I've been through the death of two close relatives through the Canadian medical system. In both cases the illnesses were complicated. In both cases my relatives were treated expertly, without concern for expense–or profit– but with dignity and the loving care that befits all of us. All this talk currently about reforming the U.S. Health Care system, without Single-Payer Health Insurance even on the table?!! Could it be the 4 health care company lobbyists for each Congressperson in Washington? We need to get organized around this. A good place to start is Physicians For A National Health Plan.
I recommend listening to Ian Masters interview with PHNP's Dr. David Himmelstein–on President Obama's failure to include the proven success of the single-payer health care model among the possible solutions being considered for national heathcare reform. Dr. Himmelstein is co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for a universal, single-payer national health program, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The author of numerous studies and books, he is recognized as a national leader in the movement for universal health care. Dr. Himmelstein's interview is second of three interviews on this episode of Background Briefing.
Get it?
Update 061609
From LA Times:
…The documents show, for instance, that one Blue Cross employee earned a perfect score of "5" for "exceptional performance" on an evaluation that noted the employee's role in dropping thousands of policyholders and avoiding nearly $10 million worth of medical care.
WellPoint's Blue Cross of California subsidiary and two other insurers saved more than $300 million in medical claims by canceling more than 20,000 sick policyholders over a five-year period, the House committee said.
Update 062709
From Rhonda Hackett of Castle Rock, a clinical psychologist. DenverPost.com, Debunking Canadian health care myths
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I fully live the dream of the Canadian System which I would never trade in. It has its drawbacks to be sure, very real drawbacks. Still American law makers discount the whole formula hat in hand based on those very drawbacks. Its costly, it's adminstration can get political etc. etc. They really have to see past that and recognize how many countries now understand social responsiblity as a corner stone of any national entity.
A common example used to further the cause of "socialized medicine" in the United States is to point out how well it is working in countries such as France and Canada. However, those living in Canada know full well that their government run health care program is most certainly not working. As a matter of fact, many Canadian citizens choose to hire high priced brokers to find them quality health care right here in the United States because of the terrible bureaucracy that controls all forms of health care in Canada. For more about what is really going on with the Canadian health care system please watch these short but very informative documentary videos:
http://www.freemarketcure.com/brainsurgery.php
http://www.freemarketcure.com/twowomen.php
http://www.freemarketcure.com/thelemon.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE-I0ombIEY&eurl=http://www.noinsuranceclub.com/blog.php&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiXT0P3edfs
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Mr. Tucker's comment is cut and paste from his own blog which can be found here.
It's true that my aunt had to wait a few months to get her hip replacement. On the other hand I saw both her and my father through very complex disease treatments that were no doubt very expensive. My Mother as well. She spent months in the hospital recovering from a stroke. She was then moved into a rehab facility where she received daily therapy for months. Money was never an issue! Never even mentioned. Removing the profit motive from health care creates an experience entirely different from what I've seen here in the States. Illness and dying are hard enough without having to worry about insurance companies looking for loopholes to get them out from paying.
Fully agree with the Shinigami. As a Canadian I agree our healthcare system can be frustrating and has drawbacks but I would NEVER trade it for a U.S. style system that appears punishing and cruel – too many Americans are one illness and/or accident away from bankruptcy. It seems that a lot of people equate universal healthcare with socialism and that's a bogey-man that is bandied about every time there is talk of changing the health system south of the border.
The main problem with healthcare is simple. Health Insurance should cover major health events, not doctor visits and smaller procedures. Just like car insurance covers major damage, not oil changes, tires, etc.