Why is the USA even considering universal health care. I live in Canada and it sucks?

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bradxschuman

For some people here, it's all about the free ride.
Much of the left-wing agenda here involves a free ride at taxpayer expense.

Matt3471

At least he got surgery. Millions of Americans aren't even covered. Those that are covered have to battle with their insurance companies for months to get things approved. Medical bills are the #1 reason for bankruptcy in the US.

I think universal health care in the US will be one of the most difficult things to accomplish. There are a huge number of stakeholders who don't want to give up the profits they make off of the sick and dying. Greed got us into to this mess and itâ€™s sure to play a part in maintaining the status quo.

You should be grateful for what you have.

Kari D

A FREE RIDE? Are you kidding? We are not talking about universal cars, or universal amusement park admission...we are talking about health care...a basic human need. And to the person that asked the question, the system my not be working properly, and I am sorry your grandpa had a bad experience, but he DID get the help he needed. There are many in this country who CANNOT get the help.

ThatGuy!

I'm sure if you were given the bill for surgery you'd think twice about questioning Canada's system.

Canadian Ken

It's true that we are struggling with long wait times...but what you need to ask yourself is, could your family have afforded to pay for your Grandfather's treatment without Universal health care?

If your family didn't have access to the universal health care system, your family may have had to sell the family home and use all of their savings to pay for the care your Grandpa needed.

Luckily, this didn't happen & your Grandpa is still alive & I hope well. Good luck.

mckahlan_2004

Speaking as a fellow Canadian, you should be grateful for what you have!!! Imagine if your grandfather had had NO insurance, and had to pay tens of thousands of dollars for his treatment. He may have had to wait for it, but at least he got it. In the US, even if you have insurance, you may still have to wait for treatment. Wait times in the US are starting to become just as bad as they are here â€“ many specialists have months-long waiting lists, just like here. But with two big differences: 1. we donâ€™t have to pay, and 2. we arenâ€™t discriminated against due to the type of insurance we do or donâ€™t have.

A recent study showed that the quality of care received in both Canada and the US are roughly equal. Our death and survival rates for major illnesses are nearly the same, meaning that there is actually no difference between a universal and private health care system in terms of actual care received. So stop knocking our system and just be happy that your grandfather is actually still alive!

Edit to add: It's not true that the government picks your specialty for you. I know people who have become doctors and they have the freedom to specialize in whatever they want. Now, if you are a doctor immigrating to Canada from another country, then the government can decide where you will live and practice for a certain number of years. It's the only way that the small, isolated and northern communities can ensure that they will have doctors.

Bob D

The theory behind Universal health care is that all are treated, regardless of who they are and the costs involved. Sure that can lead to wait times for some things but it is a tangible use of tax dollars. You see it, you feel it. No one struggling to get by should end up thousands and thousands of dollars in debt because a family member gets sick or hurt. I have 3 boys, also have insurance through work so end up paying very little overall and it allows us the freedom to do other things. Profits over healthcare... Hmmm. I like our system better although no "system" is perfect.

pinkpiglet126

The government does not decide what part of medicine you will practice! What do you think you live in?? A communist country? Good grief!

Since you hate it here that much please move to the States and pay $800-2000/month for medical insurance. Then you can gripe about that system instead.

Neither system is perfect. Our taxes are high because that's how we pay for our health care. It's not free. With the US system a lot can't afford the insurance in the first place.

finsoholic

sorry to hear about your grandfather, but universal healthcare doesn't suck. At least when you come home from hospital you still have some money left.

CanTexan

"Universal" healthcare is about giving a certain level of care for everybody, regardless of income.

Canada's system works well, too ... you can always move yourself up the list by offering to pay more than the government allotment for Medicare to the hospital. It isn't a well-advertised option, but it is certainly there!

However, in the US it is a pay-as-you-go system. That measn that without the CASH in hand (either as a promise of payment from an insurance company, or actual hard currency), the one seeking attention is summarily ordered to leave the premises ... without receiving treatment of any kind. If the insurance promise doesn't pan out after the first part of a multi-part procedure, the subsequent portions will not be even considered until the first balance is paid in full (however that occurs!). This may mean that you get your nose broken to reset it ... and since it isn't covered (and you can't pay), it never gets reset.

Universal health care is something that should be available to all people, in all countries. Sometimes a wait for a prrocedure can be gotten around ... and sometimes it has to be put up with. Once everyone starts having themselves looked after regularly AND taking responsibility for their own health (in terms of diet and exercise), the wait times will drop dramatically.

If you want better than the "universal" that's offered ... pay more into the pot, either by raising taxes (so everyone gets lookes after), or on a case-by-case basis (so you get to move to the front of the line). Or simply lobby your government to put their money where it's needed ... instead of areas that perhaps need less financial support from the taxpayer subsidies.

pdevans1963@rogers.com

Had he worsened he would have been escalated sooner. that is the nature of emergency triage. they take the sickest patients first not the richest. there are plenty of counties where the opposite is true but they will clean out your bank account in the process.

I know you love your your grandpa and I'm glad he is still with you. but the Canadian system did not give him cancer and they did not neglect his condition but they also saved others in the meantime.

One day you may be one of the others they take ahead of some rich guy with a sprained ankle. See how you feel then.

By the way its not really a free ride we pay 45% taxes up here. Our free and clear day is half way through the year but at least we are covered.

Others may save a few bucks in taxes but the difference wouldn't buy them the priciple of treating patients according to the medical need. That has to come from policy makers who put people first

arrianna_vt

LOL, I'm sure you heard the definition of insane.... doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

stephanie s

lol bush would never consider universal health care... the only reason it is mentioned is because of the sicko documentry and because of the upcoming elections. the only way to get assistance in this country is to be poor. if you get assistance for prenatal care you still wait a few months but they do back backpay. if you have prescriptions ex elderly you better compare pharmacies.if you work the government here you do get free health care. other then that i would rather pay more money knowing all the kids in the us have health care then the 5.00 i pay a month for the kids that are on medicare. i would rather pay 200 a month in taxes then the 400 a month i pay for insurance

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