[Oe List ...] Canadian Health System

Thu Sep 3 19:00:36 CDT 2009

On the question of sustainability, in preparation for the 2000 ICA conference in Denver, we did some web research and discovered that, no one has yet found an ecosystem, let alone a health care system (or government, I might add) that IS sustainable.  I was thinking I was (finally) then I got carpal tunnel and now I have fallen off my bicycle and hurt my (already arthritic) knee . . .

Jim

Coincidence is the spiritual equivalent of a pun.  G. K. Chesterton

Jim Wiegel

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--- On Thu, 9/3/09, Jack Gilles <icabombay at igc.org> wrote:

From: Jack Gilles <icabombay at igc.org>
Subject: [Oe List ...] Canadian Health System
To: "Order Ecumenical Community" <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 3:19 PM

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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