Canadian Health Care

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

    Wow!  While I've been out at the doc's (yay, cholesterol is normal!!!) and doing a little holiday shopping, you gals have gotten everything sowed up!  Sorted out the ehs from the huhs, agreed that the U.S. can't afford "for profit" medicine, and that single-payer would, indeed, be far cheaper than insurance premiums and co-pays -- and are ready to shout it out to the world (well, at least your neighbours and congressmen/women) eh???Smile

    Now, one last thing about sorting out Frick's name:  I decided last night that we should address her as "FrickEnjoyful" (say it out loud, folks!).

    Hugs to all,

    Linda

  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited December 2009

    Hey Barbe, just in the interest of furthering knowledge, the last year that the US held a draft lottery for the military was 1972. My brother was 18 that year and his birthday was the first date drawn, however, due to a long time religious opposition to all violence he was able to be classified as a CO.

    Currently the US military is peopled by many who have no other real economic choice (and some who are caught up in patriotic rhetoric and actually think that the wars we are currently fighting have anything to do with our "freedom" or even our national security). I even know of those who have joined in order to obtain health care for their chronically ill dependents! 

  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited December 2009

    OK -- Frick is Enjoyful.  Frack is not. Not sure about FrickFrack.  Now there's a Frickenhappy posting!  This is ridiculous!!!   Little things amuse little minds...     

  • Kyta
    Kyta Member Posts: 713
    edited December 2009

    Elizabeth ~ My mind must be little also, because I'm getting a kick out of the enjoyful/frick/frickfrack/frack/frickenhappy saga. And I must say that I agree with Lindasa....I quite like "FrickEnjoyful"...you do have to say it out loud a coupla times to feel it.

     Hope your apartment is coming along and that you've stopped flashing your neighbours...have you put up window coverings?

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

    Ah, but even more important -- has Chloe found (and used) her little kittylitter box??

    (Hey Mich, if Liz wants to flash the neighbours, more power to her --- it's a sure way for Ottawans to get to know her againTongue out!). LOL

  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited December 2009

    Well, I got curtains from Sears and the rod left behind fell down.  So, I'm going to get velcro tape, some material (thinking of some pretty saris) and be done with it!!  Chloe, thankfully, has found and used her litterbox.  But she's hanging out in the bedroom a lot -- must be the mess in the livingroom.  Or she's waiting for me to get a couch...

    I think I figured it out -- Frack and Frackenjoyful is Enjoyful.  Frick and Frickenhappy are not.  Hmmm, I guess my mind is little too!

    I've enjoyed my 2nd Crispy Crunch chocolate bar and a bowl of Shreddies -- neither of which are available in the US!  Seeking out some little pleasures here...

    Yes, still flashing Ottawans... Surprised

  • Kyta
    Kyta Member Posts: 713
    edited December 2009

    Crispy Crunch and Shreddies....all you need now to top it off is a glass of wine. Seriously though, hope you're feeling like your "home" now, and I do hope we get to meet sometime soon.

  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited December 2009

    Drinking wine now.  Rising crust pizza in the oven.  I'm hoping to meet Sharon some time soon, maybe we should all get together in the next week or so!

  • Kyta
    Kyta Member Posts: 713
    edited December 2009

    I'd love to. We should meet in Manotick. I'm having surgery next Friday (left mx....slightly freaking out), pre op tests Monday, busy Tuesday, but Wed and Thursday are open. I'm game if you and Sharon are. 

  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited December 2009

    Me too -- I'll PM Sharon and see if we can set up something for Wed or Thurs...

  • rinna40
    rinna40 Member Posts: 357
    edited December 2009

    ok, I'm glad some of you have figured out the whole fricken fracken mess, because I certainly can't. Can you sign up as different people? Gee, I find it hard enough to follow as one person. 

    Happy Christmas shopping ladies. I'm taking my kids for pictures with Santa tomorrow morning and then the big Santa parade (usually pretty lame, as I live in a town of 16 000). Getting my warm woolies out.  

  • FrickEnjoyful
    FrickEnjoyful Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2009

    Hello all,

    Thanks for the name, Linda!

    It's great to hang out here and see good minds at work!  I appreciate the careful research and logical conclusions.  You're my kind of people.

    Mich - good luck with your surgery next week!  Sending good thoughts your way...

    FE

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

    I am enjoying this Canadian Health Care thread. Whether it's about frickenjoyful or shreddies, it's fun to read. Elizabeth, did you get a fine Canadian wine to drink with your pizza......good stuff comes from the Niagara region in Ontario 

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

    And lots of good wines in "The" County - Prince Edward County just south of where I am. It is lots of fun to set off on an informal wine tour with friends in the summer. This year we made a "cruise" of it and went into The County via Adolphustown and the Glenora Ferry. A whole fifteen minutes or so on the water - no charge for the ferry trip.

  • Kyta
    Kyta Member Posts: 713
    edited December 2009

    Thank you FrickEnjoyful....but seriously (ok, not really seriously, sorta laughing as I type), who is Frack?

    Re "logical conclusions" ~ some of the posts that I've read on the other health care thread have truly boggled my mind. It's beyond me that any american could find it acceptable that there are so many who are living in the USA who aren't able to access proper health care, all because of money. Yes, it's true that in Canada, we may have to wait a little bit longer to access the excellent care that the fairly well-off in the U.S. can access within days, but it's a small price to pay to ensure universal access to all. Although I've worked in the social services field for 22 years now, I'm not what most people would call a left-winger, but when it comes to health care, it's a no-brainer....health care, including preventitive measures, must be available to all.

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

    When all have access to health care including preventative, then society as a whole benefits. Fundamentally, there are huge value differences between Canada and the U.S. We believe that a civil and just society occurs when there is universal health care and education. In the U.S. they don't.

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

    I was talking to my sister this afternoon, the one who lives now in Portland, Oregon and has been in the states for the past 30 years. She spent $67,000 last year on medical expenses! Two teenage boys and a husband. NONE with any illness! Holy crap.... one bone surgery for her 6'6" son and a biospy on her DH's cheek and that's about it.

  • FrickEnjoyful
    FrickEnjoyful Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2009

    And here's the other side of the coin -

    I spent about $2,500 this year, including my healthcare premiums.  That's just for me, but it's still low.  I have a very very generous plan, and I pay less for it than other people with awful plans.  How is that right?

    FE

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

    My sister isn't under any health plan as her husband (soon to be ex) bounces around from job to job so they have to pay directly. She says she will be in a much better position once they are divorced. Go figure!

  • FrickEnjoyful
    FrickEnjoyful Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2009

    Ah I see....yet another problem with our system.  No portability.

    I'm stuck in my job whether I like it or not because I need the health care benefits.  So much for freedom of choice in the good ol' USA.

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

    Funny how the folks who scream so loudly for freedom don't actually seem to have muchFrown.

    It seems as though the American healthcare bills thread has definitely turned into a partisan political one.  Depressing situation -- it could have been a really useful thread for alot of apolitical sisters on this websiteCry.

    Leslie, we're pretty familiar (LOL) with the wines in our region (Niagara) but I've heard some wonderful things about those in the "county".  Have a friend who, with her partner, bought a century house (aka the money pit!) in Wellington and refinished it  Have to make time to visit her next spring!

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

    Lindasa, I am planning a trip to the Niagara region for my dh's Christmas present.  The Prince of Wales has a wine tour that includes room, tour, breakfast and dinner.  He loves his wine.  He is actually at a wine club meeting right now.

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

    PiP, that's a LOVELY Christmas present!  And if you'd like, let me know when you're coming and I'll have you over for "tea" or something stronger!!  Sure would love to meet you!  (We live just 2 blocks from the P of W, towards the lake.)

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

    What a beautiful area to live in. We had dinner at Corks (I think that was the name) a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.  It looked like a popular neighbourhood hangout.  

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

    Corks used to be The Buttery restaurant which had been there for many, many years.  When it  was sold, the new owners completely redid the inside (they had to -- it was falling down!!).. Glad you enjoyed it.  I'd have to say the new restaurants in NOTL and in some of the wineries are easily equal to those in Stratford.  Wasn't always that way......

    Sorry, everyone!  This isn't exactly Cdn healthcare talk.....Kiss

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

    Sure it is.  Haven't you heard how good wine is suppose to be for our health?  Well, not those of us with er/pr+ bc, but for the general Canadian population.

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

    Beautiful scenery, good food and drink and great company are a prescription for good health I think. Too bad OHIP won't pay for it. I think there's also good wine country in B.C., isn't there?

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

    Great idea hrf - we should plan a field trip to the Okanagan Valley in BC to check out the wines!  I was there once in a previous life and thought it a glorious place. It most certainly would improve our health.

    In the meantime if we aren't in BC, lindasa , let me know if you are coming to the County - I'm right (almost) on the way.

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited December 2009

    Sheesh Mich_M and konakat, took me a while to track this thread down.  Sent you a PM Elizabeth and Michelle, sending you one now.

    Gentle hugs.

  • pk0199
    pk0199 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    If you go to BC wine country, stop and get me in Cowtown, I know a few good wineries down around Vernon and the Osooyoos area!

    That really bugs me that er/pr+ are not supposed to drink, not that I drink a lot but man... 

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