To Our British and Canadian Friends: How's Your Health Care?

Question

Would you come to the US and pay for your care rather than use nationalized care?

Answer 1

i can't wait for them to say "no"

but you know there will be a lot of people lying and saying they're canadian or brittish saying "it's so horrible!!!"

Answer 2

The UK healthcare and Canadian healthcare models are both very simple and all encompassing. It is based on the principle and established pyramid of Maslow's need based psychology. Everyone needs ...... etc. One of these needs is health and welfare. So how can you supply something to everyone. You have to tax them and tax them heavily. That is why UK and Canadian taxes are so heavy. Someone has to pay for all the services. The gov't cannot shoulder such a tremendous burden by itself.

While we grumble and complain about the taxes, we receive the benefits too. The gov't suppresses the price of drugs so that they are affordable and forces the pharmaceutical companies to comply with gov't enforced standards. That is a good thing and that is why it is cheaper to buy drugs from a Canadian pharmacy.

Keep in mind that the healthcare services are not restricted to citizens only. It is also available to the residents of the country even if they are foreign nationals. That is a good thing. The price of the annual premium is also very affordable and since there is only one healthcare system, everyone gets the same quality of care regardless of neighbourhood, race or religion or $$$. That is a very good thing don't you think?

We must change our paradigm of thinking when it comes to the question of healthcare systems in the US vs UK & Canada. The British and Canadian systems are based on the gov't meeting the needs of the individual so that everyone in society shares the burden and everyone benefits positively. The US system is about healthcare as a business where everyone sets up shop and sells their services to insurance carriers by contract.

Since the US model is a business, everyone is out to make $$$ and so you have a great chasm between the rich and poor. There is healthcare for those who can afford it and sub-par healthcare for those who cannot. There are many who are struggling to make ends meet for their families that they cannot afford any healthcare at all. That is wrong and that is why the capitalistic model and socialistic model conflict with each other.

Would you rather pay slightly higher taxes knowing that your money is providing for the welfare of your fellow citizens as well as yourself? I know I would and there would be no question about me doing my fair share.

Are there problems with the Canadian and UK healthcare systems? Yes, of course and no one is denying it. The biggest problem is obvious ... $$$$. In order to have so many resources available to everyone, we must spend a lot of $$$ to ensure that those services are available when it is needed. There needs to be a copay system erected to help offset the gov't spending deficit in healthcare. There needs to be a join effort b/w gov't and private spending to make the system work. This small fee for service is fair since it puts the burden more on the shoulders of those who use the services more.

I think we can all chip in to pay for basic services. But if I don't use much, then I shouldn't have to pay beyond the basic plan. That would be more fair. Certainly, there must be an equitable adjustment for low income families as well.

In the US, the UK and Canadian systems would collapse from abuse because the people are different and the mentality of people are different. There are too many people draining the system and not enough people putting into it.

This is bigger than Hiliary Clinton.

Let's look at an example.

A typical office visit for a sore throat in UK or CAN would probably take <15 min. When you arrive at your MD, you swipe your CARECARD and it is tracked on the gov't computer that you have made a short OV to your MD. The MD will be paid for that OV and there is no billing or paperwork beyond the MD's own notes. Nothing needs to be done and the MD will receive a cheque for their services that day.

In the US, the OV will need a billing person to fill out a CMS-1500 form, a billing clerk to call the insurance company to verify benefits and insurance. The insurance company needs staff to answer phones, process forms, etc. No wonder costs are high in the US. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the MD will be paid for those services nor will the request for payment for done on time. So, you need your collections person working to find the unpaid invoices and track them down. What a headache.

Sounds like the US has a lot of catching up to do, eh ?

Answer 3

If you're a poor Brit, crossing the pond isn't an option.

Answer 4

Why would I come to the US? We can pay for health care if we want to in Britain, we have a choice. The National Health Service (NHS) is here to support those who cannot afford medical care and generally keep our country healthier.

I am surprised there is nothing similar to this system in the US.

Answer 5

no.

Im good with my Canadian health care!

^_^