To the Canadian members: healthcare question

[jr24ai3]

Do you like the healthcare system that is in place in Canada? I hear that some people love it, and some people say its hard to get treatment. Just wanted to hear opinions from people who actually use this system.

From what I understand, you pay a little more in taxes but most necessary medical procedures are covered (no out of pocket expenses).

If the above is not correct, please correct me.

Thanks!

[iBLeeDBaTTLeReD]

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Sicko (Documentary 2007) - IMDb

[ManInTheMirror]

I see what you did there.

[Prospect Rush]

Originally Posted by jr24ai3

Do you like the healthcare system that is in place in Canada? I hear that some people love it, and some people say its hard to get treatment. Just wanted to hear opinions from people who actually use this system.

From what I understand, you pay a little more in taxes but most necessary medical procedures are covered (no out of pocket expenses).

If the above is not correct, please correct me.

Thanks!

Personally I love it. Yes your correct in that at times you wait a little longer for an MRI etc but families are not being bankrupted from illness/ injurys. In my experience emergencies etc get in first and those that can wait do just that. After my motorcycle accident 2 years ago I was rushed to the best trauma center in the country. Had world class treatment for 8 days, 2 surgerys, and overall excellent care. My out of pocket cost? $60 for weekly tv rental. I have since had 2 years of follow ups with an orthopedic surgeon and Nerve specialist. A third surgery is booked for November on my hand again at 0 cost to me.

I guess I pay more in taxes but it's all relative. My wage as a firefighter here is more than double that of firefighters in similar big US cities. So IMO I'm WAY AHEAD! It's not perfect but I wouldn't trade it.

[Ooosh]

I pay something like $600 every two weeks in taxes. I haven't had any serious medical issues (knock on wood). The couple times I have gone to the emergency room I've had pleasant experiences except once when there weren't enough beds and my mom had to have blood taken in a hallway.

[Orangejello727]

Firstly, I support a universal heathcare system. I also support a 2 tier system that give you choice as well if you wanted to pay. I dont know if that will happen in Canada, but in the future is a very viable option as costs keep increasing.

Do I think its perfect? No

Is there equality from a moral standpoint? Yes as we all deserve equal care when ill (Moral issue)

Are there long lines? Yes for some services, but there are legit reasons.

I dont have to pay or wait to see my GP. I dont have to wait if my procedure needed is considered a priority. If im in need of attention, I do recieve it.

Lets say there are 100 ppl in a queue for an MRI. The guy that needs its for his knee because it hurts will wait longer than the guy who needs it for an ailment that might end his life withoug diagnosing it soon. There is an order of priority within that line.

ER are swamped with people. But when you provide a non fee service, people tend to abuse that service. WHat an american would consider a common cold and a fee to pay to be seen at an ER would probably not go. Since there is no fee, everyone and their mothers will go to the ER for non essential symptons because the service is provided to them paid by their tax money which entitles them to it. I consider that abuse. I dont go to the ER unless I think im in need of serious instant medical attention.

In Canada we have also mandated a forced generic drug compliancy. If there is a pescription medication available on the market that is generic vs a name branded drug, which is cheaper, the pharmacists are now mandated to sell them over higher priced branded drugs that are essentially the same. So there is no lobbying within our pescription system.

[dachman]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

In Canada we have also mandated a forced generic drug compliancy. If there is a pescription medication available on the market that is generic vs a name branded drug, which is cheaper, the pharmacists are now mandated to sell them over higher priced branded drugs that are essentially the same. So there is no lobbying within our pescription system.

This is huge

[Chaddie84]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

ER are swamped with people. But when you provide a non fee service, people tend to abuse that service. WHat an american would consider a common cold and a fee to pay to be seen at an ER would probably not go. Since there is no fee, everyone and their mothers will go to the ER for non essential symptons because the service is provided to them paid by their tax money which entitles them to it. I consider that abuse. I dont go to the ER unless I think im in need of serious instant medical attention.

This is my #1 concern with universal healthcare. When you are on private insurance and/or pay a small co-pay each time you are admitted, it at least deters this somewhat. I (sadly) know people who are on medical assistance in our country who go into the clinic every time they have a sniffle because there's no cost. Meanwhile, everyone else is paying for it. I personally have an HSA (health savings account), which allows me to put "X" dollars in every year as a tax deduction which can apply towards my deductable if something extreme were to happen. Since it's my money, I am making more responsible decisions regarding my health. Preventive care and annual checkups are covered 100% under the plan as well.

[fullmetal]

When something is free and easily accessible it removes the burden of priority from those accessing the service.

I've watched elderly Americans abuse Medicare because personally it costs them nothing. When the individual shoulders some cost it forces them to determine the true need for service. I know a particular individual who wasted absurd amounts of Medicare funds for excessive and constantly changing medical devices.

The universal system has merit, but needs major work before it can be considered a viable option.

I use a Flex Spending Account. I wish this option was available to more people. Paying my medical costs from a tax sheltered fund allows me to make the most of my money.

[tajikey]

Originally Posted by fullmetal

When something is free and easily accessible it removes the burden of priority from those accessing the service.

I've watched elderly Americans abuse Medicare because personally it costs them nothing. When the individual shoulders some cost it forces them to determine the true need for service. I know a particular individual who wasted absurd amounts of Medicare funds for excessive and constantly changing medical devices.

The universal system has merit, but needs major work before it can be considered a viable option.

I use a Flex Spending Account. I wish this option was available to more people. Paying my medical costs from a tax sheltered fund allows me to make the most of my money.

A $500 deductible and 20% coinsurance isn't nothing. Plus, Medicare premiums come out of the SS check...

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by Chaddie84

This is my #1 concern with universal healthcare. When you are on private insurance and/or pay a small co-pay each time you are admitted, it at least deters this somewhat. I (sadly) know people who are on medical assistance in our country who go into the clinic every time they have a sniffle because there's no cost. Meanwhile, everyone else is paying for it. I personally have an HSA (health savings account), which allows me to put "X" dollars in every year as a tax deduction which can apply towards my deductable if something extreme were to happen. Since it's my money, I am making more responsible decisions regarding my health. Preventive care and annual checkups are covered 100% under the plan as well.

Abuse will exist in a universal system and a private system. It could anything from scams to misusage. Granted the our system is now leaning towards selective things being user fee based, it still has a lot of work to do.

I dont think there is a perfect system. I can see both sides of the fence. Its already tough enough trying to maintain a system for 35 million people. Imagine what it would take to start a system for 300 million people? There will be huge amounts of debt build up to get it going. Some may see it as an investment and some will see it as a liablity. One generation will have to take the hit for future generations if you guys go down that road. Thats the sacrifice that will have to be made.

[fullmetal]

Originally Posted by tajikey

A $500 deductible and 20% coinsurance isn't nothing. Plus, Medicare premiums come out of the SS check...

I should have worded it differently.

Each and every visit and /or medical equipment didn't incur a cost for a particular individual I know. He abused the system because he was not faced with monetary decisions.

Is $500 an annual deductible? If so, that would probably be met by most elderly in the first two weeks of the year. Do indigent individuals pay coinsurance for every use of the system?

[Chaddie84]

Originally Posted by tajikey

A $500 deductible and 20% coinsurance isn't nothing. Plus, Medicare premiums come out of the SS check...

His point is after the premium and annual deductable is covered, why not use and abuse as much as you can? Any system which takes patient common sense out of the equation is bad for the whole.

[Chaddie84]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

There will be huge amounts of debt build up to get it going. Some may see it as an investment and some will see it as a liablity. One generation will have to take the hit for future generations if you guys go down that road. Thats the sacrifice that will have to be made.

That's the concern of many US citizens, including myself. We are already neck deep in debt as a country. I agree with having goverment supported programs for the health and well-being of the citizens and the environment are good things, but it needs to come at a time when there is a surplus. If the US economy is like the Titanic, I'd say we focus on patching the holes in the hull before focusing on cleaning the floors of the ship deck.

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by Chaddie84

That's the concern of many US citizens, including myself. We are already neck deep in debt as a country. I agree with having goverment supported programs for the health and well-being of the citizens and the environment are good things, but it needs to come at a time when there is a surplus. If the US economy is like the Titanic, I'd say we focus on patching the holes in the hull before focusing on cleaning the floors of the ship deck.

Yea, I dont know the perfect recipe to that without going into politics here. But you have to admit US govt spending in certain areas are crazy out of control. What if you cut military budget by 5% over the next 8yrs? Youd be surprised and what it would save!!

[fullmetal]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

Yea, I dont know the perfect recipe to that without going into politics here. But you have to admit US govt spending in certain areas are crazy out of control. What if you cut military budget by 5% over the next 8yrs? Youd be surprised and what it would save!!

And if the government engaged the citizens to prioritize and assist in austerity. Too many of our citizens don't care to make difficult decisions. Unfortunately, that will probably never change.

I don't know what the active participation minimum threshhold is. Assume we need 75% of the populous to approve of the system and actively engage in promoting the system, that is a steep undertaking.

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by fullmetal

And if the government engaged the citizens to prioritize and assist in austerity. Too many of our citizens don't care to make difficult decisions. Unfortunately, that will probably never change.

I don't know what the active participation minimum threshhold is. Assume we need 75% of the populous to approve of the system and actively engage in promoting the system, that is a steep undertaking.

Our political structure are so different yet we are neighbors that have similar impacts in certain economic conditions.

ITs almost Vote time for you guys!! We just had our Premeir resign here in Ontario after 9 yrs at the helm and a Fed govt that only cares about Western Canada! Fun times ahead!!