My daughter and her bfriend think that they want to move to Canada...they are sick of all the societal matters here or whatever. They are considering Vancouver.....I am worried. NEed input from any and all who are here that live in Canada to learn the ins and out ...what it takes to be a citizen, crime, ect. Not certain how I feel about this or if they are just going through a "phase".
jode
p.s. you may IM me if you prefer
Vancouver Canada and Melbourne Australia share the title of 'most livable city in the world'. I'm an ex-pat Canadian living in Melbourne and I'm from Toronto. If I were to move back to Canada I would move to Vancouver in a heart beat. It is beautiful, fresh, has a great public transit system and schools and universities. The Canadian health system is very good as are the welfare and pension systems. My husband emigrated to Canada from Australia when we were first married. He loved Canada but because we lived in Toronto he wasn't too thrilled about the snow.This helps so much! Thankyou for your input!
Jode
I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and love it here. Well other then our winters but hey can't have it all. lol. Vancouver is beautiful. Would not really want to live in any other country. Proud to be Canadian. I'm surprized to read something positive about Canada's healthcare. Living by the Canadian border, we hear the exact opposite from people who come from Cananda to the States so they can get addequet medical care. They don't like Canada's socialized system, leaves many out in the cold.I'm from Canada as well...and feel exactly as you do Sarah. There's no where else I'd rather live. Ok, maybe someplace south during the winter
I've never had any problems at all with our health care. I never have to worry about the cost of anything to do with my health care....that to me is great! I don't think there is one bad thing I can say about our healthcare...that I've experienced anyway. No hospital bills....no doctor bills. All of my meds cost exactly 4.00...nothing more. Yeah..I'm happy with my healthcare and proud to be a Canadian!
Hello,Well, I am ready for change. Too many people are slipping through the cracks with the current system, and health insurance companies have gained far too much control over our lives and our economy. Something has to be done. We are a nation of brilliant minds and enormous resources, and it's about time we focus them on our own people.
Our healthcare system is broken, and we need to fix it. I for one believe if we can unite in a common goal we can achieve it, but unfortunately partisanship and greed are driving forces in our government today - and that goes for both parties.
I agree that there needs to be a change so that everyone can get healthcare. I just don't believe that socialized medicine is the way to go. I think that the quality of our healthcare will suffer dramatically if we put it in the hands of government. Look what's becoming of social security. And I don't think a bad war means socialized medicine is good. It's apples and oranges. If we go social it's the regular people and the poor that will suffer.It's ALREADY the regular and the poor people who suffer. Perhaps we'll just suffer less if we change things.
Why would you change to a system that won't work???
Why don't you hear people from Canada who say that it does work? These are real people, living with chronic illness, people you can talk to every day and who can answer your questions honestly.
No system is going to be perfect, we all know that. But listen to our friends here from the UK and Austrailia, New Zealand and Canada, and try to keep an open mind. There is so much we can learn from their systems, and ours can be refined and tweaked to address problems they have encountered - if we work together and keep open minds. Using buzz words like "socialized" to scare people is unproductive and short sighted. Fire departments, police departments and even our military are "socialized programs" -- they are provided by our government universally for us as US citizens, using our tax dollars.
I don't think we can have a program run entirely by our government. As Americans we will still want the right to purchase individual policies which suit our specific needs and income levels. But there needs to health care available to all of us, not just those with six figure or more incomes.
Ya know what karen...come to Mi. You'll hear Canadians talking about healthcare. You'll hear about long waits, you'll hear about poorer quality, you'll hear about incredible taxation. You'll hear about heart patients dying while waiting on years long waiting lists for surgery.
Do you seriously believe that they get free healthcare??? Where do you think the money comes from? You really think it's a good idea for the governmet to force those who are already stuggling to pay for your healthcare? Do a little research into how socialized medicine is working out in France or Sweden. Read something other than the Liberal Times. Read about real people's experiences instead of what Hillary wants you to think.
I honestly don't know how you took what I said and turned it into that interpretation.
I would bet that there are more Canadians happy with their healthcare than not. I know of noone who has a bad thing to say about our healthcare. I've never had a long wait for anything. I've always had top notch care from any doctor I've seen. And in my 45 years I've seen plenty. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I sure as heck wouldn't trade what we have here for the healthcare in the US.
Sure it costs to have the healthcare we have...our taxes are high, but I wouldn't have it any other way. This is all I've known and to be honest I never really thought about healthcare in other parts of the world. But after reading how so many ppl can not afford their meds because they have no insurance...or other problems they have even with having insurance, I just was shocked that that could happen. I can't imagine how it feels to know you are ill or you need to have surgery and worrying about how you will pay the bills when it's done. I'm sure there are so many who just put things off because they simply can't afford to do anything about it. That doesn't happen here. For that, I'm am thankful.
What interpretation? I think you said that I should listen to waht people are saying, and I told you what I hear.
Socialization is the word used because that's the correct word to describe a system where the government supports it's people. If it's scary, it's because it is a scary thing.
I do agree (as I said before) that our system needs some changes. I think it's a good thing to want for all to have medical care they need. I don't think socialization is the answer. Geez, look at how the government runs the military hospitals. Do you really trust them with the whole bag.
Karen, sorry I got a bit snotty, didn't mean anything personal by it. I get feisty over this issue. Should tone myself down some. Hope ther's no hard feelings.
We don't know how well a system will run that we've *NEVER* tried.Still, I'm not saying our current system is not in need of improvement. Their are other ways to change it that would make it more affordable without forcing everyone to be dependant on the government. In the UK, those who can afford private insurance go that way along with their tax money paying for the masses. Why? If socialized healthcare is so great, why do the rich go elsewhere?
Australia is also going at least in part, private. Their government cannot afford to fill the hospital rooms so they sit empty. They are practically begging private companies to fund them. Why???
In Canada you might do well if you live in the city and you have strep throat, but why do women wait months for a breast cancer biopsy, or wind up waiting longer to receive radiation treatment when finally dx'd? Heart patients die while waiting for their surgery? And that's all documented.
We have better technology, better diagnostics, we are a, or maybe the, leader in research and development. Should we hand that over to government, with it's red tape and bumbling of just about everything they touch?
I don't want to depend on them, or anyone. Not for food or housing or healthcare. I certainly don't want to be forced into it. Sure, make it easier for me to afford healthcare on my own. I'm for that.
medicade
IS A JOKE.
Ok, so medicade is a joke. And people want to hand our ENTIRE healthcare over to a government that can't run one small part of it? That just seems crazy to me.Well do you have a better idea?A better idea than putting in charge the very people that prove they can't do it? Do you have a worse idea?Worse idea - leaving things the way they are and watching thousands - no, MILLIONS more children, mothers, young adults and elderly die unnessicarily because they can't afford healthcare.
Well, I don't think I said that. In fact I'm sure I didn't. Do you think that the only possible way for heathcare in the US to be improved is socialization? If so, why? What other options have you considered and where do they break down? That's what I was asking YOU. What's a better idea? I'd love to hear of one!Well you can start by allowing small businesses to band together in order to get better group rates like large companies do. Maybe even neighborhoods or social groups could do the same. That would also make insurance companies offer more competitve programs. Then lower wage earners can get insurance too. You can put a cap on frivilous lawsuits so that doctors don't have to spend billions on medical malpractice insurance. That way they can reduce their fees, making it more affordable for everyone. How about illegal aliens are no longer allowed to bleed our system while putting nothing into it? How about if we remove the tax burden from hard working Americans placed there by people who just won't work (please note that I said wont, not cant) and are happy to be supported by people who do and are even stuggling as it is??Here here! I agree with that, that's for sure. Now where do we start?Ok, well first you have to elect me president.
I"m not sure what the answer is either but I do know that medicade and medicare does work for most who need it. It is not the poor or the rich who need the reform as much as it is for the middle incomers. They pay for it all! Too much income to qualify for help, and not enough income to pay the taxes, ins premiums, and deductibles!
Those were great ideas Linda! Wish we had some legislation that requires politicians to have common sense!
Hi all,I don't know where you got your information about the Australian govt not filling beds in hospitals. We have waiting lists for our public hospitals. They are funded by Medicare and EVERYONE is covered by Medicare and is entitled to free hospital and heavily rebated pathology and radiology. We pay a co-pay of about 25 for doctors visits unless we go to a bulk billing clinic where we pay nothing. All pensioners and aged pensioners are bulk billed where ever they go. For this we pay a 1.25% levy on our taxable income. Everybody pays it, when you do your tax return.
Those who chose to have private health cover and be treated in a private hospital pay around 0 a month and have a
There is also something called the Medicare Safety Net. You register as either a single person or a family. Once you, as a family have paid out of pocket about 00 in medical costs (doctors, visits,pathology,radiology) you then get over 90% of your bills paid when you get a doctors bill or pathology bill. I paid 0 to a specialist the other day and when I claimed it back today I got .50 back.
Our pharmaceuticals are also heavily subsidised by the government. Except for a very few prescriptions that are not on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) All scripts cost .00. Sometimes less for really simple common stuff. Again all pensioners and aged pensioners get their scripts for .70. Again there is a safety net, once you have paid about 00 out of pocket for your prescriptions in the year you then get all further prescriptions for .70. Once those on pensions have purchased about 30 prescriptions in the calendar year then the rest are free for the rest of the year.
These safety nets are a lifesaver for people with chronic illnesses.
When you do your tax each year you can claim back 20% of all out of pocket costs over 00. This includes dental, optical, physio as well. So if you have reached both of your safety nets you are already at about 00 then if you have physio bills and have been to the dentist. You can claim 20% of all that back.
The Insurance companies are all regulated by the govt and rate rises are held down to as close to the CPI as possible. You can take your insurance with you whereever you go because it is not an employer benefit, you are covered where ever you live in the country by the same insurance. Health care all over the country is the same cost and all covered by Medicare. If you get sick on holiday in another state just show up at the hospital or a clinic and walk away cost free.
I'll take this any day over the US system. I only hope that someone, soon does something for health care in the States.
it is election time in US but don't hear anything substantial for Health Care for the country from the politicians, however, I don't keep up on their policies much other than their views on WAR....in Iraq, billions and billions spent on defense budget with no outcry from people.Pammy, I heard on our news that there are empty beds in some of your major hospitals (they were named but I can't remember) because tax dollars could not support filling them. So either the government or the hospitals themselves were kind of trying to "sell" them to private healthcare so that they would not be wasted, left sitting there empty.
No one here is left without critical care, by law a person has to be treated regardless of their ability to pay. However, you can't get treatment for say, a bad back if you can't pay or are uninsured because it isn't life threatening. We do have free health clinics for those who can prove they are indigent and have no health coverage though. And still prescription meds are a problem. There are also private benevolent organizations to help those in need. But their are long lines and probably not the same quality medical care for those people.
I think I'm coming off sounding like I am a champion of US healthcare. I understand that their are a lot of people who fall through the cracks. I have family members who have had to forgo some treatment because of the problems in our system. A person would have to be blind and stupid (I'm neither
Your system reminds me of our educational system. If you don't like your public school and you can afford it, you can opt for private school. You still have to pay taxes for public, but private is an option. So what happens is that wealthier folks often receive a better education than poor people. Fair? Hardly. But it is what it is.
PS..please don't anybody think that I am slamming public school teachers. I am only making a comparison in the two systems.
That one is easy....just change the name to Boogyman Healthcare.
Some of our public schools have a higher rate of year 12 scores than the private schools. Private schools are filled with International students from Asia. My kids went to Private Schools but that is very acceptable here. In Victoria the rate of students in the Private system is approximately 35-40%.
Our free clinics are not just for indigents or those without Insurance they are for everyone from the Prime Minister to the homeless and both would get the same level of care whether they showed up with an ingrown toenail or a heart attack. No one has to 'prove' they are so poor they can't afford anything just to get health care.
It may be a 2 tier system but everyone gets care and no one has to worry about whether or not they can afford it. It's got to be a better system and if you want to call it socialism then so be it but social welfare that is run by the government is the mark of a developed country. The US is a developed country, but the government needs to accept its responsibility for the care of its ciizens and part of that is providing affordable health care for everyone.
Well Pammy, the US historically believes in less government. That individuals know best how they want to live, spend, work, worship, raise their families and so on. And when allowed to do that, society thrives. I don't want to be supported by the government. I certainly don't want to be forced into it. The state I live in is a welfare state. We have generations of families who are totally supported by our state government. Why? Because they can. Michigan is a dying state. People are leaving in droves because their is little opportunity here. Busineses are leaving or setting up shop elsewhere because taxes are so high.
If socialized medicine really is equal for all in Austrailia, why do some opt for private? Just so they can have wine with dinner should they ever need to be hospitalized? And you're saying that little comforts like that are really the only reason someone would choose to pay for private above what they already pay for in taxes?
I agree, MI is a dying state. I consider hubby and I to be middle class, I make about ,000 a year, BEFORE taxes of roughly 30%. Hubby works for himself and his profits are probably about the same as mine.
Michele, thats exactly my point! Mi or NC, somethings got to be done to give the middle class relief! Gross income looks good on paper to the Gov. Net pay, after all the deductions is close to poverty level. The middle class pays for it all. Add in all the middle class jobs we have lost to third world countries and it becomes a viscious circle!
This is what I would do....offer the same gov't insurance that all of our federally elected officials get at a fee. I would not alow anyone to be turned down, and I would still allow anyone who wanted to have a private insurance comapny like blue cross/blue shield to have them. Its exactly the same plan the John Kerry proposed during his presidential run. We would need to charge a small tax on everyone and small co-pays on doctor visits and perscriptions but imagine that if every unisured person payed into the system and half of those people routinly made visits to the doctor there would still be money left overSmall taxes and co-payments? Small to who? Certainly small to mulit million (or is it billion?) aire John Kerry. So then, I could take my hard earned dollars and put it into a pot (in which there would be left-overs ) and still pay co-payments and have to get private insurance (if I could afford it)? Hmmm......I don't like it.
I am surprised at all the skepticism about Canadian healthcare. I think our system is great. I love all my doctors, have never experienced some of the rudeness others have complained about, have never waited too long for something needed, and have never felt I am getting inadequate care. If it's important, it's bumped up. I waited 4 weeks for my MRI, not 6 months like the press will big up. Thats just ridiculous. And if it was urgent I am sure I would have gotten in sooner. I don't pay for anything so I don't worry about not being able to afford to get the help I need. And when people say why are rich people going elsewhere, I think thats just a case of them wanting something different than what everyone else is having. You know what i mean? They have the choice to want "better". There is always better out there. But I have absolutly NO COMPLAINTS whatsoever about Canadian healthcare, I can't imagine anyone seeing otherwise unless they have never experienced it this way then they don't understand that something could really, possibly be "that" easy. They think there must be a downfall, but really I have never seen one if there is. But I hear a lot of problems with the US healthcare apart from having to pay like rudeness, no call backs, having to wait for appointments with your rheumie in a flare etc etc. I think like anything else it all depends on the professionalism of your doctors and I have always had amazing care. Have never waited longer then a couple hours for a call back or a couple days for appointment. If its important they ALWAYS make time. Thats my two cents anyways. Link what do you think Social security is?The Public hospitals are the place to be if you need major spinal, burn, trauma or thoracic surgery because they are the huge teaching/research hospitals. Many private hospitals do not have ER's, they are literally hotels with doctors and nurses.
Most of your private insurance goes to paying for the ancillary benefits such as physio, chiro, dental, optical, ambulance etc.
Like I said I don't have an answer but there has got to be a better way.
In Canada you can top up your public healthcare insurance with privateI am so glad that everyone here understands why my daughter and her bfriend are having thoughts of moving, I know they will move away from Michigan ( awful economy, taxes ect.) I so appreciate all th einput and information and conversation which I am sure has helped so many here. It amazes me how our health insurance or lack of has changed through the years. I fell through the cracks but manage through. It is what it is. My health has declined tremendously but I have to keep going, stopping is not an option, slowing down is. But then again I am 50. I worry for my children and their future but I would prefer my daughter to live in the states, however, Canada woudl be an absolute first option if they opted to go out of the country. * afterall , I have friends there! * (wink).
I do not like the fact that drug companies advertise on tv, it is like we are watching a futuristic movie in the 70's....yet it there are the ads. I don't liek the fact that Dr.'s have to pay immense malpractice insurance, it is not fare, I never sued a Dr. but yet everyone has to pay for those who did. I think unless it is GROSSLY negligence, they should not be able to be sued, afterall.....the patient went to them, or was referred and walked in the door ect.
I have to agree that I truly appreciate the healthcare in the U.S. WEll in Indiana and in Michigan because that is where I have recieved th ebulk of my care and all my DX. Prompt and caring service for all my family members as well as myself. I do not liek that fact because my daughter failed to read all the small print and wanted her own Dr. here in Portage that her Dr. visits were not covered cause she feels secure and trusts her DR. ( She always had the same Dr. all her life her Pediatrician who indulged and spoiled her immensly).
So what happenes when my daughter has a child......? It is so scary to me because she may not "know of" her physician. That is the yuck part I guess.
Regardless, she continues to decide and is considering Colorado as well. My sister's oldest son , Casey , lives there and I have already spoken to him and he would always keep a "big brother eye on her" and that is reassuring.
As for my healthcare....still waiting on SSI, news of, to prove that I have had RA forever.....the state and govt. just do not like to help those who are older and have been ill for so long I guess. Nobody ever said life or insurance was any fare!
Gona be gone for a bit to go see the new baby "Nya" and her big brother "Gabreon". My sis and mom were kind enough to pay for my ticket...I hate being so poor!
Jode
Lorster, it really is heartbreaking. I read some of the stories on this forum
Sometimes they're here legally and the salaries are low enough for them to qualify for Medicaid. The salary is low enough for Medicaid but compared to salaries in Mexico it's a lot of money, especially if you're from the some of the smaller villages or from Oxaca which is a very poor state. Medical treaters and technology are in the cities. Many areas of Mexico don't have a physician for 100s of miles. Nurses do a lot of the treating and dispensing in these more rural areas. Lindy
You could volunteer at any one of the clinics if you spoke Spanish. When I'm there I help out a Mexican nurse who delivers medical supplies and food to the mountain villages. We also do some medical treatment but I do it on a volunteer basis. My docs put a stop to that because of being on dmards and biologics. Lots of TB and other odd and odder diseases in those mountains. So now when I go back, I'll sort supplies and pack up boxes to be carted off. This particular nurse has opened a clinic, so I might help her there. Some Gringos can work as teachers but it's mostly teaching English and the yearly salary is about 100,000 pesos or 10,000 U.S. dollars and that's the high end. You could work for your husband's company in Mexico.
The weather is what prompted us to make the change. I can't stand the cold and we wanted our own little piece of paradise and we have it. Docs don't want me to go to Mexico because of the increase in Dengue Fever but I've decided I won't live my life in fear. I'm going for 5 weeks in April and then next October we'll be gone for 10 months. I'll just use a lot of Deet. It's really worth checking into. If you want to talk or want more info PM me. I'll point you in the right direction. Lindy.
If you want it, start planning now and it will happen. I'm a firm believer that we can manifest our own dreams. Lindy