Canadian health system more efficient than the one in the U.S.: study

Hey, that can't be. We all know private business good, government bad.

The US government could save 6% of GDP if they adopted our system. That's equal to the defense budget, and would sure kick a hole in their deficit.

And what's with the Post these days - they're not just spouting neocon cant anymore

We also save money because we don't have to spend money on advertising/marketing like they do in the States.

Are they as bad as the attorney commercials?
Too bad I can't find the TV ad on Youtube.

Are they as bad as the attorney commercials?
Too bad I can't find the TV ad on Youtube.



They're usually not as corny as that, but I find them disturbing when they compare the side effects with what they cure.

[Insert drug name here] will help you lose weight, but side effects include dizziness, heart palpitations, increase chances of stroke problems, anal bleeding, etc.

Most of the time I'd rather deal with the disease than the side effects from the new wonder drug they offer.

Oh those... the rules are surprisingly very strict in the states on what they can say in those commercials.

I thought you were talking about doctor or hospital commercials. Although I've seen hospital ads, I have yet to see a doctor commercial.

Oh those... the rules are surprisingly very strict in the states on what they can say in those commercials.

I thought you were talking about doctor or hospital commercials. Although I've seen hospital ads, I have yet to see a doctor commercial.

In Canada, drug companies can either say the name of the drug, or say what it does. Not both. So we get the amusing Viagra ads, or the "Vatirilan, ask your doctor!" ads.

The latter are the worst. "Ask him about what? WTF your commerical means? Why does he care? Why do I?"

edit: But yea Boots, I think the cure is worse than the disease in some of those ads. "May cause runny nose . . . or death". Yikes!

Indeed, the Canadian system is more efficient. That's why your political leaders come to the USA for their heart surgeries and cancer treatments. It's also why your critical care obstetrics cases get sent by Health Canada to US hospitals in places like Montana that have made a growth industry out of treating Canadians.

Obviously, all of those silly people detest effciency.

Wait...
So our system (governed by our population size) can send people to actually get treatment...even if in another country...and that's not efficient?

As for our politicians, like every politician, they seem to think they are above the proccess that would apply to everyone else. In this case, they would have to get in line, just like everybody else...or jump ship and spend tax payer money to skip ahead (the simple fact that EVERY politician profits from Canadians directly and indirectly let's me call it tax payer money).

See, your politicians are just like ours.

Your politicians exempt themselves from your national healthcare system (because it's so good, right?) and our politicians in Congress made for dang sure that when they passed Obamacare that Members of Congress were exempt from it.

So if socialized medicine is as wonderful as the political class tells us it is then why won't they use it?

Bart,

My personal opinion only.

If the entire world offered socialized healthcare, it would work much better for all.

If the entire world offered privitized healthcare, it would work much better for all.

The problem, as I see it, is that each has its specific strengthas and weakness'. When they are in such close proximity as Canada and the US, we see abuses on both sides. Wether it is politicians going south for top quality private care or seniors coming north for discounted prescription drugs...

There may be a better system somewhere in between, but national egos really make it hard to figure out.

See, your politicians are just like ours.

Your politicians exempt themselves from your national healthcare system (because it's so good, right?) and our politicians in Congress made for dang sure that when they passed Obamacare that Members of Congress were exempt from it.

So if socialized medicine is as wonderful as the political class tells us it is then why won't they use it?


because they have a choice not to.

The system is designed in such a way that a homeless man can get treatment before a billionaire pending the waiting list. It's fair. Some don't like fair.

Well, given the huge numbers of Americans who used to buy their drugs up here or visited Canada so they could get a flu shot in 2004, I'd say neither system is perfect.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles ... _flu_shot/

The difference is the Canadian system offers good medical care to everyone, while in the US, those who can afford it get the very best (in the world) in medical care. Those who can't afford 'VIP healthcare' get a much lower level of care than Canadians do.

Again, like differences in taxation, this goes to cultural differences in the two countries. America is much more individualist than Canada.

Just to put this in some perspective, in 2006 an estimated 60,000-85,000 people worldwide went to the US for various medical procedures.

In 2007, an estimated Americans sought health care beyond US borders.

Are they as bad as the attorney commercials?
Too bad I can't find the TV ad on Youtube.


Thiefts are better if to look at moral side of this topic