Question for p.s./QOD..

[Bad Bob]

  Is it true. that in many parts of Canada it would be illegal for you to take your own money and
pay for your own health care from a private provider.

I'm just curious, because, as you know, we have an election looming down here, and I'm trying to
be a good citizen/voter and to do that I must try to be knowledgeable when I stroll into the
 voting booth..... Oops, I forgot, we don't HAVE voting booths in our county anymore... all
mail-in ballots. Hell, I saw on the news that we have online voter registration now too.... 

[Adam]

Hey Bob, I'm Canadian too so I'll add my two cents if you don't mind. Canada's health care system is a publicly funded health care system, there are no legal private providers as far as I know. The only things we really have to pay for are elective procedures like plastic surgery, prescription drugs, and things like dentistry and optometry. Most people with a job will have benefits that cover part or all of these.

The downsides to the health system here are basically two. Most complaints are about the wait times, secondly many health professionals leave for the greener pastures of the U.S., where medicine is more of a business. However, you won't ever hear about someone being denied treatment because they couldn't afford it, or having to mortgage their house or go bankrupt because they needed treatment, or having a private insurance company deny coverage because it will save them money. I think the system here is great, personally - everyone is treated the same and you never have to worry about it. Yes we pay a lot of taxes but hey - the basic premise of the system is that everyone pays to help themselves and everybody else out equally, so I'm happy to pay. Plus I've met a lot of hot women in the Canadian health care system... but I digress.

Just my opinion, I'm no expert or anything so anyone can feel free to correct me.

[p.s.]

Adam pretty much hit the nail on the head with our health care up here, as with my job I'm covered with both standard medical (hospital stays, Dr visits etc) as well as I also have whats called extended benefits so things like dental (it's on a sliding scale), scripts, eye exams/glasses, etc are all covered to one degree or another.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Jack Tragic]

Yep...socialism ain't all that. Nor is Marksism. Up Northway, your choises are limited by the coverage. Down this a way...we pay a bit more, but well worth it! WE decide what "is" and "is not". btw ps./ you mentioned taxation rates for Canada. What is the current rate bud? We down here pay on average 28 -40% of our annual earnings...this my friend is just plain and simply unexceptable!! Revolution and tax revolt WILL take place wiyhin the next 20 years! mark your calender bro. North Americans are pretty much fed-up w/ all the bullshit down this way and we're NOT affraid to show it! After all...we vote thease idiots into office hoping they will represent us in some way or form...but we have been dissapointed for too long! Doesn't matter which party...Dem., lib., republican...non of them stan for anything anymore. They all speak through the side of their necks!!

[p.s.]

JT don't get me started on the whole tax thing!!! It's such a pile of BS we also pay like you do (based on income) as well we also have a general sales tax (GST) and a provincial sales tax (PST) and what really burns my ass is that the GST when it was invoked was supposed to be applied to the national debt the government had/has and after this was delt with the GST would be abolished. However here it is a great many years later and the debt is still just as big as ever and the GST is still going strong!!

All governments need to be accountable with their spending and that means that all monies spent/utilized in running the country (right down to long distance phone calls and paper clips) and if they can't show/prove the need for the expenditure then it comes out of pocket for whom-ever over spent. And if certain cabinets etc are found to be over spending/fixing the books etc then they may face legal action as well as tossed out of office.

[queenofthedamned]

you CAN go to private hospitals in canada (b.c. anyways) and pay upfront for surgeries that would otherwise have you on a waiting list.

[killermctavish]

Any of you without a career choice yet may I suggest dentistry?  I don't have dental insurance and my son needs some work and it is going to be $$$$ but it has to be done.

As for the health care systems, I have lived both in the U.S. and in Canada and it definitely is the old saying that each system has its strong and weak points.  One of the main differences is that in Canada we tend to visit the doctor early on in a sickness so that we are treated fairly soon (this does not apply to non-life-threatening surgeries when the waits can be long).  In the US, we waited until we knew we were sick enough to make the price of an office call worth it and we NEVER went to emergency unless it was a matter of life and limb.

We are having a doctor shortage in Canada but I am not sure if it is the same in the States.  I believe that physicians are better compensated in the States but, again, that comes out of the patients' pockets.

I have been hospitalized in the U.S. and in Canada and received good care each time.  The costs to me were far lower in Canada.

[Jack Tragic]

Yes. I have heard it is lower as well due to it's Socialistic nature. But I just do not feel comfortable with the Government controling my medical plan...at least not MY government...

[p.s.]

Yes. I have heard it is lower as well due to it's Socialistic nature. But I just do not feel comfortable with the Government controling my medical plan...at least not MY government...

Oh and you feel comfortable with a private corporation in control? Shit at least with the government in charge of mine I know that I will not get refused treatment, as the government isn't about making a profit.

[NumberCruncher]

First of all, Jack I love your avatar.  So choice!!

Second, I'd like to see just exactly how much healthcare does cost each taxpayer in Canada.  Meaning, how much more taxes are paid toward universal coverage.  I've worked as an accountant in the healthcare business and I know that financially things are pretty messed up.  Most docs make a ton of money, proper hospital equipment costs big bucks, and the insurance companies make a ton of money.  In other words, everyone is making money and ultimately the insured people of this country pay for it.  So, in a way, it's socialized medicine!! 

I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know that way too many people depend on government programs, whether it be healthcare or food stamps and you can't solve that problem by giving away more money.

[Jack Tragic]

The way it works down here ps, is that if persay one Med carrier has co-pays and/or deductables that are in my opinion too expensive, my company gives me the option to choose between 5 different med carriers...all with different payment and coverage plans. It's really very good (still too frickin expenssive though!). I am lucky as my Ins. plan ALSO covers dental (same company)which is way cool! Family plan costs me only 16.00/month...not bad i guess. I only have to pay for crowns, bridges and braces...
       And Number...there are plenty of www."gov"/can. websites where you can find out ANYTHING! Just google...