{UAH} How is healthcare free in Canada, and why isn't it in the US?

Sumer Irvin

First of all (and I want you to listen closely) healthcare is not 'free' in Canada. No one in Canada has ever said it was free. I don't know why so many Americans keep saying 'free' when talking about the Canadian Health care system.

I an a Canadian, and I (like all other Canadians) pay into my provincial health plan. Some people get billed separately, some provinces collect the fees through their provincial taxes. I also have a supplemental (private) health plan that covers things that the government health plan doesn't cover.

I guess it must seem like it's free, because when I had to have 2 separate by-pass operations, an appendix, cataract surgery, treatment for polio, and currently diabetes, as well as my wife's knee replacement, we didn't have to pay anything to the hospital, and we weren't refused service because of pre-existing conditions. Also, our medications (my wife has asthma and I have heart disease and diabetes) cost us approximately $100.00/year). I believe that you would call that our co-pay.

On the average, our medical premiums are approximately $150.00/month - which mostly comes out of my pocket in the taxes I pay. I don't really see it, so I really don't miss it. I can see a Dr. (we have a family Doctor) whenever I need to, and any tests, etc. that he feels that I need are not paid by either myself or my wife.

Now that you have my background, I will offer my opinion, as to why healthcare is so expensive in the USA. You see in America, you don't have health care - you have health insurance, and believe it or not - insurance companies are in business to make a profit. The insurance industry sucks a lot of money (and I do mean a lot of money) out of people's pockets - because that is their business. The well-being of the people never enters their minds. It's all about returning dividends to their shareholders. Here in Canada, a Doctor never has to justify the treatment he feels that his patient needs and the government pays for those treatments - out of the money it collects in taxes. That's why NO Canadian will ever have to deal with a medical bankruptcy - because we don't get billed. Hope that answered your question.

PS: My insulin costs me nothing once my co-pay is reached. Pretty good - Eh?

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