[Oe List ...] Health care is a moral issue, not a financial one.

[Nancy Lanphear]

Well said, Robert!

Nancy

2009/9/3 Sandra Rafos <rafos at interlog.com>

> Well, well, well, I am sorely disappointed to hear that my health care
> system is on the verge of collapse.  Someone should inform the Canadian
> citizenry rather than trying to mislead the people of the US.  As a dual
> citizen I am deeply appreciative of the Health Care system in Canada.
> 1.  Everyone is covered, even landed immigrants, i.e non-citizens.
>
> 2.  Service is provided through your primary physician.  The choice of a
> physician is entirely yours.
>
> 3.  The primary physician provides treatment and determines the seriousness
> of your illness or injury.
>
> 4.  Critical and life threatening cases are referred to hospitals and
> specialists and treated immediately.
>
> 5.  Referrals to specialists for non-life threatening cases wait for
> treatment or services.
>
> 6.  Annual exams are free as well as a host of preventative tests;
> mammograms, ekgs, colonoscopy, blood and urine analysis, chest x-rays, bone
> density scans, etc.
>
> 7.  Hospitals and doctors are private.
>
> 8.  Fees for procedures are established by the Health Care system, and
> doctors and hospitals are reimbursed through it.
>
> 9.  All procedures and semi-private hospital room is paid by the Health
> Care system.
>
> 10.  The price of drugs is established by the government.
>
> 11.  Over 65 there is no charge for drugs.  Younger than 65, there may be
> modest co-pay.
>
> 12.  Many people carry supplemental health care for dental, eyeglasses,
> massage, chiropractor, private room, travel out-of-country, etc.
>
> 13.  People CANNOT sue their doctor.  Malpractice cases are handled through
> a board of doctors and health officials.  The out come of judgements can be
> fines, suspension of a license for a period of time, or loss of a license
> permanently.
>
> 14.  Ergo, there is no hefty malpractice insurance that has to be carried
> by doctors, which goes a long way to reducing medical costs.
>
> I have had knee surgery, eye surgery, surgery for pre-cancer conditions,
> treatment for shingles, flu shots, medications and have never paid for
> anything.
>
> This is not just for me or my family but for everyone.  I sleep well at
> night knowing that my friends and neighbors (known or unknown to me) are
> covered.
>
> My personal view is that healthcare is a RIGHT for everyone, just like a
> child has a right to an education, or people have a right to clean water,
> electricity, fuel for home, highways, police and fire protection, etc.  All
> of the above are provided for or regulated by the government.  This is a
> moral issue, not a financial one, and I hope Obama has the courage to take
> it to the mat.
>
> I am also clear that if you want a universal system, then it has to be paid
> for.  Taxes in Canada are high, and the burden falls heaviest on the
> wealthiest.  It is a fair system, and the cost of care per citizen is about
> 1/2 that of the US and life expectancy is higher than that of the US.  I
> have never heard of a family in Canada having to go bankrupt, because they
> couldn't pay their medical bills.
>
> With respect,
>
> Bob Rafos
>
>
>
>
> On 2-Sep-09, at 8:02 PM, Susan Fertig wrote:
>
>  I heard it repeated several times on different media late last week --
> I'll try to find out which Canadian minister it was who was quoted.  Did
> none of you in ICA Canada hear this?
>
> *Susan*
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net<oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net>]
> *On Behalf Of *LAURELCG at aol.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 02, 2009 11:22 AM
> *To:* oe at wedgeblade.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Oe List ...] A Matter of Human Rights
>
>  In a message dated 9/1/2009 9:31:24 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> susan at gmdtech.com writes:
>
> Canada has already proclaimed that its health system is unsustainable and
> has warned the U.S. against using it as a model.
>
>  I wasn't aware of this, Susan. Do you have a source?
> Thanks,
> Jann
>
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