[Oe List ...] Canadian Health System

[Jack Gilles]

Bob,

I agree with all of your points.  But there does seem to be at least  
SOME people in Canada who are claiming that the present system is not  
sustainable.  From what I've read (limited for sure) there are people  
calling for some type of overall or adjustments to keep all the points  
you mention fully functioning.  It may be years away from a crisis,  
but is it or is it not true that there are issues on its long range  
sustainability including Provincial funding abilities?  That's what  
I'd like to hear from you who obviously is much more aware of the  
future of Canadian health systems than most of us.

Thanks,

Jack
On Sep 3, 2009, at 4:43 PM, Sandra Rafos wrote:

> 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]  
>> 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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