I have always said no on this site and that one site we all started out on years ago. But since we already have medicaid that's been expanded, why not expand it further on certain and particular circumstances?

I have friends from other countries that have "free healthcare". From what they've told me, it's not exactly great. Not sure why so many people in the US want that, but it takes all kinds, I guess.

Speaking of this topic, I saw this thread on twitter earlier today:

https://twitter.com/GingyNorth/status/1074374009746280448

posted by CenterBHSFan

I have always said no on this site and that one site we all started out on years ago. But since we already have medicaid that's been expanded, why not expand it further on certain and particular circumstances?

I have friends from other countries that have "free healthcare". From what they've told me, it's not exactly great. Not sure why so many people in the US want that, but it takes all kinds, I guess.

Speaking of this topic, I saw this thread on twitter earlier today:

https://twitter.com/GingyNorth/status/1074374009746280448

From people in other countries, I see a mixed bag.  I have a dear Canadian friend who is about as bleeding-heart-pinko as they come, and she practically has an orgasm every time she sings the praises of their health care system.  Still another who has lived in Taiwan, Canada, and Singapore says that the care in Canada and Taiwan was piss compared to Singapore, and that the costs were comparable.

posted by O-Trap

From people in other countries, I see a mixed bag.  I have a dear Canadian friend who is about as bleeding-heart-pinko as they come, and she practically has an orgasm every time she sings the praises of their health care system.  Still another who has lived in Taiwan, Canada, and Singapore says that the care in Canada and Taiwan was piss compared to Singapore, and that the costs were comparable.

I think it's entirely reasonable to think that it's a mixed bag. But for some reason, Americans seem to latch on only what good they hear about it and choose to desperately want the good things here. You can almost see the golden ray of sun shining on them and hear angels singing when they think of it.

The bad things they immediately choose not to believe or just disregard it or it's somebody lying/distorting the truth. "You just don't care if people dieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!1111"

There's no clean-cut way to save everybody inexpensively. Probably impossible. I happen to think that most people who claim that they'd be willing to pay more taxes either 1.) live in cities and rent or 2.) would get sick of it really fast when their savings stops (if they even budget for their future) and they just don't have expendable money to do fun things with like they used to or 3.) find themselves having to move in with the parents because rents go up as they always eventually do and they can't afford to buy their own home and commute.

NO

posted by O-Trap

From people in other countries, I see a mixed bag.  I have a dear Canadian friend who is about as bleeding-heart-pinko as they come, and she practically has an orgasm every time she sings the praises of their health care system.  Still another who has lived in Taiwan, Canada, and Singapore says that the care in Canada and Taiwan was piss compared to Singapore, and that the costs were comparable.

My coworker from Canada where we are headquartered said he had a better experience having his baby in Barbados than Montréal. That’s pretty shitty. 

I recently came back from 4 years in New Zealand, no major ailments but partner had a few and experience there far easier than our experience in US.

Only thing i preferred to US compared to NZ was the employee sponsored vision and dental.

Everything else, quality of care, wait, cost, NZ was heaps better, and I was just on a temp work visa.

posted by cbus4life

I recently came back from 4 years in New Zealand

 

Jealous! You'll have to put up some scenic pics in the travel thread and talk about things to do there!

posted by iclfan2

My coworker from Canada where we are headquartered said he had a better experience having his baby in Barbados than Montréal. That’s pretty shitty. 

I’m friends with about 15 Canadians. Not one has ever mentioned anything bad about the service at their hospitals. 

posted by SportsAndLady

I’m friends with about 15 Canadians. Not one has ever mentioned anything bad about the service at their hospitals. 

Service at their hospitals and doctor offices may be good....once you get there.  The wait for needed medical service is measured in months, not hours or days even if the need is urgent.

My kids had a high school friend who was competing in Canada in an international diving event.  Hit her head on the board and was advised to get a CT scan.  The wait at the Canadian hospital where she was treated for the CT scan was 6 months......family flew her back home and she had the scan that day.

posted by wkfan

Service at their hospitals and doctor offices may be good....once you get there.  The wait for needed medical service is measured in months, not hours or days even if the need is urgent.

My kids had a high school friend who was competing in Canada in an international diving event.  Hit her head on the board and was advised to get a CT scan.  The wait at the Canadian hospital where she was treated for the CT scan was 6 months......family flew her back home and she had the scan that day.

But at least it would've been free.

posted by SportsAndLady

I’m friends with about 15 Canadians. Not one has ever mentioned anything bad about the service at their hospitals. 

How many of your 15 Canadian friends have had much experience with their hospitals at all? 

posted by SportsAndLady

I’m friends with about 15 Canadians. Not one has ever mentioned anything bad about the service at their hospitals. 

Weird. I've heard nothing "good", other than free, but had heard plenty of stories about waiting for care, especially specialists. I don't think I've ever heard from one that moved here (they do temporary 3 years sometimes) that they'd rather have Canada's service over ours.

Shocking that people in opposition to universal healthcare have heard nothing but bad from it and proponents haven't heard anything bad. Just shocking.

posted by kizer permanente

Shocking that people in opposition to universal healthcare have heard nothing but bad from it and proponents haven't heard anything bad. Just shocking.

I’m not a proponent for universal health care, just simply started the thread. I’m researching the pros and cons of each and figured I’d start this thread to see what you all thought. 

My canadian “friends” are really not friends but coworkers and clients. I’m not saying they’re screaming from the rooftop how great their healthcare service is. But I’ve definitely never heard anything negative from them when it comes to hospital care there. And I was just talking to a couple the other day about it. 

posted by kizer permanente

Shocking that people in opposition to universal healthcare have heard nothing but bad from it and proponents haven't heard anything bad. Just shocking.

Que?

posted by O-Trap

From people in other countries, I see a mixed bag.  I have a dear Canadian friend who is about as bleeding-heart-pinko as they come, and she practically has an orgasm every time she sings the praises of their health care system.  Still another who has lived in Taiwan, Canada, and Singapore says that the care in Canada and Taiwan was piss compared to Singapore, and that the costs were comparable.

posted by kizer permanente

Shocking that people in opposition to universal healthcare have heard nothing but bad from it and proponents haven't heard anything bad. Just shocking.

Lol sorry for posting my anecdotal stories. And any economically intelligent person would be in opposition to universal healthcare.

Heck the US system of health care is getting just as bad in regards to wait.  I have a cardiac issue and my cardiologist appointments are out to next June if you want to see him.

Like I said before, Canada can offer "free" health care because we are their military.  Cant police the world and pay for 350,000,000 peoples health care.

posted by Spock

Heck the US system of health care is getting just as bad in regards to wait.  I have a cardiac issue and my cardiologist appointments are out to next June if you want to see him.

 

I've been going to the cardiologist for ten years and never heard of a 7+ month waiting list. I'd see mine the week of Thanksgiving and they'd reach out in September-ish to get me scheduled. He's actually retiring at the end of the year so I called up Miami Valley South last week and got in with a new guy in mid-January. 

I'd guess you're going to a small town guy you like which is fine but hardly worth waiting half a year if you have an "issue" -- and it also doesn't define the US system. 

posted by SportsAndLady

My canadian “friends” are really not friends but coworkers and clients.

I have 35 asian friends.  Well, they're not friends, but people I've seen on TV.

posted by Spock

Heck the US system of health care is getting just as bad in regards to wait.  I have a cardiac issue and my cardiologist appointments are out to next June if you want to see him.

 

Like I said before, Canada can offer "free" health care because we are their military.  Cant police the world and pay for 350,000,000 peoples health care.

 

Well, after about 8 years of obamaKare, this is where we are headed.  I have several doctor friends; they are all completely disgusted by what has occurred over the last 8 years.  It does not bode well; hopefully the high court gets one more chance to bury this disaster.

posted by SportsAndLady

I’m not a proponent for universal health care, just simply started the thread. I’m researching the pros and cons of each and figured I’d start this thread to see what you all thought. 

My canadian “friends” are really not friends but coworkers and clients. I’m not saying they’re screaming from the rooftop how great their healthcare service is. But I’ve definitely never heard anything negative from them when it comes to hospital care there. And I was just talking to a couple the other day about it. 

More anecdotal story time!

I had to get a sinus surgery done last week.  I originally went to the ENT the Monday after thanksgiving.  He recommended a minimally invasive procedure where I would be on local anesthesia.  The recovery time was 1-2 days.  I thought about it for a couple days and during that time I was able to email the doctor with my questions and concerns.  I scheduled my procedure for December 10th and could have had scheduled it earlier, but the previous week was busy and I was out of town.  The procedure went fine and I was pretty much back to my daily activities 24 hours later.  I just had the follow-up with my doctor yesterday.  There is still some healing to be done, but I am already starting to feel much better than I was pre surgery and immediately after.  

Why did I provide this /coolstorybro?  Because you don't hear stories like this from Canada or the NHS in UK.  In the span of a few weeks I was able to see my doctor three times.  A consultation, surgery and a follow-up.  I am already feeling great.  If this were in Canada, UK, or any other socialized country I probably would still be waiting for my consultation on why the hell I always feel constant sinus pressure which leads to dizziness and headaches.

Quality care (waiting times fall under this category), affordability, and universal care.  You can't have all three.  It is impossible.  At best you can have two out of the three.  Give me quality care first and then affordability.  As Justin has said, tell Government to quit meddling into healthcare and the prices will drop.  Look at the EpiPen.  Over regulation has made it nearly impossible for businesses to penetrate the market.  It made the EpiPen ridiculously expensive.  Finally another business was finally able to cut thru the red tape or find a loophole and cut the price in half.  Imagine if a bunch of smaller businesses could do this.   Hell, without insurance the prices wouldn't be as high as they are now.   

posted by QuakerOats

I have several doctor friends; 

Define "friends"

posted by ernest_t_bass

Define "friends"

Are they politard losers who waste time spouting the same nonsense to a 30-something member message board, too?

posted by friendfromlowry

I've been going to the cardiologist for ten years and never heard of a 7+ month waiting list. I'd see mine the week of Thanksgiving and they'd reach out in September-ish to get me scheduled. He's actually retiring at the end of the year so I called up Miami Valley South last week and got in with a new guy in mid-January. 

I'd guess you're going to a small town guy you like which is fine but hardly worth waiting half a year if you have an "issue" -- and it also doesn't define the US system. 

No....Kravitz at Dayton heart.  

posted by ernest_t_bass

I have 35 asian friends.  Well, they're not friends, but people I've seen on TV.

With how cheap and cranky you are, no one would ever believe you have 35 friends.