter what or how much money we had there would not have been any other outcome, here or in the States.


Chris.

P.S. Ducklite I apologize to you for jumping all over your comments. It was uncalled for and very Un-Canadian of me.

 

[brighteyes]

Ducklite, I find the story of your friend to be rather disturbing, and/or a little embellished.
In Ontario prior to a person being discharged from hospital, they can discuss with the nursing staff, and social worker on home care upon discharge.
The hospital social worker will discuss with the patient what kind of support system is in place at home, and will often arrange for home health care, if required through Community Care Access Centres. The care will depend on the situation of course, but it can include nursing care to change bandages, check on stitches, help with bathing, basically whatever is required.
The amount of time depends on each individuals situation, it can be daily, it can be once or twice a week. Each situation is different, and treated as such.
And, it is covered under our health care.

ITA. When I had my DS in 1995 I needed an emergency C-section. Next day woke up with horrible pain and burning in my incision. Felt like my skin was burning On the antibiotics I go and in the hospital for no less than 11 days!!! I was begging the hospital staff to let me go home. After bandage change after bandage change and nurses and 3 showers a day to keep my wound clean I was exhausted and no time with DS. On the 12th day they agreed to let me go home ONLY if I agreed to have a nurse come from CCAC. She did 3 times and day, the 2 times a day for the next month. They would not let me go home alone (I was not with DH anymore) until I agreed to have a nurse come. Gladly I agreed. Although I was in considerable pain from a severly infected incision I was so glad to get out of there. Finally had some bonding time with DS in between all the medicine I had to take


Stephanie

 

[Feralpeg]

I hope you all don't mind my asking a question about your health care system.

One of the reasons health care in the US is so expensive is because every doctors office, hospital, lab, etc. have their own staff to cover all the paper work for things like medicare, medicaid and billing. It costs them a fortune. I just keep thinking that we need a national system where all a persons medical information would reside. Each doctor would submit their bill for a person to this system which would take care of all the paperwork and patient billing. It would be a great place to keep all a persons medical records so that every doctor would have access to all the patients information. Of course, this will probably never happen here.

Anyway, do your healthcare providers do all of their own billing or do you have some sort of national database? I hope this makes sense.

Personally, I would love to see a system such as yours put in place in the US.

 

[pta-mom]

I believe Feralpeg that each of the Doc's office staff bill OHIP, following OHIP's rules & the hospitals have their own staff as well. Of course, if someone else knows this to be untrue, please jump in.

I was wondering about something else though. I wonder if part of the problem with the US system being so high to afford is not partly because of the proclivity of the US people towards suing their doctors & health care professionals so frequently. Again, this is only an observation of mine but it does seem that though we do read of an odd Canadian taking their doctor to court, it does not seem to be very frequent. But in the states, it appears to happen A LOT! I doubt it's because Canada has ALL the best doctors!!

If Doctors need TONS of insurance to protect themselves would it not stand to reason that they than have to charge more for their procedures, passing the cost on to their client's insurance, thereby making that insurance prohibitive for the common US citizen? Just a thought.

 

[digskat]

Malpractice Insurance, doctor/nurse recruitment, insurance company involvement...... all would be involved in driving up costs. However the biggest reason wold be the purpose of the Board of Directors, in Canada their biggest concern is the patient care delivery and fiscal responsibility, while in the USA it is purely fiscal profit.
As far as the 3% profit margin for the insurance company. I find it hard to believe, since they are also a big money business. Unless American Insurance companies are more client oriented, their business is based on being in a position of advantage. A friend of mine is an adjustor, and he has admitted that they are told to deny the majority of their claims, that most people will swallow what they are told. At the end of the year, they feel they only pay out about 30-40% of entitlements, add to that only about 35% of their clients make claims in a given year, and their profit margins are large. If insurance companies are so wonderful, the number of ambulance chasers would be nil, and they sure wouldn't be able to afford to advertise on national television.

 

[chobie]

Malpractice Insurance, doctor/nurse recruitment, insurance company involvement...... all would be involved in driving up costs. However the biggest reason wold be the purpose of the Board of Directors, in Canada their biggest concern is the patient care delivery and fiscal responsibility, while in the USA it is purely fiscal profit.
As far as the 3% profit margin for the insurance company. I find it hard to believe, since they are also a big money business. Unless American Insurance companies are more client oriented, their business is based on being in a position of advantage. A friend of mine is an adjustor, and he has admitted that they are told to deny the majority of their claims, that most people will swallow what they are told. At the end of the year, they feel they only pay out about 30-40% of entitlements, add to that only about 35% of their clients make claims in a given year, and their profit margins are large. If insurance companies are so wonderful, the number of ambulance chasers would be nil, and they sure wouldn't be able to afford to advertise on national television.

Exactly. The whole point of insurance companies is to make a profit. They can only make a profit if you do not use the benefits you are paying for in advance. The incentive is to deny them and make people fight for them. How anyone can think this is a good idea is beyond me. Call me a socialist, but I don't think everything should be about profit. When it comes to education of children and the health of my fellow citizens, profit should not be involved. Part of living in a society is taking care of one another.

Thanks for letting this American post on your thread. I stayed away from the other thread because I don't want to debate it. I am pleased that the health care issue is now on the list of priorities for American voters. Most people agree that something has to be done. We might not be ready for UHC, but we are moving closer.