#1Feb 26th, 2010
1849 others browsing the Canadian Forums! Join us!HEALTH CARE - User fees
#2
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
The medical system is in disarray by intention. The pharmaceutical companies want us off our "socialist" system and onto an American style "gouge them as they go" system. Health care be damned: "Profit before life!"
#3
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
You took my suggestion, did you? Well, good for you. I will join the discussion later, the rest of the day is pretty busy for me.
#4
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
User fees are useful from one perspective - they cut down on needless visits to ER for stupid things like colds.
However, they also tend to prevent some (typically seniors who are 'careful' with their money) from accessing health care when they should, which usually translates to more expensive, longer hospital stays later on.
However, they also tend to prevent some (typically seniors who are 'careful' with their money) from accessing health care when they should, which usually translates to more expensive, longer hospital stays later on.
#5
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
Being a healthy as well as health conscious person I find that I pay a great deal of money every year for health care that I don't use as well as paying extra for the few services that I require. In B.C> we pay $106 per month for "free" health care and it is not tax deductible according to revenue Canada. But it does not cover the important things like the several medicals that I require for various licenses. Of course these are required by different government agencies so going once and getting a few photo copies does not work. They also vary in price from around $90-120 and are a farce when I go to a walk in clinic and answer yes or no to the questions that a doctor I have never met reads off the form and then signs.
#6
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
User fees should be paid by EVERYONE. Even by people on social assistance. (Is that euphamism for welfare??). Smaller amount, of course, but no visit to a doctor should be totally free.
$5.00 for people working and $2.00 for those on welfare and pension would be about right.
$5.00 for people working and $2.00 for those on welfare and pension would be about right.
#8
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
"Yankee Go Home!"
I am sure Danny Williams is grateful that Americans did NOT take this despicable attitude about people from another country.
I am sure Danny Williams is grateful that Americans did NOT take this despicable attitude about people from another country.
#9
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by JLM
I like the idea of user fees for those that can afford it. Not everyone can afford a $20, though. There are seniors in need of care living on OAP and CPP alone. If they're lucky they might get a grand a month. Out of that they probably spend at least $300 on groceries, another few hundred on rent or whatever, and the rest on incidentals. Try living in Vancouver or Toronto on a grand a month when you are old, can't easily get around, and have an ailment or two.With our healthcare system being in a bad state of disarray to the point where people are waiting months for certain procedures and people in some areas are even finding it next to impossible to have their own family doctor, I think something fairly unorhtodox has to be done. I suggest that for each initial visit for an illness (people on social assistance being exempt) that the patient pays a $20 fee up front. What this might do is discourage people with trivial complaints like runny noses and hangnails from running to the doctor and running up costs the rest of us can't afford and adding to line ups in the system delaying sick people getting treatment. It might also stimulate some people to get off their rear end and take care of their own health, like maybe getting a little exercise. What do you think?
Concerning the rest of us, great idea. We've been bringing the idea of user fees up every time the topic of healthcare comes up. A lot of people would have to get a little more serious about pestering their docs for something if they had to fork over some money and it'd alleviate healthcare costs a little. The money would go directly to the healthcare, too, rather than going through the gov't so it can budget for healthcare. (At least till gov't cuts back more).
#10
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by Cliffy
Yeah, well, those same companies like to gouge gov'ts, too.The medical system is in disarray by intention. The pharmaceutical companies want us off our "socialist" system and onto an American style "gouge them as they go" system. Health care be damned: "Profit before life!"
One of the friends of ours in a wheelchair gets gov't assistance. Gov't pays for wheelchair parts. Well, this is fine but medical companies will charge the gov't $70 a pair for tires. The other friend in a wheelchair pays for his own tires and gets them at a bike shop for $15 a tire.
Les told the guy he could probably build him a wheelchair comparable to the one he has for under a grand. The guy paid almost $5000 for the one he has.
#11
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by SirJosephPorter
You took my suggestion, did you? Well, good for you. I will join the discussion later, the rest of the day is pretty busy for me.
Yeah, everything's about you. #12
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by YukonJack
Would that little cover the bookkeeping costs?User fees should be paid by EVERYONE. Even by people on social assistance. (Is that euphamism for welfare??). Smaller amount, of course, but no visit to a doctor should be totally free.
$5.00 for people working and $2.00 for those on welfare and pension would be about right.
#13
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
What a pain that would be for the doctor involved, to be charging and keeping track, they'd probably have to start taking debit and credit cards...
#14
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny
You mean like dentists and eye doctors do? Yeah, MDs would definitely have it so tough.What a pain that would be for the doctor involved, to be charging and keeping track, they'd probably have to start taking debit and credit cards...
#15
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
"Would that little cover the bookkeeping costs?"
Maybe, maybe not. But it would - at least, hopefully - discourage unwarranted and frivolous visits to doctors, and especially the ER.
Maybe, maybe not. But it would - at least, hopefully - discourage unwarranted and frivolous visits to doctors, and especially the ER.
#16
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by AnnaG
Have you ever noticed what dentists make? They aren't collecting $5 to send to medicare, I can tell you that.You mean like dentists and eye doctors do? Yeah, MDs would definitely have it so tough.
Or are you suggesting that the docs keep the $5 charge?
#17
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by eh1eh
JLM.
Yankee Go Home!
eh1eh- F**k off.
#18
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by taxslave
First who ever said it was FREE.. It is Universal not free..Being a healthy as well as health conscious person I find that I pay a great deal of money every year for health care that I don't use as well as paying extra for the few services that I require. In B.C> we pay $106 per month for "free" health care and it is not tax deductible according to revenue Canada. But it does not cover the important things like the several medicals that I require for various licenses. Of course these are required by different government agencies so going once and getting a few photo copies does not work. They also vary in price from around $90-120 and are a farce when I go to a walk in clinic and answer yes or no to the questions that a doctor I have never met reads off the form and then signs.
#19
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny
Why not? They do the work, don't they? Hospitals can charge user fees to alleviate some of their costs, too.Have you ever noticed what dentists make? They aren't collecting $5 to send to medicare, I can tell you that.
Or are you suggesting that the docs keep the $5 charge?
Or are you suggesting that anything medical people collect they should give the gov't and the govb't can dole it back?
#20
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by Francis2004
I think that's why he put the word "free" in quote marks. lolFirst who ever said it was FREE.. It is Universal not free..
#21
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by AnnaG
Dentists have never been covered in BC.. Have you been by an Eye doctor's office lately.. Most of the ones I walk by lately offer discounts and are ghost towns with immediate service from the lack of patients. Seniors and Kids still get covered and are the only exception here.. Eventually in BC we will see a lack of them as they all leave for greener pastures..You mean like dentists and eye doctors do? Yeah, MDs would definitely have it so tough.
#22
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by JLM
I think a much better approach would be to charge those who go see doctors for stupid reasons. In the last month I have had ( medically required ) to see the doctor 8 times and it certainly was not of my choice.. With our healthcare system being in a bad state of disarray to the point where people are waiting months for certain procedures and people in some areas are even finding it next to impossible to have their own family doctor, I think something fairly unorhtodox has to be done. I suggest that for each initial visit for an illness (people on social assistance being exempt) that the patient pays a $20 fee up front. What this might do is discourage people with trivial complaints like runny noses and hangnails from running to the doctor and running up costs the rest of us can't afford and adding to line ups in the system delaying sick people getting treatment. It might also stimulate some people to get off their rear end and take care of their own health, like maybe getting a little exercise. What do you think?
Senior as AnnaG pointed out can ill afford to spend $20.00 of food money and be much more sick when in BC many already must dish out extra cash for medication that is now no longer covered by pharmacare.. Add to that that many doctors do not give prescriptions for more then 30 days and require a visit for every refill.. Sometimes I really think Doctors are PART of the problem when they fight the system to ensure Pharmacists cannot hand out long term medication over a years time without a doctors visit..
#23
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by Francis2004
They are covered by some employers and insurance companies. We didn't pay for the bulk of our dental while hubby was firefighting.Dentists have never been covered in BC..
Quote:
Yup. Have you been by an Eye doctor's office lately..
Quote:
The one I get my eyes checked at always seems to have a customer of two in it. Admittedly the franchised one at the mall in the same town is empty a lot, though. Most of the ones I walk by lately offer discounts and are ghost towns with immediate service from the lack of patients.
Quote:
Perhaps. Seniors and Kids still get covered and are the only exception here.. Eventually in BC we will see a lack of them as they all leave for greener pastures..
Are you suggesting that if MDs start charging user fees, their business will disappear and they'll have to move to greener pastures?
#24
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by AnnaG
Perhaps, but the day anything is "FREE" in this world I want a piece of it.. Even the smiles at McDonalds costs now.. I think that's why he put the word "free" in quote marks. lol
#25
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by Francis2004
Um, good point but I think MDs do hand out long term prescriptions. MIL gets 3 month's worth of her meds, 4 times a year before she needs a prescription renewed.I think a much better approach would be to charge those who go see doctors for stupid reasons. In the last month I have had ( medically required ) to see the doctor 8 times and it certainly was not of my choice..
Senior as AnnaG pointed out can ill afford to spend $20.00 of food money and be much more sick when in BC many already must dish out extra cash for medication that is now no longer covered by pharmacare.. Add to that that many doctors do not give prescriptions for more then 30 days and require a visit for every refill.. Sometimes I really think Doctors are PART of the problem when they fight the system to ensure Pharmacists cannot hand out long term medication over a years time without a doctors visit..
#26
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by Francis2004
lol As soon as you step through the doorway at one of those chokenpukes, you start paying in one way or another.Perhaps, but the day anything is "FREE" in this world I want a piece of it.. Even the smiles at McDonalds costs now..
#27
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
"Um, good point but I think MDs do hand out long term prescriptions. MIL gets 3 month's worth of her meds, 4 times a year before she needs a prescription renewed."
You are lucky. My family doctor never prescribes more than a month's supply, and never, never a refill without a visit to his office.
That is no less despicable than frivolous and unnecessary visits to a doctor's office.
Because IT IS.
You are lucky. My family doctor never prescribes more than a month's supply, and never, never a refill without a visit to his office.
That is no less despicable than frivolous and unnecessary visits to a doctor's office.
Because IT IS.
#28
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010Quote: Originally Posted by YukonJack
Weird. I would think if you have a condition that's chronic, it'd make sense to prescribe long term. Unless the patient was coming in to see the doc relatively frequently anyway, as in the case of my MIL."Um, good point but I think MDs do hand out long term prescriptions. MIL gets 3 month's worth of her meds, 4 times a year before she needs a prescription renewed."
You are lucky. My family doctor never prescribes more than a month's supply, and never, never a refill without a visit to his office.
That is no less despicable than frivolous and unnecessary visits to a doctor's office.
Because IT IS.
#29
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
"Weird. I would think if you have a condition that's chronic, it'd make sense to prescribe long term. Unless the patient was coming in to see the doc relatively frequently anyway, as in the case of my MIL."
Weird, indeed. When I lived in Ontario (till 2007), having the same chronic conditions, all I had to do was going to the drug store and have the pharmacist to fax my request to the doctor's office.
Not in Manitoba, though. At least not my family doctor.
Weird, indeed. When I lived in Ontario (till 2007), having the same chronic conditions, all I had to do was going to the drug store and have the pharmacist to fax my request to the doctor's office.
Not in Manitoba, though. At least not my family doctor.
#30
Re: HEALTH CARE - User fees
Feb 26th, 2010
AnnaG
They are covered by some employers and insurance companies.
Duhhhhh, Obviously.. ( sorry I couldn't resist. being sarcastic. ) But no MSP plan has ever covered it and probably never will..
Yup. The one I get my eyes checked at always seems to have a customer of two in it.
Admittedly the franchised one at the mall in the same town is empty a lot, though. Perhaps.
And that's what I was talking about.. Most of those Clinics are Ghost towns..
Are you suggesting that if MDs start charging user fees, their business will disappear and they'll have to move to greener pastures?
Actually the point I was making was more along the lines that the Optometrists will move to places where they can make a better living..
But to the point JLM is making, it would certainly empty out regular MDs office if you start to charge a user fees.. That is the point.. Also do you expect the Government to let them keep that $20.00 user fee as extra income or deduct it from their total fee like they usually do anyway.. Come on this is Canada..
They are covered by some employers and insurance companies.
Duhhhhh, Obviously.. ( sorry I couldn't resist. being sarcastic
. ) But no MSP plan has ever covered it and probably never will..Yup. The one I get my eyes checked at always seems to have a customer of two in it.
Admittedly the franchised one at the mall in the same town is empty a lot, though. Perhaps.
And that's what I was talking about.. Most of those Clinics are Ghost towns..
Are you suggesting that if MDs start charging user fees, their business will disappear and they'll have to move to greener pastures?
Actually the point I was making was more along the lines that the Optometrists will move to places where they can make a better living..
But to the point JLM is making, it would certainly empty out regular MDs office if you start to charge a user fees.. That is the point.. Also do you expect the Government to let them keep that $20.00 user fee as extra income or deduct it from their total fee like they usually do anyway.. Come on this is Canada..
Last edited by Francis2004; Feb 26th, 2010 at 03:54 PM..
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