Universal heath care - what are you thoughts? - Page 2

kellytime · 02-01-2007, 12:28 PM

Not to hi-jack the thread by talking about schools again, but where we are there is open enrollment for schools. You can go anywhere, to any school as long as you are willing to drive. I like options, because I'm a control freak too and don't like to be told where/what I can go or do.

One more comment about universal healthcare... I hate to say this, but the projected costs for healthcare in the future are astronomical! DH and I tend to be pretty healthy eaters and our weights are in the normal range (although I could be alittle thinner!! But I am losing...) anyway, we take care of ourselves and exercise, don't smoke, all that. I do not want to pay for people who are not taking care of themselves KWIM? And I don't mean people who are just heavy, I mean obese and those that have lifestyles that are risky . We have all heard the message on how to live a healthier lifestyle. And if someone chooses an unhealthy lifestyle, that's fine, but don't make me pay for it.

Ok, flame away. And btw, my parents and brother all smoke (and it infuriates me...:furious: ) and refuse to even ATTEMPT to quit.

aliadam · 02-01-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellytime

I have heard there are many 'down-sides' as well. My friend lives in Canada and says the wait times to see specialists are incredibly long, and surgeries and things like that are frustratingly inadequate??

I agree. I know that everyone may have health care in Canada, but it's not as good. I currently feel I'm getting excellent care and I wouldn't want to lose that. For example, I'm having a "elective" surgery on Feb. 12 that I only had to wait 2-3 wks for. I'm sure in Canada I have to wait much longer, if they even let me have it. They might say it wasn't necessary. Also I've just had a CAT scan and a MRI both done on separate days in the last few wks. I'm sure I couldn't have had that done there.

I think there should be some mechanism for people to obtain health care, and I don't have an answer, but I CERTAINLY don't think universal (in other words socialized) medicine is the way. Yes, it brings up the health care of some, and takes down the health care of others.

I'm curious....what is your tax rate in Canada????

calimari · 02-01-2007, 12:44 PM

I work for EDS so I have pretty good "major corporation" health care. 16 years ago, I paid nothing into it, but now I pay quite a bit out of my paycheck every month to partially cover it. I have a $500 deductible, which is great as my sister has a $6000 deductible on her insurance. However, even tho my husband and I are pretty healthy, in our 40's, last year we paid out over $800 for Rx co-pays alone. Anything from $5-$50 for the CO-PAY. I know we paid a couple thousand on doctor visit copays as well as co-pays for procedures & such. Mostly cataract surgery for my husband. And we have good insurance. I don't know what the answer is but going forward the way we are is not it.

Kathryn · 02-01-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliadam

I'm curious....what is your tax rate in Canada????

It's complicated and as you say a little bit socialist but that's a whole other topic.

It's based on income. We pay two taxes both federal and provincial. Provincial is different for each province but this is an example for one province.

Federal tax
* 15.25% on the first $36,378 of taxable income, plus
* 22% on the next $36,378 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $36,378 and $72,756), plus
* 26% on the next $45,529 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $72,756 and $118,285), plus
* 29% of taxable income over $118,285.

PLUS the Provincial tax of...
10.57% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, plus
16.16% on the next $29,590, plus
18.02% on the amount over $59,180

Plus we pay 12-15% sales tax (depending on the province) on everything we buy including services.

Kim · 02-01-2007, 01:16 PM

I think there should be some type of healthcare reform, because I do think healthcare costs are often out of whack. I think there should be some type of regulation of costs/services - people can get billed $30 for a band-aid, which is completely out of line. I don't know enough about this to know what the solution is.

I'm not sure Universal Health Care is the answer. I've heard too many stories about long waits (including a cousin's father-in-law that is having to WAIT for cancer treatment; and may be too sick to receive it by the time they get to him). I also don't want to lose the freedom to choose my doctors and be seen immediately. Personally we have good healthcare, and our rates aren't astronomical. In America, if you don't like your health plan, you are free to look for employment that offers better benefits. I'd hate to lose those freedoms.

deemom · 02-01-2007, 02:06 PM

Something needs to be done but personally I think I pay enough taxes now. I'm in healthcare and my health insurance is $750/month but then by employer gives me flex credits that I can put towards that.

I think government needs to redo the welfare system and apply that money towards funds where people can apply for assistance to get healthcare especially for children. I get sick and tired of taking care of people who are on disability, cannot pay for insurance but can afford booze and cigarettes. If this is your priority then pay up. I took care of a lady who complained about the price of an abdominal binder until I pointed out she can afford to feed 6 dogs and 3 cats she had at home then she can afford the binder.

The trouble in America there are too many people abusing the system sucking it dry that the average middle class family trying to make ends meet can't get assistance.

Claire · 02-01-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellytime

I just realized, I should mention that dh works for the government, so we do have very good benefits. I never realized how good until reading some posts on here, like the cost of medications and urgent care visits!! Holy moly!

* We have no co-pays, ever
* We don't pay for any ER visits or urgent care...all free
* Prescriptions are $3 - $9, I've never paid more.
* Dental is all covered, but for extra things we pay a percentage (like, I wanted porcelain fillings so they were considered 'cosmetic' so I paid a %)
* I'm "unassigned" so I can go to 5 different pediatricians if I want...(like, if one has flu shots available and another one does not etc...)
* I don't know how other plans work, but when I'm pregnant, we don't pay a cent. (Good thing, b/c my medical bills have been in the hundreds of thousands!!!

)

Aside from medical, dh gets the GI bill and early retirement with *excellent* retirement pay and benefits.

Sorry, just plugging the good benefits of government work! I do tend to forget it's not this way elsewhere. Although, large corporations are pretty good at taking care of employees aren't they? The insurance brokerage I worked for had excellent benes. Maybe things have changed.

Ok, I gotta ask: is your husband in the military or working for the government? Because my dh works for the government (civil service for DOD) and we chose the WRONG health care option if those are your benefits and your husband is civil service!!!

It sounds like your husband is in the military not a civil servant. There is a huge difference in benefits. I am certainly not complaining though as we have great benefits, too, but not as inexpensive as the military benefits.

Oh, and I agree with Kim and aliadam. I would not want to be seriously ill in Canada. There system is inadequate as far as competency of care. And this is from someone who had a nightmare experience in the U.S.!! I would risk any type of medical procedure here over one in Canada any day! If you had a simple illness, that is one thing, but I would not want to grow old in Canada under their healthcare system. JMO (Nothing against all the nice Canadians I know!)

treehugger · 02-01-2007, 03:10 PM

I'm not at all in favor of univeral health care like that of Canada. I have family members and friends there it is not comparable to ours at all. That said, something does have to be done about health care costs and find a way to allow people with no insurance to have something.

It's the insurance industry that is the problem. They, themselves, are what is driving the problem. They are overcharging plain and simple. And if fingers need to be pointed, I think there should be some changes in pricing from the drug companies as well. If these industries had more price regulations on them, maybe the the companies would be able to cover insurance cost for their employees like they used to. It's not that the companies don't want to, but they would go out of business if they tried to fit it into their budgets. My dh works for a doctor, they are not even getting the money they used to. It is a vicious cycle and they only way to stop it, is right at the insurance company's door.

kellytime · 02-01-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire

Ok, I gotta ask: is your husband in the military or working for the government? Because my dh works for the government (civil service for DOD) and we chose the WRONG health care option if those are your benefits and your husband is civil service!!!

It sounds like your husband is in the military not a civil servant. There is a huge difference in benefits. I am certainly not complaining though as we have great benefits, too, but not as inexpensive as the military benefits.

He's a civil/environmental engineer employed through the Public Health Service (under the surgeon general - Corps of Engineers) -- it's a branch that many forget about b/c it's not army, navy, air force or marines. But he is considered active duty and wears his uniform daily. To be honest, it's all very confusing to me and I never know how to describe his job. But I have always complained about our healthcare (TriCare/TriWest) in the past, but am now realizing it's pretty good.)

Kathryn · 02-01-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire

I would not want to be seriously ill in Canada. There system is inadequate as far as competency of care.

I think there must be a misunderstanding about our health care system here in Canada. If you are seriously ill, you go to the top of the line and your care is fantastic. It's the elective surgeries where there are huge (and inappropriate) wait times. My Dad needs knee surgery and has a 13 month wait list to get it. But when he needed his appendix out, he had surgery within hours of arriving at the hospital.