We have excellent heathcare right across North America.

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
36,362
4,340
113
Vancouver Island
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.

For a start the average dental office has about $ 1million worth of equipment in it. There is also a fair number of staff. I never asked but I suspect their insurance costs are fairly high as well.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
5
36
London, Ontario
Sure if it would work and cut costs I am there.

It's at least an idea with possibilities. But mention the word private in context with the word healthcare in public in this country, and you get an irrational response almost every time. And we can't afford to not talk about it anymore. Healthcare is important and even more so now with the aging boomer population. What worked in the 70's is not working now. I don't care if they leave it in our taxes or not, I want to see efficient use of health care dollars.
 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
36,362
4,340
113
Vancouver Island
I agree in spirit but once your health becomes a business, the cost goes up and there is no control on private business pricing, they are not there to ensure you are okey dokey, they are there for profit...just see how fast the cost rises and how desperate people will pay anything. You would have and then you would be competing for hip surgery.

Two tiered is a nice idea for the rich, not the average.

THere could be if it was run like ICBC. A one payer system with for profit providers works well. Other than hospitals that is how most of our medical system works anyway. Our main problem is that there is too much administration. And a bunch of vested interests in keeping things like they are.
 

Sons of Liberty

Walks on Water
Aug 24, 2010
1,284
0
36
Evil Empire
It wasn't my media the CEO was on the Oprah show so I am positive it was well vetted but maybe not. The other was an Amercian documentary maybe she had an agenda. I don't know. Maybe you have an agenda I don't know.

My only agenda is to hush extremism, on all sides and all topics, it sickens me to no end. That and get opposing reasonable opinions. For every single issue there are multiple views, multiple solutions and multiple ways of addressing them. I prefer the common sense route.

apologies my intent was not to be condescending only that I keep hearing about how wonderful your system is...my FB crawl is packed full of anti-Obama crap and so is this forum. He is the devil incarnate and people should be left on their own for health care. The government shut down is his fault and every blight on your country is his fault.

Well I don't think our health system is wonderful, I also don't think Obama is the devil incarnate, I also believe that there are a great many things the United States can do much much better on and no need for apologies. I also believe you have many problems and your own health system needs remodeling, that's not implying following our model, but our model isn't the worst either, thousands of people a year come to the US for medical attention, they don't come here because we're expensive and flawed, they come here because they know cutting edge medical breakthroughs happen here.

I would have to put a price on my health care if we did not have the current system so I do have a pony in that race. My father would have died with his health issues had we lived in the States or we would have been bankrupt. Peoples lives can change in an instant, through no fault of their own. Some don't seem to get that even on this forum. The poor are just lazy...that makes me feel defensive. I work with kids in those environments and the judgement makes me insane. I know you are not like that. So sorry. :D

Some poor people may be lazy, some are also "hooked" on their lifestyle and it takes enormous support to get out of that. I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, I came from a financially dirt poor family and the only thing that got me out of was my own determination. I highly doubt your dad would have died, I don't know if you would have been bankrupt either, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I also believe people also don't want to be accountable for their own actions.
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
My only agenda is to hush extremism, on all sides and all topics, it sickens me to no end. That and get opposing reasonable opinions. For every single issue there are multiple views, multiple solutions and multiple ways of addressing them. I prefer the common sense route.
agreed



Well I don't think our health system is wonderful, I also don't think Obama is the devil incarnate, I also believe that there are a great many things the United States can do much much better on and no need for apologies.
thanks

I also believe you have many problems and your own health system needs remodeling, that's not implying following our model, but our model isn't the worst either, thousands of people a year come to the US for medical attention, they don't come here because we're expensive and flawed, they come here because they know cutting edge medical breakthroughs happen here.
And it is wonderful that they can afford to.

Administration of our health care system is a huge issue. Hospital CEOs make big money and are bonused like corporations even when their budgets don't balance and the running of the hospital is poor. It's funny how that works

Some poor people may be lazy, some are also "hooked" on their lifestyle and it takes enormous support to get out of that. I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, I came from a financially dirt poor family and the only thing that got me out of was my own determination. I highly doubt your dad would have died, I don't know if you would have been bankrupt either, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I also believe people also don't want to be accountable for their own actions.
While that is true, some people don't, because they are as you say hooked on a lifestye, if you can get the kids and turn them around, it's the beginning.

THere could be if it was run like ICBC. A one payer system with for profit providers works well. Other than hospitals that is how most of our medical system works anyway. Our main problem is that there is too much administration. And a bunch of vested interests in keeping things like they are.
Don't know the system but we need to examine various options...there are countries in Europe who seemed to have reach a good balance and provide wonderful medical care
 

Sal

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 29, 2007
17,135
33
48
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.
it is encubent upon us to help ourselves through diet and exercise for sure...
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
28,517
8,123
113
B.C.
Even so, my $120.50 is for two people. I've never needed physio, chiro or physchological. My wife did go for physio many years ago, I do recall a minor charge per visit but certainly nothing major- perhaps $10 - $20 and I believe that was in addition to several free visits.
Sure you pay $120.50 for your care casd but what portion of all your other taxes go toward health care.
You know 7% PST 5% PST on all purchases Gas taxes, federal and provincial income taxes .
Or do you somehow not have to pay any of these.$120.50 a month my eye.
 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
36,362
4,340
113
Vancouver Island
agreed



thanks

And it is wonderful that they can afford to.

Administration of our health care system is a huge issue. Hospital CEOs make big money and are bonused like corporations even when their budgets don't balance and the running of the hospital is poor. It's funny how that works

While that is true, some people don't, because they are as you say hooked on a lifestye, if you can get the kids and turn them around, it's the beginning.

Don't know the system but we need to examine various options...there are countries in Europe who seemed to have reach a good balance and provide wonderful medical care

ICBC is BC's socialized car insurance. While not without it's faults it does a good job of keeping repair costs in line. They dictate to the autobody shops what they will pay for certain repairs. Also the standards for shops. Shops are of course permitted to do all the non insured jobs they wish at whatever the market will bear but to do insurance jobs they must fallow the rules.
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
28,517
8,123
113
B.C.
THere could be if it was run like ICBC. A one payer system with for profit providers works well. Other than hospitals that is how most of our medical system works anyway. Our main problem is that there is too much administration. And a bunch of vested interests in keeping things like they are.
If they run it like ICBC just think of all the managers getting bonuses,hell at ICBC it wasn't even only the managers.Such an efficient organization they had barrels of money to give away. ICBC has had an increase in managers in the area of 79% in the last three years and a 6% increase in workers. We really need more crown corps.
 

Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
34,888
126
63
Americans ready to default because of low cost taxes instead of high cost pocketbook healthcare
The US will only default if BHO breaks the law and defies the constitution which he vowed to uphold and defend.
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
28,517
8,123
113
B.C.
ICBC is BC's socialized car insurance. While not without it's faults it does a good job of keeping repair costs in line. They dictate to the autobody shops what they will pay for certain repairs. Also the standards for shops. Shops are of course permitted to do all the non insured jobs they wish at whatever the market will bear but to do insurance jobs they must fallow the rules.
And shops make more on ICBC because ICBC pays more than the market will bear.
 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
36,362
4,340
113
Vancouver Island
If they run it like ICBC just think of all the managers getting bonuses,hell at ICBC it wasn't even only the managers.Such an efficient organization they had barrels of money to give away. ICBC has had an increase in managers in the area of 79% in the last three years and a 6% increase in workers. We really need more crown corps.

I didn't say there were no faults. Also we already have exactly that in the way our current medical system is run.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
Sure you pay $120.50 for your care casd but what portion of all your other taxes go toward health care.
You know 7% PST 5% PST on all purchases Gas taxes, federal and provincial income taxes .
Or do you somehow not have to pay any of these.$120.50 a month my eye.

In the great scheme of things $120.50/month maybe not be the full amount, but it has to be very close, because I don't pay a hell of a lot of tax when you consider all the destinations my meagre tax is spread among. Fire protection, police protection, parks, libraries, animal shelters, welfare for the destitute, operation of jails, insane asylums, day care for kids, highway construction and maintenance, vehicle inspections, drivers' exams and so on ad infinitim oh yeah and big troughs for politicians. If they get an extra $10 a month out of me from all that I'd be surprised.
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
28,517
8,123
113
B.C.
In the great scheme of things $120.50/month maybe not be the full amount, but it has to be very close, because I don't pay a hell of a lot of tax when you consider all the destinations my meagre tax is spread among. Fire protection, police protection, parks, libraries, animal shelters, welfare for the destitute, operation of jails, insane asylums, day care for kids, highway construction and maintenance, vehicle inspections, drivers' exams and so on ad infinitim oh yeah and big troughs for politicians. If they get an extra $10 a month out of me from all that I'd be surprised.
Half of those come out of your municipal taxes that is another kettle of fish.
Vehicle inspections are farmed out to garages and cost dearly. What tax $ are paying for daycare ?
The biggest expense for every provincial government is health care. After health then the rest is spread around .
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
Half of those come out of your municipal taxes that is another kettle of fish.
Vehicle inspections are farmed out to garages and cost dearly. What tax $ are paying for daycare ?
The biggest expense for every provincial government is health care. After health then the rest is spread around .

I pay under $900 a year municipal tax. I have no idea what I pay for subsidized day care, but I know we all pay a bat. Healthcare amounts to about 40% of the provincial budget, so I guess I'm actually only paying a portion out of pocket. But I certainly have nothing to complain about, still have 4 limbs, some eyesight, some hair, a few teeth, what more could a guy want?
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
28,517
8,123
113
B.C.
I pay under $900 a year municipal tax. I have no idea what I pay for subsidized day care, but I know we all pay a bat. Healthcare amounts to about 40% of the provincial budget, so I guess I'm actually only paying a portion out of pocket. But I certainly have nothing to complain about, still have 4 limbs, some eyesight, some hair, a few teeth, what more could a guy want?
Pretty much the same here I just get rankled when people say our health care is free.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
Pretty much the same here I just get rankled when people say our health care is free.

Well, from what I can gather people are the only specie who provides money and if you've lived for 5 minutes in this world you know nothing is free.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
I know a few people who have pulled their own tooth to avoid a bill but this is a bit extreme.

I remember many years ago my Dad telling me his mother pulled her own teeth. That would have been between W.W.I and the Great Depression.