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

[Lucy Goosey]

I thought some DUers might find this interesting:

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

From the article:

(snip)

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.

(snip)

-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.

(snip)

-The fact that a huge contributor to the rapidly rising cost of U.S. health care is the central involvement of insurance companies.
_____________________________________________________________

As a Canadian, the use of the words "puzzled" and "surreal" in the headline really resonated with me. Do Americans really think we have "death panels" and such? We so don't.

[RufusTFirefly]

1. "Surreal" works for me. And I'm from the States

I feel as though I've entered the Twilight Zone. I have close relatives in Canada, so I know a little better than many of my fellow citizens just how bizarre the U.S. health care "debate" really is.

[Blue_Tires]

2. kick for truth

[riverbendviewgal]

3. Tthe article is so well written and I can confirm it's truth.

I was born in America but came to Canada 40 years ago, had my two sons with my American born husband here. It will be 10 years next month that my younger son died of a brain tumor the same as Teddy Kennedy had. His dad, my husband was diagnosed two months after our son was found to have a brain tumor. My husband had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. They fought the good fight and there was no delays in their treatments and no cost. I am now a widow who had no medical debts to pay. The government even gave me money for funeral expenses. .

I lived in Toronto when they were alive but now live in rural northern Ontario. I find myself;f satisfied with my health care. I go to a clinic my doctor is part of and can see a doctor during the day, either he or his fellow doctors. I don't need an appointment if I am feeling sick. Tests sometimes are performed the same day in the hospital next door.

My American family, mom and three brothers are right out of the book Deer Hunting with Jesus. My one brother goes by th name of Bubba and told me I was an old hippy and to butt out as I am not American and have no right to say anything about the USA. He is proud of not knowing my "president"'s name or anything about any part of the world other than the USA. He believes that the USA is superior in everything. . I believe he is a racist and truly hates Obama and would be happy to see him dead. He constantly harps on Pelosi and writes me she should be shot.

I no longer have an interest in being part of this family south of my border. I am truly thankful though to know that there are good Americans like those on DU. All my Canadian friends truly hope that America will see the light and find the will and means to give the kind of health care we have up here in Canada.

[Oregone]

4. I had my second visit to a Canadian hospital last night

After I made it past the death panel (also known as a receptionist), I had a devastating wait time of 2 minutes before a CT Scan. Before letting me in though, I had to clean out my wallet (to find my CareCard). They wont even send me a bill in the mail so I can see what the charges are. Its sick what is happening here.

[Demit]

5. LOL!

You have obviously been brainwashed by receiving good healthcare in a timely manner & not having to pay for it. It's disgusting the lengths your government will go to just to make you happy to live there.

[irislake]

6. I know!

it's just crazy. We are so deluded!

[Doctor_J]

7. Because Beack, Limpballs, and their entire ilk are a threat to America

and need to be treated as such

[Captain Hilts]

8. I lived in Tee Oh for four years and still go back for chunks of time from DC. I don't recognize

Canada from the descriptions I see down here.

[provis99]

9. and this opinion comes from a life insurance executive!

He also notes his confusion over the gun loons in this country. He should take a visit to the DU gun dungeon sometime, to see how demented Americans of all political stripes are over guns.

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. kick and recommended for the truth !!!!

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