2shelbys:
I was listening to the radio today and the discussion was about how socialized medical care absolutely destroys the level of care received. A doctor called in and was describing a new program that teaches doctors how to remove themselves from the goverment mangled mess of health care and return to a truly private practice where competition for business drives the prices way down. One example given was lasik surgery which, since it is not covered by insurance has come down in price from $5,000 a few years ago to well under $1000 now. The tie in is that the doctor asked if the host knew the only three countries on Earth where private-practice medicine has been outlawed…he guessed Cuba, North Korea, and China. Two out of three is ok, but the answer is Cuba, North Korea, and CANADA. Not good company for Canada to be in.
Your posts indicate interest in Canada. Notice too, Bush just upgraded his Canadian ambassador.
Medicare is a broad issue. First step back:
With any American policy, Canada usually advocates the opposite.
Partly because of the United Empire Loyalists descendants.
Partly because until recently, Canada has been a very homogeneous society and has yet to deal with race issues, sitting on a moral high horse of liberal inclusiveness in general. (The French/Aboriginal portfolio has been trivial compared to yours)
Partly because a little person is defensive and says to a bigger person “don’t tell me what to do you big bully even if it makes sense.”
So the liberals play the anti-Americanism card continually, and it keeps them in power. The conservatives simply never do.
There is privatization in our medical system and it is increasing. The federal Liberal government will deny, minimize and discourage "the Americanization of Medicare”, but health care is a provincial jurisdiction. The provinces run it with less idealism. Just ask the unions if they think there’s privatization in the health care system.
cupe.ca/updir/HCInventory-Revised-APRIL_Version2004.pdf
The government medical insurance covers us to a certain level. Beyond that, you need private insurance. But the list of publicly covered items is shrinking.
Hospitals are funded an allocation by the government and are left to run as they see fit, with broad guidelines. The unions, and greedy hospital management are eating away at their allocations. So there is pressure to continue outsourcing to private labs and tests. Or just cut the service.
Nursing homes are a combination of private and public funding with publicly funded ones looking at seniors’ personal income tax receipts.
All dentists, all optometrists, and increasingly medications, are paid for privately or through private insurance. (Most established medications are covered.)
Lasik surgery isn’t covered here under the public health coverage. The pricing structure is exactly as yours, from $5k a few years ago down to $1k. As of this year, eye exams are no longer covered here in Ontario except for children and seniors.
Family doctor practices bill the government individually and directly. Their union (“association”) is very powerful.
We increasingly see doctors from India and Pakistan when we are sick. They are financially motivated otherwise they would be serving in their homelands.
I would not say it’s a terrible system. On the other hand, stay healthy and avoid it. And, if you get really sick, go to the US for treatment where waiting times are much less, accountability is greater, and your chances of proper care are much higher.
I am curious about the American system. How much would insurance cost for say a healthy 30, 40, or 50 year old? Are there different levels? How many employers pay this? How many have no coverage?
