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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sonic_gb on November 27, 2007, at 10:49:58
As a Canadian, I have always been proud of our universal healthcare system. It was always there if I needed it. Well I need it NOW, and I can't get access to it. There is a 3-4 month wait for psychiatrists in my province, and I have treatment resistant depression that is worsening. My doctor's best suggestion is "go to an Emergency Room". So much for great healthcare. I'd rather be in the US where I could pay to see a Psychiatrist TODAY. Just my rant for the day.
Sonic
Posted by caraher on November 28, 2007, at 13:22:53
In reply to Canadian Healthcare, posted by sonic_gb on November 27, 2007, at 10:49:58
Are there no private practice psychiatrists in Canada? I honestly don't know...
It's really not a whole lot faster here unless you present yourself as an emergency case. The last time I sought a psychiatrist paid entirely out of my own pocket it took at least 6 weeks between my initial calls and my intake appointment. If you're getting worse at the rate it sounds like you may be, that's still pretty much forever for all practical purposes.
I hope you do go to the ER. If things are as hard as they sound, it's probably the right move.
Posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 13:44:49
In reply to Re: Canadian Healthcare, posted by caraher on November 28, 2007, at 13:22:53
Private practice is essentially illegal here to prevent creating a "two-tiered" healthcare system.
Posted by Michael83 on December 12, 2007, at 2:48:15
In reply to Canadian Healthcare, posted by sonic_gb on November 27, 2007, at 10:49:58
That's terrible. We have people here in the US who think Canada's healthcare system is so great because it's free.
Well I'd rather pay for a quality one then get a crappy one for free.
Posted by caraher on December 14, 2007, at 10:03:01
In reply to Re: Canadian Healthcare » sonic_gb, posted by Michael83 on December 12, 2007, at 2:48:15
> That's terrible. We have people here in the US who think Canada's healthcare system is so great because it's free.
>
> Well I'd rather pay for a quality one then get a crappy one for free.Suppose you don't have the money. Not much of a choice in that case!
I'm not saying Canada's system doesn't have flaws. But it's not the case that there are only two possible health care systems, Canada's or whatever you call what we have in the US. Why not adopt reforms based on the best elements of the many systems around the world?
Posted by Jay-Bravest_Face on February 10, 2008, at 0:23:32
In reply to Re: Canadian Healthcare, posted by caraher on December 14, 2007, at 10:03:01
Health care wait times for psychiatrists are about on par here in Canada and in the U.S. Canada being a young country, sparsely populated, we do have a shortage of specialists. But, all of the money, spaces in med schools, etc, is there. Just we don't have to lose our homes here in Canada to pay for treatment. I can see my psychiatrist 5 days a week, year long if he and I wanted to!(just saying our government health insurance has no 'caps' on visits.) Many plans in the U.S. limit people to the number of visits the can see their psychiatrists. I recall a lady who was under a GM plan that allowed her 5 psych visits a year! Nice! The Canadian system isn't perfect, but atleast it is fair to all, and still able to be amongst the most advanced in the world. Plus, I am on a government med program, and get all of my medication free (actually...hang on I pay a 100 dollar deductable 2x a year.) I am on 5-7 different and expensive meds. and the cost is way into the multiple thousands.
Jay
Posted by ClearSkies on February 10, 2008, at 16:15:17
In reply to Re: Canadian Healthcare - all, posted by Jay-Bravest_Face on February 10, 2008, at 0:23:32
Yup, it's a good system, and it works. I was raised there, and I also lived in the UK for seven years, and the NHS there treated me very well - my GP even did accupuncture treatments on me for my migraines!
Of course, I'm whining particularly because I'm currently unable to find insurance on my own (my husband is working for a Canadian company and so doesn't offer group health insurance - we've been given an allowance for the cost, but that does us no good when we're denied coverage). Selling the place and moving back to Canada remains an option for the moment, in addition to the others that we're exploring. The anxiety that this has added to our lives is CRIPPLING. I'm the one actively receiving mental health care, but now even my husband is unable to sleep and think of anything but this predicament in which we find ourselves.
I've already written to our local political representative stating our support for a singlepayer health care system, which is what Canada has in place. Meanwhile, we try to stay healthy, and we pray that nothing random and unfortunate happens to us - because if it should, we would surely become bankrupt trying to pay for any care out of our own pocket.
CS
This is the end of the thread.
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