I’m probably crazy for doing this but there have been several more comments posted on the healthcare debate blog and they are good ones—check them out. Guess that is one way of increasing the number of comments you get!
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This whole discussion is very informative!..I see another exciting day in your future Janna!..besides, blogville has been so quiet lately..we all could do with a little 'debate'!!
ReplyDeleteIf politicians tapped in to these types of ground roots discussions, they could learn a thing or two. Well done Jana! It was (and will continue) to be an interesting debate.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find appalling - as the outside observer on this issue - is that the Republicans have stifled every attempt by Obama to create a better system. It's a typical 'WE' / 'THEY' political battle. From everything I have read and seen in the news, the Republicans are not bringing anything new or better to the table. That said, it's doubtful that your health care system will see any improvements in the near future. That is sad.
What is good though is that the health insurance company shareholders and executives are reaping healthy profits. I guess if they spend their cash in your local businesses, it creates jobs. So, maybe it's best to not challenge change. I still really feel for those 30+ million Americans who are without health care.
FYI: Parked next to an American RVer last winter, she clearly stated that she could not afford health care and had simply accepted to live and die without any medical intervention. Let the chips fall where they may. It was her only choice (at least in her mind). I guess it really is about survival of the fittest!
Rene, what is wrong with you? Republicans not bringing anything new to the table? Where are you getting your info? And in your statement yesterday: your system is centuries ahead. I don't think so.Maybe we should all pack up and come up there. Yeah right!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS JANNA
MARY ANN ROSSITER- LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Mary Ann........ Why don't you enlighten us about what 'new things' the Republicans are bringing to the table? I'm sure everyone would just love to hear those specifics!
DeleteRene said it best:
ReplyDeleteWhat I find appalling - as the outside observer on this issue - is that the Republicans have stifled every attempt by Obama to create a better system. It's a typical 'WE' / 'THEY' political battle. From everything I have read and seen in the news, the Republicans are not bringing anything new or better to the table. That said, it's doubtful that your health care system will see any improvements in the near future. That is sad.
Not only are “Republicans not bringing anything new or better to the table”, neither did any of the commenter’s who oppose Obamacare – just complaints, but no ideas or solutions. I’m still waiting for someone to say what should be done to allow every American to enjoy truly affordable, comprehensive universal health care.
Complaining is easy, that’s what Republicans are doing. Solutions require thought, work and compromise, not simply complaints about someone else’s efforts to at least begin to find a solution.
Janna, thank you so much for opening up your comments. Why do these Canadians think their health care is so great? I have met several snowbirds from there and they are not so happy. They buy all they can down here because we have much better deals. Not being mean, just saying. Julie Johns-- Tampa, Florida
ReplyDeleteI guess the better question is "why are so many Americans unhappy with their current health care system?"
DeleteThe Canadian system is settled and has been in operation for over 50 years now and has the support of over 90% of Canadians when compared to alternatives. We do think it's a great system - not perfect, but certainly better than the alternatives we've seen elsewhere.
Ok, I think we're getting it here here in the States from Mr. RICK. He's a one-sided, Obama Boy. Gee, I hope noone else even responds to him. Everyone should understand where he,s coming from now.
ReplyDeleteRobert Byrd, Columbus, Ohio
RICK, You have to be happy with your health care system. You don't have a choice.
ReplyDeleteJames Long. Yucca Valley, Ca.
I can't believe I am going to defend Rick, but you are wrong he does have a choice. If he has to much money or doesn't want to deal with the Canadian system he can always jump across the border, just an hour and a half ferry ride for him, and pay some doctor in the USA to do what he can get done for free back home. He is right about another thing, Universal Health Care was not an easy sell in Canada back when it began either. There was a lot of handwringing and predictions of doom and in places it almost began a revolution but a compromise was reached and all in all the system is doing OK. Perfect, no, but better than the alternatives I guess.
DeleteGee, golly, JB. I knew deep down in your true blue Alberta right-wing heart that you had a soft spot for us left-coasters!
DeleteName calling doesn't bother me at all, guys - not a whit!
ReplyDeleteBUT, where are your ideas and solutions? You seem completely bereft of any. Isn't that the real question you are avoiding by disguising it with personal attacks?
Instead, lets hear some ideas? Some solutions?
Janna, this is a question for you. Have you had problems with your Medicare for your husband?
ReplyDeleteWe have had wonderful results. They pay all but 20% which we have a 2ndgood ins for this which costs us very little. Our neighbors, a young family, the husband got laid off and the state put all of them on free ins (5 of them ) until he gets back to work. No time limit. So I am wondering about whats wrong wirh our system? Most of us just wants to keep it. Too many are not going to be able to purchase OBama care and then they will be taxed and it is not a small figure.
Larry Morton, Dayton, Ohio
JB. Glad to hear from you. I'm happy you do have a choice. By the way, wanted to tell you, you were the only one on the Canada side yesterday that made any sense. We need more like you to visit us in the States.
ReplyDeleteI so wish OBama care was the answer,but its not. We will lose our advantage plan with it,and this was not mentioned. So much Rick doesn't understand. Thanks again for your concern.
James Long, Yucca Valley, Ca.
Janna, I'm not one to comment, but on yesterdays comments, does Rick think we should take up our guns and have a revolution ? I guess I'm a little taken aback by his statement ---we're getting what we deserve. Noone has it any better than we do in the good old USA. I'm quite happy with our health care. I just want to keep it.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Carson. Camp Verde, Az.
How in the world did you get to 'guns and revolution'? That is the LAST thing I'd EVER consider or recommend. Good grief!
DeleteWhen voters in a free democratic society make choices, then by majority vote they achieve the results they want and deserve. The existing healthcare situation in the U.S. is the result of decisions made by elected representatives of the people. If, however, those same voters are not happy with any current situation (i.e. healthcare) then they will most likely elect different representatives to ensure they get the new results they want and deserve.
All of us, in the U.S. and Canada, end up getting what we voted for most times and what we deserve as a result of those choices. In Canada, we deserve to have Stephen Harper as our Prime Minister because the majority wanted and elected him. I could complain "I don't deserve this" because I don't agree with anything he stand for but in fact as just one voter in a democracy, I have to accept the fact that I am deserving of the results of a free election.
That, folks, is all I meant by that statement so let's not get too carried away by a call to arms.
This is for Rene, the lady you talked to that needs health ins. would be helped if she really needed it. Theres all kinds of free programs &tests. I think she was poor-mouthing you.
ReplyDeleteJane Cook, Monticello, Arkansas
JB. With all due respect, thats not a choice. Like he's going to pay out of his pocket.
ReplyDeleteRay Vaughn Mesa, Az.
I beg to differ, I know many Canadians who do opt to pay out of their pocket. That is a choice they make determined solely on their own given their own personal circumstances.
DeleteI happen to know one Canadian who did just that for his wife winter before last when she needed a MRI on her knee!
DeleteComing from a journalistic background, I chose to read the entire 'Obamacare' program - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 - and from the comments expressed by many of you, above and in previous blogs by Jana, you really need to read it to understand it. Fluff and bluff comments - that have permeated this exercise - are proof that without knowledge, its impossible to achieve positive results. Your economy is living proof. Obamacare is a far from perfect plan but it sure has some mighty fine points....and yes, it has its faults....clearly due to a difficult Republican majority in the house who could not accept a pretty decent plan. Obama had to compromise....and a lot too. That is the evidence of all proceedings on this file .....and not some puffery.
ReplyDeleteJB's point on Canadian Health Care is so well stated; tough decisions required tough politicians, from differing political stripes, to work together for the common good of the people they served. That is how we achieved a reasonably good health care system. We have all stated - repeatedly, I might add - that although not a perfect system, it is pretty darned good. Most democratic countries around the world applaud our system.
The point I have been trying to make (and others too) on this subject is that your two party system is failing to serve Americans' best interests. Working together can - such as the great state of Massachusetts did with its health care reforms - actually achieve a reasonable (although not perfect) compromise. Federally though the greatest point to be made is that clearly, your government and especially Republicans (sad to say) are happier feuding between the two party system than working for you. It's WE/THEY and not US! That is why you need to give your politicians a serious kick in the you know what!
Finally, we are not in any way affected by the decisions you make with regard to your health care system. It's your choice. We simply joined in with intelligent offerings. It is always a fun exercise to study something and debate it and, for that, I thank Jana for bringing it forward.
Knowledge is power!
Once again, well said Rene. Although I was just a kid at the time I am thinking that it was our NDP, who by the way I have never supported, that actually fathered and finagled the government into adopting our Universal Health Care Insurance Plan.
DeleteGotta give them credit as, until recently, they have always been the third or fourth party in our political system they have managed to leverage their votes to drive some legislation over the years, some good and some not so good. Remembering always that this my opinion only.
That said I am always honoured to be allowed to visit our neighbours to the south and love the way the community I winter in has adopted us Northerners, but I am always sure to carry my own insurance to cover healthcare emergencies.
Rene you do realize that universal health care in Mass. was instituted under and signed into law by a Republican governor, right? It was 2006 when it was signed by then Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney!
DeleteSure would be surprising if he didn't know that, Romney has trumpeted it to the heavens even up here in the Frozen North. Wonder if he will do the same as president, if he makes the grade.
DeleteThis sure has been an interesting conversation and I have to confess I learned a lot, but mostly about human nature not healthcare.
JB, yes it was the left leaning Canadian NDP (New Democratic Party) that initiated and worked oh so hard to bring all political parties to the table, with a view to compromise and work on a positive solution. It happened, it worked and it has been fine tuned ever since.
ReplyDeleteThat is not what is happening in the USA on their health care file. It is kind of sad really because at the very least, the new reforms - warts and all - could have been a good start to mediating a reasonably good plan for all. Politicians enjoy dividing and conquering to fulfill their selfish needs.
We enjoy our numerous American friends and we enjoy visiting and contributing to their economy. I guess I am a tiny bit American (or was) because my maternal grandmother was American. I have many cousins who have lived their entire lives in Massachusetts,Rhode Island, Florida, Washington State and North Dakota. We have visited and continue to keep in touch. I also studied in Canada and the USA. I completed one degree in the USA - specifically in journalism. Private conversations with my US college colleagues differs little from my own. They are informed and we seldom disagree when we debate US issues.
It's a topic that concerns everyone, but especially those who can't afford health insurance, and Lord knows the country is broke enough that it can't cover everyone. I wish I had a good solution.
ReplyDeleteI think this kind of discussion is valuable, thank you for letting it continue. We also spend a great deal of time in the USA and are always amazed on how little many Americans know about other countries systems, or even their own for that matter as has been demonstrated in some of the comments.
ReplyDeleteWhen the "Canadian System" was first introduced here by the NDP's Tommy Douglas "The Father Of Medicare", doctors threatened to strike or to leave the country. Maybe some did but the vast majority did not. In any case the medical industry did their best to halt it but failed. We do not see American doctors threatening to leave their country as a result of "Obamacare", perhaps because as was pointed out, there are few, if any, countries left that do not have Universal Health Care.
We spend six months in our house in Canada, two or three months RVing in the USA and three or four RVing in mainland Mexico every year. We have done this for several years and have talked to hundreds of people about their respective systems. I feel we have a pretty good understanding of each.
The Canadian system was actually used as a model by Hillary Clinton when she was trying to help develop a system for her own country, a friend of ours was involved with her efforts.
We have both used our Canadian medical system and are very happy with it. We have needed specialists only four times in our lives, a kidney specialist and orthopedic surgeon for me and a dermatologist (skin cancer) and orthopedic surgeon for Norma. These specialists were available immediately and we were very happy with the results in each case. We did not have to pay a nickle towards our care. For us, our system has been "perfect".
We are sure glad that we live in Canada and don't have to deal with the impossible political situation in the U.S. We don't have to deal with it, but we sure read what's going on across the border. The main problem with Republicans is, and they have stated that themselves, that they will use EVERY possible way to get OBAMA out of office. And that exactly is the reason why they have blocked any attempt of creating a Universal Healthcare system. It is also the reason why they always accuse Obama not being able to LEAD and get things done. If I am in a job and a jealous supervisor blocks any decision I make -- how much can I achieve?
ReplyDeleteMRI's are they not paid for in Canada?
ReplyDeleteGeorge Parker Illinois
Yes, MRI's are paid for in Canada but as I understand it, the wait time can be long. JB and his wife chose to have the MRI down in Arizona and paid for it out of pocket.
DeleteJanna is correct we had an MRI done on my wifes knee while we were in Texas, paid for it out of pocket. As it turned out we still used the appointment she had in Canada for the paid for MRI for her other knee. As Canadians we have a choice we can either work in the system, which is free, or if we want to accelerate the process we can have it done privately. As it turns out Brenda's was done in San Antonio but I also chose to have one of my knees looked at back here in Canada and the cost was about the same, although the wait time was twice as long. Hers in San Antonio took 8 hours to get done and mine here took 2 days.
DeleteJust for the record if I was allowed to vote south of the Medicine Line, and that name has no reference to the present day differences by the way, I probably would be hard pressed not to vote GOP. I certainly am a fiscal conservative, but just as certainly I have a liberal streak when it comes to the social safety net.
MRI's are paid for in Canada. As for wait times, it depends entirely on the situation. If it's an acute care problem then an MRI will be taken immediately. If an MRI is required as part of a medical checkup in a non-emergency or elective surgery situation then the MRI could be a couple of days.
DeletePersonally, I've had MRI's and so have members of my family and we've never experienced waits of more than a few days.
JB. You are such a smart man. GOP thats right and I believe we will have a safety net with them. I have no problem with our medicare now, but it has to be saved for the future.
ReplyDeleteTany
I live in Az & we never have to wait for MRI'S or other tests, so where did this come from.
ReplyDeleteLiz -- Tucson, Az
I'm only commenting, because I do not understand how the an got elected to be
ReplyDeletepresident of the United States of America... There are several explanations of the OBAMACARE BILL on the net, by educated, intelligent people who HAVE READ THE WHOLE BILL and, people it isn't just about HEALTHCARE; IT HAS PARTS THAT TAKE AWAY OUR CONSTITUTIONALLY GIVEN RIGHTS!!! THAT IS WHY MS PELOSI DROVE IT THROUGH TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW BY BARRY HUSSEIN OBAMA, WHO IS TAKING OVER WITHOUT ANYBODY STOPPING HIM!!! NOTICE HIS NAME IS THE SAME AS THE IRANIAN THEY JUST HUNG!!!