A puzzled Canadian ponders surreal U.S. health-care debate

[drriley]

From:
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/692614

Why are Americans distorting the reality of Canada's most prized social program?
Sep 09, 2009 04:30 AM
Alastair Rickard

Earlier this year, before the political battle over health-care reform in the U.S. reached its current fever pitch, I was in Tuscaloosa answering questions from University of Alabama business students.

They were interested in my views, as a Canadian and as a former insurance company executive, about what they had been told about the Canadian health-care system.

My impression was that much of what they had heard had been the sort of right-wing, special interest nonsense that has subsequently characterized the health-care reform debate in the United States.

I told them that Canadians value their single-payer government health-care system so strongly that any change that appears to pose a threat to it is the third rail of Canadian politics; that most Canadians value the system's quality of care; and that although many do still complain about wait times to see specialists in certain fields, government has moved to address this issue in recent years. By April of this year, at least 75 per cent of patients in Canada were receiving non-emergency surgeries within appropriate wait-time benchmarks.

If asked to single out an aspect of Canadian society superior to that of our American neighbours, most Canadians would cite first our health-care system. What I also might have mentioned were aspects of the American health-care debate that Canadians find puzzling, if not downright perverse. These include:

* The use of wildly misleading references to wait times in Canada even though 47 million Americans have no health insurance and, therefore, are forced to line up for treatment in hospital emergency rooms, to say nothing of the thousands who queue in parking lots across the U.S. to receive free treatment periodically provided by "Remote Area Medical" volunteers.
* U.S. opinion polls that show 77 per cent of Americans are generally satisfied with their health care when so many millions of their fellow citizens are uninsured and many millions more under-insured; when three-quarters of the families filing for illness-related bankruptcy actually have health insurance; and when insurance premiums have grown three times faster than wages between 2000 and 2008.
* The negative representation of Canadians' experience with "socialized medicine." That portrayal is at odds with reality. For example: 85 per cent of Canadians have their own primary care physician and 92 per cent would recommend that doctor to a relative or friend; 95 per cent of Canadians with chronic conditions have a regular place of care; of those requiring ongoing medical care most were able to see a doctor within seven days.
* The widespread use of an exceptional and misleading Canadian case. It involves a television commercial featuring an Ontario woman, who (American viewers are told) had to go to the U.S. to have a life-threatening brain tumour removed in order to save her life. Why? Because of a six-month wait time in Canada for treatment. The patient has since admitted to a three-month wait time involving a diagnosed benign Rathkes cleft cyst, the removal of which at a Mayo Clinic in Arizona cost her $97,000 that she is now seeking to recover from the province where its removal would have cost her nothing.
* The fact that a huge contributor to the rapidly rising cost of U.S. health care is the central involvement of insurance companies. They add significant cost due to both administrative complication and inefficiency as well as the pursuit of profit. Canada constructed a health-care "insurance" system from which insurance companies were excluded in favour of single-payer, state-financed insurance. Thoughtful Americans understand that insurance companies are needed for an efficient, patient-oriented health-care system as much as a fish needs a bicycle. Minimizing the payment of health claims by insurance companies is, for executives interested in their compensation and their careers, what the companies' role in health care is all about.
* President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress tonight in a bid to revive his faltering health-care initiative. From a Canadian perspective, the U.S. debate seems to have been shaped by the unfortunate conjunction of several factors:
* A political system that continues to be captive to special interests like insurance and Big Pharma companies, which spend millions of dollars annually lobbying against even small steps toward reform.
* A credulous American public, many of whom seem prepared to believe what appears to most Canadians as laughable propaganda from the right against any hint of advantage to be derived by patients from a public health-care system.
* The absence of impact on so many members of Congress of indisputable facts, including higher American spending on health care as a proportion of GDP (nearly 17 per cent) than any other OECD country government (in Canada it is 10 per cent), without securing the best health outcomes for its citizens. According to the World Health Organization, the United States spends 23 per cent more per capita on health care than Canada does.
* The fact that advocates of what to most Canadians is the best and only serious option ? a single-payer system similar to the existing U.S. medicare system for the elderly and disabled ? not only have not been given a decent seat at the table in this debate but have been deliberately excluded from any genuine participation by politicians of both parties.

The current U.S. health-care system and the opposition to meaningful and desperately needed reform strikes me (and I think I have lots of company among Canadians) as being as bizarre as American gun laws.

The latter likely is the second biggest difference most Canadians would cite between their society and that of their neighbours.

Alastair Rickard is a former executive with Mutual Life, Clarica Life and Sun Life and was the founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Life Insurance. He blogs at RickardsRead.com.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by drriley

as a former insurance company executive,

i stopped reading right there.

[Spunky]

I blame the Walrus roaming the streets hopped up on Molsons and reefer

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i stopped reading right there.

Well that's pretty open-minded of you. Did you watch the first 3 minutes of Obama's speech before deciding you were not interested anymore as well?

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

Well that's pretty open-minded of you. Did you watch the first 3 minutes of Obama's speech before deciding you were not interested anymore as well?

of course not. but being open-minded doesn't mean i'm to read everything every nitwit posts on the internet.


especially canadian insurance co exec nitwits- just because someone has a blog doesn't mean their opinion carries any weight or validity.

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

of course not. but being open-minded doesn't mean i'm to read everything every nitwit posts on the internet.

especially canadian insurance co exec nitwits- just because someone has a blog doesn't mean their opinion carries any weight or validity.

I can relate. I feel the same way about Rupert Murdock - just because someone owns a fake news network doesn't mean their opinions carry any weight or validity.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

I can relate. I feel the same way about Rupert Murdock - just because someone owns a fake news network doesn't mean their opinions carry any weight or validity.

absolutely correct.

[Ron Bennett]

The health care debate ultimately comes down to this question...

Does the govenment have an obligation to provide for one's basic health care?

Few people question government providing schools, police, fire protection, roads, etc. Why is health care different?

Ron

[Iron Fist]

I love the smell of freedom in the morning

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by Ron Bennett

The health care debate ultimately comes down to this question...

Does the govenment have an obligation to provide for one's basic health care?

Few people question government providing schools, police, fire protection, roads, etc.

Why is health care different?

Ron

Because there is a shitload of money in health insurance, and most members of congress have taken serious campaign money from insurance lobbyists - republicans and democrats.

Semi-unrelated, but equally supported by greed over morality: why are cigarettes legal?

[Libertine]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

Semi-unrelated, but equally supported by greed over morality: why are cigarettes legal?

Actually, the legality of cigarettes is based on the right to self-determination. Just like your right to eat unhealthy food, or get less exercise than is healthy.

The true question is why other drugs are illegal.

[Hentaikid]

Also it's a dirty little secret that smokers actually contribute to healthcare in a net way through their taxes on purchased tobacco, and don't cost that much when they pop off young due to lung cancer (Or so my doctor friend once told me)

[BestXXXPorn]

Originally Posted by Hentaikid

Also it's a dirty little secret that smokers actually contribute to healthcare in a net way through their taxes on purchased tobacco, and don't cost that much when they pop off young due to lung cancer (Or so my doctor friend once told me)

$60B over the next five years from tobacco tax pays for 10 Million under-insured children...

Originally Posted by Libertine

Actually, the legality of cigarettes is based on the right to self-determination. Just like your right to eat unhealthy food, or get less exercise than is healthy.

The true question is why other drugs are illegal.

That is the question... IMO it's not the government's job to protect people from themselves... Helmet laws, seatbelt laws, these things should not be in existence. I always wore my helmet and leathers when I owned a bike and I always wear my seatbelt but I don't agree with the laws. For minors yes, but not adults...

All drugs should be legal and be taxed... For so many reasons it's not even funny. It's easier for children to get illegal drugs than alcohol but what it really comes down to for me is that the priority should be protecting innocent people from drug related crimes. If the black market disappears then so does much of the gang violence. People no longer need to steal, mug, burglar, kill, or whatever to get their next fix as the cost comes down so much. Instead, let the tax on drugs pay for treatment for people. If someone has a heroine addiction they can go to a clinic and get clean needles, clean drugs, and reduce the spread of disease while getting help and NOT hurting other people to get their fix.

Monies used from drug sales to fund terrorist cells (while not a lot I'm sure it still exists) or even all the drug lords which hire hundreds of armed thugs all dry up. When your profit margin shrinks to virtually nothing there's no reason to continue doing what you're doing. Prohibition doesn't work...

[pr0]

"although many do still complain about wait times to see specialists in certain fields, government has moved to address this issue in recent years."

bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit

when health care is govt paid for everyone, all of the best specialist will have a list a mile long & there's not a fucking thing government, or anyone can do about it

[pr0]

Originally Posted by BestXXXPorn

$60B over the next five years from tobacco tax pays for 10 Million under-insured children...

Am i the only one who doesn't care about the 10 million children?

I'd rather get my pack of Marlboro's cheaper

[pr0]

Originally Posted by BestXXXPorn

All drugs should be legal and be taxed... For so many reasons it's not even funny. It's easier for children to get illegal drugs than alcohol but what it really comes down to for me is that the priority should be protecting innocent people from drug related crimes. If the black market disappears then so does much of the gang violence. People no longer need to steal, mug, burglar, kill, or whatever to get their next fix as the cost comes down so much. Instead, let the tax on drugs pay for treatment for people. If someone has a heroine addiction they can go to a clinic and get clean needles, clean drugs, and reduce the spread of disease while getting help and NOT hurting other people to get their fix.

Well said! Not only does it reduce "gang violence" it pretty much puts every other dealer out of business. And I'll be honest....I've never met a drug dealer i like.

[BlackCrayon]

Originally Posted by pr0

"although many do still complain about wait times to see specialists in certain fields, government has moved to address this issue in recent years."

bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit

when health care is govt paid for everyone, all of the best specialist will have a list a mile long & there's not a fucking thing government, or anyone can do about it

And you get this info from?...

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by Ron Bennett

The health care debate ultimately comes down to this question...

Does the govenment have an obligation to provide for one's basic health care?

Few people question government providing schools, police, fire protection, roads, etc. Why is health care different?

Ron

All of those thigns listed is on a state level.. Once the Federal Gubment takes over thing there is an issue..

If you live in FL. and dont like the schools the police and fire you move. If its the federal then you dont have a choice.. Sounds a bit socialist.

[pr0]

Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

And you get this info from?...

The simplest info ever found.....

Supply & Demand....

Plus every country with govt health care has the same complaint "the amount of wait for a specialist"

[Fletch XXX]

A puzzled Canadian ponders surreal U.S. health-care debate

wait you mean most of the idiots spouting nonsense the loudest are misinformed??? never!!!

[Max - RiotDesign]

Originally Posted by pr0

The simplest info ever found.....

Supply & Demand....

Plus every country with govt health care has the same complaint "the amount of wait for a specialist"

Well, maybe when you give people the chance to be properly diagnosed and treated wait times become not that important anymore (except for emergencies, accidents, etc.)

[TheLegacy]

Again, only looking at it from the outside I do not feel it has much to do about health care for public but drug companies and politicians who simply don't like a plan because it is the oppositions plan.

It's not perfect in Canada but when my kid gets sick I can take them in anytime and they will get all medical tests and treated without fear that if I don't open my wallet then something may be missed.

I also know some industry people who are sick medically and without coming up with the funds are slowly dying.

The rich get healthy and the poor get sicker.

I really hope american's work this out and a foundation is set that they can build upon.

[pr0]

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

Well, maybe when you give people the chance to be properly diagnosed and treated wait times become not that important anymore (except for emergencies, accidents, etc.)

I'm coming to B.A. in a few weeks, care to explain it to me over coffee....while introducing me to all of the whore houses/strip clubs in town? Whores are on me!

[Max - RiotDesign]

Originally Posted by pr0

I'm coming to B.A. in a few weeks, care to explain it to me over coffee....while introducing me to all of the whore houses/strip clubs in town? Whores are on me!

Hey, sure thing, let me know when you're coming and we'll be glad to show you around! STD's and social health care are on us!

[pr0]

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

Hey, sure thing, let me know when you're coming and we'll be glad to show you around! STD's and social health care are on us!

Nothing a little penicillin derivative can't take care of

I might hit you up regarding some designs within the next month too. I'm always keen to do business with S.A. companies, I've always gotten a great price & quality.
(in the past....so far) So i will check you guys out.

[Tom_PM]

Just dont listen to the people who say that Americans dont like the Canadian or British or other healthcare systems. It's 99% more likely that Americans have absolutely and utterly no idea whatsoever what those other systems are like or how they function on the simplest levels. The extreme terror/fear mongers in government rely on that ignorance and everyone knows it. Campaigns of fear and terror are all some jackasses know. One trick ponies.

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by PR_Tom

Just dont listen to the people who say that Americans dont like the Canadian or British or other healthcare systems. It's 99% more likely that Americans have absolutely and utterly no idea whatsoever what those other systems are like or how they function on the simplest levels. The extreme terror/fear mongers in government rely on that ignorance and everyone knows it. Campaigns of fear and terror are all some jackasses know. One trick ponies.

Exactly!