Canadian Health Care

Quote: Originally Posted by Shea69

Hello everyone. I am an American, and I used to live in the Seattle area and I would often visit British Columbia. B.C. is a gorgeous place and the people there are very friendly and pleasant.
I would like to comprehend a bit more about your health care system. As many of you are aware, we here in the states have great medical facilities and doctors but we have a very poor health care system. Whenever someone suggests a national health care plan- there are Americans who get upset and some of those Americans compare a national health care system to that of yours in Canada.
What I persistently hear from my friends and (by members of the Republican Party) is that they "know" a Canadian and Canadians are unable to get serious health care/surgeries in Canada thus, Canadians come to the states for treatment. The other negative I hear about the Canadian health care system is that you have to wait a long time for a procedure or it takes a long time to see your primary physician for a routine doctor visit.
Please enligiten me to these comments about your Canadian health care system. Are my friends and the Republicans full of "bulls***" or are there some concerns with your health care system?
I very much appreciate and I look forward to your responses.

Quote has been trimmed, See full post:

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonington

But, you'll never have to worry about pre-existing conditions, or the possibility of a bankruptcy. That's a huge plus.

Quote: Originally Posted by CDNBear

Ton, the volume of that statement, was deafening.

Spot on!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by SirJosephPorter

Shea, we could argue back and forth as to the merits of the two system, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Canada spends a lot less on health care (per capita) than Americans, has higher life expectancy, lower infant mortality than Americans. For a lot less money, Canadian health care system manages to achieve better results than American health care system.

We could trade horror stories back and forth (and I am sure there are plenty on both sides), but that doesn’t really settle anything. Stand back and look at overall picture, Canadian system is clearly superior to the American system.

Quote: Originally Posted by YukonJack

Life expectancy is not a measure for quality of life.

Now that I am seventy, I realize that it is more important to add life to my years than years to my life.

Quote: Originally Posted by Colpy

On March 24, 2007 I had a heart attack, was taken to hospital by ambulance......I was in hospital for about 3 weeks, and had a quadruple bypass operation performed by a very good surgeon.

In July of the same year, I had laser surgery done on cataracts in my right eye.

I have no medical insurance. This all cost me not a penny. Free. Gratis. And high quality.

The down side of Canadian health care is that it is very difficult in my province to get a family doctor, and when you have a doctor, it is difficult to get in to see him. To see a specialist often takes 6 months....because the province will not hire more doctors.

As well, some surgeries for non-life threatening (but extremely unpleasant) conditions have a long long waiting list....(ex hip replacement)

So there is truth in both sides of the argument.........it is not a black or white issue....

Quote: Originally Posted by taxslave

This is the major fall down in our system in that anyone can reap ALL the rewards of the finest treatment money can buy without contributing a dime. At least until the entire government collapses under the weight of free health care and education for all.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonington

Don't be ridiculous. They can't reap ALL the rewards, which by the way is a bizarre choice of words for someone who has a health problem. They will only get what they need, not the whole frigging thing, like it's some perverse lottery.

They can be secure that if they should fall ill or become injured that they can get the care they need, and not have to worry about where the money will come to pay for it. Chances are they paid taxes into that system.

Quote: Originally Posted by Toro

Generally, the healthcare system in Canada is pretty good. If you have a critical need, you generally get it treated pretty quickly. If you are poor or lower middle class, you get better care in Canada than in America. You never have to worry about healthcare and losing your job. Nobody ever gets rejected for a pre-existing condition.

However, if you have a non-critical condition, you often have to wait. My father lived in pain with neurological problems that were not life-threatening and it took him nearly a year to see a neurologist. You used to have to wait months for an MRI. Generally, cutting edge technologies are less available in Canada.

I am a Canadian living in America and have better healthcare coverage than I had in Canada, but I am financially stable. If I were poor, I would move back to Canada.

Quote: Originally Posted by Toro

Generally, the healthcare system in Canada is pretty good. If you have a critical need, you generally get it treated pretty quickly. If you are poor or lower middle class, you get better care in Canada than in America. You never have to worry about healthcare and losing your job. Nobody ever gets rejected for a pre-existing condition.

However, if you have a non-critical condition, you often have to wait. My father lived in pain with neurological problems that were not life-threatening and it took him nearly a year to see a neurologist. You used to have to wait months for an MRI. Generally, cutting edge technologies are less available in Canada.

I am a Canadian living in America and have better healthcare coverage than I had in Canada, but I am financially stable. If I were poor, I would move back to Canada.

Quote: Originally Posted by aman12

My wife was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome,. she had surgery within a month and has had several follow up visits with her surgeon. as well, she has had several physio appointments. All of this is fully covered at no cost.she was granted 6 weeks leave with pay by her employer according to provincial regulations. How can anyone argue against such a health care system. Conservatives need to give their heads a real good shake.

Quote: Originally Posted by SirJosephPorter

Health care in Canada is not free...it is paid for through taxation.

I pay even if I don't use the system for extended periods of time.

Isn’t that how insurance works, Grizzly? Those who are healthy pay more than their fair share, so that those who are sick can get free treatment, so that they won’t be burdened with excessive financial burden.

I rarely use the health care system (except for annual check ups), but I don’t mind paying more than my fair share of health care costs. Since I rarely use health care, anything I pay is more than my fair share.

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

Since you`re a major beneficiary of the health care system, your opinion is hardly disinterested.

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

Since you`re a major beneficiary of the health care system, your opinion is hardly disinterested.