Posted on 07/12/2004 12:37:27 PM PDT by RetiredArmy
Dear America…
by Klaus Rohrich
Last week John Kerry called for a national healthcare system in the U.S., like the one in Canada. If you Americans are planning to institute a national universal healthcare system similar to ours, you might want to look somewhere other than Canada for the ideal model.
To give you a brief overview of Canada’s Universal healthcare system, it all started off well enough and ran like a top for many years. I remember when it was normal to call a doctor and get an appointment the same day, when one could get to see a specialist the next day or when someone needed a by-pass operation he or she didn’t have to wait a year to get it. Of course, in those days health care wasn’t exactly free, either. You see, all Canadians (except those who truly could not afford it) had to pay a monthly premium for their coverage.
Then the federal Liberals (the equivalent of your Democrats) decided to pass the Canada Health Act, which made medical coverage a basic human right. The act stipulated that health care was to be provided by the government only and that any form of private care was illegal. It put the burden of paying for healthcare into the hands of taxpayers, as the service would now be paid from the government’s general coffers.
In addition, there were numerous other provisions, such as controlling costs by limiting doctors’ salaries and keeping nurses and other healthcare professionals at relatively low wages.
So the first thing that happened was that the doctors threatened to go on strike. The government called their bluff and told them to go ahead, but the doctors chickened out. Next, many of our best doctors moved to the United States, where government was not going to limit the amount of money they could earn.
Of course, the end result is predictable. Most jurisdictions in Canada now have a doctor shortage, despite the government’s denial of this stark reality. Anyone without a family physician is forced to attend a soviet-style walk-in clinic to receive routine medical care. As transient physicians staff these clinics, there is no relationship that develops between the doctor and his patients and items such as annual physical examinations are not available in these clinics. If one’s family doctor should retire, move or become deceased, then all of the doctor’s patients will be scrambling to find a new doctor. Yet, the government appears to be creating this doctor shortage on purpose, as enrollment in medical schools is strictly regulated and only a certain number of applicants are ever accepted, regardless of their academic standing.
The patient to doctor ratio varies from 2,000 to 4,000 patients per doctor, depending on geographical location. And many tests and procedures are beginning to be de-listed; meaning that the public healthcare system will no longer pay for them. Among these are items such as PSA examinations, which is used to screen for prostate cancer in men, physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments, certain dermatological procedures, such as the removal of skin growths and eye examinations.
The province of Ontario has recently decided that its "free health care" is now subject to an annual premium (spelled T-A-X), imposed on every taxpayer in the province. While this has angered most Ontario taxpayers, the government is refusing to look at any other alternatives to the way it currently provides healthcare.
While on a recent visit to Toronto’s Orthopedic and Arthritic Hospital, a facility specializing in the treatment of bone and joint problems, I overheard the harried receptionist at the clinic explaining why the patient would have to wait four to five months to receive surgical treatment.
"There are only so many orthopedic surgeons to go around." She explained. The patient was fortunate to have seen a surgeon and was waiting for a date for his procedure. Prior to his appointment with the surgeon, the patient had to be referred in writing by his family doctor, which usually takes from four to six weeks. After the initial visit, the surgeon likely requested an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging procedure to determine the severity of the problem. Getting an MRI in Canada can take up to six months, although many Canadians choose to cross the border into the U.S. where they can get it next day for about $450.
After the MRI, the results of which can take as long as six to eight weeks to get back to the doctor, the patient has to make another appointment with the surgeon to find out if the procedure is warranted. From there an appointment is made, which usually takes two to three months. So from the time that one is aware of a serious problem, such a herniated vertebral disc until the time, the problem is actually dealt with, as much as a whole year can pass.
Other procedures can take longer, as in the case of hip or knee replacements, which can take three to four years of waiting.
Those Canadians who can afford it (including, by the way Paul Martin, our Prime Minister) will get their medical treatment at private clinics in the U.S. to avoid waiting. Often individuals who do this are vilified by other Canadians as "line jumpers", even though they jump the line outside the public healthcare system and pay for it themselves.
From where I sit, the U.S. healthcare system looks pretty good. Yes, it’s expensive, but the facilities are in place to provide care in a timely fashion. Those unable to afford medical treatment can still receive treatment provided at charity or county hospitals.
The Canadian healthcare system is currently threatening to collapse of its own inertia. Yes, it’s a good system we have here in Canada, so long as you make sure you never get sick. That’s why Americans would be well advised to look at a more flexible system than ours.
Klaus Rohrich is President and Creative Director of Taylor/Rohrich Associates Inc., a marketing and advertising firm that specializes in niche marketing residential real estate developments www.trmarketing.com. Email: klaus@trmarketing.com.
i dont like you mocking our blood that provides your security, pal, no matter how cute you think it is.
You mean freepers hurt your feelings? I am sorry, you are obviously one of us politicaly or you wouldn't be here (FR). I think we (Americans) are feeling a little defensive lately.
lol @ flights to india !!
"We used to have quality health care that was affordable, and it was before the government and the trial lawyers got involved. More government certainly isn't the solution."
Worth repeating!
The "Free" medical care in Germany costs 15.9% of their gross pay, matched by their employer. (not a premium)
Their Social security contributions are 19.8%, again employer matching.
Home healthcare is 1%, etc, etc.
Now you get to pay a myriad in Taxes like income (higher than ours) Ecology, Vat, 16% of all purchases and rising.
I have not seen a free lunch in a while.
By the way, their systems are broke.
Bump-itis
You ain't seen nothin' yet.
This is what Hillary Rodham Clinton nearly succeeded in thrusting upon the American Taxpayer back in the early 1990's.
"a lilt from the land of booing the usa natl anthem and beating up usa children: it's all the US's fault ;) <-- note winky smiley.
i dont like you mocking our blood that provides your security, pal, no matter how cute you think it is.
"
I hate anti-Americanism too and don't like people booing other people's anthems and strongly supports the US but what you said makes no sense. Who(which Canadian) here on FR thinks that is cute, certainly not me but in defence of YYZ I will say give your head a shake.
Let us hope that Kerry never gets elected so that America would never go through what we Canadians put up with.
"Excellent post. Why in the world would anyone want to import such a disaster here?
As my father said "It's all about control."
"Medical Savings Accounts," (NOW CALLED, "Health Savings Accounts,") have been the ANSWER TO our Nation's "Health Insurance Problems" for Over a Decade!!
Check Out "Steve Forbes" Website Prior to the Last Presidential Election!!
The "Problem Is," NO ONE Is Willing to Explain "HSA's" to "The People!!"
---The Reason--The "Medical Insurance Companies" will NO LONGER control "Outpatient Medical Costs!!"
--Medical Savings Accounts, (Now Called, 'Health Savings Accounts,') are NOT CONTROLLED BY the "Insurance Industry!!"
The Patients & the 'Docs Control Medical Costs under a "HSA" system.
Small Wonder why the "Corporate Insurance Industry Interests" are TERRIFIED BY the "HSA's!!"
"HSA's" are the ABSOLUTE ANTIDOTE to "Socialized Medicine;" the Patients' & the 'Docs decide on a Patient's Care--the "Insurance Company" has NO SAY in the Care!!
& You Wonder Why you've heard SO LITTLE about "HSA's??"
POWERFUL FINANCIAL FORCES are "In Play," here--the "best Interests" of the Patients, & the Wisdom of Their 'Docs, has been overwhelmed by the "Financial Interests" of the "Insurance Industry!!"
In "America," "Socialized Medicine" will be "Administered by" our "Corporate Medicine--(Blue Cross, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, Fallon, Aetna, Travelers, ...etc,...etc...)--there is VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE that "Medical Care" will Improve;--In Fact, "Historically," "Medical Care" will STAGNATE, & DECLINE!! (AS HAS BEEN the CASE, HISTORICALLY, in ALL 'SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!!')
We're "AMERICA!!--", we are BETTER THAN THAT!!
Doc!
Your father was obviously a very wise man.
One of my daughter's friends told all the girls at my daughter's party that the conservatives had won power in Canada and they were going to get rid of free medical in Canada. Oh the horror.
Of course, I told my daughter to take the political rants of 10 year-olds with a grain of salt.
If I am not mistaken, doctors in Canada cannot be sued for malpractice. My mother is from Manitoba, and a cousin from British Colubmia who recently visited told me that his little granddaughter was the victim of a serious medical error that will cause health problems for the forseeable future. The family cannot sue.
Nice of you to take my quote out of context. Get bent, you whack-job.
Hurt my feelings? Well, maybe so but I'm a big boy and can take it. But I don't have to like it.
Not just that, but, unfortunately, a population that wants to be taken care of and does not want to be responsible for themselves and others. The name of the game, of course, is to be a bigger taker than giver.
its not out of context. see the "to 35"? thats the context. come on down here and say tough stuff. you duhs arent welcome here anymore.
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