The Vent - Part 2

[The_Dude 1,142]

Ours took about 4 months from submission to the receipt of package 3 technically. However, Montreal did lose our package 3 twice and took an extra two months to finally get it mailed to the correct address. At the time, those who were submitting to the California office had about 30% less time. I have not kept track since we moved to the next phase though.

[Krikit 1,163]

I highly doubt that a plurality of Canadians judge the quality of their care on what citizens as a whole have. I've read a myriad of reviews just about the differences in quality of care from province to province. The range of care at the top end is second to none on the planet, period, conversely, so is the quality of care for those who don't have insurance. I take umbrage at the generalization that American Healthcare is putrid and the be all end all sin of the world. It is in fact the insurance companies that are the problem. The problem is not the doctors or the level of care, it's the availability and massive greed from the insurance companies.

Ain't that the truth. Maybe add in the pharmaceutical companies. And probably a whole herd of other related industries.

My first experience with an American doctor wasn't too bad. Actually, he was Canadian but that's beside the point. lol. The first doctor I called, I was told it would take 3 weeks to get an appointment. I called the next one and received an appointment for the following week. I got there early to fill in the multitude of forms. I waited an hour and a half for the doctor to see me. Finally, I asked for another appointment because I had to get home in time for the A/C repairman and I was running out of time. The doctor was standing there talking to the nurse and making notes and said he would see me right away. (I didn't know he was the doctor because I'd never met him. lol)

Anyway, I really didn't find any difference between the wait for my doctor in Canada and the wait for the doctor in the US. I did notice a huge difference in that the US doctor appeared to have loads of time to take care of me, while my Canadian doctor was always in a mad dash to see the next patient. Oh, and I had to pay the US doctor before I left.

[lgg 2]

OMG, that's what the smell of burning toast is. Great.

I know, Varba... I hadn't meant to read that. It wasn't a Canadian case anyway -- us CR1s/IR1s are only processed in Montreal. It was a case from India or something?

Much faster consulate. Hadn't meant to read it. Wish I hadn't.

No idea. But they had an inverview scheduled in ONE Day? It just burns my toast that some consulates work THAT fast and yet we're ALL stuck here in limbo waiting for MONTHS.

Sorry to sound like a big baby. But geez. Oh, I hadn't meant to read that, it was an accidental reading.

Wow, that is fast. Maybe because it was the California office?

Do NOT look for similar cases to your own on VJ forums.

You WILL find Canadian cases with couples out west, and be sad.

Yesterday it took me all of 5 minutes to find 4 people with a K-1 that started with their I-129F around the time we sent our packet 3 in. They have their visa, we have nothing.

[Sprailenes 47]

DR. PENFIELD I SMELL BURNT TOAST!

[Varba 0]

For Krikkit, and everyone else needing a chuckle.

Initial tests of the mini Death Star:

SUCESS!

[DeadPoolX 9]

This is a great example of the contrast. Americans (some, not all) say something like - if you have great insurance you have exceptional care, if you have bad insurance or none, then the care is not good.

Canadians (most, not all) say, if everyone isn't getting great treatment - then the care is not good.

That's the difference.

Imagine never having your job tied to your Health insurance, imagine never having to worry about health insurance at all. If you need to see a Dr. you do, if you need your leg set, they set it, no questions asked, no payment required.

Imagine never getting a letter from a health insurance company asking for a co-pay or just sending you a statement every single time you see a Dr. - to tell you that you aren't covered as you have not met your deductable for the year.

Imagine never having to fill out a form or prove to anyone you are worthy of paying for their coverage.

I highly doubt that a plurality of Canadians judge the quality of their care on what citizens as a whole have. I've read a myriad of reviews just about the differences in quality of care from province to province. The range of care at the top end is second to none on the planet, period, conversely, so is the quality of care for those who don't have insurance. I take umbrage at the generalization that American Healthcare is putrid and the be all end all sin of the world. It is in fact the insurance companies that are the problem. The problem is not the doctors or the level of care, it's the availability and massive greed from the insurance companies.

I was hoping that with the new President, someone would have the balls to institute a NHS, but seeing how things are going, I'll take any improvement. The sad part is that if there is a public option introduced, my quality of care will diminish. I will no longer be in a network where I have access to any treatment, medication or procedure that will help me regardless of fees. My employer would dump this package and send us all to the public healthcare system which especially where I live would be overburdened. But, it's the right thing to do, as a citizen I wholeheartedly support it.

That's already happened to me in Canada.

I had fantastic health insurance in the U.S. and the quality of care was second to none. I come to Canada and it's "take a number, we'll see you in a few months." That's IF you can find a doctor who's accepting patients.

I know some people will say it's nice when you don't have to pay up front. Well, maybe it is, but living in BC requires me to pay BOTH in taxes and health care premiums. That's just for the basic provincial coverage. I also need private health insurance to cover my medication as the price of medication is astronomical. That's not to say medication is cheap in the U.S., but if I need health insurance to pay for the drugs (like in the U.S.) the overall "benefit" of Canadian health care greatly diminishes.

I'm scheduled to have surgery done. When? No clue. They won't tell me or even give me a general estimate. For all I know I could get the surgery next week or in six months. I've already waited two months. Yes, I realize some people might say that's "not too bad." However, I could get a surgical procedure performed in a week or so (at worst) after making the arrangements for it when I lived in the United States.

I realize American health care isn't "fair for some" but Canadian health care seems "unfair for some" as well. Even if you have the means to pay for better health care (i.e. private) you still can't get it since it's not offered. You're stuck waiting in line to even see a GP, let alone a specialist or surgery.

My father-in-law went down to Seattle in order to get some tests and a procedure done. It cost him, but he got everything done IMMEDIATELY. His only other option was to wait months in Canada.

I'm not particularly impressed with Canadian health care. Maybe it's the province I live in. Whatever the case, I really prefer American health care.

[Malrothien 6]

DPX, I swear, we're twins.

[The_Dude 1,142]

This is a great example of the contrast. Americans (some, not all) say something like - if you have great insurance you have exceptional care, if you have bad insurance or none, then the care is not good.

Canadians (most, not all) say, if everyone isn't getting great treatment - then the care is not good.

That's the difference.

Imagine never having your job tied to your Health insurance, imagine never having to worry about health insurance at all. If you need to see a Dr. you do, if you need your leg set, they set it, no questions asked, no payment required.

Imagine never getting a letter from a health insurance company asking for a co-pay or just sending you a statement every single time you see a Dr. - to tell you that you aren't covered as you have not met your deductable for the year.

Imagine never having to fill out a form or prove to anyone you are worthy of paying for their coverage.

I highly doubt that a plurality of Canadians judge the quality of their care on what citizens as a whole have. I've read a myriad of reviews just about the differences in quality of care from province to province. The range of care at the top end is second to none on the planet, period, conversely, so is the quality of care for those who don't have insurance. I take umbrage at the generalization that American Healthcare is putrid and the be all end all sin of the world. It is in fact the insurance companies that are the problem. The problem is not the doctors or the level of care, it's the availability and massive greed from the insurance companies.

I was hoping that with the new President, someone would have the balls to institute a NHS, but seeing how things are going, I'll take any improvement. The sad part is that if there is a public option introduced, my quality of care will diminish. I will no longer be in a network where I have access to any treatment, medication or procedure that will help me regardless of fees. My employer would dump this package and send us all to the public healthcare system which especially where I live would be overburdened. But, it's the right thing to do, as a citizen I wholeheartedly support it.

That's already happened to me in Canada.

I had fantastic health insurance in the U.S. and the quality of care was second to none. I come to Canada and it's "take a number, we'll see you in a few months." That's IF you can find a doctor who's accepting patients.

I know some people will say it's nice when you don't have to pay up front. Well, maybe it is, but living in BC requires me to pay BOTH in taxes and health care premiums. That's just for the basic provincial coverage. I also need private health insurance to cover my medication as the price of medication is astronomical. That's not to say medication is cheap in the U.S., but if I need health insurance to pay for the drugs (like in the U.S.) the overall "benefit" of Canadian health care greatly diminishes.

I'm scheduled to have surgery done. When? No clue. They won't tell me or even give me a general estimate. For all I know I could get the surgery next week or in six months. I've already waited two months. Yes, I realize some people might say that's "not too bad." However, I could get a surgical procedure performed in a week or so (at worst) after making the arrangements for it when I lived in the United States.

I realize American health care isn't "fair for some" but Canadian health care seems "unfair for some" as well. Even if you have the means to pay for better health care (i.e. private) you still can't get it since it's not offered. You're stuck waiting in line to even see a GP, let alone a specialist or surgery.

My father-in-law went down to Seattle in order to get some tests and a procedure done. It cost him, but he got everything done IMMEDIATELY. His only other option was to wait months in Canada.

I'm not particularly impressed with Canadian health care. Maybe it's the province I live in. Whatever the case, I really prefer American health care.

You can't really generalize healthcare in america. There are so many different levels. Would you prefer having some horible PPO that made you pay $500+ per month for mediocre care? I think you and I have had much the same experiences with healthcare in America, we've been spoiled with top notch care. I think if you had a different perspective in the U.S., you'd appreciate the Canadian system more.

[DeadPoolX 9]

This is a great example of the contrast. Americans (some, not all) say something like - if you have great insurance you have exceptional care, if you have bad insurance or none, then the care is not good.

Canadians (most, not all) say, if everyone isn't getting great treatment - then the care is not good.

That's the difference.

Imagine never having your job tied to your Health insurance, imagine never having to worry about health insurance at all. If you need to see a Dr. you do, if you need your leg set, they set it, no questions asked, no payment required.

Imagine never getting a letter from a health insurance company asking for a co-pay or just sending you a statement every single time you see a Dr. - to tell you that you aren't covered as you have not met your deductable for the year.

Imagine never having to fill out a form or prove to anyone you are worthy of paying for their coverage.

I highly doubt that a plurality of Canadians judge the quality of their care on what citizens as a whole have. I've read a myriad of reviews just about the differences in quality of care from province to province. The range of care at the top end is second to none on the planet, period, conversely, so is the quality of care for those who don't have insurance. I take umbrage at the generalization that American Healthcare is putrid and the be all end all sin of the world. It is in fact the insurance companies that are the problem. The problem is not the doctors or the level of care, it's the availability and massive greed from the insurance companies.

I was hoping that with the new President, someone would have the balls to institute a NHS, but seeing how things are going, I'll take any improvement. The sad part is that if there is a public option introduced, my quality of care will diminish. I will no longer be in a network where I have access to any treatment, medication or procedure that will help me regardless of fees. My employer would dump this package and send us all to the public healthcare system which especially where I live would be overburdened. But, it's the right thing to do, as a citizen I wholeheartedly support it.

That's already happened to me in Canada.

I had fantastic health insurance in the U.S. and the quality of care was second to none. I come to Canada and it's "take a number, we'll see you in a few months." That's IF you can find a doctor who's accepting patients.

I know some people will say it's nice when you don't have to pay up front. Well, maybe it is, but living in BC requires me to pay BOTH in taxes and health care premiums. That's just for the basic provincial coverage. I also need private health insurance to cover my medication as the price of medication is astronomical. That's not to say medication is cheap in the U.S., but if I need health insurance to pay for the drugs (like in the U.S.) the overall "benefit" of Canadian health care greatly diminishes.

I'm scheduled to have surgery done. When? No clue. They won't tell me or even give me a general estimate. For all I know I could get the surgery next week or in six months. I've already waited two months. Yes, I realize some people might say that's "not too bad." However, I could get a surgical procedure performed in a week or so (at worst) after making the arrangements for it when I lived in the United States.

I realize American health care isn't "fair for some" but Canadian health care seems "unfair for some" as well. Even if you have the means to pay for better health care (i.e. private) you still can't get it since it's not offered. You're stuck waiting in line to even see a GP, let alone a specialist or surgery.

My father-in-law went down to Seattle in order to get some tests and a procedure done. It cost him, but he got everything done IMMEDIATELY. His only other option was to wait months in Canada.

I'm not particularly impressed with Canadian health care. Maybe it's the province I live in. Whatever the case, I really prefer American health care.

You can't really generalize healthcare in america. There are so many different levels. Would you prefer having some horible PPO that made you pay $500+ per month for mediocre care? I think you and I have had much the same experiences with healthcare in America, we've been spoiled with top notch care. I think if you had a different perspective in the U.S., you'd appreciate the Canadian system more.

You're probably right.

I'm not trying to generalize health care in America. I'm merely describing my experiences in the U.S. versus those in Canada. I did have awesome health coverage and I did get top-notch care. Compared to what I currently receive in Canada, I feel as if I've definitely been downgraded. Other individuals may differ if they had poor quality insurance or none at all in the U.S.

[The_Dude 1,142]

You're probably right.

I'm not trying to generalize health care in America. I'm merely describing my experiences in the U.S. versus those in Canada. I did have awesome health coverage and I did get top-notch care. Compared to what I currently receive in Canada, I feel as if I've definitely been downgraded. Other individuals may differ if they had poor quality insurance or none at all in the U.S.

The biggest dichotomy in healthcare that I've seen is in the Military. My sister had a very difficult pregnancy, and at one point had to be medivac in a helicopter to a specialist because of a life threatening ovarian cyst. They went so far and above what primary level of care that I was truly astonished. But then, there was the situation when my brother in law was injured, in Iraq. He had major surgery and had stitches from his ankle to his armpit to close the vast wounds. He returned to the states and went through some physical thereapy whereupon he was instructed to report back to duty on base. He was still in excruciating pain and required significantly more care, but the military denied it and told him to go to work. My sister had to contact her congressman to basically shame them into providing him the care that he needed.

[Krikit 1,163]

But then, there was the situation when my brother in law was injured, in Iraq. He had major surgery and had stitches from his ankle to his armpit to close the vast wounds. He returned to the states and went through some physical thereapy whereupon he was instructed to report back to duty on base. He was still in excruciating pain and required significantly more care, but the military denied it and told him to go to work. My sister had to contact her congressman to basically shame them into providing him the care that he needed.

That's disgusting. I'm glad your sister was able to do something about it. Hope he's on the mend now. And thank God it wasn't more serious.

[trailmix 77]

I was hoping that with the new President, someone would have the balls to institute a NHS, but seeing how things are going, I'll take any improvement. The sad part is that if there is a public option introduced, my quality of care will diminish. I will no longer be in a network where I have access to any treatment, medication or procedure that will help me regardless of fees. My employer would dump this package and send us all to the public healthcare system which especially where I live would be overburdened. But, it's the right thing to do, as a citizen I wholeheartedly support it.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying.

I didn't mean to even imply that American doctors or their individual level of care were in question - I think that would be a pretty silly statement to make, I have not experienced American health care but I do believe that it is probably fabulous (with good and bad Drs in both countries of course).

While I don't think that Canadians (and I obviously can't speak for ALL Canadians) judge their individual visit to a doctor the same as they judge UHC - there is a UHC 'thought' in this country.

It's absolutely not perfect, not even close - it has problems, delivery problems, money problems, shortage of Doctors - wait times that are too long in some cases, so no, I don't look at it with blinders on.

I too was hoping that the new President would institute a national health service - but apparently the country is not ready for it at this particular time.

[wowswift 3]

I don't want national health insurance. I'm happy with my HSA/HDHP and like the fact that I don't have to pay into some massive insurance plan that I will most likely never use and I get to save money.

and yes the canadian wait is bad, not that i ever used it, but hubby and his family obv hated it. but of course it is newfoundland, so i'd imagine the wait for any surgery there is gonna be pretty bad. but that shouldn't be an accepted rule, at least for me.

Edited October 16, 2009 by wowswift

[trailmix 77]

I don't want national health insurance. I'm happy with my HSA/HDHP and like the fact that I don't have to pay into some massive insurance plan that I will most likely never use and I get to save money.

and yes the canadian wait is bad, not that i ever used it, but hubby and his family obv hated it. but of course it is newfoundland, so i'd imagine the wait for any surgery there is gonna be pretty bad. but that shouldn't be an accepted rule, at least for me.

And it is for people like you that a true universal health care system in the U.S. has been curbed.

"I don't want national health insurance. I'm happy with my HSA/HDHP and like the fact that I don't have to pay into some massive insurance plan that I will most likely never use and I get to save money".

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[KnJ 0]

I don't want national health insurance. I'm happy with my HSA/HDHP and like the fact that I don't have to pay into some massive insurance plan that I will most likely never use and I get to save money.

and yes the canadian wait is bad, not that i ever used it, but hubby and his family obv hated it. but of course it is newfoundland, so i'd imagine the wait for any surgery there is gonna be pretty bad. but that shouldn't be an accepted rule, at least for me.

And it is for people like you that a true universal health care system in the U.S. has been curbed.

"I don't want national health insurance. I'm happy with my HSA/HDHP and like the fact that I don't have to pay into some massive insurance plan that I will most likely never use and I get to save money".

agree wholeheartedly, trailmix.. and to what you said earlier

J has what I believe (he says) is a great insurance plan. It freaks the heck out of me. He said they are trying to outlaw the pre-existing condition @#$% but that it's in a bill with a whole bunch of other not so great things for health care.

====

but I won't call ANY of this healthcare. It's illness care. If a culture has systemic conditions it takes for granted as normal, people in it may not even question how they are getting sick in the first place. And it all costs money, and someone has to pay.

The attitude of don't think a government should pay for its citizens to have care because you're doing just fine thankyouverymuch is an attitude which reflects how ignorant in general we are of how much our materialistic, individualistic, greedy and polluting society creates the very illnesses it won't pay for.

You don't want to be responsible for paying someone else's bill? Well, you (all of us) are responsible systemically for that illness in the first place. Reconcile that. Please.