I am a recent convert of "American" heath care.
Growing up in Canada you can't imagine how anyone could expect you to pay for something so common place. Trips to the doctors office couldn't possible be a luxury, they were a basic right that everyone should be entitled to. American health care seemed to be poorly organized to me, so commercial with a slough of money grabbers soliciting your business, and a major drawback to living south of the 49th parallel. However, what my naivety didn't let me realize at the time was that the health care you dish out the bucks for in the US and that being handed out in Canada are a far cry from comparable. The old adage of "you get what you pay for" is true in the health care industry. And today as I sat in the beautiful non-crowded waiting room of a private hospital here in Houston, I was grateful that I live in the place that allows the opportunity for residents to pay for the "luxury" of having competent doctors and nurses attend to your family's medical needs in a timely and thorough manner.... and that availability doesn't limit the treatment options of those who are sick. My tune has changed. And not to sound like a complete middle-class snot, but free enterprise health care (if you can pay for it, and even though insurance companies profit in excess) has my vote. And the one size fits all, protective blanket of socialist healthcare now seems seriously patchy to me and not one I am anxious to ever get back into bed with. I am converted... so tread lightly Mr. President... and perhaps take a trip to a crowded family medical center waiting room, or maternity ward up in Canada before you sign any more legislature.
(don't be too hard on me... this is my first pseudo-political/ opinionated post on my blog.)
I really appreciate your perspective, Jan. I think, overall, both systems are flawed, and, of course, both have weaknesses and strengths. Ultimately, a healthcare plan that combines both in a smart way (which is probably hard to legislate, in all honesty, with so many opinion, provisions, etc.) is the best way to "fix" health care "problems" in America.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, yes, I still want to be able to pay for the "luxury" of good doctors and good treatment. At the same time, I know there are people who, through job loss or other situations outside of their control, don't have the privilege of "paying" for that luxury, and setting up a system that ensures that they will have the ability to seek out proper health care providers without worrying about the cost is something I fully support.
I wasn't too hard on you, was I? :)
oh Jan........ way to think inside the box.
ReplyDeleteI view myself as a reasonable person, with reasonable views. As you know I have an opinion on most subjects, which due to my genetic predisposition requires I defend said opionions with vigor and conviction. The enigma of private vs. public healthcare seems to have baffled me however. What is the right answer?
I will be the first to admit that in the few times in my life that I have been subject to the Canadian Healthcare system, its disadvantages have been clear and apparent. I will never forget those times sitting in crowded waiting rooms for countless hours only to have others move ahead. Like you, in those moments, it is easy to wish things were different.
However, it doesn't take much reflection to see the other side. Hearing stories about my own family or acquaitances who are required to 'save up' to have a baby, or trying their hardest to postpone births so that they occur after their insurance has kicked in seems foriegn and even reckless to me.
It is nice that your demorgraphic who also work for large oil and gas companies (or the like) are able to have these services seemingly built in to employment compensation, so that in a way the majority of your heath services, in a way, appear 'free'. But what about the other people? What about those people who under normal circumstances could be 'middle class snobs', but due to misfortune or bad luck have ended up without insurance. Should they be denied medical expertise because they cannot pay? What if that was you?
I dont pretend to have a solution, everyone has to play the hand they are dealt. But I will say that I am greatful to know that whatever happens in Canada I will never have to have money be a factor in deciding life or untimely death for any of my family.
was I too hard on you?
ReplyDeleteWell said little sister! The view from that doctors office must be nice and cushy. Sounds great, aside from the obvious lack of airflow to your brain. Of course you like this system, you are in the top five percent of americans when it comes to health care. Why don't you take a walk on over to the middle with me. Steven and I have insurance that costs about 700.00 a month, well over 10% of our monthly income. Our deductible is another 7000.00 max per year. Again, well over 10% of our yearly income. So for just about 25% of our hard earned money we are proud owners of crap health insurance. No fertility treatments for me, no dental, no opitical, no mental health or counselling which I may just need after reading this blog. I have waited for over a month to get in to see a doctor right here in the grand ol' USA. Healthcare here is only timely for the wealthy or the dying. Rewind six years to me sitting in an overcrowded stuffy waiting room, pregnant with my first child, to see not a doctor, but a nurse practitioner. But I wasn't in Canada, I was in the USA, where my hardworking husbands health insurance olny let new enrollee's on the plan once a year. Guess I should have planned that one out a little better. The middle class in this country is evaporating fast, due in part to wonderful healthcare plans like mine, that make families every day choose between paying the mortgage and paying for their insurance. We are quickly becoming a nation of haves and have nots and judging from your sediments it is not hard to tell which category you are in. I just have one final question, can Matt sign up harsh critical sisters on his plan?
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Just a few thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I never said my view from the middle class wasn't a nice comfy one. But it's still MY VIEW, and is formed with plenty of airflow to my brain that has had the pleasure to live in both Canada, and has experienced not only great health care benefits plans in the US, but also had to pay through the nose for lousy coverage in the US (while Matt was a student and our income was low). So just because I am currently fortunate enough to enjoy the blessings and benefits of a well covered health benefits package (that my husband also works hard for and that I am intelligent enough to know isn't magically for free) doesn't make my comfortable view "inside the box", or something that should warrant a need for mental health counselling. So simmer down folks. You don't need to agree with me. You are free to condescendingly point out the obvious strengths of a socialist system, to prefer mediocre coverage for all and sing koombyah in your classless society without the ugly separation of have and have-nots. (But by all means please reserve the right to come running my way when you need back surgery or a loved one gets cancer.)
Anyway, since there seems to be a discrepancy, I do see both sides of the issue... but I am still converted. It might not be a popular way of thinking, but I make no apologies. I will happily pay 25% of my income for the possibility and opportunity to buy medical miracles... just like the one sleeping in his crib in the room next to me.