So has Canadian funny man Leslie Nielsen:
And this old bird and her husband have evaded government sponsored death for many years now:
Wayne Gretzky still walks the earth:
And finally the Canadian system tried to kill hockey hall of famer Gordie Howe
but he managed to kick it's ass.
What single payer government run health care will really do for the senior citizens of this country is make their lives better since all of them will now have access to quality health care and other medical services.
14 comments:
I'm not famous but I am 67. They ain't caught me yet and I don't move all that fast.
I spent the first 62 years of my life in the U S of A and I am more grateful than I can ever say to Canada and the health care that has saved my life. So far my Canadian doc's attempt to kill me have been limited to advice to cut back on salt, exercise more and maybe lose a few pounds.
Well, you know ... I'm Canadian, I'm 44 years old, and I'm not dead yet. At least not by our government-run health care system ;-) There are private clinics and businesses and whatnot here, too, and if you've got the dough, they're yours for the using. The key thing, though, is that all the primary services and practices -- all the medical options that *must* be available to all ... are. It's not a perfect system by a long stretch -- long waits for tests and surgeries; a dearth of family physicians (GP's) -- and GPs, nurses, specialists, etc., are being run off their feet ... but I can't help wonder if somehow, our government-run medical system somehow keeps insurance companies (somewhat) in check. It's just a hunch I'm having right now ... ?
The last time I was in the US, I was body-surfing and got a huge slam of water in my left ear. Deaf as a post and *sore*. Reeling-dizzy, so my brother, who lives there, took me to his doctor's. Lovely place; meticulously clean; stocked with the latest and greatest. The doctor tried to syringe my ear -- once -- and basically told me I'd have to oil the ear and wait out the flood. He gave me a few pills for pain -- maybe two days' worth. That was it. I went to leave the office, like I do my Canadian doctor's office. The receptionist's "Hey!" called me back to her little glass window, and she gave me a bill. For $95. I looked at the bill, at my brother, and at the clerk. I actually said, "What's this?" Out came the credit card, and I raved about the cost all the way home. I mean, that doctor, competent as he was, looked in my ear, syringed it once, basically said, "Sorry!", and was out the door. Ninety-five bucks for that?! Imagine if I'd been chomped on by a shark. How much would that have cost me?!
In Canada -- imagine this: you leave your MD's office -- or a hospital! -- without paying anything! -- If you've arranged for semi- or private-coverage, you pay for that ... and you'd pay for a TV ... but you don't have to pay for any of the services of the hospital or the procedures you undergo. (And Canadian readers of this, if I've made any gross errors, please correct me ... )
No system is perfect. They all suck in one way or another. The bottom line has *got* to be making universal, necessary medical practices and procedures available to *everyone*. No exceptions.
I couldn't imagine being a parent with a desperately ill infant ... and living in the US. I myself live with a chronic illness that I can fortunately manage much on my own, but I do need regular consults with my doctor. I don't fear for my life because I can't afford proper medical care. My husband and I don't take in a lot of money, and I am presently on a medical leave from my job. I've got coverage while ill. I feel very, very fortunate. I'd be screwed if I lived in the States, wouldn't I?
( "There but for the grace of national boundaries go I ..." )
I find it truly flabbergasting that the wealthiest nation on Earth won't give its every citizen a chance at healthy, robust survival. It's beneath contempt that returning veterans of war have been derided (Vietnam), ignored (effects of chemical poisoning from weapons, etc.) and are now being shot back to the war zones on multiple tours when their bodies and brains have made clear the damage deeply and already done (PTSD). It is shameful that the US powers that be spend so much on causing injury, while holding back so much treatment and healing for the injured, and not giving a shit about the despairing (unless they've got the $ to pay for luxury rehab and pharmaceuticals and plastic surgery to raise the old self-esteem, eh?).
I'm with you, American friends, all the way.
Be the change you wish to see in your medical system.
I am 44, and Canadian also. You would think that the US would do more than just pay lip service to its 'greatest generation'. I am not dead yet but sometimes I wish I was dead. But knowing the quality of our system they would just bring me back to life.
The old folks in the US have nothing to worry about, they have Medicare. It's the younger ones who are screwed.
I guess because the president said he would try to cut back on Medicare and Medicaid costs to help pay for the rest of the healthcare is where the GOP is getting the idea we'll be killing off the old people. But it's absurd.
Great info from our Canadian friends in the comments - maybe if the Republicans made any effort to understand how the system works they'd shut up already. Of course they don't want people to have healthcare, they just want to protect the interests of the big money that elects them.
Who was it who said there are liars, and then there are damned liars? Repugnicans are both kinds. We shouldn't believe a word they say about health care. They've got theirs, and they couldn't care less if we get ours. They're probably mad that the organs of people living below the poverty line can't be automatically harvested for transplant.
As I've mentioned many times on my blog, I'm not a big fan of the Canadian health care system. We pump more money into our system than any other country in the world and get only a minimal return on our investment. The money is not being used wisely. Instead of being patient-centered, the money is distributed in some arbitrary fashion where it ends up having to be used to non-patient related stuff. So, I can see why the right-wingers are using our system as an example of how horrible universal health care is -- because we're the worst example of it. Yes, no Canadian is going to end up on the streets because they were sick for a few weeks and if you're dying you will get treated and not charged. BUT people with serious health issues are left to languish for months - even years waiting for surgery or waiting to see a specialist because their condition isn't considered critical enough yet to take up the specialist's time. So they get sicker and sicker and then one day they (along with thousands and thousands of others) are critical and the hospital is jammed with emergency cases and so no one has time to see any other patients. The long and short of it is, don't hold us up as a model -- there are plenty of other countries that are doing a much better job of using their health care dollars wisely. Just having "free" health care isn't the answer
I have been amazed at all the lunatics out there (in America) who jumped on one topic: The crudely drafted proposal, that would allow insurers to pay for consultations with physicians regarding living wills, medical directives and end of life care. the stupidity and brainless idiots never cease to amaze me.
Now the rethugs have organized goon squads to disrupt our representatives, who are trying to get info out there and field questions. Instead they are getting a vile stream of hate.
Actually the US spends more per capita than any other 1st world country on health care and 40 million people can't afford to visit a doctor. Go figure?
My 9 year old had a nasty fall off his bike and has had some sinus problems. We saw our GP and had a CT scan less than a week later. I couldn't imagine if I had to think about whether I could afford it.
Our system isn't perfect often it isn't how much you can pay but rather who you know but at least everyone has the same basic access.
I'm still alive! I know, I look like I'm in my 20s, but THAT'S how good the healthcare is! ;)
Great post!
"They're probably mad that the organs of people living below the poverty line can't be automatically harvested for transplant." - That's hilarious.
the system here sucks.
but the greed in this country has gotten beyond average and into scary.
Ahhhh...58 years old & so far, have gotten through the Canadian healthcare system unscathed...whew!
Let's see...many chances for them to screw up...gall bladder removal, nope done well & no repercussions; bell's palsy, got to see a neurologist (oh, impressive) right away; IBS, nope, appointment with a GI within two weeks & many nasty invasive tests immediately following (*sidenote: scheduled tests at a local & yes, state of the art, hospital were moved up with a simple phone call from my doctor...thanks Doc!); amazing pain in my leg, can't walk properly, one hour in ER & out with a med which actually did work; coughing up blood (I know...ewww) so off to the local ER, waited about six hours (no, we're not perfect) to find out it was some sinus thingie, nothing serious; aha, the big one, diagnosed with lymphoma (yup, the big C), scheduled (by the specialist's office) appointments at, yet again another state of the art hospital (this one also a famous trauma & cancer hospital)within a week...consultation, blood & bone (ouch!!) tests, prep and radiation therapy all complete within two months...yup, all done & (so thankfully) clear all within two months!!
Just recently had a physical...doctor gave me requisitions for blood tests, a bone density test & a mammogram...called the lab in her medical building...all tests booked for the following week & all done in the same afternoon, within the span of two hours.
I've changed my personal doctor once in the last ten years...no problem & no questions, I can go to any walk-in clinic, can show up at any ER & get treatment based on priority (it's called triage), and go to any of these fine facilities at any time & leave my wallet at home!! Oh, except for my health card...I do need that or then things can get sticky.
Over the years (and I've had lots)I've probably put out maybe $100. for things like 'doctor's notes, records transfers...whatever...pittance.
I'm travelling to the States in early September...I just booked my flights today. Besides the flights, the most important other thing I paid for was 'medical insurance'...it's like considering going to a third world country in case you get sick or injured.
You guys really need to pump up the volume on getting what you so rightly deserve!!
add me to that list , will ya?
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