This is a subject that makes me very upset. What is wrong with the US, it is supposingly the richest country in the world and yet 71 million of us are without health insurance. I was thinking, if I did contract SARS or any other illness for that matter, how would I (or any uninsued person) get the proper care without going into tons of debt? My husband and I own a business and to pay for the insurance premiums out of pocket is extremely hard, so we canceled it. We are both healthy so it was gamble that we took.
Anyway, what I understand is all Canadians get health care. I realize you have more taxes, but it makes so much more sense to insure all the citizens. What is wrong with our system?
Sorry, I had to vent :rambo: How do you feel about your health care system where you live? Do you get the kind of health care that you want?
Thought this was an interesting topic to discus.
-Jen
Sorry for the few typos, I meant to proof before submitting :wink:
my wife works at a hospital so my insurance is pretty good, my company offers it but choose not to use it because my wifes is much better.
later
Ron
Sorry Jen, I know you wanted to hear from our Northern friends, but I could not pass up this opportunity to vent a little.
Thankfully I work for a company that provides partial insurance. The company foots about $380/mo. and I pitch in $200/mo. These amounts are for basic health and dental, no life insurance and no short or long term disability. These rates are for me and my wife only ($580/mo), they would be the same if I had 1 child or 10. I have been with the same comany for 3 years. When I started I was able to get medical, dental, and life insurance for me and my wife and only had to pay $20/mo. Can someone explain how thes rates have gone up almost $200 in a little under 3 years?!? My only alternative is not having coverage so I must pay these crazy rates, but I do have a problem hearing stories of people that need certain procedures and are denied coverage because of some small issue like "you did not phone in an emergency room visit so we will only provide 25% coverage". You gotta be kidding me. Because of these HMO's I have had to switch doctors 4 times in the last 10 years. Take a guess when I have last seen an actual doctor...6 YEARS AGO! What ever happened to builing a relationship? I can remember when I was a kid and I knew my doctor by first name and was excited to see him and he new me too! That was only like 15-20 years ago! It is unacceptable. These doctors offices are nothing but a glorified "store". You are treated like a number and end up waiting minimum 30 minutes PAST your scheduled time. It has been like this with every doctors office I have been involved with in the last 10 or so years. All this due to HMO's, they are a horrible idea and should be hung by their money grubbing corporate "balls". I had heard on the radio this morning that some doctors offices are allowing advertisers to put ads on bandaids, the paper on the beds, wall hangings in the offices and patient rooms and so on... unbelievable.
I feel sick now, I'll make an appointment for November, they should be able to see me then. If they still take my HMO that is... :twisted:
Thanks for the vent session!
Chad
Well, I have never really complained about our health care before. I really don't have a reason now. Our health care system is really simple. Make a doctors appointment and go. Sometimes you have to wait along time. All depends on your Doctor. I guess around here some people don't have a doctor becuase there is shortages in some areas. But it does not cost anything to have a family doctor. You might have to pay a fee if you need a wart removed or something. As for the emergency room, I have not used it in alongtime. Lasttime I had to wait along time.... But it did not cost me a thing.
With my new job after 3 months you get medical and dentail coverage (Basic) for free. This is a great deal, normally it costs about $50 a month. That covers about 80% of drugs and dental etc.
From what you guys have mentioned, the US should put some money into health care instead of "liberating" other countries.
sure we have higher taxes, but it's not just healthcare that we get. there are many social programs that we enjoy the benefits of.
and lance is right, the problem is that when you spend so many billions of dollars on 'defense' there is nothing left for healthcare.
Yes, and it is so DAMN frustrating!!!!! :rambo: I agree, our tax dollars should be spent more carefully!!
Chad, I totally know what you mean about personal relationships with your doctors. There is no such thing anymore
cratch: -Jen