If you have money or a good insurance policy the American system is far superior, if you're poor or don't have coverage you're fucked.

My mom was on a waiting list to get some scans done so instead of waiting she paid the money and had them done at a private clinic. Turns out she has cancer, waiting those extra six months might have been the difference. She could afford it I can understand a lot of people can't. I don't have a solution but as is the system in Canada is broken IMO.

it's obvious the universal health care system needs some restructuring but unless you're pulling in a figure that's in the top 20% of the income bracket in the canada our system is pretty darn good.

For those that are in the top 20% complaining, please go see health care providers across the border then.

Canada's system is decent in dealing with 'emergencies', but for everything else, it's lacklustre.

There has to be more focus on preventive care - proper nutrition, exercise, etc. People also abuse the system when they go to the emergency ward for little things - we need to somehow create disincentives for this behaviour.

But, on the other hand, it's hard to get a family doctor these days. Family practice is not very desirable when you can take your med school degree and open up your own plastic surgery clinic, see as many patients as you want, and bill at your own rates. How can a publically-funded system keep doctors happy? I don't know...

x2

The American system is better and worse in many ways, yet the biggest difference is: choice.

If you have money and want better care, you can get it. This is what Brock is complaining about, I'm sure if Canada had an equivalent of the Mayo clinic he would've gone there.

Some will argue that people shouldn't be allowed to jump the queues by paying extra for better care. I won't disagree, that is a moral dilemma. Yet consider how much money the Canadian system would have if they allowed people to pay for treatments they want. This money could be used to fund better research and buy better equipment, improving the system for everyone.

Australia charges a fee. If you're found to be truly sick, the fee is refunded, otherwise they keep it.

This keeps the whiners and complainers out of the ER and into clinics instead.

No its not.

There's a list of doctors accepting new patients, just call one of them.

Do you think all that is actually cheaper in Canada? No, but it is subsidized by the government. Obviously you're not going to get any discount if you drop in to any American hospital with no insurance.

Also, as an example, if you go to a Canadian hospital with a headache, they'll give you Apsirin and have you on your way. In the states, you will probably get scheduled for an MRI that day or sometime within the week.

i love brock lesnar

:( poor him

Uh... Choice? Are you fucking retarded? You have a choice. If you feel that care you've been getting in Canada is inferior you can ALWAYS get a second opinion. Hell, you can even get it in the US.

I've personally received care in the US, Canada and a real deal third world country. The care I've received in Canada is by far superior.

Brock Lesnar has no clue what a third world country health care is like.

LOL. Amusing. Dude you have no clue wtf you're talking about. Canadian health care is funded publicly sure. Do you know what that means? It means that even IF canadian health care made money it goes back in to health care.

No doctor in their right mind would order an MRI for a headache. Not with other symptoms that suggests a more significant health issue. You could ask for one sure. But do you have any idea what an MRI would cost? Yeah that right you're CLUELESS.

The biggest flaw of the canadian health care system is that it lacks the drive for efficiency versus a for profit health care system. The biggest flaw of for profit health care system? Where the hell do you think they get their profits from? That's right YOU.

So think it through before you post a reply that conveys a retarded monkey is behind the keyboard.

You're retarded if you consider having to travel to another country a "choice".

A second opinion does not get me into surgery faster, or better equipment or doctors.

Way to miss the entire point dumbass :thumbsup:

Dude I think you're the one missing the holistic view in this health care debate.

You don't get surgery faster? A life threatening condition that requires surgical intervention goes in to surgery right away. You don't wait for days as many people would suggest. (again it goes to show how clueless you are). If you've got a burst appendix you go in to emergency surgery. If you arrive via ambulance with a massive heart attack. You dont wait in line... You get a quick set of blood work done and you go in to surgery. Angioplasty or even open heart surgery. I could go on and on with different scenarios.

So don't complain when you're not seen within 20 minutes when you come in to emerg with a bo-bo or the sniffles. They've got bigger fish to fry.

But alas i feel like an even bigger retard for trying to explain complex health care management to a moron.

Will you guys stop calling each other retarded? State your opinions without that name calling shit. Can we not carry on an exchange of thoughts and ideas in a civilized manner? We all have opinions and should respect each other.

Having siad that.......... it's all good. I enjoy the bantering. Carry on............

You should feel like a big retard. You're still missing the point and deflecting with different arguments to try and make yours.

Answer the question: if I wanted better and faster care, can I buy it in Canada?

Stop deflecting, it only makes you look like a retard.

---

As for your holistic view:

I've had my appendix act up before, and my doctor recommended next time I visit the ER and have it removed. I woke up one night later in severe pain and my roommate drove me to the hospital.

I waited 6 hours in the ER to see a doctor.
- I was doubled over on the floor in horrific pain puking into a bucket. Still, I waited.
- I informed the nurse on duty that it was my appendix as it was the same symptoms. Still, I waited.
- In that 6 hours not once did any nurse or doctor check in on me despite my obvious condition. Still, I waited.
- 6 people were seen before me, ranging in symptoms from the flu to a sprained ankle. Still, I waited.
- I didn't go into surgery till 12 hours later. Still, I waited, at least now with drugs to numb the pain.

Don't you dare fucking lecture me about how well our system works. I've used it, its broken, it sucks. That day I would've gladly paid the $3K deductible on a private premium to see a doctor faster and ahead of the 6 other patients in far less pain than I was.

My sisters work as nurses, and have worked in Montreal, Vancouver, Albuquerque and Philadelphia. If you'd like some real opinions of the system first hand from nurses with inside information, I'll gladly get you some.

Until then keep taking out your ass and making yourself look like a bigger retard. :thumbsup: Makes my job easier.

He seems more than willing to insult others, so I assume he can take it.

You are correct, there is no need for it and he should have never done it in the first place. What he gets in return is deserved.

I think the issue with Brock's commentary is multi-faceted:

1) He was in bumbfuck Manitoba, ended up in a shitty hospital that probably was no better than one in Mexico. He was in great pain, near death (his COLON was OPEN, and leaking FECAL MATTER into his body) and had to get the fuck out of there. So he was very emotional about that, and still very upset about it.

2) Obviously he's a devout right-winger, and mostly this was a rebuttal to the idea that universal health care is the way to go for America. Lefties will use Canada as an example of it being good, and Righties will use it as an example of the opposite. Both are right. Brock used this as an example of the fact that he might be living with a poop-bag attached to his ass for the rest of his life if private facilities didn't exist.

3) Brock is a constant performer. That is why he is such a big star. He knows what to say to get headlines. The fact that this is the hottest thread in the RS off topic forum tells you this. It's probably all over other non-MMA related forums as well. People who agree with him will love him, people will disagree will hate him. Either way, he makes money and becomes a bigger star for it, so all the power to him :thumbsup:

You've got sisters as nurses good for them. I work in cardiac surgery ICU spare me the "inside information" on health care.

You were in pain and you didn't ask for analgesia? I guess we should ensure the call bells are retard proof. Ill pass it along.

Oh awesome time line btw. 6 hours before you saw a doctor? Highly suspect. I know when you're in pain time slows to a halt but come on. Man up. Grow some balls and ask for analgesia.

Why does this seem to be a "Your Mileage May Vary" experience here in Canada? I've never had an issue.

Over the last 8 months I've spent more time in the hospital then I have for the last two and a half decades, all of it for elective reasons, and its all been ace.

My only medical emergency has been from a gash on my arm years ago and I was being stitched up within 15 minutes of entering the hospital. No "excessive wait times" or "blatant neglect". Where in the hell are some of these people getting their care? Uncle Joe's Medical House of Doctors?

People are too quick to attack a system that has been effective (as a whole) for us. Sure there are individual cases where problems occur but those aren't the norm.

I have contention with some big chimp pushing a Republican agenda who spent all of a few hours (at best) with the Canadian health care system and then comparing it to a "Third World" care system.
He lost credibility imo when he launched into the verbal cocksucking of the new Mass. senator Scott Brown, a new addition to the GOP's war on socialized health care.

At that point it was clear everything he was saying wasn't as much about the service of Canadian doctors as it was bashing the evil warlord Obama.

I have had no problems in the canadian health care system. I have gone into the hospital several times with minor problems like a dislocated shoulder sure I didnt get care right away, but i didnt end up paying anything for my treatment, nor did I wait 6 hours for treatment.
I have also gone into the hospital with major problems as well I ahve asthma and I had a severe attack one night and went to the hospital and got treatment as soon as I entered the door.
I can see the point where if people have the money they should be able to pay for private hospitals to have surgery done, but for most people this option is not viable. I have no problem if someone can pay for a surgery at a private clinic and get surgery faster than me. But if I choose to wait for surgery and have it covered I want to be able to do that.

I would be interested to know, those in favor of Canada going over to an American style system, how many of you have had personal experience with it?

I am amazed at how many people seem to think the Canadian system sucks, and yet have no personal experience with any other system in the world. No, “My friends says” or “My brother had” doesn’t count. If YOU have experience, the YOU can have an opinion. Otherwise, its second hand and hearsay, and not worth very much.

I have lived both in Canada and the states, having enough experience in both systems (broken bones, fingers crushed off and reattached, stitches, MRIs) to know that I would fight like crazy to keep the Canadian medical system. Certainly there are ways to improve it, but going to an American style privatized system is not the answer we are looking for.

As a side note, I have never had one of the fabled "long waits" when going to the hospital in Canada. I would say my longest wait was 45 minuets.

I have no idea who this guy is. I think the thread is the hottest thread on RS right now becuase of other things.

I'm sure he's a very nice guy.

Mopping the blood off the OR floor after surgery doesn't make you a know-it-all on healthcare issues douchebag.

It's OK. We understand you're upset people are attacking your place of employment, but no need to take it so damn personal.

4 years of post secondary education + 8 months intensive training. Im over qualified for the job you speak off. Don't worry I won't be coming for your job when I get axed.


Nice coming from a guy who wants MRI for headaches.

i dunno why ppl are failing the guy who said canada's healthcare system is crap, cause it is. I've never had a doctor actually examine me and see what's wrong with me - it's always just a bullshit answer for a quick fix that won't help me. My other friends' doctors do the same, except instead of bullshit answers, they give them bullshit pills.

Mis-diagnosis, huge waits and malfunctioning equipment and shitty doctors.

How is it like in Russia?

I heard some stories about the "wait" time in the hospitals in Canada. Terrible is the word to describe it. I've also heard some storeis about "no wait time" for serious cases. Awesome is the word to describe it.

I never had any experience with hospital in US and Canada, and I perfer I never had to deal with any of them either.

Stay healthy is the key, when shit is really out of control, you get what you deserve. (edited:: treatment)