When I moved to Canada in 2008, I was a die-hard conservative Republican. So when I found out that we were going to be covered by Canada’s Universal Health Care, I was somewhat disgusted. This meant we couldn’t choose our own health coverage, or even opt out if we wanted too. It also meant that abortion was covered by our taxes, something I had always believed was horrible. I believed based on my politics that government mandated health care was a violation of my freedom.
[...]
I started to feel differently about Universal government mandated and regulated Health care. I realized how many times my family had avoided hospital care because of our lack of coverage. When I mentioned to Canadians that I had been in a car accident as a teen and hadn’t gone into the hospital, they were shocked!
Also, ObamaCare provides a business benefit to Republican states, that do not set up the exchanges. Because of the secrecy and hasty passage, the law is worded poorly. If the federal government sets up the exchange in a state, then businesses are not penalized $3000 per employee for not providing health insurance. So businesses do not face the expansion and hiring penalties if their governors refuse to go along with ObamaCare. The Democratic run states are screwed.
I experienced healthcare in Canada and the UK. While your experience was positive, as you choose or were forced by circumstance, to go without insurance, mine was negative.
In both countries, the primary care physicians were as best the quality of a physicians assistants. ALL they did, was ask a few simple questions and prescribe the pill “they were giving everyone else”. It’s only when you need emergency assistance or have a chronic conditionrequiring treatment, that you go thru the process of getting approved. This was for any significant procedure or medication. Then you get to see a real doctor.
In the UK, I knew people who had waited for years for pacemakers or knee replacements, something in this country you can be scheduled for next week if needed. Some got so frustrated they saved up and went to India to get the operation. I suspect this was the governments plan all along.
So, in summary,
been there,
done that,
it sucked,
you’ll see, unless something changes.
The circumstance about the US healthcare debate that upsets me, is the real perpetrators of the rising healthcare costs, have learned the game of how to play the insurance companies, medicare and medicaid to maximize their income. That is, the doctors and the pharmceutical companies know how to game the system. If the patients, had some $$ in the game and the doctor and rx companies had to disclose the price of the service/pill, people would be motivated to exercise healthier lifestyles and would shop for doctors motivated to provide services at reasonable rates. Just like they did 50 years ago.
For example –
I’m sorry but there is no way an otorhinolaryngologist is worth $300 for 5 minutes of looking at my wifes ear. Most of the visit was asking how the family was. This is medical theft. I tried to get some info on cost before we went in to the exam room, and the staff looked at me like I was nuts. So the annual apparently unneeded visit, becomes biannual, or longer.
Pfft, $300 for 5minutes…how about $700 to look at my back on each visit doing ntohing but having me lay in a vibrating chair that pains me more. Now that’s highway robbery. This is in US btw.
Finally took a chance while in China to visit a recommended, very young, masseur. He noticed my problem immediately without any technology and apply pressure and massages and walla, no more back pain. All for 50 yuan, which I in turn was so happy I gave him 200. 200 yuan is not a lot btw (divide by 7 for us dollar). I have been free of back pain since then.I use him every chance I get when I’m nearby. Humble fella, he and his wife.
My point is, medical care is not going to be the same for everyone. That much we all can agree upon, even from the same hospital/clinic. Our only hope to to find and stick to a doctor whom we can trust. Same basic rules
Canada’s social medicine is some of the best care you can get in the world.
If it is an emergency.
I’ve been hobbling around for 2 years now with a torn meniscus. My MRI scan finally comes up in August. When the other knee recently showed same symptoms, I was told that knee had to go to the back of the line instead of scanning at the same time.
My US cousins say I should be a poster boy for ObamaCare.
RBG