Posted by OldSchool on January 1, 2002, at 15:19:29
In reply to Re: communist? » OldSchool, posted by Cam W. on January 1, 2002, at 14:18:40
> 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? 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> - CamCam, first of all Im truly sorry about your daughter. That was a horrible thing.
As far as the socialised medicine thing goes, well all I can say is that I prefer private practice medicine. Private practice psychiatry is the only thing I will use. I have been extremely unimpressed with what government run "health clinics" Ive seen here.
Here in the USA, the closest thing to what you guys have is the American military/VA medical system. And the Medicaid/Medicare medical programs for Americans in poverty. Neither have good reputations at providing quality medicine.
I prefer the complete freedom and flexibility that private medical care provides. For a refractorily sick person like myself, I need a lot of flexibility and freedom in choosing my care.
I would be for providing poor people money to purchase private health insurance. Where poor people could have private health insurance and enjoy the same flexibility and freedom in healthcare that regular people have. However a formal, government run "socialised medicine" program I am totally against and will always be against.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:88146
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/88459.html