Sanders Defends Canadian Single-Payer Health Care System [semi-satire]

Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 17 Dec 2017 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, a research report published by the Fraser Institute, found “a median waiting time of 21.2 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and receipt of treatment.” This is the longest in the history of Fraser’s annual survey and 128% longer than the first survey in 1993. The wait to see a specialist for a consultation is now 177% longer than in 1993.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (S-Vt) averred that “long lines don’t bother me. Important members of society can jump these queues if need be. Making less important patients wait is a more socially optimal outcome than a system where each individual is free to purchase the type of insurance or treatment he deems warranted by his condition and resources.”

Sanders also says “there’s a silver lining in making people wait. In the vast majority of cases people get well without treatment. Making people wait is a relatively painless means of reducing the total cost of the nation’s medical bill. And let’s not overlook the fact that medical treatment itself is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Odds are that having to wait for care will probably save lives.”

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...

https://azconservative.org/2017/12/16/exempting-anyone-from-funding-abortions-unconstitutional/

[shove_it]

“...Odds are that having to wait for care will probably save lives.”

Perfect example of liberal logic.

Brilliant again, John.

Cheers,
Otter

[The Great RJ]

Gee Bernie would you be so willing to wait if you or your wife were diagnosed with possible cancer and it could be months before you could see a cancer specialist and months more before you could get treatment? Many Canadians are seeking treatment in the US rather than wait for treatment at home.

[Auntie Dem]

A friend's brother was a Canadian Citizen. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 69. As I recall the rules then the Canadian system wouldn't treat the disease if you were 70 or older. In our friend's case they refused treatment because he was “close enough” 70. He came to the U.S. and got treatment. He only lived another 18 years from that U.S. health care, when colon cancer took him at age 88. Canada also wouldn't treat that, but he gave up on Canada 20 years ago. Who wouldn't?

[Former Proud Canadian]

Your story about your friend's brother is totally bogus. There is no age limit to any kind of cancer treatment in Canada.

Do yourself a favor and do not repeat this nonsense, it makes you look naïve at best.

[Mister Da]

We met a couple from Canada on an Alaskan cruise. They were originally from Britain, but migrated to Canada because the wife was having health problems that were not being treated in a timely manner. They expected wait times to be better in Canada. They got an ugly surprise. The tests/treatments she needs would be months in the future, a potentially deadly wait.

So, they scheduled the tests/treatment with US doctors in days, not months, her health improved, allowing them to take the Alaska trip.

[Auntie Dem]

Don't tell me what I heard from his mouth. He said they told him about the age limit, why would he come to the U.S. and spend his own money if he didn't have to? Remember, this was about 20 years ago, so the rules could have changed since then.

Do yourself a favor and do not consider yourself an expert on other people's conversations. It makes you look like a socialized medicine lover at best.

[Former Proud Canadian]

I don't care what you heard or what he said. If he said it, he was lying. There is no age limit for cancer treatments in Canada, not now, not 20 or 30 or 40 years ago. Full stop. You do not know what you are talking about, I do.

Do yourself a favor, you are spreading nonsense and you look ignorant and foolish to those who know the truth.

Sorry to introduce some facts to the discussion.

[Auntie Dem]

Why did he come to the U.S. and spend his own money if the Canadian system is so wonderful?

[John Semmens]

Why did he come to the U.S. and spend his own money if the Canadian system is so wonderful?

Possibly because he was put on a long waiting list.