Canadian Health Care

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

    I agree. I quit reading that thread a long time ago. Whatever floats their boat.

  • CapeBretongirl
    CapeBretongirl Member Posts: 364
    edited August 2009

    I'm tired of all the Canadian Health Care bashing I hear on TV etc., from all the non-Canadians.  It offends me.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009

    You have to wonder how China and India handle their healthcare. Those are the two largest populations in the world....not the USA like they seem to think!

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2009

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXBCFnhsUc&feature=PlayList&p=62CDEA18F5A5472B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34   ]

    This is a Youtube thing on Canadians, including Roy Romanow, defending the Canadian health care system. I contemplated putting it on one of the other threads but realized that it wouldn't make any difference - it isn't flashy or loud, just tells the truth. I agree that it is getting tiresome hearing the same people saying the same things with absolutely no consideration for reality.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009

    I read the other thread from time to time but I don't post. It has devolved into people just bashing each other. Those who are opposed to reform don't care about the 47 million without insurance, let alone those who go bankrupt. They don't get that they would have a better society - less poverty, less crime, more people with purchasing power etc. - if health care was universal. It also seems to me that there is confusion between democracy and universal health care supported by government. Having universal health care doesn't turn a country into a fascist state.....democracy is a political model.....some socialized service is an economic model. It seems that the impact of Joe McCarthy continues to affect Americans deeply. In any case, it's their battle. I'm grateful to be living in Canada and will use my efforts to make things better here, in whatever way is available to me.

  • kareylou
    kareylou Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2009

    Just wanted to encourage you--it's not a lost cause! There are many of us still fighting for health care reform that will benefit patients, and not become a bailout for the insurance industry. Most people are in favor of common sense reform. If we all just do a little, it will add up.

    I came on this board to get an answer to a medication question, but found this thread.

     If you are interested in doing something, go to the Organizing for America website:

    http://www.barackobama.com/index.php 

     If the Barack Obama in the address turns you off because you are not a supporter, just think: they managed to get a black man with the middle name Hussein elected President of the United States--by a wide margin--that seemed less likely than health care reform a few years ago! These people can get things done. They just need the support of the non-screaming majority. 

    Another thing you can do is visit Daily Kos or Firedoglake websites. "Nyceve" or "slinkerwink" on Daily Kos have action items almost daily, usually phone calls or such. Firedoglake is organizing a campaign to win over the Blue Dogs, who are essential to passing a meaningful bill.  

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2009

    Kareylou, that's encouraging news!  Bi-partisanship is a wonderful "ideal", but with these rabid Repubs, it was a lost cause.  So glad to hear -- from various sources -- that the gloves are coming off and the Democrats (and their supporters) are now going all out to get a healthcare bill through.

    But I'm still very concerned that so many will continue to be at the mercy of the health insurance industry.  In my mind (and many others here) that is the single biggest hurdle facing any reform.  As long as the health care industry continues as a for-profit enterprise, costs can never be contained.

    Helen, you've hit it about democracy as a political model and socialized service as an economic one.  But I don't suppose many Americans are willing to see the difference.  McCarthyism does live on -- unfortunately....Frown

  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2009

    As a Canadian farmer, the fear of socialism in the US is laughable.  There are so many gov't programs protecting their farmers that other nations cannot afford to compete on the global markets.  However, they continue to see that as their version of 'free trade' rather than 'socialism'.  

    Sorry, I digress.  

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2009

    Lassie, I just watched the video.  I really do think you should post it -- at least on the Healthcare in America vs Other Countries thread.

    Medicare for Everyone!

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

    That may be a mistake....they really don't want to hear from us.

  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2009

    I think it should be posted over there.  A very reasonable, straight forward discussion.  No yelling or threatening.  It might calm things down!

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

    To save my sanity, I haven't been reading there. What's going on? I'd rather hear about it from you guys (you know....calm, rational,, people).

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2009

    lol - with such various advice, I will go grocery shopping and contemplate the matter!

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2009

    Gracie, we musn't be intimidated by the minority who happen to make the most noise.  Think of paprika, hoping, octobergrace and so many more who all need our support.

    Many of you were not around last year when the political threads were active (prior to the U.S. election). Wow, those were hyperbolic times indeed!  Americans do take their politics seriously, and healthcare is, unfortunately, a political issue.  I think that everything we can do to eradicate the lies and misinformation can only help our dear American bc sisters, regardless of their own personal politics.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009
    Madalyn, I think Obama is a great leader with tremendous potential. I wish we had someone with his qualities and skills as a politician here in Canada. As someone who looks into the US from a foreign perspective, I fear for the future of your country because it is becoming increasingly polarized and if the insurance industry continues on the path that seems to be evident, many decent, hardworking, patriotic Americans will lose their livelihoods and their life savings. I understand that it would be disastrous to totally destablize the economy by going after the insurance giants, but surely there must be a way to allow everyone access to proper health care. It's for the good of the entire country. And if they could reform the insurance industry little by little over time, the country as a whole would benefit. There are just too many people in the US who operate from a perspective of "entitlement" and they fear they would lose power if others had the same opportunities. It's always about power and control unfortunately.
  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2009

    An example of how recognized republicans continue to spread lies:

    Mike Huckabee, a former minister who ran in the Repub primaries last year, has stated publicly that under Pres. Obama's healthcare plan, following his dx Ted Kennedy would have been given some pills and sent home to die.  Total scare tactics -- dishonest and repugnant.

    Not only is it NOT Obama's plan (he asked the house and senate to come up with  bipartisan plans), but it seems as though opponents have absolutely no scruples left.  I am so very, very disgusted -- and the end result doesn't even affect me.  Can any of us just imagine how our southern neighbours feelCry.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009

    It's very sad for them. I think Americans are losing the respect of countries around the world - i.e. those who used to emulate them.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009
    They say they are in a bad position because of their high population, but their healthcare needs should have grown with them! What a stupid excuse?! Yell
  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2009

    I posted the Canadian defence of medicare on the thread about US health care and others.

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited August 2009

    Leslie -- good for you!  Let's show'em the truth!

  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2009

    Sigh...they won't believe it.

  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2009

    Nah, they won't believe it.  There are so many things that amaze me - now they are thinking that non-profit co-ops might be OK.  Well what is universal health care but a big non-profit co-op?

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009

    Thanks for posting it, Leslie.

  • Helen-Jackie
    Helen-Jackie Member Posts: 85
    edited August 2009

    hi hrf

    me again.. didnt realize u are cdn too.. i am in toronto

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009
    Helen-Jackie ..... I am also in Toronto. A few weeks ago a group of us from the Toronto area hooked up for a wonderful afternoon. We are hoping to do it again in the fall. Hope you'll be able to join us.   Helen
  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone.  Welcome Helen-Jackie. I just got my September schedule today and will start a new topic tomorrow about possible dates for an orchard get together.

  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited August 2009
    I stopped reading over there too. Might go take a peek.  Undecided
  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2009

    Yes pip! I hope I can make that gathering.

    Meanwhile, why do out of town doctors think it makes no difference if their appointments are early in the morning? Here I am setting out on the almost hour's drive to Kingston for a 9:15 appointment. It couldn't be later in the day, said the nice woman.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009

    Leslie, I will negotiate with reception. I often wonder why seniors or non-working people get the early appointments when I need to get to work! Maybe your doctors office thinks they're doing you a favour?

  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2009

    This appointment was radiation planning - apparently that doctor only does this on Monday mornings - and I had already declined an appointment a couple of weeks ago. When radiation happens, apparently I get more of an option on time of day. I think maybe there should be more asking and a bit less telling about what time appointments should be - and am getting much more assertive about saying so!

    The good news is that I didn't have to wait and got out in the advertized time line.

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