Do you guys have what's known as a "Socialized" system of healtcare? If so, do you like it?

In your opinion what are some pros and cons about it?

THANKS a bunch

you mean Universal Healthcare? Where everyone can get some form of treatment through taxes rather than private insurance?

Yes, we have it, its true.

Pros - Its always there and you don't need to worry if you can't afford extra insurance. Prices for medical services are monitored and a little more controlled.

Cons - Extra taxes. Longer wait-times (more people using the facilities). Generally lower-paid medical staff (we tend to lose doctors/nurses to the States where insurance companies can be charged a helluva lot more). There are abusers of the system.

Really its Black and White for most people. If you've ever needed Healthcare, you would never go without it. Even that once is enough for it to be worth it (just like insurance). But if you are well enough off that you already pay for premium health insurance packages through private companies then you are more likely to not want it at all (you are basically paying for other people's HC). That's the major sticking point. The rich end up paying for the poor to have HC.

Thanks.

Our presidential election is this fall and two of the candidates are basically for Univerasl healthcare and I was wondering what the general concensus is with our Northern neighbors about it

So you guys don't make appointments with doctors? You just go into the facility and get on the waiting list and sit there until it's your turn? Sounds like the ER here in the US. and that sucks

You do make appointments, as long as you are seeing a family doctor or specialist. If you're going to a clinic, though, you wait. No matter which, you don't get presented with a bill at the end

Another pro: People do go for regular checkups, vaccinations and tests because they are "free", so problems are prevented or detected early. This is critical for early childhood development and the long term management for diseases such as diabetes.

The big con: A shrinking tax base is shouldering the medical costs of an ageing population, and treatments are getting more expensive, not less. Long term health care (i.e, homes for the aged) will be the next crisis.

Is there a review process for benefits? I mean, if a 80 year old man needed a heart transplant is it possible the government insurance woudl say "no, you are too old and it isn't worth the money to do it"?

Managed care always has the potential to limit inovation and foster an attitude of mediocrity is fine. I mean, in fee for service systems if you are the top heart surg you can charge more $$ for your experience and might look for new ways to do things to earn more $$. If the government sets a fixed fee for all heart surg's you are unlikely to work extra hard or longer hours to be the best.

You're telling me my 90 yr old grandmother doesn't deserve to live if she can?

I disagree.

Thats a difficulty with an aging population. Is there a point where they have to say "Sorry, you aren't worth the cost"? I don't think there is a fine line where this is the case, and there are more factors than simply age that go into determining the validity of a case, but I do think it crops up.

I am not a medical specialist, nor am I in any field relating directly to the medical healthcare system in Canada, so please don't take my point of view as hard truth or anything even close to that.

I think Universal Healthcare is a good thing. I also can see many powerful opinions in the US that would not agree with me.

I'm personally very glad for the healthcare system in Canada. I think it is a system that tries to ensure all people regardless of their financial situation receive medical treatment.

I actually wish dental care was universal too.

In the last few years when I've tried to get an appointment with my private physician, I've had to wait on an average 2 weeks. If I want to be seen faster, I have to go to an Urgent Care facility which is basically a clinic where you go check in and wait. I still pay (via my insurance). So it really hasn't been much different than UHC except I pay for it.

You have insurance through your employer or you've bought into a plan for individuals. Here, everyone has basic medical coverage for most procedures (cosmetic procedures and electivesurgery typically excluded), regardless of age or employment status.

Employers do offer extended benefits (paying the difference between a ward bed and a private room in the hospital, for example) and dental coverage, which is not part of our health care programs.

I guess you really have to ask yourself, do you feel responsible for the working poor and the less fortunate of your country? Do you want to be sure they get the basic right of health care? Do you want the assurance that should you suddenly find yourself unemployed, you can still see a doctor? (I think this is why it gets labelled as a "socialist" program, which is not the dirty word the US politicians would have you believe )

In another thread, I griped about Canadian taxes, but I don't begrudge the money going to the health care system. It's got some problems, but for the most part, it works.

Someone asked if someone would be denied care because of their age. The answer, for the most part, is no, but in the case of transplants, there is criteria to determine where you would be on the wait list. That has nothing to do with the government and more to do with the association that administers the organ donation and transplant program. Organs are in short supply, so they go to those with the greatest chance of transplant success.

I am not a medical professional, so I am no expert, but my mom was a registered nurse and a nursing home administator for many years. Due to some circumstances in our family, we've seen the inside of hospitals and long term care facilities more than we'd like.

that America would have universal healthcare. I could tell people to watch the movie 'Sicko' by Michael Moore, but i know some of you have opinions about Michael Moore and aren't even willing to see anything else he's made. I have the same opinions on Michael Moore, but Sicko is really something EVERYONE should see, regardless of your thoughts.

The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not provide universal health care. (Wikipedia)

Wouldn't it be nice to know that your loved ones and your friends are always taken care of, no matter their financial status? I didn't grow up with a wealthy family, and we couldn't afford insurance. My father died when i was 17 because he couldn't get his expensive blood pressure medicine. He was 44 years old and had a massive brain hemmorage (stroke). The only doctors I've been to in my life (while living in America) were walk-in clinics. If i ended up even going to a clinic, i had to be extremely sick, because going to that clinic meant MONEY. Aside from my own family, there are millions of Americans who have no insurance, who can't afford help, who end up suffering on and on and on. Children who don't get required medical attention, shots they need, etc...
A family member of mine is very wealthy, and he doesn't see the need for UH, apparently. He says: "The healthcare in Canada stinks"... That's a comment out of ignorance.

Could this be the gov's secret way of Population control? Hmmm...
There are better ways of controlling the population. I can think of a few needed ways. I just don't think people should have to be physically suffering when it really isn't necassary.