health care

[W Kaenzig]

I've been rather curious about how people feel about a given subject. In the States news is usually skewed to present an individual's, or Corporate entity's agenda.
I hear so much about health care, Canadian vs U.S., which makes me very curious how Canadians feel about National Health Care.
So, I've decided to ask you. I do not know any Canadians and only met a few tourists in my 62+ years.
This is a very unscientific survey and I ask of no one's opinion, just a rating from 1 to 10 (1 being worst, 10 being very good).
1. rate the service of your Canadian Health Care from 1-10.
2. rate how you feel about the extra coming from your paycheck.
3. rate how you feel comparing Canadian with U.S.
That's all.. no opinion asked.

 

[mirage]

I've been rather curious about how people feel about a given subject. In the States news is usually skewed to present an individual's, or Corporate entity's agenda.
I hear so much about health care, Canadian vs U.S., which makes me very curious how Canadians feel about National Health Care.
So, I've decided to ask you. I do not know any Canadians and only met a few tourists in my 62+ years.
This is a very unscientific survey and I ask of no one's opinion, just a rating from 1 to 10 (1 being worst, 10 being very good).
1. rate the service of your Canadian Health Care from 1-10.
2. rate how you feel about the extra coming from your paycheck.
3. rate how you feel comparing Canadian with U.S.
That's all.. no opinion asked.

1. - 8
2. - 9.5
3. - 9

 

[W Kaenzig]

Thanks, anyone else? W

 

[Brad]

Comments rather than numbers ...

Mine is a basic medical plan that's available to anyone in BC, probably the same as all the rest of Canada ... no extras. I've had some extensive work done on this aging under-carriage of mine in the last few years, in and out of hospitals 4 times, tests, follow-ups and like, and have mostly good things to say about our system. Maybe it's not perfect but for the most part I feel privileged to be part of one that is professional, timely and freely available.
I don't claim to be speaking for everyone but these are my experiences with our medical staff who did their jobs well and in a compassionate way, I wasn't made to feel like just a number or a commodity.

Also, I don't really know how much it cost for all the work I had done under the hood nor how much of my taxes go towards supporting the system. But I didn't have any out of pocket expenses other than for travel between various facilities. And since I don't really know how or how well the USA system works I answered this way rather than putting a number of 1-10 to your Qs.

Cheers


PS hospital food is another story altogether

 

[W Kaenzig]

Thanks, Brad. I'll rate this myself. BTW hospital food is terrible most everywhere. In some of the best hospitals they have nutitionists who think they know what's good for the patient. Therefore, they want to starve the patient while in recovery. Grim! W

 

[Godload]

When discussing this subject I think you have to look at it comparing it to philosphy. In the states if you can afford it or if you are wealthy you will get full coverage and the best quality of care money can buy. This means the best doctors the latest treatments and the latest and best technology.
In Canada its more of a broad spectrum of coverage where everyone is covered but you may not get all the bells and whistles. You may not have access to the latest drugs or equipment right away because government takes time to evaluation studies on whether one drug or equipment is necessarily better before they will buy the equipment or offer coverage of the drug. The main difference is everyone is covered and everyone is treated more or less the same. For instance everyone in Canada gets flu shots, and all kids get vaccinated. Regardless of wealth under the government system you get treated the same. This is not to say some millionaire can't go to a private clinic and say pay 6 thousand dollars to get cataracts removed for both eyes in Canada. But if that person wants to go through the hospital they will have to make an appointment and go when they are scheduled. This may be 1 month or even 8 months. Thats the main knock against the Canadian health care system is the wait times. It varies from region to region depending on the availability of surgury space and specialists.
In the states if you have insurance or money you can get it done right away. But there in lies the difference. If you don't have insurance or money in the States you don't get treated for the more serious illnesses or you can go bankrupt because you were sick. I am not saying if you are in a car accident and have no insurance they won't treat you in the states. But say your kid needs a new heart or you need chemo and you are penniless your insurance plan doesn't cover the treatment or doesn't cover it wholly. In the States your basically S.O.L. Also In the states you go where the H.M.O basically tells you to go. If a certain doctor is not associated with that H.M.O you more than likely can't go to him.
I Canada if a guy on wellfare needs a new liver and he goes on the list and his turn comes or if he needs cancer treatment, they get it. I know people complain about the Canadian system because they can't get treatment right away, but at least you get the treatment. People advocate we should go to two tier because a certain number of wealthy individuals don't want to wait for treatment. They don't mind paying because they can afford it so they try to convince the rest of the 85% that two tier is good. The catch is they don't tell people how much insurance costs. My sister lives in the states and works in a hospital and her insurance costs her 2000 us a year for a family of 4. But I have also talked to other people in the states who do not work in the medical industry and one lady said her healthcare care coverage for her family of 3 costs her 8500 us a year. The bottom line is if your wealthy it doesn't matter but for the average family for instance in Canada 8500 us a year would be a fair chunk out of the the yearly salary. The average Canadian earns roughly 50k Canadian a year. After taxes, ui, ohip, pension etc.... you basically taking home around 30k. Take out 8500 us and your left with 20k to live on. Also health care costs are going up each year so more than likely in the next 5-10 yrs, your insurance will be going up also.
Something to consider when you hear some millionaire telling everyone two tier is good for them because they won't have to wait. The catch is they don't tell ya its gonna cost them about a third of their yearly salary for the average Canadian. And if ya can't afford it you will be basically S.O.L or bankrupt.

 

[W Kaenzig]

Ah, your sentiments are well taken. And, you are right with all arguments. One is SOL if not rich. I am one of those pretty much in the middle, except that I don't like the fact that my HMO tells me where to go. I guess, all in all, I'm rather lucky. What I have heard is that in latter part of year, some Canadian Clinics use up all of the budgeted money, and must close shop until the new year starts. This supposedly causes those nearby to seek medical care elsewhere.
Generally, all the comments to me are very educational and positive. W

 

[kosteczki]

To add to Godload's post. You don't always have to wait for a long time if what you need done is serious. We are a middle class family, probably on the lower end of middle class, but when my father went in for a check up and his doctor was allarmed at his heart condition he was rushed to the hospital right away. He had double bypass surgery in 3 days. I was speaking to one of the doctors and they said that it cost somewhere around 300-400K for his full surgery and all hospital costs. So if you really need surgery done NOW it will get done before those that can wait, generally.

I am also thankfull for living here, I have spinalbifida and through the last 15 years that I have lived in Canada I have had 2 spinal surgeries performed. Each surgery had a wait of about 3 months, which isn't too bad as it wasn't the highest priority surgeries but that's probably over $1 million it would have cost if I lived in the states and couldn't afford that level of insurance.

I have also had 2 surgeries on my foot 1 on my knose (not cosmetic) and one on my knee, I am lucky I live in Canada heh.

In the end food is ok, wait time is based on urgency (broken arm can have a 6 hour wait in the ER) but the support is awesome.

1. - 9
2. - 10 ($44/month compared to what you pay in the us that's nothing)
3. - 10 (based on my position in the classes)

 

[kosteczki]

What I have heard is that in latter part of year, some Canadian Clinics use up all of the budgeted money, and must close shop until the new year starts

I live in a larger Canadian city and have not seen this ever happen, I haven't even heard of it happening elswhere in Canada.

 

[W Kaenzig]

A lot of positive stuff about Canadian health care. I had a heart attack about 6 years ago, and a double by-pass about 6 months later (the stint clogged). I've heard stints have been improved considerably these past few years. And, of course, I didn't have to wait.
I think drug companies, and their ilk, drive the health industry in the USA, the almighty dollar. The mfg'ers advertise on TV very frequently,and this raises prices. I have mixed feelings about all this. The big dollar. -- as lobbyists who constantly pester politicians to pass special laws which of course makes their industries some big money. You'd never believe the type of letter I received from a major pharmacy (twice) about reminding me to take my medicine. I wrote back to them threatening to change pharmacies the next time I receive such a stupid letter. Never heard from them again. A drug mfg pays the pharmacy to do this. W

 

[kosteczki]

Off course they pay them even if it's not directly for sending the letter it's a littl emore indirectly by the comission they can get. Which raises another question.

Why would we ever come up with a cure for any illness / disease. Those fortunate enough to have the funds available for some very high tech research, more often than not work for a Drug Manufacturer. And more large Drug manufactures ahve stocks and are publicly traded. And who do these companies have to answer to, more greedy investors that want more profits year after year after year.

So if companies came up with cures they wouldn't make as much as they do from the medication people take over and over and over again, they would loose profit and go out of business.

Just goes to show how our natural greed has gotten to the point we are unwilling to more mankind in a better direction if it doesn't help our cause first.

And by "we" I mean anyone who has ever refused to do the slightest thing to help, because it didn't benefit them directly.

 

[W Kaenzig]

agreed

In many ways I agree with what you say. Why would drug mfg's
come up with a cure, when they can keep the status quo. There are many good herbs and natural remedies for different ills. I've always asked myself, "Why don't the drugee's promote these?"
W

 

[Godload]

They don't promote natural remedies because one they can't patent something that is in the realm of public knowlege. Therefore they cannot make profit from it so they don't promote it. Drug companies would rather sell ya a new drug that costs 10 times more and no more effective than a cheaper drug that came out 10 years ago.
Notice there is a push in Europe right now to eliminate public access to vitamins without a doctors prescription. I am talking about the high potency vitamins. If it passes there won't be long before the lobby groups try pushing that in North America. Multinationals are multinationals.

 

[W Kaenzig]

You are right! It is a terrible situation. W

 

[W Kaenzig]

And all these kids in school that have been "zonked" with drugs just because they are kids is very upsetting to me. Later, they may do some (and some do) horrible things, when they come off these zombie drugs. I think these also are pushed by the drug companies. W

 

[kosteczki]

Godload is right on the money with that one.
I do find it weird how certain things get banned/outlawed or what ever even though they actually work.

Now this may offend some people who are very liberal and against it, but marijuana actually does work well as a natural remedy in some ways.

I can testify to that, the nerve damage that I received due to my spinal surgery has been causing me extreme pain in the glute area, if anyone has had extreme nerve pain before you can agree with me how bad it can be. (especially if sitting is a problem, and I have a desk job)

The only "DRUG" that has prouved effective to ease that pain, can also easily turn me into a vegetable most of the time I am on it and even after.

So I decided to try Marijuana, yes I know society in general is against it, but hey if I can smoke a joint before going to bed and feel fine the whole day while being sober I am going to keep doing it. Off course there are always those that abuse, so those against it label it a narcotic or a gateway drug, but what about those abusing Morphine, and even extra strength tylenol, or A.D.D. medication they take from their children.

And you will notice by my posts I am not a complete idiot or cracked out because of smoking it some nights.

That being the extreme there are other great natural herbs that do wonders. I haven't tried this yet but for anyone having problems falling asleep try making tea out of passionfruit supposably this herb helps you to relax and fall asleep, naturally without pumping you full of the junk sleeping meds contain.

Also before winter hits try filling a jar with onions and sugar, let it sit for about a month. The syrop that it produces in the end is a very good defence against smaller things like colds and sore throats in the winter, either use it on a regular basis or as soon as you start feeling the symptoms. At least in my family it has been good at preventing the winter blues.

tea, regular tea un-sweetened has helped me a number of times get rid of stomach aches. Usually I would brew a nice big cup of strong tea, lie down and keep it on my stomach while taking sips (no sugar). 1 cup has taken away the discomfort.

 

[kosteczki]

And all these kids in school that have been "zonked" with drugs just because they are kids is very upsetting to me. Later, they may do some (and some do) horrible things, when they come off these zombie drugs. I think these also are pushed by the drug companies. W

Seriously, I still can't believe how many kids end up taking medication for ADD. I really don't think it's an illness. To me these kids just think on a different level, so what if they can't fit in perfectly at school, there are a lot of things they can do well. They may not have the patience to sit there and learn the multiplication table, but more often than not you give them some shop supplies and tools and they keep bussy and can become very good at working with their hands.

instead of finding alternative therapy for what we consider "Illness" we opt for the quick easy fix, medication.
Now in some cases it is required, but in a lot of cases that's just a load of BS and a way to make money.

All society seems to care about is making more money faster to grow their material wealth.

ok I should stop I am getting into topics away from them point of this thread, sorry.

 

[W Kaenzig]

Hurrah for you! I'm against 'mary jane' ,as it used to be known, for general use. But, for use as a pain reliever, I'm totally with you. I've heard much about medical marijuana, but the polititions want the almighty vote. Then as you say there are the drug mfgs who think anything they, themselves, don't promote is totally worthless. W

 

[W Kaenzig]

Now, we have adult ADD. Yep! We do. My ex-supervisor told me shortly before I retired that she was diagnosed with adult ADD. Ha! The only problem she had was being about the most disorganized person I believe I ever met. And, I've met a lot of people. She would give a lot a lip-service to whomever regarding suggestions about improvement. ---Always, bragging about what she knew and could do. If one watched it as a movie, it would win an academy award for best "comedy". W

 

[kosteczki]

lol
reminds me of some of the commercials you see.

"Are you tired, can't sleep, can't concentrate at work...take this it will make you better"

Hey how about telling people to eat better, get a work out, and not try to juggle 15 things at onece, maybe then they can relax a little and actually get some rest. Because passing out at midnight, waking up at 5:30 - 6:00 and running around all day chassing that extra dollar, doesn't help the situation.

If you ever travell and go to europe or almost any country outside of Canada and usa and go to small traditional towns. You will see happy people rested people energetic people. And they aren't doping themselves up to be that way.
they work 6 - 8 hours and enjoy life the rest of the time. Some of these places really seem like paradise. They may not have a 52" flat screen in their bathroom linked to 3 satelites on their roof.

But they enjoy life at the core, experiences friendships, love. Not materialism.

We as a society working more and more and more seem to be willing to put our bodies through sooo much unhealthy stuff to get more. well at least for those of us in middle class we have the excuse we are just trying to keep up.