We have excellent heathcare right across North America.

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
3
36
London, Ontario
I don't think the issue is whether or not there is excellent healthcare, I think it's more about access to it. Whether you're talking about Canada, U.S., a European nation or China.

Although this guy's choice was a tad extreme, I will admit. Makes me shudder actually.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
If he is tough enough to self amputate I would be giving him anything he wants.
it's moved to his other leg, he won't last long in China,

studies done by insurance companies (a German/Canadian one) claim if we have a serious health incident while over there, they need to get us out within 48 hours or we will be dead
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
21
38
kelowna bc
Actually its more about those in charge wanting to deny others access to healcare
because they own the shares in the companies that keep it expensive so as to
profit from human misery. Medicare administered by governments is good in the
long run. Yes we might all have to pay and some never use it agreed. Then again
life insurance has sane people buying it and some don't have need of it for a very
long time. Not having someone collect on your life insurance is a good thing for
you personally. Some buy and die the next day true. When that happens we don't
complain about having to continue paying our premiums do we?
I don't mind paying for healthcare and I hope I don't need to access a claim but if I
do I won't lose my house and everything else. Yes we have great healthcare we
just have a lousy attitude in many cases. It is a program we should be happy to
have everyone have access to regardless of cost.
the healthcare system is not the problem people are the problem.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
Actually its more about those in charge wanting to deny others access to healcare
because they own the shares in the companies that keep it expensive so as to
profit from human misery. Medicare administered by governments is good in the
long run. Yes we might all have to pay and some never use it agreed. Then again
life insurance has sane people buying it and some don't have need of it for a very
long time. Not having someone collect on your life insurance is a good thing for
you personally. Some buy and die the next day true. When that happens we don't
complain about having to continue paying our premiums do we?
I don't mind paying for healthcare and I hope I don't need to access a claim but if I
do I won't lose my house and everything else. Yes we have great healthcare we
just have a lousy attitude in many cases. It is a program we should be happy to
have everyone have access to regardless of cost.
the healthcare system is not the problem people are the problem.

Absolutely, some abuse it because they think it's "free", others bitch if they have to wait in line. In the past 8 months or so I've had to make a lot of use of it, and I think that use will diminish over time, but I haven't found a single thing to complain about, the doctors and other professionals here leave nothing to chance and there are preventative programs in place here for free. I pay about 1/3 of the cost of prescriptions. One charity that is well worth donating to is your local hospital foundation.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
Absolutely, some abuse it because they think it's "free", others bitch if they have to wait in line. In the past 8 months or so I've had to make a lot of use of it, and I think that use will diminish over time, but I haven't found a single thing to complain about, the doctors and other professionals here leave nothing to chance and there are preventative programs in place here for free. I pay about 1/3 of the cost of prescriptions. One charity that is well worth donating to is your local hospital foundation.
agreed....
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
OMG 8O that is hideous...and sad beyond words. Our healthcare is not the best in the world, but I am grateful for it on a daily basis.

From what I've seen in my town in the past year, I'm not actually convinced there is a better one anywhere in the world. We have it all here.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
From what I've seen in my town in the past year, I'm not actually convinced there is a better one anywhere in the world. We have it all here.
we are blessed for sure! in order to bring down health costs long term, I'd be willing to include dental in our health care and pay a bit more in taxes...in the long run it should lower costs because poor dental care can lead to a host of other problems that would require long term care and burden the system more...we need to investigate it further
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
we are blessed for sure! in order to bring down health costs long term, I'd be willing to include dental in our health care and pay a bit more in taxes...in the long run it should lower costs because poor dental care can lead to a host of other problems that would require long term care and burden the system more...we need to investigate it further

I agree. It does seem to me that pretty well all dental procedures are very expensive. I imagine there is a good reason for that but I'd like someone to explain to me why that is. I would guess we are charged about $400 an hour for many procedures.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
3
36
London, Ontario
From what I've seen in my town in the past year, I'm not actually convinced there is a better one anywhere in the world. We have it all here.

Say that when you're waiting weeks to begin cancer treatment. Or for an MRI.

It's good but it could be vastly improved.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
Say that when you're waiting weeks to begin cancer treatment. Or for an MRI.

It's good but it could be vastly improved.

I can only speak from my own experience. I had an M.R.I. last March within one hour of being told I needed one. (Actually I guess I didn't need one) -:) How would you realistically improve wait times when there are simply not enough professionals to handle the traffic?
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
Say that when you're waiting weeks to begin cancer treatment. Or for an MRI.

It's good but it could be vastly improved.
one can only speak and judge from one's personal experience...mine have all been excellent with the exception of the ER kidney stone night...and they had a young woman who had blown an aneurism so mine really was minor in comparison even though I wished they would just kill me....my surgery gave a great contrast to that... we are blessed and for those with money they can just hop over the border and pay for it...
 

Sons of Liberty

Walks on Water
Aug 24, 2010
1,284
0
36
Evil Empire
we are blessed and for those with money they can just hop over the border and pay for it...

I have to ask, because over the years I have seen the same exact comment, do you base your quality of health care on how much it costs? Honestly, I don't care, I pay $700 a month for myself and I have access to cutting edge medical technology, you think I am going to put a price on my health? I think not.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
one can only speak and judge from one's personal experience...mine have all been excellent with the exception of the ER kidney stone night...and they had a young woman who had blown an aneurism so mine really was minor in comparison even though I wished they would just kill me....my surgery gave a great contrast to that... we are blessed and for those with money they can just hop over the border and pay for it...

You and I seem to think along the same lines, Sal. There are always things to criticise about medical care, but do we really want to improve the situation given there is a finite amount of money in public coffers and healthcare is just one of many destinations for it. Do we want to reduce education costs, or police costs or housing for the destitute costs? I think our health care is at such a level that if people still want to improve it there are things they can do...................get off the couch, quit smoking, cut down on the salt and sugar etc. etc. etc.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
3
36
London, Ontario
I can only speak from my own experience. I had an M.R.I. last March within one hour of being told I needed one. (Actually I guess I didn't need one) -:) How would you realistically improve wait times when there are simply not enough professionals to handle the traffic?

one can only speak and judge from one's personal experience...mine have all been excellent with the exception of the ER kidney stone night...and they had a young woman who had blown an aneurism so mine really was minor in comparison even though I wished they would just kill me....my surgery gave a great contrast to that... we are blessed and for those with money they can just hop over the border and pay for it...

I haven't had a lot of personal experience to be honest, thankfully I have no health issues. I have had a ringside seat with my Mom over the past few years. The healthcare that I saw she received, while in and of itself was good quality, was not comprehensive. Lots of room for improvement there. My daughter's boyfriend, who suffers from a gastrointestinal disease, waited 3 months to get into a specialist for treatment.

Don't get me wrong there are a hell of a lot of places far worse off than we are, but it's not all it's cracked up to be either. I think we're continuing to do what we've always done and the cracks are beginning to show.




 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
I have to ask, because over the years I have seen the same exact comment, do you base your quality of health care on how much it costs? Honestly, I don't care, I pay $700 a month for myself and I have access to cutting edge medical technology, you think I am going to put a price on my health? I think not.

Somebody has to, it has to be paid for. Is a professional going to sacrifice 7-10 years of his/her life for no returns?
 

Sons of Liberty

Walks on Water
Aug 24, 2010
1,284
0
36
Evil Empire
Somebody has to, it has to be paid for. Is a professional going to sacrifice 7-10 years of his/her life for no returns?

I'm sorry but from where I stand you are wrong. The poor and the elderly have medical coverage in the US, if you're middle class, make do and pay your way. I happily pay $700 a month and my mind is at ease.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
3
36
London, Ontario
I'm sorry but from where I stand you are wrong. The poor and the elderly have medical coverage in the US, if you're middle class, make do and pay your way. I happily pay $700 a month and my mind is at ease.

I have to say that seems steep to me. Not that I consider health to be something you put a price on, if that what it takes, then that is what it takes.