Debate Canada's Healthcare System

[politicallefty]

Debate it? I would take their single-payer system in a heartbeat over what we currently have in the US. If we wanted to go the route, it would not be that hard to explain to the American people. Just take Medicare and give it to everyone with some expanded benefits and no premiums. Yes, that does mean higher taxes, but it also means no health insurance premiums. For most, the costs would be roughly a net zero, though some would end up paying more and some paying less.

I don't know what's so hard for some to understand about how single-payer health insurance works. Like I said, for most, the insurance premium is paid in the form of a payroll tax. The biggest lie I cannot stand has to do with those on the right that say you can't pick your own doctor if we adopt a single-payer system. That's an outright lie. To our Canadian posters, are you limited in any way as to the choice of your GP or specialists? As an American that has employer-based health insurance, my choice of doctor is limited to those pre-approved by the insurance company. Somehow, everything is perfectly right with the world if the insurance company dictates your choice of doctors, according to those on the right.

[politicallefty]

The biggest lie I cannot stand has to do with those on the right that say you can't pick your own doctor if we adopt a single-payer system. That's an outright lie. To our Canadian posters, are you limited in any way as to the choice of your GP or specialists?

We can pick our family doctor but since there is a doctor shortage, my options are my current doctor or nobody. Virtually every doctor in my city only accepts newborn babies as patients. No one I know chooses their specialist.

I'm sorry I just noticed your reply. I'll try to respond to the one after as well.

I don't know of any private insurer that just lets you pick your doctor in this country. The for-profit private insurer has a list of pre-approved doctors. If you want to see someone else, it's going to cost you a lot more money. As for specialists, it's the same here. My parents have good employer-based health insurance and recently my mom still had to wait about three months to see a specialist for a non-life threatening condition. Literally, every complaint I've heard people say about government-run health insurance are things the private insurance companies are already doing. The choice is essentially between big business and government.

I never said the Canadian system is perfect, but it seems to be one of the better ones that could be implemented here. Costs are wildly out of hand in this country and with outcomes that are less than similar industrialized nations. We pay a lot more for a worse outcome overall. I don't think there is a perfect option, but I categorically reject the idea of for-profit health insurance. While I do prefer something like the Canadian system, I'd gladly accept the Bismarck Model over what we have now.

I personally oppose single-payer.

Why?

[politicallefty]

I don't really see the reason to totally ban private money from a healthcare system or to eliminate profit. At the same time, healthcare, though a stretch to call it a right, is a basic public utility and not a consumer good/service like donuts, massages, XBoxes, or invisible cola.

I disagree with you in that I do think healthcare is a right. You are right that you cannot totally remove money from healthcare. However, I think one of the biggest issues is the cost barrier to accessing healthcare at all. Everyone should be entitled to a certain level of healthcare. Current federal law only guarantees access in emergency situations. I'd prefer a scheme where one's life isn't weighed against the sharedholders' dividends.

In terms of reducing private for-profit influence, in exchange for taking over the insurance aspect of healthcare, I think government should work in strong public-private partnerships to produce new drugs. I also think the government should pay for medical school based on MCATs and college GPA and income. For those with high scores and low income, I think a free ride for med school would be a great idea. If we look at education in terms of healthcare, I think we can prevent a brain drain. One of the biggest barriers to becoming a doctor is the cost of med school. If some of our best and brightest were able to get in for free, I think we could limit a shortage. We have to be proactive in keeping the best here.

[politicallefty]

I want to clarify here. I'm not upset about lack of choice. I'm upset about having no choice.

Roughly 1/5 Canadians doesn't have a family doctor and in many areas, none are taking new patients.* This can be very distressing if you have an issue with your current doctor, since your options are often your current doctor or nobody. This is quite different from having to pick from a pre-approved list.

*Typically an exception is made for pregnant women and babies, but otherwise you are out of luck.

I've tried to keep myself knowledgeable about other countries, including Canada, but that's a new complaint I've never heard before. The main argument I've heard has to do with waiting lists. But, like I said, people here in the States wait a long time as well. As I've said, the main argument against single-payer in this country is that we'll have waiting lists and you won't be able to choose your own doctor. Neither of those are new to the average American.

You can attack your own system as you see fit, but the Canadian system does ultimately result in overall better outcomes at a far lesser cost.