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In the U.S., the Affordable Care Act (ACA -- "Obamacare") substantially enhanced Medicaid with the goal of providing treatment for these things. I personally w

In the U.S., the Affordable Care Act (ACA -- "Obamacare") substantially enhanced Medicaid with the goal of providing treatment for these things. I personally witnessed it help to turn around the life of a "binge" addict of 20+ years. If her recovery lasts, it may prevent the "cycle of addiction" from being passed on to her two kids. Despite such successes, and the enormous need, the U.S. is at this moment on the course to reverse this improved treatment. I guess there's more money to be had in prisons. (We continue to transfer and expand our incarcerations into private, for-profit prisons.) As for Canada, I hope treatment is expanded. Pharmaceutical coverage. At least basic, health-based dental coverage (as opposed to cosmetic -- though for myself I've no objection to covering it, as well) . Both should be cost effective. A reliable supply of medicines means people don't unnecessarily worsen while going without. And every year, more studies demonstrate that dental health is a primary preventative measure against other, very expensive diseases, such as coronary artery disease. As with Medicaid in the U.S., it's not just "additional expense". It's a lower-cost preventative measure against greater costs down the line. Cost that in both countries gets passed onto the public. It's just that here, in the U.S., we have hospitals perform "cost spreading" of uncovered emergency care across the populations that have insurance. (There's been very little coverage of the dramatic decrease in hospitals' uncovered care/expenses since the ACA went into effect.)

52-6F-62 9y ago
I wholeheartedly agree. I think most people engaged in the subject would agree here [in Canada]. It's not completely destitute for mental health help. Ontario is improving coverage of pharmaceuticals for people under 25 and mental health is a growing concern. Dental care is a sore spot for myself. I really hope we can improve upon that as it can cause life threatening health problems. Beyond that having dental problems that a person can't afford to remedy can relegate a person to a lower class, especially in business. It's a crucial aspect of physical well being, and should absolutely be considered! It's reassuring every time I hear the idea corroborated. While some dentists I've known are very empathetic and try to play to any insurance restrictions, others are quite the opposite and try to take advantage to their decided maximum and decry the idea of publicly subsidized dental health strictly because it might affect margins due to potential price changes in equipment. I look forward to attitudes on that subject changing. I hope the moods and ideas surrounding the ACA and other, better, public health initiatives change in the US. It is an immense relief knowing that I'd never be turned away, can always see a doctor, can have blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, MRI's, ultrasounds, CAT scans, and emergency work done without a single worry about effects upon my life outside of the loss of quality due to any determined ailments. Every American I've ever met has never struck me as the kind to shun their neighbour by default—but for some reason when it has to be managed on the scale of a federal government program—some still develop issues with what they refer to as the burden of it. I think we're on the right path here, in general, but I also think many Canadians underestimate the level of need outside of the cities, and in particular the northern and more isolated regions. There's definitely work to do. I hope the current phase in the US changes, empathy becomes a larger influence in the spirit of the time and in policy decisions. It can do well for every aspect of society. It's a long road forward—and no matter how much it improves, it can always improve further.

52-6F-62 9y ago

I wholeheartedly agree. I think most people engaged in the subject would agree here [in Canada]. It's not completely destitute for mental health help. Ontario is improving coverage of pharmaceuticals for people under 25 and mental health is a growing concern. Dental care is a sore spot for myself. I really hope we can improve upon that as it can cause life threatening health problems. Beyond that having dental problems that a person can't afford to remedy can relegate a person to a lower class, especially in business. It's a crucial aspect of physical well being, and should absolutely be considered! It's reassuring every time I hear the idea corroborated. While some dentists I've known are very empathetic and try to play to any insurance restrictions, others are quite the opposite and try to take advantage to their decided maximum and decry the idea of publicly subsidized dental health strictly because it might affect margins due to potential price changes in equipment. I look forward to attitudes on that subject changing. I hope the moods and ideas surrounding the ACA and other, better, public health initiatives change in the US. It is an immense relief knowing that I'd never be turned away, can always see a doctor, can have blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, MRI's, ultrasounds, CAT scans, and emergency work done without a single worry about effects upon my life outside of the loss of quality due to any determined ailments. Every American I've ever met has never struck me as the kind to shun their neighbour by default—but for some reason when it has to be managed on the scale of a federal government program—some still develop issues with what they refer to as the burden of it. I think we're on the right path here, in general, but I also think many Canadians underestimate the level of need outside of the cities, and in particular the northern and more isolated regions. There's definitely work to do. I hope the current phase in the US changes, empathy becomes a larger influence in the spirit of the time and in policy decisions. It can do well for every aspect of society. It's a long road forward—and no matter how much it improves, it can always improve further.