Canadian Health Care

[Etagloc]

Is it true that many Canadians go outside of Canada for health care?

I have heard that this is the case and I have heard that this is not the case.

I have never been to Canada in my life and I have no idea who is telling the truth.

Some of you might know more about Canada than I do.

For those who do- I hope you share your insight.

Is this true or not that Canadians go outside of Canada for healthcare and what is your perspective on the broader topic of Canadian health care?

 

[Thunderian]

Canada's health care is fine if you don't have anything serious and you don't mind waiting.

 

[Lurker]

Canada's health care is fine if you don't have anything serious and you don't mind waiting.

Would you mind defining serious and waiting?

 

[Thunderian]

Would you mind defining serious and waiting?

As far as I know, the health care in Canada is pretty good for most of the things -- even serious things -- that people have to deal with during their lifetimes. However, wait times for surgery are generally long, depending on what you have, and Canada just doesn't have the facilities or level of practice that Americans have access to. The US has a much wider range of options for people, as far as care goes, and people generally get into surgery as soon as possible.

This is a good article for setting out some of the situations that are driving Canadians south.

63,000 Canadians left the country for medical treatment in 2016

 

[umphreak]

My husband's grandmother who lives in Canada had a very bad experience when she broke her hip. The hospital was grossly understaffed and she had to harass them for days to get the medication she needs for her diabetes. She went days without being bathed. The staff was rude and acted as though she was being unreasonable for requesting these things. This was in Vancouver. She had always believed the healthcare in Canada was very good until she had this experience.

 

[Bacsi]

My husband's grandmother who lives in Canada had a very bad experience when she broke her hip. The hospital was grossly understaffed and she had to harass them for days to get the medication she needs for her diabetes. She went days without being bathed. The staff was rude and acted as though she was being unreasonable for requesting these things. This was in Vancouver. She had always believed the healthcare in Canada was very good until she had this experience.

Awful. How is she now?

 

[Bacsi]

Is it true that many Canadians go outside of Canada for health care?

I have heard that this is the case and I have heard that this is not the case.

I have never been to Canada in my life and I have no idea who is telling the truth.

Some of you might know more about Canada than I do.

For those who do- I hope you share your insight.

Is this true or not that Canadians go outside of Canada for healthcare and what is your perspective on the broader topic of Canadian health care?

I don't think Canadians have money to travel. Their economy is kaput

 

[DesertRose]

This was in Vancouver. She had always believed the healthcare in Canada was very good until she had this experience.

That is awful! The best hospital to go to in Vancouver is Vancouer General they have specialists always on the premises and they sit as a team and assess patients in fair time.. Some hospitals have to call their specialists especially if it is at night and in the weekend.

I don't think Canadians have money to travel. Their economy is kaput

Hello Bacsi long time no see.
Canadians have been traveling more than usual in my opinion. Cheaper holidays and easy credit.

 

[Helioform]

At least we don't risk the possibility of going bankrupt because of the price of expensive surgery such as in the US.

The only problem with free health care is people tend to lack responsability for their own health because of the easy access to health care. I always wonder why people go to the emergency for things as trivial as a cold for example.

But no one should really be profiting from curing people of diseases, because it can all become a "cause a disease and then make people pay for the cure" kind of business model. Cancer treatment is big business for example and we already know that much of what causes cancer is diet related, but that is not emphasized by the medical community. I have witnessed a person with a tumor as big as a grapefruit on their chest, heal themselves just by drinking water and eating a lot of fruits. This is the kind of thing that is suppressed in this health care system that is based on profiting off people's misery.

 

[Lurker]

free health care

Please do explain how it's free.

But no one should really be profiting from curing people of diseases

I agree. Health care should not be for profit.

Cancer treatment is big business for example and we already know that much of what causes cancer is diet related, but that is not emphasized by the medical community. I have witnessed a person with a tumor as big as a grapefruit on their chest, heal themselves just by drinking water and eating a lot of fruits. This is the kind of thing that is suppressed in this health care system that is based on profiting off people's misery.

Again, I agree. Food should be medicine. Unfortunately, that is not taught by Western Deathcare.

 

[Helioform]

Please do explain how it's free.

We have a form of public health insurance which covers most services. But we pay for that with higher income taxes so it's not really free I guess.

 

[Lurker]

We have a form of public health insurance which covers most services. But we pay for that with higher income taxes so it's not really free I guess.

Right. It just riles me up to hear "free".

 

[DesertRose]

Right. It just riles me up to hear "free".

It is not free,however, it is a worthwhile expense like firefighters and the police.
The US government instead voted for more money for a military that is already saturated.

 

[The Zone]

But tell me how elderly people fare in Canada? Are they not skipped over for people deemed with more to offer to society with concern to their needs?

 

[Orwell's mentor]

But tell me how elderly people fare in Canada? Are they not skipped over for people deemed with more to offer to society with concern to their needs?

Speaking from my own personal experience, I say they're treated rather well. My mum, who's in her late 70's, was in and out of hospitals from '15 to '17, and the treatment she received, for the most part, was very good.

 

[The Zone]

I had heard that they will not operate or offer care if the costs are deemed too high with concern to chances of recovery. I have also heard that the system was weighted towards youth and those who had more to offer.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/carol-levine/elderly-neglect-is-legitimized-by-canada-s-health-care-system_a_23302240/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/seniors-satisfaction-cihi-1.4525303

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontarios-long-term-care-problem-seniors-staying-at-home-longer-isnt-a-cure-for-waiting-lists

http://theconversation.com/how-healthy-is-the-canadian-health-care-system-82674

https://www.patientscanada.ca/index.cfm?id=61246

I am no expert on Canadian issues and take offense when some say ours is so bad. I realize nothing is simple. But I have read a bit about it and see some issues with the future. I am open to more data or opinions from those north of my border. I find the above links pointing to a system that will not give you it's all when elderly or at death's door. This would frighten me about my parent and when I got to that age, And Canada like the US baby boomers are an aging society.

Addendum - I was not trying to be standoffish with this post, but do think world health care in general could be in trouble. No system is perfect for all.

 

[Bacsi]

That is awful! The best hospital to go to in Vancouver is Vancouer General they have specialists always on the premises and they sit as a team and assess patients in fair time.. Some hospitals have to call their specialists especially if it is at night and in the weekend.


Hello Bacsi long time no see.
Canadians have been traveling more than usual in my opinion. Cheaper holidays and easy credit.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of overseas trips have been steadily going down.... One-day shopping trips south of the border excluding.

 

[Lurker]

it is a worthwhile expense

I'll take your word, I've never lived in that kind of system.

like firefighters

I agree.

and the police

And strongly disagree.

The US government instead voted for more money for a military that is already saturated.

Brown people don't bomb themselves.