Is America the greatest country in the world?

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Comments

  • lastexitlondon
    lastexitlondon Posts: 14,895
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 


    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Time for a new titles for this thread?: 

    Make Appendectomies Great Again.

    Obsessions.

    Is Sweden the Greatest Country in the World?



    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • lastexitlondon
    lastexitlondon Posts: 14,895
    Sweden is pretty good.. but fuckin expensive  to even buy a sandwich. Unreal


    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • Spiritual_Chaos
    Spiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,470
    edited November 2018
    lastexitlondon said:
    Sweden is pretty good.. but fuckin expensive  to even buy a sandwich. Unreal
    Not that cheap in London either for god sakes. I ate your trangleshaped sandwiches this summer! Everything felt priced the same pretty much (?)

    People here seem to survive, and get paternal leave paid and give kids school lunches, and get a decent pension, and decent healthcare, and

    a 

    decent

    life

    How much is a sandwich in e.g. Slough?
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    The trick to seeing the big picture it to think about how it works for everyone, not just yourself.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    no one is arguing your CARE is top notch (it was/is a pretty widespread problem in Canada that doctors here were leaving to get jobs in the US as the money was too stupid to pass up). it's the access to it that is the problem. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    edited November 2018
    Well right. I mean, in this thread I think rgambs said he would have to spend $6000 for an appendectomy, out of pocket, on top of his $700/MONTH insurance bill. Which is just fucking SHOCKING. And then someone - McGruff? - comes back with, "I would only pay $20 out of pocket for the same surgery" (no mention of the monthly payments though). Um, yeah, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with a system that spawns that little conversation, and I can't believe that any American is okay with that kind of scenario.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    no one is arguing your CARE is top notch (it was/is a pretty widespread problem in Canada that doctors here were leaving to get jobs in the US as the money was too stupid to pass up). it's the access to it that is the problem. 
    Access in what way?  Are we talking rural? Wait time?

    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    PJ_Soul said:
    Well right. I mean, in this thread I think rgambs said he would have to spend $6000 for an appendectomy, out of pocket, on top of his $700/MONTH insurance bill. Which is just fucking SHOCKING. And then someone - McGruff? - comes back with, "I would only pay $20 out of pocket for the same surgery" (no mention of the monthly payments though). Um, yeah, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with a system that spawns that little conversation, and I can't believe that any American is okay with that kind of scenario.
    I think that comes down to your job. I don’t get paid a lot as a teacher but my copays ($10 dr/$20 ER visit) and prescription prices ($3 generic $20 brand) are low. I pay right around $7000 out of pocket for medical insurance. 
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    no one is arguing your CARE is top notch (it was/is a pretty widespread problem in Canada that doctors here were leaving to get jobs in the US as the money was too stupid to pass up). it's the access to it that is the problem. 
    Access in what way?  Are we talking rural? Wait time?

    as in financial. wait times in america are light years better than in canada for non-emergency procedures. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    no one is arguing your CARE is top notch (it was/is a pretty widespread problem in Canada that doctors here were leaving to get jobs in the US as the money was too stupid to pass up). it's the access to it that is the problem. 
    Access in what way?  Are we talking rural? Wait time?

    as in financial. wait times in america are light years better than in canada for non-emergency procedures. 
    I understand what you are saying. Got ya
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    edited November 2018
    mcgruff10 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Well right. I mean, in this thread I think rgambs said he would have to spend $6000 for an appendectomy, out of pocket, on top of his $700/MONTH insurance bill. Which is just fucking SHOCKING. And then someone - McGruff? - comes back with, "I would only pay $20 out of pocket for the same surgery" (no mention of the monthly payments though). Um, yeah, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with a system that spawns that little conversation, and I can't believe that any American is okay with that kind of scenario.
    I think that comes down to your job. I don’t get paid a lot as a teacher but my copays ($10 dr/$20 ER visit) and prescription prices ($3 generic $20 brand) are low. I pay right around $7000 out of pocket for medical insurance. 
    That's exactly my point. A fucking lifesaving surgery comes down to someone's job. That is DISGUSTING. So is having to pay $7000 a year for health insurance, and that's when you have a public sector job too! Jesus Christ. Outrageous. And just think of those who don't have thousands to spare for insurance like that. This is why it's a human rights crisis. I just don't understand how anyone in America stands for that bullshit.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    lastexitlondon said:
    Please people. The world over knows USA health care is shit.  Let's not paint it any other way..i hope s-c heals well
     I hope mc gruff can see the comparison  was with going back to work and not giving birth.
    I hope we can be kind . 
    Maybe it is because of my proximity to philly and nyc because I have zero problems with our health care system. The doctors and hospitals around here are top notch. 
    no one is arguing your CARE is top notch (it was/is a pretty widespread problem in Canada that doctors here were leaving to get jobs in the US as the money was too stupid to pass up). it's the access to it that is the problem. 
    Access in what way?  Are we talking rural? Wait time?

    as in financial. wait times in america are light years better than in canada for non-emergency procedures. 
    Wait times are better if you have the insurance for it. 
     
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    What do my friends north of the border pay for healgh care a year?  Is it an itemized deduction on your pay Chevk?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • my2hands
    my2hands Posts: 17,117
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Well right. I mean, in this thread I think rgambs said he would have to spend $6000 for an appendectomy, out of pocket, on top of his $700/MONTH insurance bill. Which is just fucking SHOCKING. And then someone - McGruff? - comes back with, "I would only pay $20 out of pocket for the same surgery" (no mention of the monthly payments though). Um, yeah, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with a system that spawns that little conversation, and I can't believe that any American is okay with that kind of scenario.
    I think that comes down to your job. I don’t get paid a lot as a teacher but my copays ($10 dr/$20 ER visit) and prescription prices ($3 generic $20 brand) are low. I pay right around $7000 out of pocket for medical insurance. 
    That's exactly my point. A fucking lifesaving surgery comes down to someone's job. That is DISGUSTING. So is having to pay $7000 a year for health insurance, and that's when you have a public sector job too! Jesus Christ. Outrageous. And just think of those who don't have thousands to spare for insurance like that. This is why it's a human rights crisis. I just don't understand how anyone in America stands for that bullshit.
    What would you do about it? 
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    edited November 2018
    mcgruff10 said:
    What do my friends north of the border pay for healgh care a year?  Is it an itemized deduction on your pay Chevk?
    For basic healthcare, which includes ALL necessary care and procedures, including with specialists and ER visits, etc, we generally pay nothing. No, there is no itemization, and those handling our pay cheques have zero access to healthcare records. We don't ever see anything that lists how much it would have cost or anything. We just go in and get treated or evaluated or whatever, and then we walk out. That's it. And that does include child birth.
    Some provinces do have a monthly fee for this, but it's not really relevant because it's so small and most adults have employers who pay it anyhow. It depends on your income. In BC it starts at $0 and maxes out at maybe $70?? I know if you earn less than $26K/year you don't pay anything. And if you do get charged this fee and don't pay it, nothing really happens anyway. It's not like if you never pay it you won't get the care. You'll still be covered. You simply owe them some money. They might add it to your income taxes owing actually, but not positive. All people have a right to medical care whether they pay or not.

    Now there is extended healthcare insurance, which is usually 100% covered by employers, but some buy it, and that takes care of the stuff not covered by basic healthcare (mine covers 80% of most things, or up to a max, like I get $400 for eyeglasses every two years, etc etc). Extended healthcare covers things like massages and physio appointments, prescriptions, medical supplies, dental, non-necessary eye care (i.e. pay $80 for your annual standard eye exam (unless you're a child or over 65, when it's free), but anything for eye injuries or disease is covered under basic care). And then there is Pharmacare, which helps with prescriptions and medical supplies for those without extended care, and that is income-based.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    mcgruff10 said:
    What do my friends north of the border pay for healgh care a year?  Is it an itemized deduction on your pay Chevk?
    that's really hard to say.

    no, it is not, unless you are talking about private insurance coverage you get from your employer. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    What do my friends north of the border pay for healgh care a year?  Is it an itemized deduction on your pay Chevk?
    that's really hard to say.

    no, it is not, unless you are talking about private insurance coverage you get from your employer. 
    Wait, so there is private insurance coverage like we have here and a federal system? Can you have both?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,114
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    What do my friends north of the border pay for healgh care a year?  Is it an itemized deduction on your pay Chevk?
    For basic healthcare, which includes ALL necessary care and procedures, including with specialists and ER visits, etc, we generally pay nothing. No, there is no itemization, and those handling our pay cheques have zero access to healthcare records. We don't ever see anything that lists how much it would have cost or anything. We just go in and get treated or evaluated or whatever, and then we walk out. That's it. And that does include child birth.
    Some provinces do have a monthly fee for this, but it's not really relevant because it's so small and most adults have employers who pay it anyhow. It depends on your income. In BC it starts at $0 and maxes out at maybe $70?? I know if you earn less than $26K/year you don't pay anything. And if you do get charged this fee and don't pay it, nothing really happens anyway. It's not like if you never pay it you won't get the care. You'll still be covered. You simply owe them some money. They might add it to your income taxes owing actually, but not positive. All people have a right to medical care whether they pay or not.

    Now there is extended healthcare insurance, which is usually 100% covered by employers, but some buy it, and that takes care of the stuff not covered by basic healthcare (mine covers 80% of most things, or up to a max, like I get $400 for eyeglasses every two years, etc etc). Extended healthcare covers things like massages and physio appointments, prescriptions, medical supplies, dental, non-necessary eye care (i.e. pay $80 for your annual standard eye exam (unless you're a child or over 65, when it's free), but anything for eye injuries or disease is covered under basic care). And then there is Pharmacare, which helps with prescriptions and medical supplies for those without extended care, and that is income-based.
    But even though you walk in and it is free the money somehow comes from your income.  You don’t know the percentage?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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