"Single-Payer" Health Care Is Anything But Free

Capitalism Magazine ^ | September 17, 2007 | Paul S. Hsieh, MD

[OneHun]

 

"Single-Payer" Health Care Is Anything But Free

by Paul S. Hsieh, MD  (September 17, 2007)
 

 

Michael Moore's latest movie "SiCKO" sings the praises of the Canadian "single-payer" socialized medical system. Some Americans want a similar system implemented in the United States.  Defenders of the Canadian system frequently claim that patients don't have to worry about money when they're sick--the health care is free.  But is this really true?

No.

First, it is ludicrous to think the system is free. Each citizen is forced to pay for his neighbors' medical care in the form of high taxes. (As a percentage of GDP, total taxation is 28 percent higher in Canada than in the United States.) The government, rather than individuals, then decides how that money is spent.

Even worse, in the name of "equal access" the government generally forbids patients from purchasing medical services outside of its system. Canadian law makes it difficult or impossible for citizens to spend their own honestly earned money on medically necessary care for themselves or their loved ones, even when both the doctor and the patient are willing.

To control costs, the government restricts access to crucial medical services via infamous waiting lists.

 

[DuncanWaring]

"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's free"

- P.J. O'Rourke.

[DirtyPigpen]

DuncanWaring, where did you get your tag line from? Sounds like a Widespread Panic Song.

[goodwithagun]

Recently, a woman chose to leave Canada and have her quadruplets in an American hospital. Why, you ask? Because of socialized medicine in Canada, there are no hospitals capable of delivering and taking care of quads. In order for her babies to have a chance of surviving, she had to come to America and use our unsocialized medical program.

[DuncanWaring]

Michael Stanley Band, Let's Get the Show On The Road.

[Alberta's Child]

Canadian law makes it difficult or impossible for citizens to spend their own honestly earned money on medically necessary care for themselves or their loved ones, even when both the doctor and the patient are willing.

This item offers a perfect illustration of just how dysfunctional the Canadian health care system is. Resources (in terms of money, equipment availability and/or staffing) are under such enormous pressure at Canada's government-funded health care facilities that some provincial governments are signing contracts with private medical facilities for some elective medical procedures EVEN THOUGH THESE PRIVATE FACILITIES ARE TECHNICALLY PROHIBITED UNDER CANADIAN LAW.

How fouled up is that?

Once a government reaches the point where its own legal/regulatory climate no longer applies to its decision-making process, its safe to say that the system in place under the law doesn't exist anymore.

[DirtyPigpen]

Thats right, Widespread mentions & gives credit to Michael Stanly at the end of the song. Never heard Michael Stanly Band Version tho.

[goldstategop]

Hillary wants us to purchase her plan before we can get a job and we must get one whether we like it or not. That's her version of Canada Medicare.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[hometoroost]

That's a classic line. I use that every time I speak about health insurance. My other favorite is a Brian Mulroney story.

He said, I met a woman who said she loved the Canadian health care system. So I asked her why she likes it. She said "It's free, eh." So I asked her where the money came from and she said "The government." So I paused and asked her where the government got the money and she paused even longer and said "It's free, eh."

[hometoroost]

That's a hoot - aren't you also supposed to provide proof of citizenship or a visa too? How's working so far Hillary?

You have to provide proof of insurance to register an auto too but in states with mandatory auto the uninsured rates are only marginally lower than they are for health insurance.