"On average, how many Canadian patients on a waiting list die each year? Do you know?" "I don't sir, but I know that there are 45,000 in America who die waiting because they don't have insurance at all." BOOM
+MJ Guy Lol What? the population has nothing to do with middle class income. Your country makes a shit load of money compared to Canada, but what your middle class makes is lower...think about that for a minute. Where does all your money go? Answer: the companies and corporations pocket. That's why they pay politicians to keep minimum wage low, to ship jobs away, encourage privatization of things that should NEVER be capitalized like health care, so that companies don't decide to only insure the healthy or make unaffordable like it does. Look into how much America made last year, and how much of it went to the rich and to the middle class. You work your ass off while the people you work for keeps 99% of your hard work, and your 1% is devided by all the workers. You don't get payed vacation to spend with your family, or sick days, health care untill Obama care came along. Wake up, you being taken advantage of. Happy employees makes better workers, healthy workers cost less. America should be treating their people better, not just the billionaires. I enjoy many social programs like health care, child care subsidy, child tax benefits. I pay my taxes and I benefit from them.
Canadian Doctor here. I can tell you for a fact that our system is superior. My patients never worry about losing their life savings. I never have to deal with insurance companies and Canadian doctors are also not leaving the country.
@broomsterm Already live in Canada so am good. Besides why would you wanna die in debt still working and an 80 year old with 20 jobs, when you could die retired old and satisfied with life.
darkenergylambda Canadian healthcare sucks www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/sallypipes/2018/01/08/democrats-idolize-canadas-health-system-as-it-recovers-from-worst-year-ever/amp/ Who cares about life savings if you can’t see a specialist on average for 5 months not including a medical test after that another 4 weeks for a CT or MRI for 11 weeks. That’s a total of 7-8 months on average to get a diagnosis. By the time one starts on a treatment plan.... your.... dead.
@@GabrielGonzalez-kb5by Hi Gabriel, there's a few things worth mentioning to your argument. For starters, you stated the article talks about "averages" when the word average/averages isn't even discussed in the article. It talks about median values. There is a huge difference between them and I'm going to provide you with a source to and a direct quoted example on this difference. "The median is defined as the "middle term" in a set. In the set {0, 3, 5}, the median is 3. If the set has an even number of terms, the median is the average of the middle two terms. For example, in the set {10, 12, 15, 20}, the median is the average of 12 and 15: 13.5." www.gmathacks.com/quant-topics/when-the-mean-is-the-median.html Secondly, for example, in Canada they have policies that will reduce their wait time if there's justification. A lot, of those people who wait longer times are for non-life risking reasons, whereas people who are given the shorter times are the peoples who are at severe risk. Lastly, everyone should care about losing their life savings. Said person will more than likely have a spouse or children that depend on them. Their lives could be gravely impacted. Your example is a bit of a selfish take, no offense. Please keep an open mind and continue to educate yourself on the issues.
+MJ Guy what like what she was saying wasnt true? last i looked everyone in Canada doesnt enjoy the US system at all, especially when it comes to politics
***** why trade with the guy at the end of the street that you barely met when you can trade with the guy next-door which you have known for a long time?
***** So you should know better, I've lived in Europe and north America as well ... The people who vote for the GOP are the definition of sheep mentality. + Dr Martin seems very educated so I dont know wtf you're talking about.
No Canadian, no Brit, no European, or any person who lives in a country with single-payer wants an American healthcare system. But more and more Americans want a universal single-payer healthcare system. Think about it. 🤔
Dr. Martin might be the only person who knows more about comparative healthcare policy than I do. Martin provides specific studies and statistics while "Ms. Pipes" just offers hearsay about some people seeing advertisements in a paper. The U.S. profit-based healthcare model ranks 37th in the world in cost, access, and outcomes. The U.S. has the 2nd highest infant mortality rate in the advanced world due to the cost of pre- and post-natal care; the U.S. also has an average of 500,000 bankruptcies caused solely by medical debt. America also has an average of 50,000 to 70,000 deaths per year due to individuals waiting until it's too late to seek healthcare due to cost (they say 45,000 here, but it depends on the study). Americans pay four times more on average for prescription medications and prescription drug prices are the number 1 driver of healthcare costs increasing at three times the rate of wages eating up all modest wage gains. Americans are so cruel and unthinking that they would rather keep a system with no positives and that costs taxpayers half a trillion more than a universal system simply to prevent someone from getting healthcare they feel "does not deserve it." No other country in the world wants our model and even those countries that still have private insurance regulate costs of all medications, devices, and procedures.
most europeans don't live in a single payer system. Brits have the option private insurance for essential care. So do Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch, etc. Canada is an outlier in this regard in banning private insurance for essential care.
IamTheSherm I dunno, I figure i'd take her word over things happening in her own country rather than some study conducted by American interests. Just seems smart.
wow crushing republicans is more important than solving problems.. (this is the problem with our politics , who cares what party they are we need solutions )
People's health is not a profit issue. It's a human rights issue. Anyone arguing for keeping a system that works on profeting on sick people and manipulating prices should re-evalue their moral ground.
CSX Productions Nothing is free. Free healthcare does not mean you don't pay for it. The system works by collecting tax money and putting it in healthcare. I live in Norway wich has free healthcare. Our country saves money from this system. You can't go bankrupt if you become sick. This has proven to benefit society in many ways. Most of all, keeps people healthy and able to work. Your system fucks people over wich in the long run weakens your workforce. If you lived in a country wich has free healthcare you would begin to understand the benefits of this system. Food can never be free, because alot of people eat to much. There isn't enough food to go around. Medicines however we have enough of. Nobody needs to make money of it. It is not neccesary and it only weakens the society.
Kent Olaf Steinhaug "The system works by collecting tax money and putting it in healthcare." Meaning it is not free. "I live in Norway wich has free healthcare" It isn't free. "Our country saves money from this system" Compared to the US, no one lives in Norway. More government programs cost more money. "Your system fucks people over wich in the long run weakens your workforce." The people not working are the ones sucking the Medicare system dry. The person receiving the healthcare is not the one paying for it. Medicare and Medicaid are having too much money pumped into them which driving up private costs. "If you lived in a country wich has free healthcare you would begin to understand the benefits of this system." Healthcare is not free. "Medicines however we have enough of." You don't have any many blood-sucking minorities or as much poverty as the US does, which is driving up the demand. You also likely obtain your drugs from the US. "Nobody needs to make money of it. It is not neccesary and it only weakens the society." Drugs are not free. Money and investments are needed to fund their production and research.
CSX Productions Actually it is free and not free. You only pay for medicines, wich are cheap. The word free in this sense means if you don't work and don't pay taxes,you still get help. It's all paid for anyway by the state. How many people live here is irrelevant. UK and France have the same system. Yes a poor country would have trouble funding such a system. I guess USA is poor then? How come every country that implement this system see their economy boost? I've seen how it works for you. 30 million people can't get help. I don't see that number going down anytime soon. Your only option is the same system most of Europe use. It's a fact.
" I guess USA is poor then?" Not a poor country, but the media loves to embellish the poor to try and push their agenda for socialized medicine, like that will solve the problem. Then again, a lot of these "poor" people have smartphones, and pay for alcohol and cigarettes with their food stamps.
CSX Productions My apologies if I wasn't clear enough. Canada has public payer, and there are several private deliverers in addition to public delivery. Do you even know anything about Canada? It seems all you've seen are right-wing commercials and websites who want to keep Americans ignorant and in the current awful medical system that the US has. How sad. Canada does not have a "stripped down" delivery. In fact, my city recently opened a swanky new hospital that's like a seven-star hotel! It would put US hospitals to shame. There are no drug shortages. In fact, several drugs are stocked in an excessive surplus to make sure if production of some drugs is temporarily halted, there's more than enough to last until replacements are arranged. There are NO waiting lists for URGENT care. For ELECTIVE procedures ( ELECTIVE means NON-URGENT), you wait your turn. And there have been tremendous improvement in reduction of wait times across several areas. While some (negligible portion) -entitled- Canadians do go to the US, Americans go to other countries for care as well. So what's your point?
+Angela Chan I suppose it really does depend on what kind of issue we have. If it's an issue as tragic as a sudden heart attack or a stroke, then of course those sort of emergencies become prioritized.
Angela Chan When my husband had a stroke he was cared for right away. No wait time at all. When it comes to emergencies the Canadian system is extremely fast.
Dawn E she didn’t want to say the answer to his question about how many people die on waiting lists because it’s more than 45000 people. More than 42 000 people leave Canada to get faster care every year. Also if you need an mri/cat scan/ organ you will be waiting. Canadian health care is drained and abused.
The statement that was made was that there are waiting times for "elective surgeries". I am 60 and have never met another Canadian who has traveled to the US for tests or surgeries. Our health care is far from drained and abused.
There are things I hate about our healthcare system such as wait times and unspoken better care for those with power, money and influence but I would NEVER want to introduce insurance companies into our system here.
***** I feel bad for you. Honestly it must suck knowing that if you break your leg, or are unfortunate enough to get cancer, you're going to go broke getting the care you need. :S
+hebber1961 When comparing the two systems, I think it is important to note that the Canadian universal plan does cover a vast majority of health care services and procedures, it does not cover them all. Much like many Canadians, I pay private health insurance for items not covered by the government programs: prescriptions, physio, dental work, eye examinations, prescription glasses, ambulances, semi-private hospital rooms, etc - items that are not covered by, in my case, OHIP. While I agree with your overall comment, we should point out that we do have private health insurance in Canada that covers off areas where the government does not pay.
+mr7wi We do, but it barely costs us 30$ a month for a single person. Families a bit more. Unlike the US where its 100$+ a month. It's alot easier in the Canadian system because if you work a full time, your employer has no other choice than provide health benefits. They pay a percentage and we pay the rest. The US, they fork the 100%.
***** Ha.. i'm not paying more taxes.. this country is overtaxed already. You are going to ask poor struggling American workers to pay taxes for that? They would respond by electing an even stronger Republican majority in congress than there already is.
STDrepository Republicans have blocked almost everything from increased social security, tax hikes for the rich, vet benefits etc, they do nothing but prevent this country to compete with countries that have already done all that.
"On average, how many Canadian patients on a waiting list die each year? Do you know?" "I don't, sir, but I know there are 45,000 in America who die waiting because they don't have insurance at all." Ouch.
Neither of those things were true. The Harvard study in 2009 has been debunked. 45,000 people do not die for lack of insurance, they lack insurance because they are more likely to die. Insured or not, Cancer will kill you. If you are more likely to get cancer, you are less likely to get insurance. However, anyone that refuses cancer treatment because they can't afford it is an idiot. In the US, insured or not, hospitals are required to treat patients. The idea that an American hospital would or could deny service to anyone for lack of payment is absurd. For the record, the vast majority of medical bankruptcies are filed by those with insurance.
IamTheSherm Where is the peer-reviewed study that debunked the Harvard study? Where are the sources that supports your claim that "the vast majority of medical bankruptcies are filed by those with insurance."?
Health Care: U.S. vs. Canada Dr. Danielle Martin, a family physician from Toronto, compared health care in her country to the more expensive but less effective system in the United States. She was questioned at a Senate hearing on Tuesday by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the health subcommittee chairman, and Sen. Richard Burr, the ranking Republican. With a hint of sarcasm, Sanders asked the doctor to explain how come the conservative Canadian premier hasn’t gotten rid of the country’s health care system. In another exchange, as the Los Angeles Times put it, Dr. Martin “bats down the myths and misunderstandings about the Canadian system that Burr throws at her.” Burr, for example, asked why former Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams had a heart valve operation in Miami, where he owns a condo, instead of in Canada.
I am from the Netherlands and everything that Dr. Martin described about Australia is true here. We've moved to a privatised system sponsored by a pro-corporate government coalition and costs have risen while quality of treatment has declined. The only way to be serious about national health care is single payer. We used to have that and it was great. Then lobbyism won out and the bottom line to priority over people's health.
+Coletrain for the " hard of understanding " that's not what he said. when the profit motive is allowed into public healthcare fortunes are made, and people die in their thousands. just look at the USA.
I am from Scotland. our national health service is the best in the world. It's not perfect and has its faults but we don't leave people struggling with ill health. How sad. America is so great in other areas but just don't get sick if you cannot afford it. That's pathetic.
+Ronnie Mcmurray I agree completely, I'm from the UK as well and I decided to call a doctor about a persistent stomach pain, and walked out of my local GP surgery with tablets that fixed it 20 minutes after calling without paying a penny (still in full time education so don't even have to pay the small prescription charge) If Americans experienced a single payer system then they would all support it.
I am a proud Canadian and I am also a proud friend of the American people ,I am almost 60 years old and have waited many times in hospital waiting rooms ,1 hr 4hrs 6hrs but when ever ive needed urgent fast care my family and I have always gotten it based on urgency and have always had the finest care that I believe is possible ,Its fantastic but not perfect . I wish you could know the truth as we see it .We never have to worry about losing our house or anything like that ,the cost has never been a worry ,the care is great ,I could go on and on ,just saying
+Rory Mclean So, you like paying higher taxes? That's what I as an American don't want. I also don't want the government to take my earned money and give it to someone else.
+N Plutonium Yeah, paying high taxes sucks. It does, really. But my community is heathly. And thinking that someone paid for my medics and for my IRM makes me feel great because I would do the same and thats what I'm doing everyday. People are selfish AF. It disgust me.
Maude R.-B. Keeping the community healthy actually saves our governments money. That's the crazy part about it. In Australia we are raising the retirement age because people are living healthier and longer.
Some people just seek instant gratification, and complain if they have to wait at all. I know a spry fellow in his 80s, who has a brother in the U.S. Several years ago, he was talking to his brother, and his brother told him he should get his triple heart bypass down in the U.S., because it would take forever to get the surgery done in Canada. The octogenarian said, hey - it's already been done!
In the Canadian system, of you have a critical condition or if something is suspected (for example, if you need a brest ultrasound or biopsy) you are fasttracked. My wife had a lump in her breast. Called out family doctor. Appointment within 4 days. X-ray the next week. Results. Ultrasound the next week. Cancer ruled out. That was efficient (and totally free).
Drake B Because almost all the conservatives living today grew up during the cold war. The USSR and Eastern European countries were treating their people like shit and brainwashing them with propaganda and claiming that it was "socialism" so whenever a conservative here's that Bernie Sanders is a "socialist" they automatically believe he's a communist and freak out.
***** Yeah but the US was the main part of the red scare. USSR had nukes pointing directly at us while we did the same. Not only that, but the we have a loooooot of nationalists here who are brainwashed by shit like Fox News who think everything outside the US is bad.
Drake B There is a very large portion of the voting population which honestly can not fathom the idea that another country may be doing something or, oh my, a lot of things better than we are. It is not necessarily their fault, it is just part of the culture and system, socialism, despite us already being a socialist state, is something to be feared and looked upon with scorn. They can not make the connection between public education, infrastructure, SOCIAL SECURITY, the military, the police, and most utilities outside of Texas, they can not make the connection between these things and socialism. Because these things which i just listed are mostly good, and socialism is communism and is evil. So we're left in a situation where clearly healthcare can be done better, but to improve it would require socialist programs, but socialism is evil and therefor should not be done. You can point to examples where other countries do something better than it is done here, like education in Asia or social programs in Europe, and the response from many is not the proper "Well in what way can we attempt to emulate their good example so that we might better ourselves", it is instead something like this "Well if you don't like it here why don't you just move?" As i said, it is not their fault, it is just the expected result of hearing about how awesome America is at everything for your entire existence.
Drake B same. i live in the UK and feel so proud that we have the NHS. in america its like every man for himself, whereas in the UK yeah its a pain in the ass to pay more in taxes but we know that those takes are going towards someones cancer treatment, or catscan, doctors appointment etc. aswell as improving the schools and unfortunately contributing to the £100 BILLION trident programme. when i was 14 i fell off my bike and broke my collar bone. i got the bus to the hospital at 5am, walked in and waited an hour. they gave me painkillers, did an x ray, put me in a sling and said if you have any problems come back and well sort you out. didnt pay a penny. for perseciptions aswell its around £8.50...too bad the tories are selling it bit by bit. the moneys there they just dont want to use it #Bernie2016
I am a Canadian, as Sen. Sanders said. We have a lot of awareness of American politics and media. I have health issues and every time I go to my doctor I say a prayer of thanks for our health care system.
As a Canadian, I thank you Sen. Bernie for having the ability to comprehend the Canadian healthcare system in a way that is, unlike a lot of other examples, accurate. When I hear American pundits or politicians talking like we are victims of our healthcare system, it doesn't make any sense to the average Canadian. There are problems, as there are within every system of doing anything. But I have had to deal with our healthcare system quite a bit, and it does differ from province to province, because it is under provincial jurisdiction, but overall my experience with it has been overwhelmingly positive.
***** I have had to go to a clinic for stuff like that a number of times. I just go into a clinic, either my family doctor or walk in, show them my provincial BC care card. Wait times can be bad sometimes, but I generally wait 15-20 minutes before I see my doctor. Sadly I think prescriptions are more like it is down there. It depends on the province you're in, because healthcare is under their jurisdiction. In Manitoba on their plan, I had to pay a deductible at the beginning of each year, that was around $200, then I didn't pay for the rest of the year. Here in BC it's weird, some of my meds are covered, some aren't
Yeah I'm quite happy with it. The system has its issues. But I think it depends more on the individual hospitals and the size of the area they service than on the system itself. I remember waiting in the ER in Winnipeg, sitting there for something like 7 hours, and then waiting even longer once I got set up in a room. But here in Vancouver I've been in and out of an ER in 2 or 3 hours. The biggest problem at the moment is there aren't even family doctors, so a lot of people end up going to walk-ins when they have a problem. But personally I haven't had any trouble finding a family doctor, so I'm not entirely sure what the problem is. But once you get your provincial health care card, you can go to any hospital, any clinic, or go to any testing place and not have to worry about paying or dealing with insurance. There are some specialty clinics that aren't covered by the public system if you go to them directly. But if you are referred by a doctor in the public system to that clinic you will usually be covered by the province.
***** .... typical american. You can't just get free healthcare by renting/buying property. If you own property here, you don't get free healthcare. Citizens and PERMANENT residents only. You can't get the best of both worlds.
Yeah I'm not sure how it works. But to be honest, I don't really mind my tax dollars going to Americans in a situation of need. Otherwise I'd probably just spend it on hockey tickets and beaver pelts.
That guy brings up a point, but it isn't bad everywhere. Like I said, in Manitoba healthcare could be quite bad to deal with, especially hospitals. But here in North Vancouver I feel like I'm waited on most of the time, but North Van is a small city. Blood test, no appointment needed, in and out in 20 minutes, in and out of clinics in 30 minutes, hospitals 2-3 hours. The weak spot in the system is specialty tests and stuff, that can take while, as in months. But usually it doesn't really matter. It is also worth saying the Alberta healthcare system is largely privatized. So, if that's what you're looking for steer clear.
it amuses me when Americans tell me about how bad my healthcare system is here in Canada. Could have fooled me. Meanwhile in US, a $10K hospital stay is a very, very common occurrence.
I broke my left arm three times growing up in Ontario, Canada. Had surgery all three times, probably stayed in the hospital for 8 days total for all three occurrences. Cost me around $0. God I love this Country. Also, a lot of people are under the impression that universal health care will leave a deficit in annual income. While this is true for the short term (if a new universal system is JUST being implemented), allow your universal system to mature. In Canada, we earn more annual income than the average American, and that's WITH the deficit we all pay into our universal system. I laugh at the anger over Obamacare. People can cry all they want, but it's going down in the History books as one of the best decisions an American President has ever made. Just remember that it's in it's infancy, and *will* be a bit rough for a while. I promise you it'll get better though. Eventually life will be normal again. You'll be making the same wage you used to AND don't have to worry about any medical issues. Don't think universal healthcare is a smooth process, but the end result is magnificent.
Let me make this clear to all on this thread. The way this argument was framed even in the Senate chambers was incorrect just plain wrong.There is NO american healthcare system period.There is no central guidance authority or database period. Mental health is absent period. Canada has a central system. What we have here is a heterozygous group of institutions that sometimes work with each other and sometimes not. Insurance has NOTHING to do with health care provision or distribution . AT ALL! It is simply payment.There is no Blue Cross University hospital. To say that we have a system is absurd there is no system. Ants have system we do not. What was not mentioned in this discussion or barely mentioned is how often insurance companies refuse to pay for procedures elective or not. And it is a huge figure. Basically insurance companies sell back to the American public the health care trust for which they already pay for through taxes charity volunteering, One third of all health care provision every where is based on blood and tissue donation. I have given a couple of HUNDRED times myself. Hey fellow Americans why is this the insurance pig's to sell?
The Canadian healthcare system is vastly superior to the American system. This is from personal experience and family experience. I have had emergency surgery, my father has had heart surgery and colon cancer surgery, my aunt just had double hip surgery, etc. That hundreds of thousand of dollars of care -- at no cost (other than through the tax dollars we happily pay). We all received excellent quality medical care by highly skilled doctors/nurses and in a timely manner. Our doctors and hospitals didn't check our credit ratings or ask for our credit cards before treating us. We are Canadian citizens and, like all Canadian citizens, it's understood that we have the right to medical care, no matter what our financial situation.
I wish I had a healthcare system closer to Canada's... I had a surgery that took place in one day, no overnight stay, and it cost me $13,000. My insurance covered... $1,300. SO pitiful.
Fantastic. ! In Canada facts count. This doctor was prepared and didn't let them get away with a thing. Well done.. I've lived under the UK and Canadian health care. Never had a problem. Never had to -re- mortgage a property to have my children's tonsils out. Never had to worry about emergency surgery. Yes, there are waiting times but the system is designed to move people to the front of the line if their condition is life threatening. I once had a fishing mishap in Lake Tahoe . Five stitches cost me nearly three grand. I think I'll stick with Canada
Agreed. I went to the emergency room for a bloody nose and a broken toe. Each time, I had to wait a little while. On the other than, on different times I went in when I had a dizzying migraine which led to blurred vision, ridiculous abdominal pains, and when I had heart palpitations. I didn't even see the wait room in those last 3 situations. I was admitted immediately.
Ads for MRIs in magazines in Canada? No. That's just straight up bull. Ms. Pipes can keep her prejudiced crap to herself. "Oh all Canadians are more patient and nice so they don't want to speak up" just because a stereotype is nice does not mean it isn't a stereotype, and to use that as an actual point of defense in a debate like this is just ridiculous. I don't know how you do this job without laughing in their faces. It's an absolute travesty what American politics has descended into, thank you for continuing to be sensible, live in reality, and speak truth. Every time someone asks me for an example of a good US politician, I say Bernie Sanders.
I come from a family of right wing conservatives and I often have political conversations with them.(I consider myself neutral in politics) I brought up the idea of Senator Bernie Sanders running for the democratic nomination in the upcoming election and it concerned and upset me about how quickly they brushed him off as an illegitimate option for presidency. Half of my family I spoke with had no idea who he was, and the half that did labeled him as "that one socialist" referring to "socialist" in a very derogatory manor. From what I've seen of this man, he seems like one of, if not the best, candidate we have so far and I fear that this country is going to let a brilliant potential candidate slip away. I fear for the future of a man like this when running for president because too many people will either, a) not know who this guy is or b) label him as some sort of socialist villain. Even though this will be my first election, I feel like too many people go to the polls uneducated on the candidates and vote right or left because they were told to do so.
Avery Byerly Oh I know how that feels. I'm an Australian and every member of my family, except myself, votes for the Liberal-National Party (which is an extremely deceiving name. They're basically the GOP of Australia.) The LNP are climate-deniers, anti-gay marriage, hand out huge subsidies to fossil fuels and can't run an economy. However, the have almost complete control of the media here due to the support of their political donors (Gina Rinehart and Rupert Murdoch). As such, they rub the name of the Greens Party (perhaps the only semi-decent party remaining in Australia) in the dirt before every election, running about 9 negative reports for every positive report. I feel as if my family just doesn't know any better, and it's hard to blame them sometimes. We get lied to 24/7 on the 2 most popular news channels in australia, and it works. Tony Abbott has managed to convince australia that a carbon tax is the worst thing in the world for the middle class when it's the exact opposite, plus he's made the majority of australians absolutely hate/fear asylum seekers. The only thing I fear is the power of misinformation.
Aquila You are not alone, it's the same in the UK, god knows what it's like in the gud ol' US of A, cook em down and hang the high yeeha; keep to you ideals - you are not wrong.
As a Canadian who pays more attention to USA politics I've notice Americans use socialist quite unsparingly. I feel a lot of Americans don't realize the police, fire departments, libraries and army are all socialized systems
+mopground Americans cry about socialism so much its pathetic. The problem isnt socialism, the problem is they dont know what socialism is. they have been brainwashed to thinking its this horrible thing and that it would make them a communist country. You can be a socialist country and still have capitalism. The socialist part just keeps the capitalists from selling out the country for their own profit. A social/capitalist society is the perfect balance really. Canada, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Norway etc, they all provide more social protection but have a healthy private sector. Theres no jobs being killed there. Unemployment is low, wages are way higher, benefits are better, more secure full time jobs, less national debt. All the scary stories the right wingers tell about socialism are not true.
ziggy4242 well i dont know if sweden is the best example of a society to strive for but i agree with your overall point that a mix is best. That being said lots of left wingers try to say capitalism is evil by pointing to the current system when its actually crony capitalism(corporations bribing, colluding, bullying, lobbying etc). No one said capitalism wasnt a corruptible system but, once we reach a stage as we have, people will call for the opposite end of the extreme spectrum unknowingly. Then, the game just starts repeating itself.
In 2016 my husband had an emergency triple bypass on his heart. He received superb care and follow up and is doing great. Our cost? ZERO dollars. I'm so grateful for our Canadian healthcare.
It's true, Canadians are some of the sweetest people on earth! And strangely, American Minnesotans remind me a lot of Canadians, who are also very sweet people...calm, patient, genuine. I wish more people were like Canadians here in America :(
It is time it is time for a president to make a law to make our crap in our country everything our toys are phones everything R Motors everything every part in our cars and in our TVs is made in America not manufactured in China and Japan we need to stop corporate for making tons of money shipping it overseas and then bringing the rest of the parts that's why your cars break down and that's why your toys breakdown cuz the manufacture and some of the toys the parts are not really good
I want a president. Big corporate in Japan and China stop doing business with China and Japan with parts that means cars phones TVs I will tell you something I've had tons of PlayStation they have broke down made in China we've had I've had Xbox broke down but another one still broke down I got a brand new TV I just bought and it broke down cuz it's made in China and Japan it is time to put American people to work by doing that bring all our stuff to our phones and our computers and everything made in America lost make America great again by putting American people to work set of overseas
Sen Burr.... "Fertile ground" Profiting from healthcare is just wrong as it's not a luxury to have it but a necessity for ALL the population in the US. I'm sure glad to have it in Canada.
+Vincent Jones America the greatest Nation on earth? Must be why they rank #1 in education, happiness, freedom and prosperity.... oh wait they don't in any case. American pride is really a blinding force to some people.
I have lived under both systems. I still live less than an hour from Canada. Believe me, the single payer system is by far a better, more equitable system. If more Americans traveled and learned about how other countries do things, more Americans would clamor for better things in many areas; healthcare, childcare, education, work/life balance.
Sure she's an MD and intelligent and he's obviously a complete doofus, but my God! How embarrassing for the good people of NC to have their own two term US Senator taken to school like this! That was priceless!
Canadians know the US system through and through and want nothing to do with it. And the reasons have nothing to with being "nice" people. Thanks for being a leader in this fight, Senator. I hope you win.
CSX Productions Thailand is also the only country in the world that provides healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants. That's how they monitored the HIV carrying population and ultimately put an end to HIV transmission from mother to child.
Sen. Burr's smug little smile @ 2:08 really urks me. She just told him that the surgery was pioneered in Toronto and they have the best outcomes but it costs more in Florida. He responds with people "judge quality and innovation". What quality if they have better outcomes and what innovation if the surgery was pioneered in Canada? Its like he isn't even paying attention and just wants to get his talking point in.
It's the myth of American exceptionalism. Many Americans believe that the US is better than every place else in the world in every respect. Even though their health care system is a joke and actually produces worse results overall for more money per capita compared to Canada's (including worse infant mortality rates and life expectancy). But there's no reasoning with these people. Anyone who presents facts like Dr. Martin did which do not agree with the idea that the US is always the best at everything will simply be dismissed as biased and anti-American or simply outright ignored.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. The Canadian single payer system while far from perfect is pretty damned AMAZING and we never have to worry about whether or not we have enough money to literally survive (ie. recieve medical attention). That sort of stress or anxiety freaks us the fuck out. Who would want to worry about whether or not they can afford to fix their broken arm or get a necessary surgery????? It's unfathomable for us Canadians!
eternalfire1244 Harper and company know that if they touch our healthcare system it's a one-way ticket to political suicide. But, I'm curious. What have they done to make you say that?
numuves The conservative party in Canada has done everything to slowly pick away at healthcare funding, and has slowly worked at disintegrating the healthcare structure. This is with the sole intention of being able to, one day, have a platform in which they can step back, point to the healthcare system and say "see? It's obviously not working. We NEED a second option!". Their hopes, of course, is that over time, the Canadian people will chalk the years of problems up to a faulty system, and not a system that was intentionally sabotaged.
"Why do the Canadians not come to the American healthcare system"? -"Well Canadians are very nice people." Thanks sweetheart. We are. But reallllyyyy? Could you possibly have made a less intelligent comment?
Do you know why your cars are breaking down do you want to know you don't want to know why your cars are break down cuz they're made in China Japan you why your TV breaks down it's made in China Japan I have a jacket my grandfather gave me it's made in America and its last me a long time stuff in China doesn't last for long if you buy American stuff is going to last longer all the parts made in America everything to put America's people to work women children
@@codybsiley7546 Which is why GM recalled 30 million cars because of a faulty ignition switch? I'm not saying China and Japan have cornered the market on quality control, but we've definitely slipped up. Also, dude, punctuation is your friend. And, we actually have laws against child labor. In fact, we've had them for decades.
I have family in Toronto. My uncle has a head tumor that required him to have multiple visits to the hospital and several biopsies. He did not have to wait any longer than he would have had to wait to make an appt here in America. The only difference is that he's not going BROKE keeping up with all of the visits to the hospital. In comparison, while working in the Cancer Center/General Hospital here in the US, I would say 1/3 of patients do not have insurance and that number would be even HIGHER if people didn't have Medicare/Medicaid. I've talked to many patients who can't afford 40,000 treatments and medications that cost $300-1,000s+ of dollars/monthly.
Ms Pipes...."impatient American", if you can pay for your care sure. If you can't your being impatient may mean nothing to the giant, greedy private insurers in the USA.
IMHO, if you can afford private insurance or it's paid by your employer, you have a very different view of healthcare in the US. Even with Obamacare, which is merely a taxpayer gift to insurers, many are left with no healthcare at all. Let's not forget, wait times are for ELECTIVE surgery only. If someone is impatient, and can afford $30,000 for a knee replacement, then go for it. In the meantime, the system is reorganizing to reduce wait times and improve the efficiency of the system. I had a life threatening heart attack a few years ago, and thanks to timely and extremely competent service from our system, I was on the road to recovery the same day, and lead a perfectly normal life.
$30,000 dollars for a knee replacement? You liberals make numbers up I just had a knee replacement in FL it was $5,000 after insurance & I'm on a payment plan of $40 a month! If you can't afford that then you must be a lazy piece of shit!
Blazingg Llama It's those lazy pieces of shit that spend time shooting up heroine or snorting coke in the allies that don't bother to drag their asses to a hospital or fill out paperwork that liberals use as examples for " 450000 Americans bring denied healthcare."
I live in Canada and yes the system isn't perfect and yes I once waited 5 hours in an emergency room. The reason I waited 5 hours is because it was February, it was for sinus issues and there were a lot of people who needed help more than I did (more serious issues). The incredibly long wait time comments I hear a lot often come from Americans who just hear that from someone else, assume it to be true and start making comments about it. All I know is I needed surgery, it was scheduled a reasonable time out and I was covered 100%. When I see my doctor, it's covered 100%. So, do I feel Canada's healthcare system is perfect, of course not, but it works better than what is really no system at all
ThatGirlKelly Tell me about it! I sat in the Adult ER with my older brother and I kid you not...we were there for roughly 7 or 8 hours (also didn't help that it was super busy!).
As a healthcare worker in Canada, we do have wait times. We triage based on the diagnosis. Everyone is treated with the same high quality of care. We are not always waiting though.
In New Brunswick a young girl with mental health issues waited 12 hours in emergency. Leaving the hospital with no help she then took her own life. Firstly the mental health unit should have been equipped with the appropriate trained professionals 24/7. She should have been directed to this unit not waiting in emergency. The system will not be fixed if we bury our heads in the sand. I would never trade social medicine for a market system but this system, in most places, does not meet the intended standard of Dr. Tommy Douglas. It must be fixed and shiny new buildings are no replacement for doctors, nurses, psychologists and technicians.
Why does the US generally have such a superiority complex? 2:05 What the hell? Did he not just hear Dr. Martin say that Toronto, Canada is the home of pioneers for heart valve replacement surgery and has world class standards and expertise in that specialty? 5:50 It's the other way around. The US is generally ignorant about Canadian politics, culture, public services and policies; where Canadians are well versed in both countries. Sen. Sanders made a good point there. Dr. Martin was bang on and made very intelligent points. Canada wins.
kathy kelly That's not the only reason why. The section referenced was a piece where Dr. Martin just finished saying that we do specialize in that specific thing. Then Sen. Burr immediately said the opposite, contradicting a well established fact. My declaration of Canada winning in healthcare was based on the whole video, and the fact that it is better.
kathy kelly Your not allowed to use our health care system. But, we have the "Herbie" fund which provides free procedures to the disadvantaged of the world....sad to say but, more and more of them come from America.
As a Canadian, I never experienced any waits for health care and I knew no one who ever considered going to the US for treatment for anything. Maybe some people decide that whatever wait there is, they feel they want to get something done straight away and the doctors in their area aren't as good as what they can "afford" to pay if they go to the US. Bernie is right about this. Canada has good doctors, good hospitals and everybody gets treated for free. We look at the US as a train crash and we hear the horror stories and it scares us.
Women are Donald Trump fans you know women are Donald Trump fans you know what little TV you already said he said pick up the pussy and run who says that
"I don't [know how many Canadians on waiting lists die], sir, but I know that there are 45,000 in America who die waiting because they don't have insurance at all." Ouch!
Dr. Martin, under (typical) American senatorial duress you handled yourself with the opposites of their conduct - aplomb, cool professionalism, respect and manners. We - Canada - could NOT have had a better representative at these hearings. THANK YOU.
No disrespect to Americans but I feel very lucky to be Canadian and have the health care system we do. It's not perfect by any means as nothing is but it works for us and I feel confident knowing that I'll get quality health care here at home when I need it, I've never been afraid of being rejected for procedures that I needed and any medical issues I've had have been dealt with. It's not perfect system but it's a lot better than others out there :)
Lemf15 The health insurance (through the car insurance) is to cover those without health insurance in the event of a car accident. I'm speaking specifically for Michigan; not the other states.
The Canadian system is not perfect. Yes there can be unacceptable wait times. But, and the big but is, no one goes without the best care. No one fears financial ruin. Even with health care insurance in the U.S. 20% is not covered. $100,000 hospital bill is peanuts there, but $20,000 is not to the average person or family. With all it's flaws I'll stick to the Canadian way.
Here guys check this out. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_total_health_expenditure_(PPP)_per_capita We pay around $8000 per capita for healthcare Canada pays $4000 per capita in healthcare. 'Nuff said
***** Oh yeah we're ranked behind in Canada in quality of care too so all that waitime nonsense about them makes no sense since that quality of care also includes how many people die waiting and stuff.
Hey I'm Canadian and guess what. We hate our healthcare. There isn't a Person here that works and sees almost half their money go to government and thinks they get a good deal. Our healthcare costs are lower for two major reasons. #1 They don't help us for weeks for things like MRI's. Months for things like surgeries. We have problems with things like sanitation. And because of this we get to #2 Many of us that need the help stop waiting and go to, guess where, the United States of America. The greatest country for healthcare in the world.
Daniel Bibeau Um dude we're not the best in healthcare quality. We're like 37th or so. We're behind Canada. The upside I guess for us is just wait times. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems_in_2000 check this out. You guys are 30th. I doubt you're an actual Canadian. Most Canadians love their system for a reason.
These people cry about possibly having to wait 6 months to a year. Are you kidding? Cry me a river! I waited for SEVEN YEARS to get my problems looked at due to bad doctors who didn't like my insurance and then NO insurance at all. Things that could have been taken care of YEARS ago are now permanent disabilities and I will now qualify for SSA/SSI because of it! I'm just counting my lucky stars because had my issue been deadly, I wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't be here because of a LACK of insurance, not a wait time. People ask me "well, how would you feel if you'd had to wait a year to get that taken care of" indignantly, and I smirk and say "OH MAN I WOULD HAVE LOVED THAT!" -_-
La Nausée THANK YOU. :D And freedom of choice? I don't know where people are getting that from.. I don't have a choice. I have to let the insurance company tell me what doctors I can see and if or if not I'm approved to see them. The only people that have "choice" are rich and can pay for medical expenses out of pocket. As for the 4-6 month wait, I'm serious, I would LOVE to have had that. It makes me cry to know that had I gotten attention that fast my arms might not have permanent joint damage (and I'm an artist, this sucks), that I might not be in danger of losing my ability to walk because this would have been treated sooner (sooner than 7 freaking years, at least and by far). People here are basically selfish and whiny. They wonder why THEY should have to help anyone else or pay for anyone else and are too dense to realize that if they go to any hospital or doctor, their high fees are a result of people who can't pay their bills. It's absolutely beyond ridiculous.
Yeah, freedom of choice, my ass. This year alone, my insurance company sent me at least 8 letters stating that {insert whatever doctor or hospital I was using} was no longer accepting my insurance. The friggin' COUNTY hospital wouldn't even accept it, and they accept everyone! I ended up having to change insurance companies just to keep the one doctor who actually helps me. I have to pay more for the insurance, and for every doctor visit, but it's worth it because it took me so long to find a good pain management specialist. I guess you could say that I had the freedom to change my insurance, which is true, but I didn't really have a choice in which other insurance I picked. In my area, there are only three companies offering Medicare Advantage plans. So my choice was either stay with what I had and try to find new doctors in the dwindling pool of doctors in my area; choose one that allowed me to stay with my doctor, but no other added benefits; or choose the one that allowed me to stay with my doctor and have vision benefits, allowing me to get a free pair of glasses, which I desperately need. Most Americans also don't have the freedom to change their insurance plans more that once a year, and only during a two-month "open enrollment" period. But because I get Social Security Disability, Medicare, and what's called "Extra Help" (to help pay for my prescriptions), I can change it whenever. I guess that gives me freedoms that other Americans don't have, and I really don't understand the logic behind it. Seussi Bright, even the rich don't pay out-of-pocket. They get the best insurance! Or concierge doctors who only charge a one-time fee and take care of damn near everything. Also, the fees are so high because of malpractice insurance and other insurances the doctors and hospitals have to carry. Not to mention, they charge for every cotton ball and every doctor that even glanced at you can add their charge to the bill. It's ridiculous. Given the chance, I'd become a Canadian citizen in a heartbeat to get the care they get. I remember one time one of my doctors had to list a slew of reasons, some didn't even apply to me, in order to get an MRI approved by my insurance company. We essentially had to LIE in order to get it approved. That took about 6 months, so I think I'd be perfectly okay with waiting that long for an MRI I don't have to jump through hoops to get. :\
Yeah and six months is also exaggerated. Depending what the problem is you can get a specialist in a few weeks usually 2. for cancer specialists, because they are busier and can take up to 3 months depending where you are. My mother in law had stage 3 lung cancer and she is ok today. The wait is painful when you are worried no matter where you are.
France Filiault lol That's another deception people here like to shriek about.. that our wait times are shorter than any place with Universal Healthcare.. but you're saying 2 weeks. I had to wait about a year or two (after 5 years of the run around and neglect from not having insurance) just to be approved and covered by insurance, then another 3 months to get doc appointments with the specialists that I need to see, THEN another 2 months to start being treated because I had to be run through a ton of tests that had to be scheduled WEEKS in advance. Oh and this is AFTER the stupid pre-existing condition bs was finally banned. Before that I actually had to pay some crap insurance company for a year and then they would refuse to pay my bills after that year anyway. The US healthcare system is a crock. People who think it's actually working have either been incredibly lucky or are well off.
It probably depends on where you live in Canada, here in Windsor things are quick, but I do have a specialist appointment in November that I am forgetting about. Oops. Lol
There seems to be some confusion about wait times in Canada. I saw a doctor in a walk in clinic , got sent to a hospital , and got an MRI that afternoon. It was just a fever/flu. I paid $12 for parking though. Yep this medical system must suck.
On behalf of myself and all other reality-based North Carolinians, I apologize for Burr's disgraceful performance. If I were Dr. Martin, I'd be straining to keep my composure.
We're Canadian; while we appreciate the apology, it's not needed. We understand that adopting a new system has it's detractors, and some are less informed and more vocal about it than others. We're happy to share with you what we've learned from our experiences :)
David Reilley Burr is laughable, but he's no hayseed. He's among the breed of clever but incredibly craven and corrupt politicians who knowingly spew lies in order to please the dictates of his corporate overlords. We can laugh at him, but he's also laughing all the way to the bank!
Come on now! Yes, we will! It's in our DNA. We may give her a "kick" in the ass on her way across the border and say behind her back "good riddance to bad trash" but we will be nice! LOL!
6:22 Thanks very much! Glad to know we Canadians are relevant in your debates! (Also loved that guy in the back, he just beamed when she said "Canadians are nice people")
I love that woman! I actually clapped when she said that. I wonder how many people have lost their homes in the USA because they couldn't afford sick care?
Here in Australia we have single payer with the option to have private which most don't opt for the private option due to the cost as the federal government covers the cost and we love and are amazed when we see a country like America a super power cant not provide a single payer option due to the many special interest group cashing in to keep the system in place they have
I wonder how Americans would react if it suggested that the police and fire department should become privatize as well. Guess what? its also a socialistic idea!!
Ditto. Lived in Canada all my life, and the American system is revolting to me. I couldn't imagine a system where people have to pay out of pocket for life-saving care.
I live in The US for 10 yrs before i moved to canada. In the US I had a snowboarding accident, and was rushed to the hospital. Afterwards I was given a 10,000 dollar medical bill to pay. That's my experience with the US medical system. On the other hand, here In Canada, I walked into the ER with pain in my chest and numbness on my arm. I was immediately hooked to a machine to checked if my heart was ok. The same day I had 2 ex rays and a CAT scan. I also spend 2 days in the hospital under care to make sure nothing was wrong. I never paid anything for my medical experience. It was fast and efficient, and I would never trade it for anything in the world!
Dr. Martin might be the only person who knows more about comparative healthcare policy than I do. Martin provides specific studies and statistics while "Ms. Pipes" just offers hearsay about some people seeing advertisements in a paper. The U.S. profit-based healthcare model ranks 37th in the world in cost, access, and outcomes. The U.S. has the 2nd highest infant mortality rate in the advanced world due to the cost of pre- and post-natal care; the U.S. also has an average of 500,000 bankruptcies caused solely by medical debt. America also has an average of 50,000 to 70,000 deaths per year due to individuals waiting until it's too late to seek healthcare due to cost (they say 45,000 here, but it depends on the study). Americans pay four times more on average for prescription medications and prescription drug prices are the number 1 driver of healthcare costs increasing at three times the rate of wages eating up all modest wage gains. Americans are so cruel and unthinking that they would rather keep a system with no positives and that costs taxpayers half a trillion more than a universal system simply to prevent someone from getting healthcare they feel "does not deserve it." No other country in the world wants our model and even those countries that still have private insurance regulate costs of all medications, devices, and procedures.
Illegal aliens just want to come pouring in to the US for it. How about we send them to Canada, and you can take care of them? Don't worry, it's all "free", right?
I think we have the best system in the world and the fact that we have the option to pay out of pocket in the US makes our rich happy too. Please keep your favorable to the rich healthcare system Americans. So I, as a relatively poor Canadian as well as the rich Canadians have the options they want and or need. We are the luckiest country in the world. Thank god for Intelligence in Canada and stupidity in the US!
If America doesn't want Bernie as their President we in Australia will have him. Keep up your good work, people all around the world see you and it really makes us think better of America knowing there are still people like you running some of the country.
Corruption that are aptly renamed Lobbyism is why. And it doesnt help that the media is for the most part run by the 1% that profits from keeping the US unhealthy, uneducated and ignorant.
He wants to Trump wants to help the big man the rich people that's it he's a businessman for what big rich people step up more money for the what Rich Donald Trump's been Rich his whole life that's his big old castle he's famous he's so cool raise your hand if said Donald Trump so cool he gots a big Cass Holo he's higher than God
3:50 I love how he asked that question with a bit of a mocking tone, thinking he was getting her good and she mopped the floor with him with the reply....
It's a fair bet Canadians know far more about the US health care system than Ms. Pipes knows about Canadians or the Canadian health care system. She's a paid shill for the vested interests supporting the current US health care system and, as such, she's not paid to be objective or accurate.
Notice how Senator Burr completely ignores her factual answers and instead counters with his own opinions. And the condescending smirk is a rather annoying...
before my son was born,,, the highly advanced hospital known as Macmaster in Hamilton Ontario diagnosed him with a heart condition known as co-arctation of the aorta ,,,the day his mother was to give birth we took her to Mac where within an hour she was put in an ambulance and driven to Toronto where she gave birth,, a heart operation was performed and he lived for 2 weeks in the hospital at Sick Kids,, we were put up in a hotel for all this time paid for by Ronald Macdonald house ,,,, I imagine all of this would have cost us over a hundred thousand in the US if not more,,, I have yet to receive a bill for this or any of the yearly heart check ups and ultrasound exams he has since had ,,he is now turning 7 ad in perfect health,,,, I made 51,000 dollars last year and paid about 9500 in income tax,,,, just a case study for those thinking our system is wrong........ I believe that the problem with Obama-care is all the hidden parts of the legislation that have caused rates to double ad triple and even more for some americans ,,this bill was written by the insurance companies and I think that is where the problem start
In America if you can't afford health care and you have a life threatening illness you die, there was a guy who cut off 2 of his fingers and to get both back it would of cost to much so he had to only choose 1. In Canada at least your guranteed that insurance! America can keep there 2 tier health system and gun laws, we are Canadian and it has nothing to do with us being "nice" Its just common sense over here.
***** I know! That was just pathetic! I love our health care system how it is and this country, besides I could see the being more problems with a 2 tier health care system; then there are the problems we can't anticipate and that will spring up. Its not worth it, life is good how it is! :)
***** Are you kidding me!!! Canadian health care is guaranteed for all Canadians as in America if you can't pay you are screwed! Other than the difference in wait times to see a doctor thats the only difference in the "quality" of health care. Funny thing t I is thousands of Americans die cause they can't afford the medical service they need, and others rack up thousands on hundreds of dollers in dept! Your statement shows your idiotic "America is better" Idealogy. Guess what dude, it isnt. There is no American dream! Lol Shut the fuck up.
***** We get better care huh? Is that so? Mind explaining then why I've been waiting for 8 months for a neurological appointment while my right arm is near useless and causing me constant pain? Believe me, it isn't because I haven't tried, I have fought to try to get the care I need to regain full use of my arm, I had to deal with clinics who's only treatment was telling me "It'll get better" and shoving me out the door with a narcotic prescription, I have had to bust a few heads just to get the damned appointment I have now. Four months fighting to get it, right months waiting in pain for the appointment to finally come. That is a year unable to use my right arm, unable to properly feel it, except for the pain, that pain comes through loud and clear. Yeah, we get better care alright, if we can afford it. When my arm went so did the business I was building, though I still fight to run my business, making jewelry, even with this messed up are but this last year has made a massive dent in my productivity. I couldn't afford the care because this arm meant I suddenly couldn't bring in what was needed to pay for that care. And even now, with that appointment coming up, I don't know how many more stumbling blocks are going to be thrown in my path or how many more assholes I'm going to have to deal with trying to brush me aside. Yeah, some great healthcare we have the the United States, isn't it? Fuck the "best health care in the world" propaganda, it, like so many other things in the USA, is just a pretty lie made to cover up an ugly truth.
Had a thought (and yes it may have hurt!). I've been reading these comments and like all Canadians that I see anyway, am too defending our healthcare system. Why? We (Canada) were invited to the their (USA) country to speak on this panel. We were treated with disrespect as a guest in their country so why oh why are we defending ourselves??? They should be apologizing to us for their rude, obnoxious behaviour! Also, we're content with our system just the way it is; they sought us out as it's their system that's in shambles!!! Shame, shame on them for goading us and shame, shame on us for falling for it!
Very Very well said... I now live in America.. I miss my old home in Ontario and my old job with the Canadian Forces and on this debate I often find myself, outnumbered and frustrated. Your point is a good one, I was once told " I have not lived in Canada for years so I do not know what it is like now" This from someone, an in-law, who as far as I know has never even been. But as I am often told, I am from a country with little freedom, Taxed to death and we die waiting to see a doctor... Cathy you are so right. I do intend once my time in America is over to return home... I should just wait and not let it get to me, I do think Americans are good people and could be even better, I feel for the Americans who suffer with this health system, that I am forced to live with. I fear for my wife and kids, I pay over $500 a month for health care that of coerce is not accepted everywhere in America. I recently had a mass removed and have $6000.00 in copay that insurance does not cover. I am told this is the price for quality as Canada is a mess and I should thank god I am in America. You and I know the truth. This by the way is not the first time I have been in a difficult medical financial position... As I do plan to come home, why fight it?I know the truth and that is all that needs to be said.... Thank you for a well placed point and setting me straight. I uwill be coming home with an American wife and hope both my kids "who are 18 and 20" will come with me. Then I will sleep sound at night.
David Hay David, thank you Sir. And I do mean Sir. I have read your comments and you are a gentlemen and you do both Canada and the USA proud. I have nothing but respect for our men and women, both past and present, who wear the uniform and defend our countries so we may be afforded the freedom to have this "debate" in the first place. Canada will be only to lucky to have you back. May God Bless you and your family and keep you safe!
shima wondering if I can donate as an Australian. Considering how much America influences Australia with things like drug prohibition I don't see why I'm not allowed to donate.
According to the us government, if I had been an American citizen who had gotten their transplant at a us hospital , it would have costed me $262000 to get a transplant. that is more than what my parents paid for my house! glad I had my transplant here! we would have been living on the streets if I had it in the States.
That you sir from Canada. Loved that last bit from that women who started a rant about us being "patient", she lost all ground it seemed after she went into sterio types.
Im not Canadian, but in Costa Rica we have universal health care. I broke hand last year, go to the emergency and in a hour i was health. Cost me nothing.
+Matt Vella Universal means everyone in this context. If it is paid from taxes, it is PUBLIC. This sounds to me like a universal, public pay system. There are a number of options in doing that, depending on how the country wants to run it. I suspect that the US will eventually end up with something like Canada, with one payer (the government) but each doctor an independant business, rather than the UK system where doctors actual are employed by the NHS.
So, out of the millions, I wonder how many of the 45,000 go to hospitals for emergency care because they happen to be in the US or do all 45,000 go to the US to avoid line ups or receive better care. The premier of Newfoundland...an idiot by the way...refused to go to a different province for his heart surgery for political reasons. I still do not know why he didnt get his treatment in NFLD.
Why do people continue to out right LIE about us Canadians heading to the US for care. We do it almost exclusively for ELECTIVE surgery or testing. We do TRIAGE here, if you are in dire need of an MRI you will get one within 24 hours! Same with surgeries. We have a small population so sometimes (rarely) we will send people to the US (which is not paid out of pocket) for a surgery only because we had a month or two of an unusual amount of people needing the same treatment. Americans also come here for treatment for the same reason. Sometimes a nation has an influx of people needing a certain treatment and sometimes a country has specialists without enough patients, the countries reciprocate. All first world countries do this.
I received a package from the USPS today. It was originally shipped by FedX. It turns out that FedX doesn't do home delivery very well, so they often get stuff close to it's destination and turn it over to USPS. If the truth were told, there are probably many times when US doctors should be referring patients to specialists in Canada. Without the motivation of extreme profit they would more often, I'm sure.
Health care here in Canada isn't free. A good portion of our taxes are used towards providing "free" health care to ALL Canadians. Unlike Canada, this same proportion of taxes in the US is spent fighting wars in other countries. I'm happy to contribute to our health care system if it means to save my life or my neighbour's.
.."which we do have a difficult time with waits for ELECTIVE medical procedures"... definition of elective: open to choice; optional; NOT REQUIRED. in other words non-life-threatening. People in the US only hear the parts they want to hear. She didn't say there's a long wait for life-saving medical procedures.
Bernie, as a Canadian that understands that our political systems depend on each other (Canadian from British Columbia)... I have to say I have been behind you since this video surfaced and continue to think you are by FAR the best presidential candidate in America of the last... 40 years? I pray to god (and I'm an atheist) that you win the election for the sake of the world and its people. Thank you for being such a fantastic human being.
Socializing health care here in Canada allows us to reduce costs overall because, for instance, it allows us to buy medications and services in such large quantities, which always carry a bulk discount. The only problem with socialized health care I see is, of course wait times, but that can be dealt with within our system, like the doctor states, but also, you get some people who will overuse the service for any sniffle or cough they might have, which costs us a lot of money.
I was in line at emergency with a 1.5 inch cut to the bone in my hand waiting patiently while dripping on the floor. The guy in front of me got called up and he said to the nurse that he was there because he quite smoking a month earlier and now he's coughing a lot. I couldn't help but laugh when I heard him. Our system may not be perfect, but everyone regardless of how much they make gets a fair shot at health care. It's truly unfortunate that so many Americans don't see that their system is based on greed and profit.
