Whitehouse “snitch on your neighbor” project (ObamaCare)

[VRM]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

This is a major problem with the Canadian system. Since it is "free" many people go to the hospital for the slightest ailment or in some cases because they are lonely. I firmly believe that there should be a nominal charge to visit a doctor or an ER. Firstly this would pump badly needed dollars into the system and secondly it would go a long way to reducing the over crowding. Unfortunately, none of our politicians have the guts to make this policy decision.

By the way, cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare in Canada.

Wayne

Wayne,
Adding a charge would stop poor people from going to get most care except for emergency stuff. That is part of the problem we have now. Maybe adding a 'trivial care' charge for people that go in for stupid problems - it might make people think a little bit more about why they go in.

Cosmetic surgery should not be covered (except for reasonable reconstruction reasons), but sometimes the aftermath of that poorly executed surgery might be.

Steve

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by VRM

Wayne,
Adding a charge would stop poor people from going to get most care except for emergency stuff. That is part of the problem we have now. Maybe adding a 'trivial care' charge for people that go in for stupid problems - it might make people think a little bit more about why they go in.

Cosmetic surgery should not be covered (except for reasonable reconstruction reasons), but sometimes the aftermath of that poorly executed surgery might be.

Steve

Steve poor people (on welfare) don't pay for anything so they would also be exempt from this charge. I did say a nominal charge so I meant something in the $5 to $10 range for an initial visit. This would not hurt anyone but it would make some people think twice before going to the hospital unnecessarily.

I think that most reconstructive surgery is covered under our system but elective cosmetic surgery is definitely not covered.

Wayne

[VRM]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

Steve poor people (on welfare) don't pay for anything so they would also be exempt from this charge. I did say a nominal charge so I meant something in the $5 to $10 range for an initial visit. This would not hurt anyone but it would make some people think twice before going to the hospital unnecessarily.

I think that most reconstructive surgery is covered under our system but elective cosmetic surgery is definitely not covered.

Wayne

Wayne, you did say nominal. I think my co-pay is $25 now. I would like to figure out some way to keep the welfare types from going all the time since there is no charge to them.

Steve

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by VRM

Wayne, you did say nominal. I think my co-pay is $25 now. I would like to figure out some way to keep the welfare types from going all the time since there is no charge to them.

Steve

Even if there was a copay, the ER can't refuse seeing any patient, so if the person doesn't have the money, they still are cared for, and then billed later, which they will never pay anyways. The co-pay thing only works for outpatient services, where if the person doesn't have the cash, they are not then cared for.