Canadians and Brits Only: do you like your health care system? What are the downsides?
Question:
I have friends in both Canada and the U.K. who disagree with the premise. One of those friends lives on the Canadian border, and he told me that when he needed an MRI, he had to come to the U.S. to get it. Also, the Canadian Supreme Court seems to disagree, holding in Chaoulli v. Quebec that the health care system failed to give basic care and, in fact, was a threat to patients' health in many instances.
As beneficiaries of these universal health care systems, what do you think?
What changes would you make, if any?
Answer:
The system needs help - yes there are waiting periods that are unaceptable - there is less technology here (Canada) than in the US - but the technology we have is still 21 century - just not the cutting edge - That said everyone gets a crack at it not just the rich
SOme of the rich complain because it is the doctor and not the wallet that decide priority and use and what is and is not tested for
In the US if you have the bucks you can do anything get anythig and be tested for anything Here the doctor decides wether you are a high low or med priority
If your poor - live on the street - and your apendix bursts - You get a free operation right then and there and if that means the billionaire who is sheduled for an ingrown toe nail has to be bumped off the list for another month - he doctor just does it - No questions asked and no recourse - and often in cases like that no explaination - They needed the table you have to come another day
This angers the elites of society and they often go off to a private clinic in the US - Where the poor guy would just die
But herein lies the other side of that sword
The doctor is paid per service rendered but by the government - So the money comes directly from the Province not you - The tend to forget who they work for - You the patient and tax payer - As such it can be hard to get around their arrogance and it is impossible to deal with some of them
Again waiting lists are long - there are often doctors going to the US after recieveing their highly subsidized education here because in the US they can make more esp if they are a specialist -
In Canada, we see pressures from the privates to end our social health system!! Also, the way our hospitals are operating is deficiant, as they don`t wish to collaborate to reduce the strain on the health care system and emergencies units! Also, many peoples abuse the system and come only for small flu or very basic things that could be cured in a pharmacy! But our technology and expertise is hard to beat in this world, and our pharmaceutical industries are the leader in most cancer and Aids treatments. Actually, we could get the best health care system in the world, if only we would have real cooperations between our health care system! Divide to conquer I guess, so I am pretty much sure that our health care system will collapse in the coming years to be replaced by a semi-private system!
I don't know how may Canadians and Brits will answer this. But this might help if you are interested in comparing different systems. Canada and the UK aren't actually at the top of this list. France is.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthra...
As an Ontarian, Yes.
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