Canadian and American Healthcare ?

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by The Senator

Canadian health care is limited.

This is an interesting assertion. Do you have any data to back this claim or is this something that you have determined anecdotally? I am in regular contact with several aspects of the Canadian medical system, and I haven't seen any evidence of these "limitations."

No data, just anecdotally. And I'm not saying it's wrong. No country should spend infinite amounts of money on a person that has little chance of survival. Just that in the US, people whine when the insurance contract that they agreed to covers only what it is contracted to and not what they want it to. It would take a complete mindset change to allow the US government to only cover certain costs for specific procedures. Currently, it's no holds barred because the evil private insurance company should cover everything.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by TopDog

Hey Ron - check out this article - http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422

Of course ReformedDave will close his mind up all "tight and cosy" and discount this...........

I wonder if there's been a *specific* study that shows that drinking drain clearing chemicals such as Draino will kill you? If not - and using ReformedDave's wonky logic - I suggest that he go and drink a couple glasses full of his favorite brand of Draino-type product. This entire discussion is beyond ridiculous and only makes him look SILLY!

From one who has to read these studies, I suggest that you do so. Not just the summery of their 'findings'. Look at their methods, procedures, study size, control group, etc. Things are not a clear cut the 'researchers' would have you believe. A coarse in critical thinking might help too. The problem is that one assumes the neutrality of the one doing the research.

Of coarse we might have to do too much work to arrive at the truth......

Lest we forget, I'm not saying that cigarette smoking isn't detrimental to one's health. I'm stating that the correlation of secondhand smoking and cancer is poorly demonstrated.

Thinking. What a lost art!

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

What are the primary differences between Canadian and American Heatlhcare?
What are the benefits and the drawbacks of The Canadian Healtcare system ,compared to the American Healthcare system ?

live in Canada and have public health care. I've never been seriously ill.

I went to the doctor's when I was in Florida last year. I had to call my insurance company for permission to go to the doctor and then get their permission to go to a certain doctor. When I finished my visit to the doctor I had to wait for paperwork and to see if I had to pay anything.

When I got home I got a call from the insurance provider asking me what the doctor's diagnosis was, etc. I didn't like the fact I had to tell the insurance company what I considered private information.

In Canada, when I get sick I just go to a doctor and present my card. I can go wherever I want within my province. If I'm out of province I have to go through my Canadian Insurance provider which means they pay and get reimbursed by my province instead of me paying and the province reimbursing me. After the visit I just go home. No paperwork.

The doctor does not give my personal medical history to anyone including the province. The doctor gets paid by the province based on some kind of funding formula -- number of patients and types of care. There are audits done once in a while by the province. I may get a letter in the mail which asks me to verify I saw a doctor on this date.

I don't have trouble finding a doctor to see in my area. Some more rural places don't have enough doctors. I don't go to the emerg unless it is an emergency. I usually just make an appointment with my doctor or the duty doctor and wait 1-2 days max. If I really need to see a doctor they have drop in clinics that I may be able to see someone. The emerg is the LAST place I go.

There are some problems with "wait-lists" for more serious operations and illnesses. The government has acknowleged that and is trying to reduce the waiting for the most serious illnesses.

There was a case in Quebec where a man went to the states to get surgery because he had to wait too long in Canada. He sued for reimbursement and won.

Many people do carry thrid-party insurance for major illness and drugs. If you don't you'll probably go into debt. I pay 47.00 /mnth for my coverage that includes worldwide medical and perscriptions.

Our system isn't perfect but I'm comfortable with it.

[originalsecretplace]

I think it's amusing that the Americans and Canadians seem to have such divergent views on universal healthcare. Americans call us "commies" or the dreaded "socialist".

The issue seems to extract a rather strong reaction from the American side.

Anyway, it's a cultural thing. I live in Canada and have the same viewpoint as I've read on this list as other Canadians regarding healthcare. Everyone should have it regardless of economic or social status.

Call me a commie if you must ....

[Ron]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

live in Canada and have public health care. I've never been seriously ill.

I went to the doctor's when I was in Florida last year. I had to call my insurance company for permission to go to the doctor and then get their permission to go to a certain doctor. When I finished my visit to the doctor I had to wait for paperwork and to see if I had to pay anything.

When I got home I got a call from the insurance provider asking me what the doctor's diagnosis was, etc. I didn't like the fact I had to tell the insurance company what I considered private information.

In Canada, when I get sick I just go to a doctor and present my card. I can go wherever I want within my province. If I'm out of province I have to go through my Canadian Insurance provider which means they pay and get reimbursed by my province instead of me paying and the province reimbursing me. After the visit I just go home. No paperwork.

The doctor does not give my personal medical history to anyone including the province. The doctor gets paid by the province based on some kind of funding formula -- number of patients and types of care. There are audits done once in a while by the province. I may get a letter in the mail which asks me to verify I saw a doctor on this date.

I don't have trouble finding a doctor to see in my area. Some more rural places don't have enough doctors. I don't go to the emerg unless it is an emergency. I usually just make an appointment with my doctor or the duty doctor and wait 1-2 days max. If I really need to see a doctor they have drop in clinics that I may be able to see someone. The emerg is the LAST place I go.

There are some problems with "wait-lists" for more serious operations and illnesses. The government has acknowleged that and is trying to reduce the waiting for the most serious illnesses.

There was a case in Quebec where a man went to the states to get surgery because he had to wait too long in Canada. He sued for reimbursement and won.

Many people do carry thrid-party insurance for major illness and drugs. If you don't you'll probably go into debt. I pay 47.00 /mnth for my coverage that includes worldwide medical and perscriptions.

Our system isn't perfect but I'm comfortable with it.

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I think it's amusing that the Americans and Canadians seem to have such divergent views on universal healthcare. Americans call us "commies" or the dreaded "socialist".

The issue seems to extract a rather strong reaction from the American side.

Anyway, it's a cultural thing. I live in Canada and have the same viewpoint as I've read on this list as other Canadians regarding healthcare. Everyone should have it regardless of economic or social status.

Call me a commie if you must ....

Well said, I agree.

To top it off, we also have some pretty top notch Hospitals around with the latest equipment.

In Vancouver, we have some of the best medical treatment centers for Cancer around with the goal to being number 1 in North America.

Best of all, it is open to everyone who has a Provincial Care Card!

[Truly Blessed]

As an American living in Canada with landed immigrant status, I am very grateful for the excellent medical coverage I have received through the years. I am even more appreciative after some recent episodes that caused some concern. Just yesterday I saw both a cardiologist and my family doctor for results from recent tests I have undergone.

I am pleased to report that both doctors have given me a clean bill of health. The cardiologist has informed me that my heart health is that of a person who usually lives a long life.

I have received excellent health care and am so thankful that I don't have huge medical bills to pay simply because I have needed to have a series of tests. It does grate me that here in BC you have to pay a monthly fee based on your income. I have to pay $96.00 a month. I can't understand why we should have to pay anything. It has always been my understanding that Medicare is supposed to be free in Canada. Do any of you Canadians know anything about this?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

As an American living in Canada with landed immigrant status, I am very grateful for the excellent medical coverage I have received through the years. I am even more appreciative after some recent episodes that caused some concern. Just yesterday I saw both a cardiologist and my family doctor for results from recent tests I have undergone.

I am pleased to report that both doctors have given me a clean bill of health. The cardiologist has informed me that my heart health is that of a person who usually lives a long life.

I have received excellent health care and am so thankful that I don't have huge medical bills to pay simply because I have needed to have a series of tests. It does grate me that here in BC you have to pay a monthly fee based on your income. I have to pay $96.00 a month. I can't understand why we should have to pay anything. It has always been my understanding that Medicare is supposed to be free in Canada. Do any of you Canadians know anything about this?

Well, my understanding that healthcare isn't totally free, in fact healthcare isn't really socialised but subsidised by both opur taxes and by all the stakeholders coming to the table (doctors, surgeons, specialists) and negotiating a "fair" fee schedule.

The one thing our medical system has is "universality" meaning everyone has access to the same treatment/medical care.

Wev pay a small monthly premium.
Mine is $108.00 a month for a family of 5.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I think it's amusing that the Americans and Canadians seem to have such divergent views on universal healthcare. Americans call us "commies" or the dreaded "socialist".

The issue seems to extract a rather strong reaction from the American side.

Anyway, it's a cultural thing. I live in Canada and have the same viewpoint as I've read on this list as other Canadians regarding healthcare. Everyone should have it regardless of economic or social status.

Call me a commie if you must ....

I suppose government assuming an area of intrusion that Scripture is against is alright with you.......

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

I suppose government assuming an area of intrusion that Scripture is against is alright with you.......

Can you explain why you have made this statement?

[Scott Hutchinson]

I guess the Canadian dentists are great ,eh ?