Is it easy for you to use and does it work well? I am just curious because it seems to be such a bad thing here in the US to want a similar health care program. Thanks! Please, serious answers only...
2007-07-26 04:43:57 · 14 answers · asked by slykitty62 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I am not a Candian, however my mother recently re-married a Candian man, his opinon of our health care system can be summed up in two words, "A joke". His family pays nothing for treatment in Canada, he picks his own doctor and experiences no waiting periods or need for government approval on any procedure. If the doctor wants you to get an operation, you get one, no questions asked.
Compare that to our system, hundereds of dollars a month to possibly, maybe get coverage (that is if your HMO isn't PMS'ing that day and decides to deny you treatment). Health decisions made by buisnessmen, not the doctors. Deductables that put families out on the streets.
Which is the better system? I think its Canada's.
2007-07-26 04:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 3⤋
My friend is a doctor (neurologist) in a border city in upstate NY. He said that if it weren't for the U.S. hospitals allowing upper-middle and upper class Canadian citizens (who can afford to pay extra for health care), Canada's whole health care system would fail. He said 40-50% of his patients are Canadians. 50%!!! I think that is telling of the truth about Canada's health care system.
In the United States, the rich, the poor, and the illegal aliens have a very secure health care. But the middle-class Americans are always caught in the midst of problems. I don't think the U.S.'s health care system is any where near where it should be but a universal health care system would fail in the US. The taxpayers are already supporting the poor and the illegals in this country. I cannot imagine taking out more tax dollars from my monthly paycheck...I'd be living on the streets.
Also, in the US, you are always treated too. Hospitals cannot deny you of emergency services.
2007-07-26 12:12:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a transplanted Canadian, married to an America.. so I lived in Canada for quite some time. Personally I think the Canadian system by far is better than what we have here.
Yes, right now there are waiting lists for some surgery. mostly elective surgery.
But the best thing about it is that everyone is covered and everyone can be treated.. it does not depend on you having any particular health plan. And ther is not a plan for the rich and one for the poor.
I love my adopted country, but the health system here is not that great, I'm sorry to say. Too many people fall between the cracks.
2007-07-26 12:08:17 · answer #3 · answered by Debra H 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If the Canadians didn't care for their health care system they would change it. Their system isn't imposed on them by some dictator. Canada is a full on democracy where the people rule. Do they think it's a perfected system...no....but over the past decade it's improved and continues to improve. The US needs a different system...one not based on 'care', but on INSURANCE. The CARE system would remain the same, but everyone would have affordable INSURANCE. We also live in a democracy, but our powers are trumped by the power of the current health insurance industry....so we pay more, get less and in most communities the services ain't so hot...particularly if you have no insurance. When the 'winger politicians tell you how awful it would be if you had affordable health insurance and even a non-profit health delivery system, just roll your eyes, pat them on the head and offer them some milk and cookies.....and never vote for these bastards..they ain't 'yer friend!
2007-07-26 12:01:17 · answer #4 · answered by Noah H 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I am Danish person living in Canada. Both in Denmark and here in Canada the health care works very well. Yes, we always complain about it, but the matter is that everyone gets treated.
The time it gets bad is when a doctor sends you to a specialist, as doing so requires longer waiting time. a CT-Scan or MRI can take 4 months in Denmark if you are considered to be no life threatening. So yes there are down sides. I had Tuberculosis on my spine 7 years ago, and I thank good that I was fortunate enough to be treated with those benefits, 'cus I know there would have been no way I could have afforded it in the US, and would then be right now in a wheelchair.
2007-07-26 11:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
Our health care system is the best in the world because it is a safety net for all canadian citizens. It is socialist in nature, but why is that so bad. You pay for it through your taxes, and you covered. None of this crap filling out forms through some bad situations. I'd be bankrupt right now due to my first daughter's illness, and she was treated like everybody else. There's no poor man's or rich man's hospitals. There is a movement to convince Canadians that private is much better, by mismanagement by incompetence, stroking peoples ego's that they shouldn't have to wait in line, yadda, yadda, yadda. I read an article stating how many families were bankrupted by US health each year to your population (% wise), compared it to our pop, cross multiplied, at it came out to (conservitively speaking) approx 40,000 families in Canada declaring bankrupy. I say again our health care systmem is being purposely ruined to make it a better argument to let in the HMO's
The 40,000 families is on a yearly basis
2007-07-26 11:56:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
As a Canadian I will admit that there are huge problems with our healthcare system. Wait times are insane and we don't have a comprehinsive drug, dental or optical plan. But I do know that if I get hit by a car, fall down a flight of stairs or accidently get poisened from drinking American beer (sorry I couldn't resist) I will get treated and not have to worry about paying for it. Yes our taxes are high but knowing that the safety net is there not only for me but for those who can't afford anything else makes that worth while.
2007-07-26 11:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by lxtricks 4 · 12⤊ 1⤋
It has its advantages and its disavantages.
Basic stuff is covered ie knee, hip relpalcements, heart, cancer etc
Cosmetic is not
Taxes are higher, but its universal.
Waiting time sucks, especially for serious ailments.
If you want extra health care, you have to buy into a private plan ie Blue Cross
2007-07-26 11:54:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I love my health care system.
I love that I can choose my doctor, my hospital, I can choose my treatment. I love that I don't have to worry about how I am going to pay for the bills incurred by an accident or illness.
I love preventative medicine is easily accessible, I can be regularly screen for variable forms of cancer, diabetes, and other major heath risks. I can have my cholesterol checked just for my own piece of mind.
In case you haven't noticed I love my health care system. You will have to pry my OHIP card out of my cold dead hands.
2007-07-26 11:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by smedrik 7 · 8⤊ 2⤋
I'm not Canadian but my grandfather is. I know he is glad that he lives right over the border from the US. He was diagnosed with cancer about ten years ago at the age of 70 and all they could do for him was to provide a Hospice type of room to keep him comfortable until he died. He went right to a hospital in Buffalo and the diagnosis was confirmed. He had surgery within the month and is doing quite well today. He is very glad that he maintained an American health insurance policy.
2007-07-26 11:49:22 · answer #10 · answered by Brian 7 · 7⤊ 4⤋