National Health Care

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

but BG has already shown that we pay close to double per capital in healthcare.

So you are saying we pay LESS? Or are you saying that Canada's costs would HALVE if they went to the US system?

Neither. Our costs are going up no matter which system we use. We like the best technology and the best drugs.

If we went to national health insurance Canada's cost would increase dramatically. They happen to be in a situation where we sell them our drugs and technology at cheaper rates than we could sell it to our own. For example, the price of developing a drug is very expensive but once you have developed it the cost of producing the extra pill is not very much. In America we pay for the research costs of that pill. In Canada they pay the only the cost of producing the extra pill. If prices were fixed then more of that cost would go to canada, cuba, and anywhere else where we sell our drugs.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

You make a good point and definitely being uninsured as you note is a factor in the mortality rate. It however, is not the only factor. Tooblue can go off about how crappy the US system is but the fact still remains. For most of the people its the best healthcare system in the world. Are there ways where we can improve? Definitely, I just don't think the government ie increased taxation is the way to do that.

Best system in the world based on what measures?

[MikeWaters]

so you are implying that our costs would go down while the rest of the world's costs would go up?

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Best system in the world based on what measures?

If you had a serious medical condition where would you want to be treated? Canada? England? France? Ask people outside the US and what would they say?

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

so you are implying that our costs would go down while the rest of the world's costs would go up?

if this was to me... NO.... Our costs would still go up. Like I said. we like the best tech, drugs and most educated doctors.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

If you had a serious medical condition where would you want to be treated? Canada? England? France? Ask people outside the US and what would they say?

all this argues is that the USA has the best experts, available to only a certain % of the USA population. Is this the basis of your argument?

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

all this argues is that the USA has the best experts, available to only a certain % of the USA population. Is this the basis of your argument?

Its part of it.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

if this was to me... NO.... Our costs would still go up. Like I said. we like the best tech, drugs and most educated doctors.

I would say "we like to make money" "we like to use expensive new drugs with no proven benefit over the older drugs" "we like to use the newest tech with no evidence of benefit" "we like to do expensive procedures with no proven benefit" (the procedure on knees where cartilage is shaved and cleaned).

Just watch the commercials on TV for new drugs.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by tooblue

Furthermore, I do not, nor have not suggested that the US should adopt the Canadian system –that would be a mistake. But the point of this thread as started by Lebowski is not to suggest the US adopt the same system, but rather to learn from the system in the development of it’s own unique system. As an American who lives with the Canadian system I offer FACTUAL knowledge on the subject that should help dispell the myths and fear mongoring.

Yes. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I would say "we like to make money" "we like to use expensive new drugs with no proven benefit over the older drugs" "we like to use the newest tech with no evidence of benefit" "we like to do expensive procedures with no proven benefit" (the procedure on knees where cartilage is shaved and cleaned).

Just watch the commercials on TV for new drugs.

Our costs are still going up. That doesnt change with National health insurance