Nationalized Health Care in 2 weeks? Rise up people!

Bobcat · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 04:25 PM

Cobra Bill ... I`m going to disagree somewhat with your statement that not one country that has nationalized healthcare has rejected it in favor of a for profit system . While they haven`t rejected it totally , it seems that the UK is now encouraging private clinics, letting the people go to them instead of the Govt system and paying them to use the clinics instead of the NHS , which has broken down badly with waits of up to 12 weeks to see a Doctor .
Maybe Wayne can comment on this , but I head that Canada is also allowing/encouraging private clinics ??

Wayne Maybury · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobcat

Maybe Wayne can comment on this , but I head that Canada is also allowing/encouraging private clinics ??

Bob I am no expert so all I can do is give my opinion.

There are lots of private clinics for various procedures like X rays, etc. You can get an X ray for free in a hospital or pay to have one done in a clinic. Having said that, the government is unequivecal in stressing the fact that the system is universal and there is no parrellel private system.

I had some minor skin surgery in a private clinic 2 years ago for which I had to pay $100. I could have had the same thing done in the hospital for no charge but I would have had to wait a few weeks. However major medical procedures are all carried out in hospitals.

Wayne

Bobcat · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 06:12 PM

Wayne .... thanks for a first hand perspective . A lot of times , word of mouth and other factors come off as being fact . Not trying to put words in your mouth , but would it be fair to day there are clinics for "minor" procedures for those who don`t want to wait for the system and the govt. hospitals for the major procedures ? Maybe a gross oversimplification on my part.
Jumping around somewhat , the press here has "reported" that colon cancer cure rates in Canada are about 17% lower than here and one of the reasons is that the approved drugs in Canada are not the latest generation that is being currently used . True ???? or do you know ? I have some , unfortunately , first hand experience with colon cancer treatment here as my lady`s daughter died of that two years ago at 32 .

Bob