Canadians Moving to the US

[bluealberta]

I Think So:

You should change your name to I KNOW SO!! Thank you very much for the "on the ground" information. As always, there is one side of this issue, the other side of the issue, and then there is the reality. What you have given, based on your situation, history, and experiences, would seem to be the reality.

The mortgage interest issue is something that has interested me for some time, and I am aware of the capital gains issue that applies here, but it also seems that this allows people to have the use of their money when they need it, not leave this to be dealt with by their estate like it is in Canada.

Based on what you have told me, the cost of health care in the United States is nowhere near as scary as our leftist friends in Canada would have us believe. Based on your information, it appears there are numerous choices in the US system that are not available in Canda. It also appears that wait times are much less than Canadian waiting times. As I have mentioned on other posts, I have a co-worker who will be waiting over 16 months for a knee replacement, something I find totally unacceptable given the amout of money spent on health care in Canada.

Can you answer me one more question. Employer/Employee shared costs......would you know the percentage (approx, don't need exact figures) of how many employers provide this type of benefit for their employees? From what I have already researched and what you have said, it seems that this is a fairly standard practice. Is this correct? If it is, would it be safe to say that instead of a government picking up the cost of health care that the bulk of health care costs are picked up by employers, most of whom would probably be private companies or businesses?

Again, thank you very much for this information, and I look forward to further information from you on this and other issues.

 

[peapod]

:sign5: :happy1:

 

[I think not]

The mortgage interest issue is something that has interested me for some time, and I am aware of the capital gains issue that applies here, but it also seems that this allows people to have the use of their money when they need it, not leave this to be dealt with by their estate like it is in Canada.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by being handled by their estate in Canada, maybe you can share some info

Based on what you have told me, the cost of health care in the United States is nowhere near as scary as our leftist friends in Canada would have us believe.

I think when they compare costs they aren't referring to how much it would cost the individual but as a system as a whole. For example, if a knee replacement costs $8,000 in Canada it may cost the insurance companies here $15,000 (I'm not sure of the figures, I'm just using as an example). What happens in this situation, eventually since health care costs go up, so will insurance premiums.

Based on your information, it appears there are numerous choices in the US system that are not available in Canada.

I think this is the major difference between both systems, I have read on various boards (and please correct me if I'm wrong), you are not permitted to seek health care outside of the curent Medicare program in Canada. Depsite what you hear, again, there are many options and as long as you are willing to take advantage of them, you are covered. Presently 47 out of the 50 states implement a health care program for those who can't afford coverage for their children, the flat rate for that is $5 a month per child. Other programs allow for adults under certain situations but I dont have that data for you, but if you like I can find it online for you

It also appears that wait times are much less than Canadian waiting times. As I have mentioned on other posts, I have a co-worker who will be waiting over 16 months for a knee replacement, something I find totally unacceptable given the amout of money spent on health care in Canada.

I'll try and make this as clear as possible to you. For all practical purposes there are no wait times. If you require surgery, you do not wait months or weeks to get treatment, your doctor (surgeon) makes your appointment, usually within a week or two unless an emergency. For example my mother last year had a gallbladder problem that had to be removed, between diagnosis, surgery and back at home, the time lapse was under 10 days and the cost to her was $150, because my mother has a bad habit of wanting to be in her own room and watch her favorite TV sitcoms otherwise her deductible was $50 (and I will add my mother is a seamstress)

Can you answer me one more question. Employer/Employee shared costs......would you know the percentage (approx, don't need exact figures) of how many employers provide this type of benefit for their employees? From what I have already researched and what you have said, it seems that this is a fairly standard practice. Is this correct? If it is, would it be safe to say that instead of a government picking up the cost of health care that the bulk of health care costs are picked up by employers, most of whom would probably be private companies or businesses?

I do not have that statistic for you but I can tell you companies that employ more than 10 people is pretty much standard practice, that being the case they usually provide 80 - 90% of the cost. The balance is taken out of the employees GROSS income (before taxes), thus you can say that the US government picks up part of it as their tax revenue is decreased. If you're in a union, its 100% picked up by employer. If you work for a medium size business (over 25,000,000 in sales a year) its 100% to the employer

Again, thank you very much for this information, and I look forward to further information from you on this and other issues.

 

[bluealberta]

I Think Not:

Thanks for your response. Regarding capital gains, i want to get this right, so I will get the exact method and get back to you. You are making the health care issue more and more of a non-issue with every bit of information you provide.

 

[I think not]

I Think Not:

Thanks for your response. Regarding capital gains, i want to get this right, so I will get the exact method and get back to you. You are making the health care issue more and more of a non-issue with every bit of information you provide.

I wouldn't want to imply our health care is anywhere near perfect, all I'm saying is there are options for those who can't afford it. We don't die for lack of health care. And for all intensive purposes to make a slight comparison, the technology being used in the US in health care is the foremost in the world, people dont come from around the world for health care here because we provide low quality. There are also an abundance of hospitals in the US that are 100% funded by the American people through donations, like St Judes Research Hospital, and they turn away and bill NO ONE if you cant afford it.

 

[DasFX]

Perhaps it is just me, but I could never move to the US. I love to visit and travel around the US, but to stay there & take up residence is something I cannot do. Peope say that Americans and Canadians are basically the same, but we aren't. Folks down there are just plain different. Whenever I go there, although greeted by very hospitable and nice people (for the most part) I feel out of place, I feel like a foreigner, I feel different.

However in Canada, I feel at home, no matter where I go. I've been all across the country (except the SK & NL and the North) and I've never had that feeling even though on the surface things were a lot different. I spent 2 months in Rivière-du-Loup to learn French and Quebecois culture and never did I feel that I didn't belong. I didn't understand most folks at first, but it didn't matter. I still felt at home among my people.

But when I cross that Peace bridge and head into Buffalo, my guard goes up and I know that I am in foreign territory. I've been to other countries and had similar feelings, but nowhere is it stronger than in the the US of A.

If I were forced to leave the "True North Stong & Free", I think I'd head down under to Australia or New Zealand or perhaps Europe.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Canadians Moving to t

Going to the US always reminded me of The Weight by The Band...everything's just off.

 

[bluealberta]

Perhaps you subtly, or not so subtly, portray your anti-US attitudes when you go to the US and this naturally causes resentment. Not trying to be confrontational, but the Rev is certainly not known on this post as a US supporter! I know that when we go to the US, which is very frequently, we are treated very well, and the entire experience is much more relaxing. We do a lot of camping in the US, and find their attitudes much more relaxed, which makes us more relaxed. Here in Canada, there are so many rules and regulations when doing the same thing it turns into a tense experience. I think that possibly one of the differences for us in Alberta, especially for those in Southern Alberta, is that a lot of our ancestors came from the US in the late 1800's, so we have somewhat of a natural affinity with the US. Just another difference between us in the west (of Ontario/Manitoba) and the east.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Canadians Moving to t

My grandfather's family came to Saskatchewan from the US as part of a migration of German-speaking Americans who wanted land, so I guess your theory doesn't work that well.

The fact is that things are different in the US. Even the friendliest Americans are not Canadian. They have far different values then us. Money is more important to them. There is an attitude of, "my country right or wrong" that makes political discussion dfficult. The Christian religion plays a much larger role in the US. They have allowed religion to influence politics.

I haven't been to the US since the millenium. I have no plans to go back until they straighten themselves out. If you want to go though, Blue, feel free.

 

[DasFX]

Perhaps you subtly, or not so subtly, portray your anti-US attitudes when you go to the US and this naturally causes resentment. Not trying to be confrontational, but the Rev is certainly not known on this post as a US supporter! I know that when we go to the US, which is very frequently, we are treated very well, and the entire experience is much more relaxing. We do a lot of camping in the US, and find their attitudes much more relaxed, which makes us more relaxed. Here in Canada, there are so many rules and regulations when doing the same thing it turns into a tense experience. I think that possibly one of the differences for us in Alberta, especially for those in Southern Alberta, is that a lot of our ancestors came from the US in the late 1800's, so we have somewhat of a natural affinity with the US. Just another difference between us in the west (of Ontario/Manitoba) and the east.

I wouldn't say I'm anti-US and I certainly would not exude those types of attitude while being a guest in their country. I respect the US, if anything I may disagree with some of their government's actions, but I would not take that out on the populace.

You point about having a natural affinity is probably right. I have no affinity to them, but then again, being a 1 st generation Canadian, I really have no affinity with Canada outside of the GTA.

What I think the difference is the difference between East and West. Visiting Montanna, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Wyoming is very different from Michigan, Ohio or New York State. Perhaps the difference isn't in the actual country but in the state location.

One place though I did feel completely comfortable and loved was Chicago. Good people, clean and is a city that works. (I managed to stay out of the bad areas so they may have skewed my opinion)

Perhaps I should finish visiting all the states before drawing my conclusion. I may have a different opinion after visiting the Golden State and Aloha state this summer.

 

[bluealberta]

Das: You are probably right about the different parts of the country, and probably it seems easier for us in the West, or at least in Alberta, where our politics, mad cow aside, are more alike. There is not a lot of difference politically between most Montana residents and most Albertans, so I guess it is kind of like visiting your favorite relative. From what I hear from Montana tourists who come through our town, I get the same feedback from them about us, so the closeness, the history, and the political similarities probably do have a lot to do with how we feel about each other out here. Rev, thanks for your permission.

 

[DasFX]

Re: RE: Canadians Moving to t

I haven't been to the US since the millenium. I have no plans to go back.

Well that is silly, who really loses out, them or you. Like I said, I'm not pro USA and don't pretend to be American. You'll never catch me singing the Star Spangled Banner, you'll never find me wearing the myriad of clothes with their emblems. I'll buy from a Canadian store or company whenever I can and will always put Canada first, right or wrong.

However, that will not stop me from visiting our neighbours to the south. When I'm there, I don't hide who I am, I remember getting dirty looks on tours at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the US Capitol for wearing Canadian t-shirts. Mind you this was when I was on tours with group of Americans who were plastered with star and stripes and even a few eagles from head to toe.

I've got 25 states under my belt and I plan on getting the other 25.

One thing Yanks know how to do is drive and build highways. Man, I love their interstate system. Forget this two lane garbage we have outside of Ontario and Quebec. Also, Americans understand the rule of "Stay right except to pass!"

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Here's a question directed to Mr. Not:

If the insured health coverage is as nifty as you say it is, and that prescription medication is at a largely reduced rate, why are so many seemingly affluent Americans getting their medication in Canada?

Why is your government shutting down internet pharmacies?

Why are people streaming across the border to get flu injections from Canadian clinics?

 

[Jo Canadian]

If the insured health coverage is as nifty as you say it is, and that prescription medication is at a largely reduced rate, why are so many seemingly affluent Americans getting their medication in Canada?

That reminds me of something I found today. :lol:

 

[Reverend Blair]

Great cartoon, Jo. A joint replacement in India runs about $5000 USD, btw. It's about $7000 to $8000 here. In the US it's $25,000.

American drugs are more expensive not just, or even mostly, because of the exchange rate. They are more expensive because the US government has put the profit margins of their large corporations ahead of the health of their people.

From what I hear from Montana tourists who come through our town,

The last time I was in Plentywood (that's in Montana, for those of you who aren't from Regina), I watched two grown men beat the crap out of each other over whether black angus were better than herefords. I never did figure out if they were talking about the meat or the sex, but I doubt it matters much.

I always liked Plentywood because it was like any small town in Saskatchewan. Except for Bob's Beer Warehouse and the convenience store that had no name, but did have a sign in the parking lot that read, "Milk, Bread, Beer." There was a bar (actually there were 18 bars there, but this one was special) there that just had a sign that said, "Pool, Beer, Cigarettes." I shot pool against some cowboys there. Real cowboys. A couple of them even brought their six-shooters with them. A pretty left-leaning bunch over-all though, once you got used to them begging the lord for help to sink the eight ball.

Rev, thanks for your permission.

You're welcome. You should consider moving there.

Well that is silly, who really loses out, them or you.

Them.

 

[Vanni Fucci]

I agree...Jo Canadian, with a cartoon for every occasion...

 

[jamie]

Re: RE: Canadians Moving to the US

But when I cross that Peace bridge and head into Buffalo, my guard goes up and I know that I am in foreign territory.

We'll I guess you explained the reason. Your preconceived misconceptions of the US get your guard up.
Not that I'm blaming you or anything. I know when I make my soon-to-be trip to Canada, though, I'll keep my eyes peeled, so-to-speak. I know I'll be in hostile territory where most residents have biased ideas and promote bigotry towards me and those from my country. I'll be on guard, but I plan on enjoying the nature and the people who aren't hateful- as there are some Canadians who aren't that way.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Canadians Moving to t

I don't those are really misconceptions, Jamie. You are entering are foreign country. I think that it's just beginning to dawn on people how different we really are from each other.

I doubt you'll find the average Canadian any more hostile than we find the average American, but there is no point trying to pretend that the US and Canada are the same anymore. I doubt they ever were, but our countries are very much heading in different directions.

 

[jamie]

Everyone's different but we're all the same. LOL

I read a post somewhere in which a new Canadian (orig. from Africa) likened it to a twin sister calling the other ugly. Ain't that hilarious, rev!!!!??? :lol: :laughing5: :lol:

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Canadians Moving to t

Except that I don't think we were ever twins. Right now we're siblings that were once close but have little in common beyond the inheritance. We're heading towards being cousins...not the kissing kind either.