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There's a flawed assumption in your statement that Canadians aren't denied access to coverage due to government bean counters. I have a relative who is an Onco

There's a flawed assumption in your statement that Canadians aren't denied access to coverage due to government bean counters. I have a relative who is an Oncology nurse in a major US city. She sees a lot of patients from Canada who come to her hospital because they can't get the treatments they need in Canada. Of course, it's only the wealthy ones, because they're the only ones who can afford it. Similar problems exist with the US government healthcare (through the VA). My father was denied a lifesaving transplant because he didn't meet the government board's criteria for a transplant. Mayo Clinic came through with the transplant and saved his life.

jasonlotito 16y ago
> There's a flawed assumption in your statement that Canadians aren't denied access to coverage due to government bean counters. On a much lower scale then in the US. I see first hand the realities of the differences between the two systems. In Canada, their is much less worry about health care than in the US. Their are still issues, but not the same fundamental ones that the US has. This also ignores the fact that Canadian patients often go to the US for reasons other than the one you describe. Often times, they go to a hospital known for being the best in certain types of care. Other times, it's also a timing issue: they want it resolve sooner than what Canada will do for them. Finally, the same problem exists on the private side as well. Health insurance companies deny lifesaving operations all the time. Edit: Another problem with your argument is the assumption that Canada doesn't have private insurance on top of public. It does. It sits on top of the public insurance. And while it's great your father got help from a non-profit, I wonder how much help he would have gotten from a non-socialised health care plan?
- larrywright 16y ago
  Other times, it's also a timing issue: they want it resolve sooner than what Canada will do for them. Isn't that a huge problem though? For cancer and other progressive illnesses, each day's delay can mean the difference between surviving or not.
  - jasonlotito 16y ago
    It depends on the illness and the severity. My wife's parents and family have never been turned away or made to wait for urgent things, including cancer. The decisions regarding this are made by the doctors. They can expedite things if they think it merits expediting. However, just because something isn't as serious doesn't mean someone wants to live it with, so they can pay extra to get it resolved quicker.

jasonlotito 16y ago

> There's a flawed assumption in your statement that Canadians aren't denied access to coverage due to government bean counters. On a much lower scale then in the US. I see first hand the realities of the differences between the two systems. In Canada, their is much less worry about health care than in the US. Their are still issues, but not the same fundamental ones that the US has. This also ignores the fact that Canadian patients often go to the US for reasons other than the one you describe. Often times, they go to a hospital known for being the best in certain types of care. Other times, it's also a timing issue: they want it resolve sooner than what Canada will do for them. Finally, the same problem exists on the private side as well. Health insurance companies deny lifesaving operations all the time. Edit: Another problem with your argument is the assumption that Canada doesn't have private insurance on top of public. It does. It sits on top of the public insurance. And while it's great your father got help from a non-profit, I wonder how much help he would have gotten from a non-socialised health care plan?

larrywright 16y ago
Other times, it's also a timing issue: they want it resolve sooner than what Canada will do for them. Isn't that a huge problem though? For cancer and other progressive illnesses, each day's delay can mean the difference between surviving or not.
- jasonlotito 16y ago
  It depends on the illness and the severity. My wife's parents and family have never been turned away or made to wait for urgent things, including cancer. The decisions regarding this are made by the doctors. They can expedite things if they think it merits expediting. However, just because something isn't as serious doesn't mean someone wants to live it with, so they can pay extra to get it resolved quicker.