You know the question - which is better and why?

I know many Canadians, the only complaint I've ever heard is the length of time they wait for speciality appts. I'm not Canadian, nor have I ever been in their health care system, so I don't feel it's just to vote.

__________________
Ephesians 5:15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyR41JbpL_g

The wait-time problem that exists in Canada is purely cosmetic. Patients receive excellent quality care in a timely, and often expedient fashion. There are small wait-lists for SOME surgeries (eg. joint replacement), but rapid progress is being made to reduce those lists in an effective and efficient manner.

yeah i don't really know how you could compare it. We have a world class system as far as technology, R & D, and capability but on the other hand many aren't insured, its expensive, and has allowed for people to take advantage of the system. I don't know much about CA's system but from I hear it seems to be a mild flip of ours.

Maybe someone from Canada can provide us with some more insight?

Can you provide mor einformation on your healthcare system. One thing I'm curious about is the costs and how you guys pay for it as far as taxes, etc.

I've heard that the UK uses a gas tax to pay it which definately wouldn't fly in the states.

[quote=Roman;39531]yeah i don't really know how you could compare it. We have a world class system as far as technology, R & D, and capability but on the other hand many aren't insured, its expensive, and has allowed for people to take advantage of the system. I don't know much about CA's system but from I hear it seems to be a mild flip of ours.

Maybe someone from Canada can provide us with some more insight?[/QUOTE

Ok, I'm not too sure of exactly what “flip” refers to, but I will briefly explain the Cdn. System. It is a provincially run system, with overarching principles enforced at the federal level. People are insured by the provincial government and receive treatment at no-cost. This covers basically everything except cosmetic procedures and other non-essential treatments. Many essential medications are also paid for by the government in certain circumstances. Doctors operate privately and bill the provinces insurance company for payment. I couldn't imagine sitting in a hospital and worrying more about the bill than my health.

Is there some kind of mechanism in place to keep prices withing a specific range or can doctors and pharmacies set their own price?

Yes, prices agreed upon in some form between the provincial government and the group that represents doctors in Canada (The College of Physicians and Surgeons). Medicine prices are generally legislated to a somewhat reasonable price. Many Canadians have private pharmaceutical coverage, and as previously mentioned, some medications are covered by the province. There is also somewhat large demand for a federal/provincial drug coverage partnership for all Canadians.

In terms of funding the health care system, the provinces collect taxes through a variety of sales and income tax revenues. These help to fund the system. Also in place is the federal “Canadian Health Transfer Payment.” This is the means by which the federal government supports the provincially administered system.

Improve the system but don't eliminate the opportunity to make money on this industry.

Something that is not well known is that the majority of people in the US who do not have health insurance can afford it, they just choose not to. Its just more liberalism trying to force people to do what they think is good for them. I can either buy my own health insurance, or I can pay the government in taxes the ammount that the government requires to provide that coverage for me. The advantage to the socialist system is simply that whether you like it or not, your covered. If you get hurt, than your decision to not plan for that possibility wont come back to haunt you. Whereas in the US, you have many different companies competing for your business, this raises the standard of healthcare. Not every hospital can perform a quadruple bypass, so the ones that can will get the business from those who need that surgery. Canada can get away with their system only because they are our friendly neighbor to the north. If it wasnt for American medical and pharmacuetical companies doing all the researching all the new drugs, and developing new techniques for complicated operations like brain surgery, than the quality of Canada's health care would be vastly more inferior than it already is compared to the care that can be had in America.