Canadians: Tell us how you feel about your health care. (mortgages, hotel)

[kkleiber]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I don't think average lifespans can be considered here to determine quality of health care. The US loses more people in their younger years due to having no health insurance or getting themselves killed in a criminal lifestyle.

I'd be very confident with US or Canadian health care.

Two aspects, I think, to this point: first, I think lifespan is one of several metrics that is significant in measuring the success/value of a healthcare system. I sort of question the assertion that "US loses more people in their younger years", but maybe that's so. I'd like to see sources, but I see the possibility that it's true.

Second, I agree, personally I'd be "confident [maybe not "very", but I won't quibble] with US or Canadian health care." But that's because I work for a university in the US that provides excellent health care (so far...costs are rising so, who knows?), so I don't have to much worry about (at this time). But should I lose my job, retire (prior to Medicare) by choice or otherwise, or I simply feel like changing jobs to one without health care, then I'm screwed. (Sure, I can take "advantage" of COBRA, but that's of limited time and very expensive because I'd have to pay for my insurance in full.) I realize I'm spoiled, but I've become too accustomed to the value of health care not being a killer on my budget.

Kerry

[outofarkansas]

In some ways, the U.S. has the best socialized health care system in the world: The Veterans Administration health care system. I have lived in Canada and in the U.S., and I have been most impressed with the U.S. VA health care system. Veterans with VA health benefits have access to a full range of health care at no charge. The care is excellent, with primary care clinics spread throughout the rural areas, and major medical centers in the cities. Canada's system is a single payor system: the government reimburses health care providers or entities, but those providers or entites are not government employees or government facilities. The U.S. VA system, on the other hand, is truly "socialized" in the sense that it is government sector health care. VA employees are government employees: salaried, not fee-for-service. If the U.S. could develop an expanded system like the VA to serve the uninsured, retaining the private sector health care system for the insured, it would be the best total health care system in the world.

[Cha Ching]

Originally Posted by outofarkansas

In some ways, the U.S. has the best socialized health care system in the world: The Veterans Administration health care system. I have lived in Canada and in the U.S., and I have been most impressed with the U.S. VA health care system. Veterans with VA health benefits have access to a full range of health care at no charge. The care is excellent, with primary care clinics spread throughout the rural areas, and major medical centers in the cities. Canada's system is a single payor system: the government reimburses health care providers or entities, but those providers or entites are not government employees or government facilities. The U.S. VA system, on the other hand, is truly "socialized" in the sense that it is government sector health care. VA employees are government employees: salaried, not fee-for-service. If the U.S. could develop an expanded system like the VA to serve the uninsured, retaining the private sector health care system for the insured, it would be the best total health care system in the world.

I recommend renting a movie called "Article 99." It's not all like that.

[SLCPUNK]

Originally Posted by Cha Ching

I recommend renting a movie called "Article 99." It's not all like that.

My wife uses the VA (we also have insurance) and most recently had a surgery there. It was just like any other hospital experience, and the doctor came out and spoke to me when it was over. A plus all the way around.

On the other hand I had to go to the ER last month for five hours. Bill was 6500 bucks. Thankfully I have insurance, however if I had not...

[SLCPUNK]

A great Frontline special examining health care around the globe:

FRONTLINE: sick around the world | PBS

[sunshineleith]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Health care coverage varies from province to province, but in Ontario (home to 35% of Canadians) dental care is not included in the universal health coverage.

Any dental office I've ever been in offers cleaning, x-rays, flouride, etc. and the cost is paid out of pocket or through private insurance.

That's a good point about dental and private insurance - many companies have health insurance (Great West Life, Blue Cross, Canada Life, Standard Life, Sun Insurance, etc).



The company I work for pays for this additional health/dental/vision care insurance for all full-time employees. Almost all Canadian companies that I know of offer this type of "extra" and either pay it all for the employee, pay half, or offer it as an option which the employee can choose to enroll in and pay for themselves. Some have a nominal "deductible" per year - mine is $50 per family on dental and $100 per family on chiro and massage - after that, mine covers myself, spouse and children for:

• 100% of prescription drugs (no yearly max),
• Optometrist vist each year (opthamologist is covered by the government)
• contact lenses and glasses (up to a yearly maximum),
• 100% of all basic dental (cleanings twice a year, fluoride, filling, extractions, etc.) and half on orthodontics,
• 100% of chiropratic and massage therapy or physio (yearly max $1200 per person),
• upgrade to a private room in hospital,
• free travel insurance for business or pleasure,
• etc.

So in addition to never paying out of pocket for doctors, hospital, surgery or specialists, a lot of Canadians have this as well to pay for the non-basic. Health insurance like this is an added perk to consider when accepting a job (along with salary and vacation weeks), as it alleviates any of the out-of-pocket expenses (dental/vision/drugs) that Canadians would typically handle on their own.

A lot of companies also top up the 55% of salary that we get for the one-year maternity/paternity leave - my company tops up 12 of the 52 weeks, some companies top up all, some, or none. But that's another subject When my kids were born, maternity leave was only for six months.

[Fred Derf]

Originally Posted by sunshineleith

When my kids were born, maternity leave was only for six months.

I still feel like a loser over that. We missed the 1 year maternity by less than 40 days.

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I don't think average lifespans can be considered here to determine quality of health care. The US loses more people in their younger years due to having no health insurance or getting themselves killed in a criminal lifestyle.

I'd be very confident with US or Canadian health care.

America also has a 60% obesity rate.

[aveojohn]

Thousands of surgeries may be cut in Metro Vancouver due to government underfunding, leaked paper (http://www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html?id=1878506&sponsor - broken link)

[Fred Derf]

Originally Posted by aveojohn

Thousands of surgeries may be cut in Metro Vancouver due to government underfunding, leaked paper (http://www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html?id=1878506&sponsor - broken link)

It's a leaked document that is being redistributed by the opposition Health Critic. I'm sure people in hospital administration like to talk about nightmare scenarios to try and boost their funding. I'll believe it when I see it.