Impending Invasion

[Kristofor]

<snip>

I might point out that for the most part we in the U.S. have broad availability of services as long as you have insurance or means to pay. (I see examples on virtually a daily basis where lack of funds is an impediment to getting needed care.) That's rationing by anyone's definition.

Nah, that's market based consumption control. Rationing is when it happens to my family.

[Richard in Smithville]

To give you a first hand experience of the Canadian medical system I will relate what happened with me. A little over a year ago I woke up with pains through my belly. Figuring it was just something that didn't agree with me I let it go. The next day I was in so much pain, I called the doctors and they booked an appointment with-in a few hours. The doctor sent me to the hospital( she called ahead and they were expecting me). During the next four hours I had bloodwork, an ultrasound, saw the ER doctor and had an emergency consult with a surgeon. The surgeon set up a CT scan for as soon as the patient transfer bus could get me to the other hospital. No waiting needed. They found I had diverticulitus but they were able to treat it with drugs. They set me up with a bed and IV for the next four days.

Had I waited one extra day, I could have ended up in surgery, but thanks to LOML and our medical profressionals I was well taken care of. Today I have a clean bill of health and my family doctor is making sure I stay healthy.

I'm happy with our health system. Things could have ended up much worse. All it cost me was two dozen donuts to thank the staff for all their care.

[Turaj]

It sounds like one could spend out of pocket to get necessary care, but I suspect the problem is availability, not that it's actually prohibited.

Actually my understanding is that it is against the law to provide services that are covered under provincial health care simply because such companies/clinics would offer more money to doctors (and nurses and so on) and take away those resources from the public system.

In Canadian system the basic health care (depending on the provincial requirements - health care is under provincial jurisdiction) are AVAILABLE to everyone. With limited resources (and money to spend) delays are inevitable but my own experience so far has shown that the system provides better than adequate services specially when urgent care is needed.

Those who want more and have the money, can always travel outside Canada to receive such medical services but the provincial health care would reimburse only the cost of services that are not available in their province (in a timely manner as decided by the government).

[Turaj]

Is it true the U.S.is planning to invade Canada thereby providing health care for everyone without the expense of coming up with an original plan?

Invasion is not required! Just come over and we will take care of you. Just make sure to bring your own beer (or money for it). You need something to wash down the hospital food and we DO NOT SHARE our beer

[BrazosJake]

It's the opposite border we should be concerned with, aye?

[luteman]

The beer in Mexico is pretty good too!

[germdoc]

Is it true the U.S.is planning to invade Canada thereby providing health care for everyone without the expense of coming up with an original plan?

It's already happened! Only we didn't invade them, just annex them:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...=news-col-blog

!?!?!