Posted by Randy Thomas on January 1, 2002, at 15:02:08
In reply to Re: communist? » OldSchool, posted by Cam W. on January 1, 2002, at 14:18:40
Hello Cam,
> Oldschool - Being one of those Canadians, I can tell you I'd rather have our system of medicine than yours. I too have seen both in action. As to the increased taxes, what do you think your $1000/mo. medical insurance premiums are?
That is a valid point, and one I tried to make to Old Timer, who seems to think I am a communist for suggesting that we rethink our whole failed system of healthcare, using our tax dollars to pay for a universal system, instead of the failed HMO model that is letting sick people get sicker, not better, lay in the hands of employers and big insurance companies.
Its unfortunate that mant American right-wing types see any plan like this as a restriction of their freedoms, but what freedoms does one have without health ?
Our elders, seniors, disabled and war veterans (i.e. people who cannot work)are paying through the nose for medications that are half the cost in CA oe AU, for example.
Why, for Petes' sake ?
Our medical coverage stays at the same rate (approx, $100/mo.) no matter how many heart attacks one has had. We do have subsidized prescription, disability, and dental coverage, but usually 1/2 of that is paid by our employers. I have considered adding to Canada's "brain drain" and heading south, but my wife (a public health nurse") refuses to work in a system that requires here to count, and charge for, the number of tissues she uses on a patient.
>
> Another example, my daughter was struck and killed in a crosswalk in Florida while on holiday and the bill for the ambulance came to almost $400 US (it was said tha they worked extensively on her at roadside, but to me, a transected aorta is fairly obvious) and the hospital stay (until the coroner could get in cand send her to the morgue) $600+ US. In Canada, that would have cost $50 CDN.I am very sorry for the loss of your daughter, Cam.
>
> I think I'll keep this portion of communism, thanks. The big debate up here is whether to allow a two-tiered health system. The one we have now, plus one for thos that can afford to pay extra (ie. able to go to a private MRI clinic rather than waiting in queue, or having elective surgery in a private hospital. The big beef is, is that the poor would get worse care. In the big picture, I doubt that would happen.I agree, and I also think that this two-tier system would be a good solution to the mess that American HMO medical care has become in the last decade or so.
With GW Bush & Co. in office, taking advantage of the Sept.11 terror attacks on US soil to further thier Republican adgenda, I doubt that America will be sseing this happen anytime soon, but I guess that will make Old Timer and his kind happy.
Regards,Randy.
poster:Randy Thomas
thread:88146
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/88456.html