Health

[fif1189]

Hi all, I'm new here.

I'm posting this thread for one simple reason: here in the US we keep hearing all about other countries' healthcare and how Universal Healthcare is a wonderful thing and how the US is backwards for not having it, blah, blah, blah. Of course, we also get the other side saying how it takes forever to get an operation, there's a wait list for the wait list, it costs too much, blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, I've read arguments both in favor of and against a government system. Both seem to have valid reasons. I'm posting here because I want to hear from people who have experienced (for lack of better term) government run healthcare. I just want your personal experiences please.

Also, please spare me any preaching in support of either side, I don't want to hear it.

Thanks.

[Michael]

Hi all, I'm new here.

I'm posting this thread for one simple reason: here in the US we keep hearing all about other countries' healthcare and how Universal Healthcare is a wonderful thing and how the US is backwards for not having it, blah, blah, blah. Of course, we also get the other side saying how it takes forever to get an operation, there's a wait list for the wait list, it costs too much, blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, I've read arguments both in favor of and against a government system. Both seem to have valid reasons. I'm posting here because I want to hear from people who have experienced (for lack of better term) government run healthcare. I just want your personal experiences please.

Also, please spare me any preaching in support of either side, I don't want to hear it.

Thanks.
If you want to know what government run healthcare is like, why don't you ask any American over the age of 65? Or any American who has served in the US military? Statistically speaking, that's a huge number of Americans that have substantial experience with government run healthcare systems. Indeed, VA and Medicare are supposedly the most popular healthcare programs in all of the USA.

That being said, I live in Canada and thus I also have government-run healthcare (a universal program that is 100% identical to the US Medicare program except it covers everyone except just those over 65).

I have absolutely no complaints at all about the Canadian healthcare system and have no knowledge of anyone I know who has any complaints about healthcare up here. Admittedly, I'm extremely healthy and have never had any medical problems at all and have never spent a night in hospital in my life. However, my mother is 73 and she's had both of her knees replaced as well as a quite a few other operations and she never says a word of complaint about the process.

As I've noted before, the number one benefit of this type of universal healthcare program is that one never needs to even think about this issue. From the day I was born to the day I die, I never have to concern myself with the thought of not being able to get the healthcare I may need. That issue just doesn't exist to me. :shrug:

No paperwork, no forms, nothing. I just make an appointment with my doctor and go. I show my little Healthcare ID card and that's it.

[Michael]

Sidenote: I do happen to live in the heart of the biggest city in Canada, with a dozen of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the country all within walking distance, so my experiences are not always typical of average Canadians.

Greendruid I'm sure will offer a slightly alternative view since he lives an a rather remote rural area. There certainly is a distinction between urban and 'remote-rural' areas for healthcare (for obvious reasons). Not much different than the US in this respect.

[fif1189]

Well, nearly everyone seems to hate the VA and nearly everyone seems to love Medicare.

See my problem?

[partofme]

Well, nearly everyone seems to hate the VA and nearly everyone seems to love Medicare.

See my problem?

I would guess the reason for that is that there are many more seniors than veterans which gives them more political clout to get better treatment.

[Michael]

Well, nearly everyone seems to hate the VA and nearly everyone seems to love Medicare.

See my problem?
Well, I think that's reasonable and expected. VA has a specialized mission dealing with specialized/unusual healthcare needs. And it is a fully socialized system with the VA (most similar to Britain's much hated NHS if I'm not mistaken - I don't know too much about VA).

Medicare is the program in the USA that is essentially identical to Canada's universal healthcare. That is to say, the hospitals, clinics and doctors are all mostly private enterprises, but there is one single organization that runs the payment/insurance system for all of it.

That being said, US consumer health surveys consistently put Medicare as number one and VA as number two for satisfaction of service. No private insurer comes close on that scale.

Unfortunately, all this is off the table in the USA. As it stands now, the proposed healthcare reform package essentially entrenches the private insurance market status quo in the US far more than ever before.

[roxferdmeccos]

Health is most important for all people. I always care about health. I drink much water,eat balanced food,do exercise and enjoy my life. I also like to do my work my self. In the morning I like to do cycling and swimming.

[nanacat]

If you want to know what government run healthcare is like, why don't you ask any American over the age of 65?


I'm only 62, but considered disabled, so I entered the Medicare system this year. (I also have a supplemental plan that I pay A LOT for.) I was wary of the change at first, but once you get over the deductible, it's seems to be okay. I have to have knee replacement surgery either this fall or the first of the year, and from what I can figure out, that will be bearable as well, financially.

And I agree about seniors having more clout than veterans. AARP is a very powerful lobby. The veterans, sorry to say, seem to have many small support organizations but nothing politically potent.

[Donkey]

I'm only 62, but considered disabled, so I entered the Medicare system this year. (I also have a supplemental plan that I pay A LOT for.) I was wary of the change at first, but once you get over the deductible, it's seems to be okay. I have to have knee replacement surgery either this fall or the first of the year, and from what I can figure out, that will be bearable as well, financially.

And I agree about seniors having more clout than veterans. AARP is a very powerful lobby. The veterans, sorry to say, seem to have many small support organizations but nothing politically potent.

Plus the entire Republican party, right? http://www.etags.ca/images/yellow-ribbon.gif

:angel:

[nanacat]

Plus the entire Republican party, right? http://www.etags.ca/images/yellow-ribbon.gif

:angel:

Yeah, they love to roll out the flag at Veterans' events, but when it actually comes to *funding* the VA, oooh, nooo. :(