Why doesn't the US have a health plan like Canada's Social medecine.Can it really benefit US citizens?
368463
Well, the situation is... in the U.S. if you're rich, you can afford insurance and medical care... in Canada, everyone gets it but not on their schedule... so rich Canadians come here to get it on their schedule...\nSo... I look at the census... the median household income for America is approx. $40,000, so that's half of America making $40,000 or less a year. If your household is making $40,000, (probably  a two income household, with two people making on average $20,000 each)you probably can't afford even a small procedure to be performed and if you get a procedure, you'll be in debt for at least a couple of years (not to mention the costs of medication), and that's if you're insured. (Also according to the census, 32 percent of Americans don't have medical insurance).\nWhat I'm saying is, according to these numbers, over half of America clearly can not take advantage (without severe financial penalty) of the American healthcare system as it stands, and thats a sad state to be in. \nAnd it's getting worse as insurance goes up 5+ percent a year (for the past few years) and wages are barely rising at all. \nSo, if you're rich, you probably like it, if you're not... you probably don't.. but there are more poor pepole than rich, so hopefully we can get some changes.
327874
Like most people (according to public opinion polls), I believe the US healthcare system is terrible.  The free market approach leaves too many people without adequate coverage...yet another dysfunctional consequence of capitalism.\n\nThere is little way to improve health care within the current economic paradigm, which privileges profit above concern for human health and life.
952919
No! Countries which have national health have oppressive tax bases and the systems are highly ineffective and unresponsive. I believe that we should look into to insurance and medical reform. Pricing structures should be examined. For example why should insurance companies be allowed to pay one price to doctors while people off the street must pay more. \nInsurance coverage should be made affordable for all wishing it, perhaps in the form of a government group plan which leverages large scale buying power much the same way as corporations do. \nWe should also review medical savings accounts. Contribution should be allowed to carry over from year to year allowing people to build medical nest eggs. Currently the plan allows tax free contributions, but they are lost if not used in a particular calendar year.\n\nThere are many things we can do to help make Health Care more affordable and available to all in this country, but creating what would be the largest entitlement in American history is not the answer.
663930
Hospitals offer everyone emergency care whether they can pay or not.  Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program that helps low income folks with their care.\n\nIt's still a problem though.  I have a friend with leukemia, and she doesn't have health insurance and she earns too much money to qualify for government assistance, but not enough to pay for her treatment.  The American Cancer Society is paying for her treatment, but not her prescriptions.  It's far from a perfect system.\n\nI have another friend in Canada, where health care is socialized.  She had a worrisome spot on her skin and also a lump under her skin.  Her doctor was concerned and referred her to a specialist.  She had to wait 6 months before she could get an appointment.  It turns out it wasn't cancer, but if it was, that wait could have killed her.  That system is very far from perfect too.\n\nAs far as bankruptcy, there's not a whole lot of shame in it anymore, and if it was for medical reasons, it won't hurt your chances for a loan as much as you may think.  Bankruptcy only stays on your financial records for 7 years, so it won't haunt you for your whole life.\n\nBut your general premise that being poor is not as advantageous as being wealthy is right.  It's true in many ways including in health care.
493875
Yep, its true - no socialized medicine.  Closest thing to it is Medicare for senior citizens (U.S. citizens).
16858
Canada's government did not fall apart.  Government coordinated healthcare systems are successful in other nations (including the German system, which I know little about, but have heard is probably the best system for the US to look to as a guide).  Health Insurance companies currently waste excessive amounts of money on marketing, administration and other non-healthcare related costs...  That doesn't seem very efficient.
621893
I think Canada should look into overhauling the healthcare system before considering privatization. If it is not possible for the Ministry of Health to find some way to manage their finances in a more efficient way, then Canada should look into having a privatized health system. \nFor example, they could implement a 60/40 split where the larger portion of health care remains public, but if people want to go down the privatized route, they can. That way the burden of having to pay healthcare expenses for the large baby boom population will not be too painful for the younger generation.
88399
nope, not a long as they can hold down the poor with outrageous prices. That and its one way of comiting legal genocide. See if you get sick in this country and you can't afford the OUTRAGEOUS health insurance premiums chances are you make too much to get public assistance. By the time you do qualify? The cancer or what ever it is thats killing you will be too far advanced to do anything about.I have asthma. I can't even buy health insurance, life insurance or any other kind of insurance..and as you may have guessed ...I can't afford the medicines I need either. I am but one of millions with this problem.. Until we do something about our current government structure.. NOTHING will change. The rich will become richer the poverty stricken will starve and the middle class?.. well they slipped below the poverty line years ago. They just set things up so that you make one or two dollars too much to qualify for assistance yet can't afford health insurnace. MEAN time? they pump billions of dolars into forein counties that hate us..bolstering their programs while Americans do without!
984806
I'm Canadian.  Our taxes are relatively high, but we get a lot for it, including health care.  If we didn't have the health care system we have, my husband and I would be bankrupt right now and he would probably not be alive.  We are not postponing any purchases because of taxes, and we have a very modest income - pensions.  And the only way we will ever have fewer imported goods is if we as consumers become willing to pay more for our goods - goods are produced very cheaply in less fortunate countries than ours by people who have to struggle much more for survival than we do.  I hope my thoughts on this issue help.
568644
it actually save the US money because they no longer need to collect social security. as far as "cost the US" since there is no universal health care in the US that expression is moot.
989859
We need a health care system in this country and it will be hard to get. You know who is in congress. pro business!\n\nWe need a way to pool the Monet, an have some say into some things, like costs!\n\nHMO's who have people who are paid over 2 million a year plus bonus, plus their stockholders. They are taking all that from you before they have paid a thing!! There are over 450 HMO's in NJ!\n\nWhen I retired from the state, all of a sudden the HMO who represents retired state workers can get pills that I was paying over $12.00 each, I can get a 3 month supply for $4.00! That's right! $4.00 for three months!\n\nMedications is too expensive and needs to be brought under control. I don't have an issue with someone making a profit, but a 14 Million dollar income for 1 person in an HMO? That is obscene, and they have at least 3 more making more than 2 million a year. Now multiply that by the # of HMO's and the money they return to their shareholders, who didn't work a damn day!. That's a lot of money that goes to everything but health care.\n\nI have a ton of those example's, and I am sure we have enough smart people, who are not politicians, who can come up with a health care plan. What do you think an HMO is?
210440
I'll say it seems like a good idea, but one just need look at countries where this is done to see the draw backs.  Some countries have waiting lists to perform heart surgeries, muchless elective surgeries.  Next look at how most these countries can't provide enough doctors, muchless nurses, and the waiting times to get in just for a common cold visit.  I think the government should help out those that can't afford it, but there's no reason the government should pay for everybody.  Heck if the government paid for the poors health cost, health insurance would be more affordable, and those without it might be able to pay the bill.  Unpaid health costs from the poor/uninsured are the reason hospitals have to charge $5 for a tylenol to those that can pay. (If you have insurance this doesn't mean they pay that, most have a set amount per day regardless of what is charged)
958978
No,\nThere is no other way to provide the necessary level of care than by a medical system paid for by national insurance.\n\nIf you look at the USA - it is far more expensive and inefficient than the UK without having a demonstrable increase in standards of health.\n\nIt is inefficient because its bureacracy is immense you have\nThe admin of loads of different health care providers -hospitals doctors etc.\nYou have the admin of the HMOs\nYou have the admin of the insurance companies\n\nThat costs more money than having just the admin of the health care system\n\nSecondly the private care system leads to all sorts of short termist economics that are bad for long term health and long term expenditure on health care.\n\nMore money gets spent on drugs than on preventative medicine and primary care to keep people healthy.\nAll sorts of expensive tests are done which are not strictly medically necessary.\n\nMany people are not covered by health insurance which has a knock on effect in several areas -\n1) the problem of poverty illnesses such as TB - prevalent among the homeless and STDs from people who have no access to health care.\n\n2)If you can't get proper quality health care you may take more days off work  -this has a knock on effect on the economy and therefore tax levels.\n\nI am not saying the NHS works perfectly but it is improving in many aspects - \neven the private health care companies are noticing a down turn in demand for things like knee and hip replacements to be done privately.\n\nOne issue though is that some consultants like to push people into their private clinics where they get paid twice as much and so keep waiting lists longer without good reasons.
387196
wait in line for medical operations or go outside of country and pay your on operation expense.national heath care programs do not work.just ask canadians,Brits,they will tell you the truth liberals,and media will not allow bad press about national heath care programs it goes against there plans for you.
90510
Our National Health Care system works, but it definitely needs serious upgrades to tackle issues like lengthy wait times and lack of General Practitioners.  It does bring a lot of personal relief to Canadians that we can go in to see Doctors and Dentists, and receive basic services, without incurring large personal costs.
1009343
good question.  the answer is quite simple....  the government doesn't see free education (k-college) and free health care as a priority for all of its citizens....\n\nmany first world countries have this!!!\n\nby privatizing health care.....  companies makes zillions of dollars in by charging outrages prices for health care and prescription drugs....  it's the good and bad of a free market.  \n\nit's a shame that a country so rich couldn't provide basic health care to all of her citizens!!!!!
34056
Despite some efforts to create a national system, healthcare is still funded largely by joint employer/employee contributions, with the employer typically picking up 70-80% of the cost.  \n\nMore and more options involve HMO's, or health maintainence organizations.  They trade a low-cost co-pay (or insured share of medical cost) for managing practically every decision involving your care.  HMO's often make decisions based on financial considerations.  Other insurance plans are available, but at substantially higher prices.\n\nWith healthcare costs skyrocketing, largely due to vastly increased malpractice insurance premiums, a better solution is needed.  There has been continued talk of "tort reform" which reduces the liablility of a doctor or hospital in a suit.  Other "consumer-driven" insurance plans have been developed that put the insured in more of a position to determine how much his health care will cost.  My wife and I have such a plan, and it offers us some incentive to choose our doctor visits more carefully.