Hospital Parking Lot Not Close Enough for Dying Man - told to call an ambulance...

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JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
Originally posted by: Firus
Originally posted by: JoeKing
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Originally posted by: JoeKing
but... but... the healthcare is free in Canada right??!!!





very sad.

You must be JoeKing with that lame remark. That's your witty reply? Another attack on our neighbors to the north? Good one. You can only hope the US Healthcare system comes remotely close to that of many other developed countries.

I have many good canadians I consider friends and the stories they've told me about the healthcare up north make me happy I'm a paying member in our healthcare system. I don't have to wait months for an operation to be done, nor do I have to camp out in a hospital ER in order to be seen.

Quite frankly I believe the Canadian healthcare system will have to follow the US economic driven system in order to survive. Because the current state it is now in is being harshly criticized by canadians and the physicans and nurses in their system.

I don't know how much you guys pay in teh US, but here, I also have to pay a monthly Medical Fee of some sort. I don't really know what it's for...and as far as the Hospitals, they are not really all that great. I got hit by a truck that smashed through a Hotel lobby a couple years back. Fractured Skull, Bleeding on teh brain, broken wrist, whiplash etc. I was in the hospital for 3 days, and sent on my way with no pain medications or anything because it was way too crowded. When my family doctor heard of this he was outraged and said I should have been in there for at least a few weeks. So, just because it's "free" does not make the system all that good, it's just a game to see how fast they can burn through the patients and get them outta there.

And they say BC is one of the better medical centers of Canada.

The US system is expensive there is no denying that. But we that pay into the system pay so much so that we can have so many hospitals and specialist available so as our system is never overly bogged down to the extent canadian hospitals are.

both systems have their pros and cons, I just happen to perfer our system more ;)
 

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
Skoorb, you come from Nova Scotia.

Your province is NOT indiciative of this country. It is one of the poorest areas of the country.

When I burnt my hand, I waited two hours in the ER and even got a bed. Hardly necessary. I was pleased with it.

http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/waitlist/WaitListPublicHome.jsp

The Alberta waitlist. You can see the real waitlists for various things instead of anecdotes.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Skoorb, you come from Nova Scotia.

Your province is NOT indiciative of this country. It is one of the poorest areas of the country.

When I burnt my hand, I waited two hours in the ER and even got a bed. Hardly necessary. I was pleased with it.

http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/waitlist/WaitListPublicHome.jsp

The Alberta waitlist. You can see the real waitlists for various things instead of anecdotes.
Yeah I was in a poor part of Canada, but now I'm in a poor part of the US!

A couple of examples based upon your link using them vs. my recent experiences. Alberta (weeks)/Alabama (weeks)

MRI: 19/0
Ear, Nose, Throat surgery: 14/1

Thanks for cementing my desire to stay in the US!

Those numbers are egregious. How thoroughly pathetic that Canadians are often of the view that their healthcare is better. What a fanciful mist of ignorance they are enshrouded by.
 

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
I was not really trying to say Canadian health care is BETTER...

My point was primarily that Canadian health care is not as bad as it can be ragged on about.
 

jahawkin

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2000
1,355
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Anecdotal and hard numbers are what interest me, and both indicate clearly that if you've got decent insurance (and the majority of the population does) in the US you're going to have greater accessibility to doctors and things like MRIs, cat-scans, etc.

I'm not sure who'd really argue otherwise. It's known that rich canadians do come south of the border when they need something handled quickly. If I had a gun shot wound I wouldn't much care which country I was in, but if I had a long term illness that needed constant attention, get me the hell out of Canada.[/quote]

Looking at hard numbers Canada's system is much better than the US. Canada has better metrics like infant mortality and life expectancy, and also doesn't have millions of uninsured citizens like the US.

Lack of privatization breeds inefficiency, which results in a lack of return for the same investment
You want to talk about health care look at the US health care system. The US spends twice (!!!!) as much per capita on health care expendatures than Canada (link EX. 1) You know how many MRI machines Canada could buy if they spent twice as much as they do now??
So I'd like to know how this private health care system is so efficient. Where is all this money going??

I also wonder how many medical related bankruptcys there in Canada last year. I know here in the US we had 1 million go broke last year because of their health - and they even had insurance!!
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: Scouzer
I was not really trying to say Canadian health care is BETTER...

My point was primarily that Canadian health care is not as bad as it can be ragged on about.
Honestly I didn't realize it was as bad as it is; those wait list times are simply ridiculous. Thousands upon thousands of people waiting months and months for major, life-critical surgeries.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Yay, the US is better than Canada. Just say it. That's the real point of this post anyway, to drill it in to everyone's heads. The first thing I noticed was that the OP was American and I thought - why give a flying fvck? Nothing better to do I guess but poke fun at our health care system. LOL

Say it, USA IS BETTER THAN CANADA. Good. Everyone say it together. See, we all believe it now.

Great post.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
You want to talk about health care look at the US health care system. The US spends twice (!!!!) as much per capita on health care expendatures than Canada (link EX. 1) You know how many MRI machines Canada could buy if they spent twice as much as they do now??
So I'd like to know how this private health care system is so efficient. Where is all this money going??
It's probably going to services, wouldn't you think? If people in Canada are frequently dying before getting the surgery they need, and they are, that's a great cost saver!

Privatization does breed inefficiency. This is a simple fact of economics. It doesn't mean that per capita it has to be cheaper...a poorly run and poorly funded system can easily spend less than a better run, but expensive (because it offers a lot of services) system.

If the Canadian system became private and people realized that they could finally get more for their dollar you'd probably see more money go into it, which would result in quicker care, and it would begin to mirror the US system.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Yay, the US is better than Canada. Just say it. That's the real point of this post anyway, to drill it in to everyone's heads. The first thing I noticed was that the OP was American and I thought - why give a flying fvck? Nothing better to do I guess but poke fun at our health care system. LOL

Say it, USA IS BETTER THAN CANADA. Good. Everyone say it together. See, we all believe it now.

Great post.
<- No, I don't think that was a great post.
 

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
12,755
3
0
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Yay, the US is better than Canada. Just say it. That's the real point of this post anyway, to drill it in to everyone's heads. The first thing I noticed was that the OP was American and I thought - why give a flying fvck? Nothing better to do I guess but poke fun at our health care system. LOL

Say it, USA IS BETTER THAN CANADA. Good. Everyone say it together. See, we all believe it now.

Great post.


Actually, this happened in the U.S. as well. This was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, as the man was already well dead before they entered the parking lot. Canadian health care is known to have long waiting lists for getting attention (other than emergency). That's what I was getting at.

Nothing against Canada, I love the beer there!

:beer:
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Fair enough - :beer:.

What's the deal with Canada bashing though? I don't see the appeal. Perhaps a couple people in this thread can let me in on the secret.

Oh wait, when I was in highschool, teasing kids always made me feel better about myself. I guess it's kind of like that?

I frickin' love the US and I live near Detroit! I love Detroit! I hate it when people chirp Canada. We're good people, you love us. Hold me.

:heart: :music: LOVE ME LOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME :music: :heart:

From the sounds of it, if you get sick here, you're screwed. That blows. Oh well.
 

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Fair enough - :beer:.

What's the deal with Canada bashing though? I don't see the appeal. Perhaps a couple people in this thread can let me in on the secret.

Oh wait, when I was in highschool, teasing kids always made me feel better about myself. I guess it's kind of like that?

I frickin' love the US and I live near Detroit! I love Detroit! I hate it when people chirp Canada. We're good people, you love us. Hold me.

:heart: :music: LOVE ME LOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME :music: :heart:

From the sounds of it, if you get sick here, you're screwed. That blows. Oh well.

Actually I love Canada.... Much like the little brother I never had to beat on and verbally abuse ;)

blame all of your canadian comedian exports that like to harp on the motherland.

But as I said I've got many pals in Vancouver and Victoria who I harp on all the time, and vice versa, but in the end its just friendly bashing.

Our Bald Eagle uses your Maple Leaf as part of it's nest..... whoa where did that one come from? :Q :p
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Originally posted by: JoeKing
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Fair enough - :beer:.

What's the deal with Canada bashing though? I don't see the appeal. Perhaps a couple people in this thread can let me in on the secret.

Oh wait, when I was in highschool, teasing kids always made me feel better about myself. I guess it's kind of like that?

I frickin' love the US and I live near Detroit! I love Detroit! I hate it when people chirp Canada. We're good people, you love us. Hold me.

:heart: :music: LOVE ME LOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME :music: :heart:

From the sounds of it, if you get sick here, you're screwed. That blows. Oh well.

Actually I love Canada.... Much like the little brother I never had to beat on and verbally abuse ;)

blame all of your canadian comedian exports that like to harp on the motherland.

But as I said I've got many pals in Vancouver and Victoria who I harp on all the time, and vice versa, but in the end its just friendly bashing.

Our Bald Eagle uses your Maple Leaf as part of it's nest..... whoa where did that one come from? :Q :p

I think we should have a picnic and maybe do dinner & a movie later on. :heart:
 

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Originally posted by: JoeKing
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Fair enough - :beer:.

What's the deal with Canada bashing though? I don't see the appeal. Perhaps a couple people in this thread can let me in on the secret.

Oh wait, when I was in highschool, teasing kids always made me feel better about myself. I guess it's kind of like that?

I frickin' love the US and I live near Detroit! I love Detroit! I hate it when people chirp Canada. We're good people, you love us. Hold me.

:heart: :music: LOVE ME LOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME :music: :heart:

From the sounds of it, if you get sick here, you're screwed. That blows. Oh well.

Actually I love Canada.... Much like the little brother I never had to beat on and verbally abuse ;)

blame all of your canadian comedian exports that like to harp on the motherland.

But as I said I've got many pals in Vancouver and Victoria who I harp on all the time, and vice versa, but in the end its just friendly bashing.

Our Bald Eagle uses your Maple Leaf as part of it's nest..... whoa where did that one come from? :Q :p

I think we should have a picnic and maybe do dinner & a movie later on. :heart:

As long as we're having donuts and beer, and get to watch a hockey game instead of a movie
rose.gif
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Originally posted by: JoeKing
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Originally posted by: JoeKing
Originally posted by: meltdown75
Fair enough - :beer:.

What's the deal with Canada bashing though? I don't see the appeal. Perhaps a couple people in this thread can let me in on the secret.

Oh wait, when I was in highschool, teasing kids always made me feel better about myself. I guess it's kind of like that?

I frickin' love the US and I live near Detroit! I love Detroit! I hate it when people chirp Canada. We're good people, you love us. Hold me.

:heart: :music: LOVE ME LOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME :music: :heart:

From the sounds of it, if you get sick here, you're screwed. That blows. Oh well.

Actually I love Canada.... Much like the little brother I never had to beat on and verbally abuse ;)

blame all of your canadian comedian exports that like to harp on the motherland.

But as I said I've got many pals in Vancouver and Victoria who I harp on all the time, and vice versa, but in the end its just friendly bashing.

Our Bald Eagle uses your Maple Leaf as part of it's nest..... whoa where did that one come from? :Q :p

I think we should have a picnic and maybe do dinner & a movie later on. :heart:

As long as we're having donuts and beer, and get to watch a hockey game instead of a movie
rose.gif

take me.
 

Kipper

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2000
7,366
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: Scouzer
I was not really trying to say Canadian health care is BETTER...

My point was primarily that Canadian health care is not as bad as it can be ragged on about.
Honestly I didn't realize it was as bad as it is; those wait list times are simply ridiculous. Thousands upon thousands of people waiting months and months for major, life-critical surgeries.

Skoorb, if you've looked at our healthcare system you will find that there are tons of equally bad problems with privatization. Don't fool yourself.

For example, look at how insurance companies, drug companies, and healthcare companies work together to maximize profit margins and rake in billions upon billions of dollars, and simultaenously lobby Congress to prevent states from bargaining with them to purchase drugs at a discount and dispense them directly to consumers. There is CLEARLY a problem when seniors are trucking by the busload across the border to fill their prescriptions!

Additionally, I bet you didn't know that healthcare costs are increased for those without insurance because hospitals actually charge those individuals MORE! Guess what? There is no legislation preventing this because nobody thought this would be a possible effect of privatization.

The numbers of Americans who are uninsured is in the tens of millions. In a country that can clearly afford to insure these persons, isn't there a problem if many are uninsured or UNDERinsured, as is the case in many places?

These are part of a number of problems that are legion with the American healthcare system. I don't really care if the Canadian system is "better" or worse. We have to look at our own and see that there ARE problems here...now how do we fix them? I suggest that removing the stranglehold these industries have over our whorish politicians is one of them.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
I agree, Kipper, that the US healthcare system has its problems. For me and my family, however, it's far and away better. It's not good if you're poor, but don't be surprised that I'm more interested in my family than a stranger's one. I'm all for reform all the time for anything, but not just to make a change; it has to be better. The US system could use reforms, but if it wanted to model itself on Canada's one I'd be massively against it.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: dmcowen674

What "middle class"? Healthcare is only for the rich in America.
No, the only people who get screwed in the US health care system are poor people who aren't illegal.

/smokes cigar and drives off in Rolls Royce