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The Watercooler
Not to be political...but the elephant in the room...health care reform
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<blockquote data-quote="trinityroyal" data-source="post: 349665" data-attributes="member: 3907"><p>I have been following this situation with great interest, as I live in a country that currently has so-called "universal" health care. From what I have read, a lot of the arguments in favour of a government-run health care plan have used the Canadian health care system as an exemplar. I hope that they have learned from Canada's mistakes and don't duplicate them.</p><p></p><p>Some of the things that have taken place over the last 20-odd years:</p><p></p><p>1) De-listing of services. Items that used to be included under the government health coverage are now excluded and must be paid for out of pocket. These include: vision care, physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, a lot of dermatology and so many other items. If your employer provides health insurance, some of these items might be covered, but otherwise you have to pay.</p><p>2) Medication. Has never been included in the government health plan. Either your employer's health plan covers prescription costs, or you pay out of pocket.</p><p>3) Dentistry. Same as drug plans. The gov doesn't touch it.</p><p></p><p>I could go on and on, but I'll stop there. The one other issue that is really difficult is that, if an item IS included in the government roster, you are forbidden by law from seeking the treatment privately. So, if you need an MRI, which is covered, and the waiting list is 4 months, you're not allowed to go to a private MRI provider. Even if the delay could cause significant health problems.</p><p></p><p>Regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum, it's of concern. Interesting that in Canada, there's a movement to allow privatization of health care, at the same time that the U.S. is moving more toward public provision.</p><p></p><p>Trinity</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="trinityroyal, post: 349665, member: 3907"] I have been following this situation with great interest, as I live in a country that currently has so-called "universal" health care. From what I have read, a lot of the arguments in favour of a government-run health care plan have used the Canadian health care system as an exemplar. I hope that they have learned from Canada's mistakes and don't duplicate them. Some of the things that have taken place over the last 20-odd years: 1) De-listing of services. Items that used to be included under the government health coverage are now excluded and must be paid for out of pocket. These include: vision care, physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, a lot of dermatology and so many other items. If your employer provides health insurance, some of these items might be covered, but otherwise you have to pay. 2) Medication. Has never been included in the government health plan. Either your employer's health plan covers prescription costs, or you pay out of pocket. 3) Dentistry. Same as drug plans. The gov doesn't touch it. I could go on and on, but I'll stop there. The one other issue that is really difficult is that, if an item IS included in the government roster, you are forbidden by law from seeking the treatment privately. So, if you need an MRI, which is covered, and the waiting list is 4 months, you're not allowed to go to a private MRI provider. Even if the delay could cause significant health problems. Regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum, it's of concern. Interesting that in Canada, there's a movement to allow privatization of health care, at the same time that the U.S. is moving more toward public provision. Trinity [/QUOTE]
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Not to be political...but the elephant in the room...health care reform
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