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Posted 6/18/2011 11:10 AM (GMT 0)

canadagal said...
yes insurance for my prescriptions is a life saver... and I must say it was due to this condition and THIS FORUM that I came to appreciate the free health care we receive in Canada!!!! I feel bad when other posters (Americans and others.. ) mention the cost of procedures. I can't imagine paying to see my GI, or to get a scan, colonoscopy. or blood work done.

I do love Canada!

First off, you health care is not free. You pay taxes to get it, a lot of taxes.

Unlike in America, you have to wait for a long time to see a specialist or an operation. One of my Canadian friend had to wait for a year for hip surgery and he could not even choose his own surgeon. My relative was under the knife within two weeks seeing the surgeon he chose - one of five who are qualified to do the kind of surgery he requested.

I do pay $15 to see my GI doc, and $25 for my meds. Scans, colonoscopies, endoscopies, bloodworks, x-rays, etc., not to mention operations are free for me and done within a week, except the operations that take a whopping two weeks if not urgent. And no, I do not pay anything for the ER visits or hospitalization.

I can't imagine having to wait for a year for a surgery or months to see my GI doc. More important, I can choose any clinic or doctor and don't have to pay huge taxes for the fun.

I do love the United States.
Posted 6/18/2011 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
not poking at the US itself KiWi44, your reply seems rather defensive and I was simply expressing an appreciation for what I have. If you are happy with the care and costs you have then by all means celebrate that as well. Yes in Canada our health care is tax funded - I get that. My experience on this forum has been that services can cost in the hundreds of dollars in the US, so if I'm mistaken in that belief by all means I apologize. It is with those posters who have talked about going bankrupt over medical bills, rationing or going without meds because they can't afford them, or postponing medical care due to cost that I was commiserating with. In my experience, you seem to be amongst the lucky and few, if all you pay for care is 15$. You must then pay a fair premium on your insurance so your medical care is also not 'free'.

Personally I have never encountered much wait time for any procedures. I do have a choice of who I want to see (one always has choices). I have had operations quickly when needed. There are always horror stories from both sides of the border I'm sure and neither system is perfect by any means.

If I am wrong... then by all means Vive the American health care system.
Posted 6/18/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, just so you have an idea of what a high deductible health insurance policy gets you here in the United States:

$6,000 deductible for two people -- even more for a family. You still contribute $120.00 out of your paycheck every two weeks, and then after you reach your deductible, you still pay 20% of your service or prescription. My husband and I average $200 per prescription; his meds are for asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We were told that this is what most company paid (ha) healthcare is going to. So yes, people are having problems paying for this type of medical care, hence them not going to the doc or taking meds anymore.

Posted 6/18/2011 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe if the US didn't spend so much on defense, we could use our tax monies towards healthcare. I can't imagine that will ever happen. The US accounts for over 40%of all military spending in the world. China follows with 7%.

I personally would prefer less military and more healthcare. I have to wonder if the majority of the population feels this way but government doesn't allow anything to change because it benefits them to keep things the way they are.

I have great insurance. $5 copays, no deductible, no coinsurance. I realize it could end at any time, a job is never that stable that you shouldn't worry. I hope something changes soon so people with preexisting conditions can get healthcare if they are faced with unemployment.
Posted 6/18/2011 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I do pay $15 to see my GI doc, and $25 for my meds. Scans, colonoscopies, endoscopies, bloodworks, x-rays, etc., not to mention operations are free for me and done within a week, except the operations that take a whopping two weeks if not urgent. And no, I do not pay anything for the ER visits or hospitalization.

Do you understand that most people aren't as lucky as you? Do you have any empathy for their situation? It reminds me how some senior citizens on Medicare don't care about their adult children or grandchildren who cannot afford basic healthcare. A very selfish attitude on their part.

edited to add the word "some" to senior citizens because I know many senior citizens that DO care about their childrens and grandchildren's healthcare.
Posted 6/18/2011 4:51 PM (GMT 0)

canadagal said...
not poking at the US itself KiWi44, your reply seems rather defensive and I was simply expressing an appreciation for what I have. If you are happy with the care and costs you have then by all means celebrate that as well. Yes in Canada our health care is tax funded - I get that. My experience on this forum has been that services can cost in the hundreds of dollars in the US, so if I'm mistaken in that belief by all means I apologize. It is with those posters who have talked about going bankrupt over medical bills, rationing or going without meds because they can't afford them, or postponing medical care due to cost that I was commiserating with. In my experience, you seem to be amongst the lucky and few, if all you pay for care is 15$. You must then pay a fair premium on your insurance so your medical care is also not 'free'.

Personally I have never encountered much wait time for any procedures. I do have a choice of who I want to see (one always has choices). I have had operations quickly when needed. There are always horror stories from both sides of the border I'm sure and neither system is perfect by any means.

If I am wrong... then by all means Vive the American health care system.

canadagal,

I've had the opportunity to experience health care in many countries around the world. Ours could be easily the best (for every American) should the politicians (and Americans) so desire. People are so confused that they don't even comprehend the basic economics, not to mention what different kind of proposals for our new health care system would entail.

The health insurance in America are going to be worse than ever in the future, because companies do not know what the Xcare will bring along - nobody knows - nobody read the law prior to voting it. Already the premiums, co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenditures have risen beyond belief. Many companies have quit offering health insurance altogether.

My family pays about $250 premium per month, the company pays the rest. When all our kids were at home, the monthly premium was about $500. Since the current president took office, our health care has worsened, but it still covers 100% of everything after the co-pays. Just much more fighting with the insurance company.

It is an interesting question why and who in America are without an insurance. Quite a few decided against it - too young to get ill - and now they are unemployed. We have plenty of Americans on the streets, most using drugs. We do pay for millions non-Americans for their health care. Hospitals are being shut down because of it. When the 'comprehensive immigration' law passes, we get 40,000,000 more Americans we need to provide free health care. I'm darn happy we've got the gold mine under the White House.

I feel sorry for those who have fallen through the cracks. People like that can be found in every country in the world.

When it comes to American medical care, it's one of the best if not the best in the world. I'm not any special person. I've got a job (that required years of education) as does my wife, and we got the insurance through work. As long as I've got the insurance, US is the country to live in. If things get bad here, we'll move to Norway or New Zealand.

I'm happy you enjoy living in Canada. I've always liked your country.
Posted 6/18/2011 4:55 PM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
Maybe if the US didn't spend so much on defense, we could use our tax monies towards healthcare. I can't imagine that will ever happen. The US accounts for over 40%of all military spending in the world. China follows with 7%.

Off the topic, but I could not help myself.

What America ought to do is buy every F-22 and F-35 possible, in addition to fix the fleet. The Chinese and Russians are coming. At least that is what my relatives in the military, my sons included, tell me.
Posted 6/18/2011 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Being a Canadian, I've never had to wait a long time to see a specialist. And I've seen a lot of them when I was younger due to other health issues. And last time I checked, we Canadians had the choice to pick any clinic or doctor. When I need a scope my doctor sets it up within a few days or next week. It may be a little wait to see him unless it's an emergency.
However, Ontario patients are still having a hard time finding doctors here because of the post-Harris government fiasco, and the fact that more doctors are going into the specialized fields and not family doctor.

Post Edited (Sibby) : 6/18/2011 11:05:32 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)

imagardener2 said...
I do pay $15 to see my GI doc, and $25 for my meds. Scans, colonoscopies, endoscopies, bloodworks, x-rays, etc., not to mention operations are free for me and done within a week, except the operations that take a whopping two weeks if not urgent. And no, I do not pay anything for the ER visits or hospitalization.

Do you understand that most people aren't as lucky as you? Do you have any empathy for their situation? It reminds me how senior citizens on Medicare don't care about their adult children or grandchildren who cannot afford basic healthcare. A very selfish attitude on their part.

If memory serves, I was responding to canadagal's allegation that we in America either pay billions for our health care or don't have any money for meds. If that makes me selfish, so be it.

I also studied for years to get the education and profession that now provides me the 'miracle' insurance no other American can afford - apparently.

What do you say to notsosicklygirl, who appears to be having better insurance than I?

Should I feel shame that I've lasted 36 years with the UC Pancolitis and so many others have it worse? I don't have empathy for other UCers? turn
Posted 6/18/2011 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
With all due respect, I'm not going to enter an argument here over personal views on politics or what value a formal or informal education can bring.

But to set the record straight... I've never made any such allegations!!! I simple stated I felt bad when this horrible disease adds to the financial burden to so many fellow UC'ers. I believe from other replies on this thread and many others threads in the past, that most posters on here understood my comments and recognized it as empathy not superiority. We are here to support and respect each other not argue or attack each others comments.
Posted 6/18/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
At the age of 51, I pay just about $10,000 a year in insurance premiums, deductibles and copays. Brand name drugs that happened to be covered on my plan cost me $1500/year each. Many aren't covered at all. I guess I can get to see a doctor right away...oh wait it takes 8 months to see a good primary care or GI as a new patient in this area. The best medical centers like Mayo and John Hopkins are not in PPO and drive my out of pocket per year to $13,000 + drug copay+insurance premium.

Oh and I bought into my policy when I was a preferred policy holder with no health problems whatsoever. My plan is probably the best plan available in the state for less than $15,000. Chose the best I could possibly afford

I would gladly trade places with a Canadian or Kiwi(brother lives there and pays 1/3 what I do for healthcare and it is just as good as what I get)

PS US life expectancy is actually falling and fell behind most first world nations years ago.

I can understand people that have never been sick and/or have plans at work not getting that we are not getting our money's worth but you really need to get up to speed because you will be in the same boat as the rest of us very soon. The party is about to be over.

Our health care system is not worth it and is about to crash. Have any of you thought what the likely changes in medicare are going to mean as far as retirement? I think it means UCers will be working until they die.

Post Edited (AZYooper) : 6/18/2011 12:16:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2011 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know about Norway but New Zealand has recently closed its' doors to US immigrants over age 50 that don't have a net worth in the millions.
Posted 6/18/2011 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
When it comes to American medical care, it's one of the best if not the best in the world.

Surely you jest. You must be getting health care thru the United Auto Workers Union or some such entity. Most Americans cannot even dream about having such Cadillac health care.

In health care costs the U.S. rates Numero Uno, $7,290 per person each year. This uses up 16 percent of our GDP. Norway is 2nd in health costs, $4,763 per capita that requires 8.9 percent of their GDP.

And what do we get for this expensive care? We rank 36th in the world for life expectancy. Where is the money going?

When Obama proposed health care reform two years ago I thought it would be easy. First reform Medicare. Last year 60 Minutes TV did an expose showing that over $60 billion each year is wasted. Clean up the waste and drastically cut costs. Then with a stroke of a pen the president could drop eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 0. All U.S. citizens covered. I sent letters to my congressman pushing for that idea.

It turns out that is impossible. Both Democrat and Republican senators and congressmen were adamantly against it. President Obama backed off from proposing even a single payer system. My only conclusion is the Democrats were pandering for the same campaign contributions from the health care and insurance industries that were going to the Republican party. Now we will have a federal health care system similar to Massachusetts, that is an essentially Republican bill. Hope the Democrats get their campaign contributions. Meanwhile $60 billion continues to be wasted each year thru Medicare fraud and abuse.

Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 6/18/2011 1:01:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
This discussion has gone off topic.

I have great insurance after years of battling with severe inflammation while being unemployed and uninsured - I was pretty much unable to leave home for fear of my bowels not behaving. I can 100% relate to the plight of the uninsured and even though I have insurace, I will never forget what it's like to be in that position and I will always fight for what I think is right. I am very lucky to have the insurance I have. A few years ago, I was participating in clinical trials to get a colonoscopy. I had a precancerous polyp prior (seen in a flex sig) and could never afford a colonoscopy to make sure I didn't have others, or worse, colon cancer. I worried every day and there was nothing I could do.

Please keep this friendly and UC related. Political discussions are not permitted. I know I participated by saying there is too much military spending and I slap myslef on the wrist for doing so...

:)
Posted 7/1/2011 1:52 PM (GMT 0)

BabeintheWoods said...
When it comes to American medical care, it's one of the best if not the best in the world.

Surely you jest. You must be getting health care thru the United Auto Workers Union or some such entity. Most Americans cannot even dream about having such Cadillac health care.

In health care costs the U.S. rates Numero Uno, $7,290 per person each year. This uses up 16 percent of our GDP. Norway is 2nd in

[clip]

Sorry for the late response, I was abroad for a sec.

Maybe I was not clear what I meant or you just misunderstood.

What I meant was that the level medical care here in the US - the quality - is the best in the world. We've great doctors and facilities such as the Mayo Clinic and others. This is the country where kings and lesser people come to have the operations done.

I've lived in many countries, and I'm pretty well informed about the health care and quality of medical care they receive. If I'd to chose a country to have a doc or facility to take care of my needs, it would be the US, although I've received excellent care all around the world from Switzerland to Japan.

As to the health insurance. When my son was still studying at the university, our insurance decided to drop him off from ours and he had to get an insurance thorough his part-time work. He was a stocker at a local food market earning ~$10 / h. If memory serves he had Blue Cross or Shield or something. When he had an endoscopy done, his out-of-pocket cost was about $100. I'm not sure how high his premium was, but he did not earn much - part-time / $10h. Hardly a Cadillac Insurance!

As to uninsured, if memory serves some 30 % of the 'uninsured' would qualify for federal health care if they would only apply. Some 10 % of the 'uninsured' are illegal aliens. The percent that chose not to get insurance I don't recall. To sum it up, the stats show that only some 10 % of US residents (not only Americans) do not have an insurance.

No, I do not jest, nor do I belong to any union.

I do feel bad for those that have hard times.

Yup, thank God for the insurance. turn
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