Canada Health Care System Part 1

[erindrake2010]

When I hear the words: "guidelines set by the federal government" I hear Constitutional rights violation. Also "if your job doesn't cover you", so what that means is that if you have a job you're paying up the butt. Homeless people get medicaid here honey all of this UHC propaganda is based on lies, red herrings, and twisting the truth.

[iheartgandhi1]

The canadian heath care system is very anti woman.

[2009disclosure]

sounds good in theory. but it's unsustainable. And you have to wait 6 months for major treatment. So your dead before you actually get it.

[thechriscorr]

The one thing I don't like about our Canadian healthcare system is that it doesn't cover dental. I pay out of my own pocket, and it costs me several hundred dollars most years. That is not right. Our taxes should cover basic dental care. If you want cosmetic dentistry, you should pay yourself, but the government should pay for cleanings and fillings.

[northpal2]

Another freeloader wanting my taxes. Pay your own bills chump!

[thechriscorr]

I'm not a "freeloader" you idiot. I just think dental should be covered by the government. I don't mind paying more taxes to help out others either. That's the difference between you and me. You only care about yourself. I care about my fellow Canadians.

[northpal2]

If you care about your fellow Canadians, then pay your own damn dental bills. You goddammed free loader. Don't give that crap you care, you only care as long as it benefits you, you socialisZt scum.

[thechriscorr]

Go fuck your mother, you stupid piece of shit.

Other countries have UHC which covers dental care. Why should I have to pay out of my own pocket? This is the one area the Canadian government is failing us. They should pay out of our taxes.

And I already pay my own damn dental bills retard. That's what I'm complaining about.

[northpal2]

Americans - see what I am talking about.

The free loaders like thechriscorr is a prime example, they just want and want and want your money to pay their bills.

Do not let the Government into your lives with health care or you wind up with a bunch of bums like thechriscorr.

[thechriscorr]

Go fuck yourself, you bumbling moron.

I don't want "your money" to pay my bills. That's a lie. I want EVERYONE to contribute to pay everyone's bills.

If your reading comprehension is so poor that you can't understand what I'm saying, I suggest you kill yourself, because your of no use in this world.

[northpal2]

OK OK man I hear ya.

You want  EVERYONE to contribute to pay your bills.

[thechriscorr]

And I'm willing to contribute to pay everyone else's bills. Except for idiots like yourself. You don't deserve any healthcare. I just wish you would die.

[talktal]

i hope you get anal cancer, get denied coverage, and die a horrible and painful death. you're an idiot and a waste of time.

[northpal2]

Shouldn't you be doing more important things with your life like playing a video game.

[s30311]

Your foul mouth accomplishes nothing. If I have ever said that kind of language in the house I grew up in, I would really need some health insurance program in a hurry after my parents got a hold of me with a hickory switch.

[thechriscorr]

Who the fuck asked you?

Don't come crying to me because your parents beat you when you were a kid. I know you probably still ahve emotional issues and nightmares pertaining to that. I don't give a shit.

[Scootertuner1000]

whippings are a fit punishment for swearing. what the heck is wrong with you?

[aztecking21122012]

Don't answer that fool northpal2, he is just another FOX watching american redneck fanatic that you can't reason with no matter what facts you have.

[s30311]

God's last name is not Damned! If you are a conservative you are an embarrassment to fellow conservatives because of your language.

[thechriscorr]

The only thing I'm embarrassed about is that I'm the same species as you. Now go fuck yourself god-boy/girl.

[aztecking21122012]

This is not freeloading you moron, this is a TAX BASED SYSTEM. If I work for 45 years and pay in, then I should get out. Hopefully I take less then I give. But in your world you paid for every road you drive on and for every Hospital you walked into, they were not paid for with taxes. Oh wait, yes thay are. SO, unless you want to be called a freeloader the never Drive again and NEVER GO TO A HOSPITAL IN THE USA AS THEY ARE ALL PAID FOR WITH TAX MONEY.

[northpal2]

@aztecking21122012

In case you are unaware TAXES are the sweat and labor of hard working people. What we want that spent is our prerogative NOT YOURS!

Ya damn freeloader, if you want a new daddy put your self up for adaption.

Stay the hell out of me and my family's WALLET!!

[SendinK9]

Hi northpal2 Old Friend.

I see this twisted aztecking21122012 is giving you problems to. She is a devout communist so don't waste to much time with her. She also has a very foul mouth for a women and she is fully equipped with falsehoods and communist propaganda. She stands for everything we stand against here in America...

[northpal2]

@SendinK9

Hey man how are you doing.

There are many sheep fighting on behalf of the beast. After they are led to the slaughter they won't be in the way. Then we can really rock n roll.

[fireflygirl246]

@aztecking21122012 "hopefully I take less then I give" you must be Canadian. I take pride in knowing my tax dollars are helping my fellow citizens when they need it most and comfort that the system will be there for me when I need it most. The piece of mind it give you is more then worth the taxes. When dealing with a sick family member it so nice to be able to focus on there needs and helping them get better then having to worry about mortgaging the house to pay for the treatments.

[aztecking21122012]

I agree, Dental should be included in the Canadian Health Act. I wish they did, I am spending $3000 this moth for 10 fillings, ouch.

[northpal2]

See another freeloader demanding the hard working people to surrender their hard earned dollars for his needs.

Stick your face in front of a swinging door and get rid of those rotting teeth.

They are your responsibility not mine!

[MrFreedomrequired]

Honestly.. you did that and .......I DONT WANT TO PAY FOR IT!....understand ?

[MrFreedomrequired]

Its pretty easy! Brush your friggin teeth!

[cleanmrbroadway]

what we have in canada is better than nothing. most drugs availble now were not available when the system was innitially implemented. all drug costs may not be able to be covered. however any wealthy canadian can go to the USA . also years ago many americans visiting canada recieved free health care . i dont believe that happens anymore because of higher costs.

[aztecking21122012]

That is why you must be a LEGAL RESIDENT to get HC in Canada, yes we used to treat visitors as though they were Canadian. Too expensive, had to stop.

[hockeyfanredwings]

the drug Avastin is widely used in America to treat advanced colon cancer. But it costs $50,000 a year -- so Canada's national-health system doesn't permit its use. As a result, 41 percent of colon-cancer patients in Canada die each year, as opposed to 32 percent in the United States. (Canada's average eight-month wait for colonoscopies, another result of national-health rationing, also contributes to the problem.)

[Kansasgrandmother]

@steveaustin: you think a person in critical condition can travel? Not true. My 29 year-old Canadian cousin was so sick by the time the Hosp listened that she couldnt even move without wretching. She couldnt travel, couldnt hardly talk so sick. You work for the Canadian Gov evidently, so I think you might be in denial, but please start caring about the suffering that goes on. People need FREEDOM to CHOOSE not denial from other Canadians.

[Motigflamez]

People need medicine not a system that only allows it to a certain population. Cases like what you describe are extremely rare and I think you might even be lying.

[steveaustin71]

First of all, "I found a website" made me stop watching. And second, if you think we have it bad, go live in the US for a little while. I work in healthcare, and I can tell you no one working in our system would want to work in a privatized system, if you wait a long time it is for a reason, you either live in a remote area, and refuse to travel, or your care is not critical. I have lived and worked on both sides of the border, and I would choose Canada over the US any day,

[licious04]

First of all, I never once said we have it bad in canada...? Second, I work in health care as well so I know that our health care system is not even comparable to the US. I dont know if this was directed towards me or not.

[SHBBKBB]

@steveaustin71 Most people living in the Eastern Block countries also never wanted to live in the West. The minority did - those more productive - and they left. Economists such as Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek and Peter Boettke explain it well why socialism must fail. It is a tempting idea though that we can get rid of the fact that resources are scarce, which is the basis of the socialist ideology.

[iheartgandhi1]

@steveaustin71 I bet your a man....

[licious04]

:) I agree

[a1mint]

In the US plenty of people end up having to sell their house and/or declare bankrupt because they became ill.

45+ million people without insurance and plenty of people who's insurance company retroactively cancels their policy because the insurance company finds an inconsistency after a claim is made. These insurance adjusters are rewarded for finding stuff on people.

The American system is probably the worst in the civilized world. Disgusting.

[Kansasgrandmother]

@a1mint. That's not true. People don't have to declare bankruptcy. However, I'd rather do bankruptcy & still be alive. In Canada my cousin died because of poor system. Death is FINAL. Bankruptcy, even if it were necessary is not.

[funkyflights]

NO NO NO .. you dont get it .... if you require long term treatment YOU WONT GET TREATMENT if you cant pay in the USA.... at the emergency room YES they will stabilize you .... but once you need a specialist and you cant pay bankruptcy means nothing.... your gonna die... because the specialist is not gonna help you for free..... so you need to get your facts straight.... people die EVERYDAY in the USA because they have no insurance

[Motigflamez]

That is true.

[a1mint]

Kansasgrandmother: I'm amazed at how ignorant people are on the issue. It's so easy for people that are all setup with insurance and are young and healthy and don't have any issues to think and state that the system is all well.

Well, it's not all well. Fact is, people DO end up having to declare bankrupt. It's really not that uncommon.

Something not a o k with the insurance, get a health problem, hospital sends bill, insurance company tosses you out, and there you go, you're screwed.

[Motigflamez]

My step sister is 36,000 in debt and had to sell her car to pay for her medication for a blood condition which is fatal if not treated. She routinely come up to Canada now to buy the medication and to see a doctor up her due to the fact it cheaper and accessible to her. She is still in her house thanks to the Canadian system.

[thechriscorr]

Med costs are now the reason for an estim 50% of American bankruptcies. How can you say "people don't have to declare bankruptcy". That's simply not true. Thousands of Amrcns are going bankrupt due to medical costs. Thousands more are losing their homes, or have to empty their life savings for surgeries and treatments that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. And millions are forgoing treatment they should be getting, because even if they have insurance, co-pays/deductibles can cost thousands.

[thechriscorr]

And I'm sorry your cousin died, but what makes you think your cousin would have lived any longer in the U.S.? If your cousin didn't have insurance or tons of money, they may have died even sooner. American health insurance companies deny payments and pre-approvals for surgeries and treatments every single day. That's how they maximize profits.

[funkyflights]

Canadian health care is just simply better than ours and we need to adopt that system .... NOW

[farleysbarley]

Damn you hear the same stale republican b.s. over and over. And they wonder why they just finally get ignored, left to spew their nonsense to themselves.

[funkyflights]

Yep .... republicans can all hop on a boat and go to republican island .... there they can selfishly look out for themselves and watch each other get eaten by Tigers....

[StephSilvermen]

On an ideological level some might consider the Canadian system attractive, however,the reality is that the Canadian tax-funded single-payer model restricts expenditure to such an extent that healthcare supply far from matches demand. It's unacceptable that 85% of median waiting times are higher than clinically reasonable waiting times. There is a lack of accountability, responsiveness, & innovation in a govt controlled healthcare monopoly. Canada needs a two-tiered system.

[farleysbarley]

On an ideological level some might consider the American system attractive, however the reality is the American model is the leading cause of bankrupty and provides no longer life expectancy. The for-profit competitive incentive has lead to corner cutting, rushes services leading to the highest malpractice rate in the Western world, driving up employee benefit costs destroying industrial survival in a global market. "Innovation" is often cited as 800 new "cancer medicines". None cure cancer.

[farleysbarley]

Yes, endless malpratice with no ability to persue because of impossible defense costs , bankruptcies, neverending cases of being tied up in insurance claims wait times. Talk about unaccountability and unresponsiveness. But they do shove a lot of shekels into the pockets of the pharma-peddlars and quack monopolies. The difference in cancer survival in the last 30 years? A mere 3 years. Just as easily attributed to free lifestyle change awareness. Theres your "innovation". America needs change.

[funkyflights]

Amazing you should say that because in our system Americans are not GETTING ANY TREATMENT and there dying because of it.... OH and I live on the Canadian border near Vancouver and I challenge your post ... I"ve talked to many many Canadians about there system and they LOVE IT.... Tommy Douglas was voted the single most important person in Canadian history .... WOW that really sounds like they hate there system ....

[StephSilvermen]

I'm a dual citizen so I AM a Canadian and I am telling you that there are many Canadians that wish they could pay for private health services. I have had many relatives go to the US for diagnosis & treatment because even if your wait list time is unreasonable and puts your health at risk it is illegal to pay for private medically necessary services. A majority of Canadians believe that expanding private health insurance would reduce wait time and would improve care.

[funkyflights]

HAHAHA... ok man .... all the people I know in Canada FEAR our system ... they know the horror stories of bringing profit and greed into health care... so everyone I talk to in Canada say's HELL NO to privatizing health care in any way ..... they know very well what that can lead to and all my Canadian friends wont even visit the USA with out temp insurance.... and this whole waiting time thing is so overblown ... if your care is urgent you will get seen ...

[StephSilvermen]

A 2005 survey showed 49% of Canadians would be willing to pay for faster care yet there Gov't denies them that right. Canada is one of the freest countries in the world yet the Canadian Gov't prohibits them from investing in their own health and well-being. What do you have against a two-tiered system?

[funkyflights]

Insurance companies and health care DO NOT GO TOGETHER..... when you set up a system that benefits it's profit margin by denying care it's a failure..... health care should never be a profitable business.... EVER .... the doctors and hospitals should always be paid by the government just like a government job .... and treatment should always be decided by the doctors.... that's what doctors are for and that's why there educated in that field... they decide the urgency of the treatment

[StephSilvermen]

Yes if you are in immediate danger then they will treat you. But lets say you find a lump in your breast like my great Aunt did. Instead of waiting 3 months to see a specialist she went to the US and paid for it and guess what?She had breast cancer! The gov't is interfering in Canadians health by not funding the system well enough. They ration care and put your life at risk.

[funkyflights]

Bro ... if they find a lump in your Aunts breast there gonna take the xray's and Mammograms and find out what's going on .... if that in fact did happen to your aunt then it was a failure on the doctors part and not the government in Canada or there system ....

[StephSilvermen]

You are wrong about that. The decision to see a specialist is up to your family doctor but WHEN you actually get to see that specialist or get a MRI is up to the Gov't. If there is a waiting list and there often is becuase of lack of equipment or shortage of specialists then you must wait. Doesn't matter if it is something as serious as a suspected tumor, you are still not allowed to pay with your own money if you think the wait is too long because it is a medically necessary service.

[funkyflights]

That's totally false.... the government does NOT decide if you see a specialist ... if the doctor feels it's necessary your gonna get seen by a specialist.... it's the doctors discretion ... he determines how serious your situation is... private insurance has been RAPING our citizens for years .... my uncle was paying 1,400 a month for years.... now he's on medicare and he pays 100 a month... a good friend of mine is paying 900 a month from her employer based care... ridiculous...

[StephSilvermen]

Please read what I said again. Yes it is true a doctor decides if you get to see a specialist or not HOWEVER, doctors have NO CONTROL over a waitlist. It doesn't matter if you have a suspected tumor or not, you have to wait your turn to get a MRI or to see a specialist no matter how long the list it. Doctor & equipments shortages often means a person has to wait longer than is clinically reasonable,especially in rural areas. Did you know cancer survival rates are higher in the US than Canada?

[funkyflights]

Doubt that considering people are DENIED care by there insurance companies at there time of need in the USA.... if someone in Canada has cancer dude the government is NOT gonna say NO wait in line... that's simply ridiculous... your acting like there is some cancer waiting line in Canada.... this has been the right wing agenda in the USA... make people fear the Canadian system ... totally ridiculous .. they have clinics and doctors offices all over the dam place in Vancouver...

[StephSilvermen]

In 2005 Canadians waited 12.3 weeks for an MRI scan, 5.5 weeks for a CT-scan and 3.4 weeks for an ultrasound. In 2002, Canada had fewer CT scanners per 1,000 population than the OECD average (10.8 compared with 19). Similarly, it had only 4.7 MRI scanners per 1,000 population compared with an OECD average of 7.9

Canada ranked 24th out of 27 OECD countries in 2002 for the number of doctors per 1,000 population.

[funkyflights]

it depends on which province you live in, and whats wrong with you. Canadas health care system runs on federal guidelines that ensure uniform standards of care, but each territory and province administers its own program. so YES if your WAY UP NORTH hospitals and doctors are longer waits than the South side of the country ....

[StephSilvermen]

Wait times vary within provinces and not just way up north. In her 2nd and 3rd video Kirsten acknowledges the problem with there being so many waitlist. She also comments how there is a doctor and nurse shortage. In the 1990s provincial health ministers limited med school enrollment hoping to reduce the number of doctors in an effort to cut cost. If there arent enough doctors,epspecially drs in certain specialities, dont you see how that creates wait times? Demand is greater than supply

[funkyflights]

Funny you should say that because all the people I know in Canada dont have to wait nearly as long as I do here in the USA .... I guess everybody has there own opinions... but like a1mint pointed out people here are in trouble with this system... but I guess your point was a 2 tier system so your discussion was was a little different ....

[Kansasgrandmother]

@Funkyflights: sorry to tell you this, but My Cousin 29years old lived on the south side of the country & yes even with cancer, she, a Canadian, was told to wait. When Hospital finally listened & she was told she had cancer, Oncologist went on vacation & she was told wait til he returns. Fam Doc wouldnt refer her to Hosp 2½ hours away where nearest Oncologist was. She died 9July09.

[funkyflights]

Sorry to hear that .... well ... here in the good old USA that's happening everyday with our system ... people are being denied care for the name of profit.... so a single payer system WITH REGULATIONS will work ... NO system will be perfect but I would take your Canadian system ANY day over ours...

[Motigflamez]

Again, I doubt what you say is true. My wife's grandmother had cancer and she was admitted in the hospital that night we found out, and saw the Cancer Agency 4 days later. Surgery was scheduled 2 weeks after that. She is healthy now now Cancer free for over a 6 months.

[Kansasgrandmother]

@Funkyflights: sorry to tell you this, but yes even with cancer my Canadian Cousin was told to wait. When Hospital finally listened she was told she had cancer, Oncologist on vacation & wait til he returns. Doc wouldnt refer her to Hosp 2½ hours away where nearest Oncologist was. She died 9July09.

[StephSilvermen]

Your arguement doesn't really hold water against a two-tiered system. Everyone would still have universal access to their beloved and unfunded, gov't mandated waiting list. Currently 70% of Canadians have private health insurance. Why not expand it and let people seek private care when their gov't fails them?

[sibs123]

Attention Americans

1. Stop crossing our border to buy your medicine

2. Stop going bankrupt because you cannot afford kemo-therapy

3. In Canada, the doctor decides. In America, your HMO decides what treatment you get

4. America will gladly go to WAR and spend TRILLIONS to kill people, but providing health care seems to be a problem

5. Stop traveling to INDIA to get heart surgery that you cannot afford since your HMO will not cover the entire cost....

[licious04]

thanks for your input :)

[StephSilvermen]

1. In the 1960s when Canada introduced price cuts, drug development decreased by 50%. US is the leader in in medical innovation

2.If you look at national average of health insurance rates health care is affordable.

3. In Canada, your Doctor & the gov't decide what healthcare you need. The Canada rations care

4. The US gov't pays for 46% of healthcare spending in the form of medicare,mericaid, VA etc...

5. Medical tourism is vastly for cosmetic procedures not for life saving procedure

[farleysbarley]

America has only 2 of the worlds 7 top pharma companies. It does produce viagra though. Stiff competition.  Of course their doctors decide what healthcare is needed. Who else do you want to do it? An insurance agent?

[StephSilvermen]

Where did I say the American system is better than the Canadian system?or that Canada should adopt America's system and adbandon public healthcare all together?I didn't. If you read #3 again you will notice i included the gov't as having a say in Canadain healthcare and pointed out it leads to rationing of services. Perfect example is in the 1990s when provincial health ministers limited enrollment spots in med school in an effort to reduce the number of doctors & tests in order to save money.

[StephSilvermen]

The last time I check 2 out 7 is about 30%. Expand your list your list to top 10 and you will find 5 or 50% in the US. Expand it to top 20 and again, 50% of those companies are in the US.

[Kansasgrandmother]

My Canadian Cousins used to tell me all the time their Health Care was fine -- until my cousins condition really started showing the effects. Originally she needed it for an Arrythmia. The Meds & Cadioversions left some big problems. Because the Meds were not followed with quarterly liver function & enzyme tests - only yearly enzyme tests It's been horrible. Now the emails are SHOCKING! She has liver cancer from the lack of proper care & they're NEGLECTING HER, LETTING HER SUFFER it's HORRIBLE!

[licious04]

that isn't a reflection on the canadian health care system but a reflection on the doctors caring for her.

[Kansasgrandmother]

you're mistaken; the system only allows her to see an Oncologist if her family Doctor approves it.

And, when the family Doctor has screwed up there's no way they're going to let any other Doctor see the damage they've done to the Patient. This System PROTECTS the Guilty; they hide their mistakes by denying permission for a

care elsewhere.

She passed away last night; didn't see a single Oncologist until 3 days ago; too LATE!!!!!!! She was only 29

GOVERNMENT-run HEALTH CARE KILLS YOU

[licious04]

that is completley untrue...I am sorry your cousin had to fight this battle, but it is very rare in Canada for something like this to happen. No one is denied care anywhere...you just simply walk in to a different doctor and see them, end of story.

[StephSilvermen]

Many Canadians are denied necessary care or have to wait unreasonable amounts of time because of rationing of services or equipment. Also there is a doctor shortage in Canada, leaving many Canadians without a family doctor. It is absurd that Canada can deny her citizens the right to invest in their own health & well-being.

[StephSilvermen]

You are wrong; it is a reflection on the Canadian healthcare system. The Canadian gov't rations healthcare to keep cost down and prohibits its citizens from getting private healthcare for medically necessary procedures.

[onlygunter]

You are so hot! But get to the

point!

[gLyZeL17]

wats d website again???

[ichbinkeinberliner]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm learning so much! :) On to part 2! yay!