Is America the greatest country in the world?

PJ_Soul said:

cincybearcat said:

PJ_Soul said:

Just a note, for perspective: I literally pay less in annual income tax than most of you Americans pay just for your health insurance premiums annually. I never thought of it like that before, but wow, that's shocking, given that you guys also pay income tax (and all the other taxes) on top of that. Time for you folks to start insisting on a better system, seriously.

You are probably right. But this is lacking some serious data. You could be benefiting from the system more than most where you live. 

Why would I be? And no, quite the opposite. I don't even have kids or anything, and hardly ever go to the doctor, I'm on no social programs or anything like that, I earn an above average salary .... I don't think this comment really makes sense in any case. How much or how little I'm benefitting from the system has nothing at all to do with how much I pay in income tax.

PJ_Soul said:

cincybearcat said:

PJ_Soul said:

cincybearcat said:

PJ_Soul said:

Just a note, for perspective: I literally pay less in annual income tax than most of you Americans pay just for your health insurance premiums annually. I never thought of it like that before, but wow, that's shocking, given that you guys also pay income tax (and all the other taxes) on top of that. Time for you folks to start insisting on a better system, seriously.

You are probably right. But this is lacking some serious data. You could be benefiting from the system more than most where you live. 

Why would I be? And no, quite the opposite. I don't even have kids or anything, and hardly ever go to the doctor, I'm on no social programs or anything like that, I earn an above average salary .... I don't think this comment really makes sense in any case. How much or how little I'm benefitting from the system has nothing at all to do with how much I pay in income tax.

I didn’t mean this to be negative or mean. Ok, I’ll ask a question:

Does Canada have higher tax rates on higher earners? 

No no, I didn't take it as negative or mean. It just didn't really make sense to me.

Yes, we have tax brackets (fairly reasonable ones IMO, considering our healthcare system). This is what they were for 2018 federal taxes:

• 15% on the first $46,605 of taxable income, +
• 20.5% on the next $46,603 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over 46,605 up to $93,208), +
• 26% on the next $51,281 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over $93,208 up to $144,489), +
• 29% on the next $61,353 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income over 144,489 up to $205,842), +
• 33% of taxable income over $205,842.

And then there are provincial taxes too, on top of that, which vary by province. For BC they were:

5.06% on the first $39,676 of taxable income, +
7.7% on the next $39,677, +
10.5% on the next $11,754, +
12.29% on the next $19,523, +
14.7% on the next $39,370, +
16.8% on the amount over $150,000

Meltdown99 said:

Best states for happiness? WalletHub study ranks Hawaii first, West Virginia last

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/09/16/best-states-happiness-study-hawaii/1281617002/

Of course, Hawaii is the farthest away...lol

mcgruff10 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Best states for happiness? WalletHub study ranks Hawaii first, West Virginia last

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/09/16/best-states-happiness-study-hawaii/1281617002/

Of course, Hawaii is the farthest away...lol

I d move to Hawaii yesterday. I think it is my favorite spot on the globe. 

cincybearcat said:

mcgruff10 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Best states for happiness? WalletHub study ranks Hawaii first, West Virginia last

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/09/16/best-states-happiness-study-hawaii/1281617002/

Of course, Hawaii is the farthest away...lol

I d move to Hawaii yesterday. I think it is my favorite spot on the globe. 

Its mine. Lots of places I haven’t been but Kauai especially is my favorite so far.

PJ_Soul said:

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. 

I've never heard of such specifics filtering through an employer like that at all. I'm pretty sure even with extended healthcare plans, that kind of thing is kept confidential. I.e. the employer provides the insurance plan, but you still go through the insurance broker as an individual. I.e. I send my prescription receipts directly to Blue Cross for reimbursement. It's none of my employer's business which prescriptions I got. Same for any other medical treatment covered by extended healthcare insurance.

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 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?

In Ontario we have a health levy, it's not much ... its just extra tax.  You know what, even poor people get good treatment ... that's what matters.  I went to my doctor for a note last week, I was billed $0...

I would like to go in for my annual dermatologist appointment, just to be looked over for any possible abnormalities, as I'm considered high risk for melanoma due to a strong family history with it. That will also cost me $0. Last time I went she gave me a quick surgery right then and there too, to remove a couple spots that she thought might cause trouble someday down the road. Skin cancer prevention surgery on same day of evaluation = $0.

Do we have some waiting lists for hip and knee replacements, and non-emergency scans? And sometimes a wait at an ER when it's not life or death? Yep, in some places, anyway. Small price to pay IMHO.

Spiritual_Chaos said:

So, we know that Sweden can be a bit more expensive than the US because of us trying to have a health care system that isn't sadistic and free education and such. Our flat 25 % VAT on most goods etc.

Without getting into the discussion about the US leading the way on bacteria resistance against antibiotics because of the private US doctors are giving their "customers" what they want and over-subscripe antiobiotics compared to other countries...

... I had surgery and had to get some antiobiotics on subscription for a 7 day treatment. It cost me $28.



What would it cost in the US?

mcgruff10 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

So, we know that Sweden can be a bit more expensive than the US because of us trying to have a health care system that isn't sadistic and free education and such. Our flat 25 % VAT on most goods etc.

Without getting into the discussion about the US leading the way on bacteria resistance against antibiotics because of the private US doctors are giving their "customers" what they want and over-subscripe antiobiotics compared to other countries...

... I had surgery and had to get some antiobiotics on subscription for a 7 day treatment. It cost me $28.



What would it cost in the US?

If it is generic it would cost me $3. Brand would be $20. 
It all depends on your insurance.