High Cost of Healthcare

eefanincan · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Canada

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I read this story today and it got me thinking about the high price of health care, especially home care. Working in the home health industry, I'm well aware of how hard it is to get care, and it seems that nothing is ever enough. I think the US has it much harder than we do here in Canada......... let's hear your thoughts and experiences with this. Have you ever had to care for a loved one/friend at home? What were some of your struggles and challenges? It's the type of thing that can be both rewarding and stressful at the same time.

pirtybirdy · 'Native New Yorker' Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: FL USA

It is a very sad story. Unfortunately, his only option would have been to divorce his wife, and have her go on medicaid so that the government paid the bill. My Uncle had stepped up and cared for my grandfather, but in that case, my grandfather paid him a small cash wage every week, let him live in the house rent free, and paid for all his food consumption. My uncle also was able to go out here and there, and family members covered for him if he took a week's vacation. Some people don't have that luxury. I'd choose the U.S. healthcare over anywhere else in the world, but it is true not all are covered. Those who aren't at poverty level, aren't covered through employment, or by a spouses' plan, or those who can't afford the premiums on their own are the ones that fall through the cracks. My mom is one of those. It's not perfect, but there isn't a perfect solution anywhere yet. We could go with a National health system, but then you'll see quite clearly the quality of healthcare go downhill. That is why I'd say the majority are against a National health system here.

faceless · admin Joined: 25 Apr 2006

eefanincan · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Canada

I think you're right Faceless.... more of a chasm than a crack.

Pirty... it's nice to hear that your family could pull together like that to care for someone. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen all that often. I have to say that on average, I do a couple of "private pay" referrals a day where family have to work and want to pay for someone to come in a couple of times a week/day so that they can be assured their family is getting a bath/meal/etc. In my particular area, if you meet certain criteria, you can get up to 2 hrs/day of "personal support" care a day... which really isn't a lot, but if you need more than that, you should probably be in some sort of facility.... problem is there is a terribly long waiting list for those.

Having worked in the US health system, I can see that it has many advantages but also many disadvantages as well. As many problems as we have with our system in Canada, I'd take it any day over the US. I believe our system is somewhat similar to the NHS although I think the NHS might be more forward thinking than we are here. I guess what it comes down to is that nothing is perfect.

TheCaptain · Joined: 19 Sep 2007

I am in fact quite proud of the NHS. Of course, it is a bit of a national sport in the UK to whinge about how crap it is, and it certainly does have many failings. But I for one am very glad that it exists at all, and I am often horrified on my travels by the health systems in other countries. How can there be any kind of crack (let alone chasm) through which anybody can fall in a civilized country?

If a government cannot provide healthcare for all it has in my eyes no legitimacy.

My compliments,

TheCaptain.

SpursFan1902 · Pitch Queen Joined: 24 May 2007 Location: Sunshine State

Skylace · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

We're still trying to get insurance for the both of us that we can afford and it's insane. Right now our paperwork is at an "underwriter" and we have to wait at least three weeks before we hear anything.
I can only hope we have no emergencies.

luke · Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Location: by the sea

TheCaptain · Joined: 19 Sep 2007

If a government cannot provide free healthcare for all, what's the point of having a government?

They are not there to be our "leaders", they are OUR servants, and we pay them to do our will and to care for their citizens.

All developed nations have the financial resources to provide basic care for all. Failure to do so is a gross misappropriation of funds.

My compliments,

TheCaptain.

Skylace · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Well, I am happy to report that we now have health care coverage. We will have to pay for it ourselves but at least we have it. The deductible is low and we also get Rx. Tonight we will be going over the handbook and all that fun stuff so we know what is going on for sure in all areas that concern us.

Now just have to find a new GP.

eefanincan · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Canada

I hope you're able to find a GP soon, Sky. There are many thousands of people in our province without one and it's a terrible situation. Our health care system is similar to the NHS, but still, if you don't have a primary doctor, it's hard to get proper followup.

For everyone else out there....... is this a problem where you live? How difficult is it to get a family GP?

Twirley · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina

I'm about to try to locate one that takes my insurance and try to make an appointment for next week. Will let you know how I get on.

BTW, I'm in Charlotte, NC.

faceless · admin Joined: 25 Apr 2006

I've been using the same surgery since I was a kid - though from between the age of 14 and 30 I think I only went once. The last few years have seen me trek up that hill quite a few times though...

Twirley · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina

eefanincan · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Canada