US Healthcare going Public

[Jauque 1]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere in Canada but where I live the healthcare is deplorable. There hasn't been family doctors taking patients since I moved here in 1995 and the bottom line with the health unit is that they are "working to attract more doctors"... for 14 years.

If I want to see a doctor I have to go to the emergency room or spend all day at the walk-in clinic hoping that I make it in before they close, because come 2pm if you havn't gotten in to see the one doctor that they have their daily you are asked to leave. While the ER won't turn you away I've never gotten in to see a doctor there in under 6 hours and even then they order blood tests before the docor will even look at you which is another 2 hours.

Anytime that I think I have to see a doctor either for myself or for my daughter the dread I feel for the illness is far over-shadowed by the dread I feel about trying to find a doctor to actually see us.

The greatest thing about the time that I have spent so far in Kansas is that for 90$ I can walk into almost anywhere see a doctor and be in and out in minutes. Maybe just becasue of where I live in Canada I have very bad experiences and feelings toward public health care. I'm quite disappointed with this whole "US might go public health-care". I would far rather pay 90$ for the few time a year that I actually need to see a doctor than get "free" healthcare that puts me out at least a day of work and has me paying taxes out the nose.

Does anyone have good experiences with the public health-care system here in Canada?

[moni_calla 0]

A similar thread has already been started.

Check it out!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=209489

[Misty1979 0]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere in Canada but where I live the healthcare is deplorable. There hasn't been family doctors taking patients since I moved here in 1995 and the bottom line with the health unit is that they are "working to attract more doctors"... for 14 years.

If I want to see a doctor I have to go to the emergency room or spend all day at the walk-in clinic hoping that I make it in before they close, because come 2pm if you havn't gotten in to see the one doctor that they have their daily you are asked to leave. While the ER won't turn you away I've never gotten in to see a doctor there in under 6 hours and even then they order blood tests before the docor will even look at you which is another 2 hours.

Anytime that I think I have to see a doctor either for myself or for my daughter the dread I feel for the illness is far over-shadowed by the dread I feel about trying to find a doctor to actually see us.

The greatest thing about the time that I have spent so far in Kansas is that for 90$ I can walk into almost anywhere see a doctor and be in and out in minutes. Maybe just becasue of where I live in Canada I have very bad experiences and feelings toward public health care. I'm quite disappointed with this whole "US might go public health-care". I would far rather pay 90$ for the few time a year that I actually need to see a doctor than get "free" healthcare that puts me out at least a day of work and has me paying taxes out the nose.

Does anyone have good experiences with the public health-care system here in Canada?

I've never had a doctor visit here in the US that only cost $90 without insurance. The cheapest I had was $400...ranging up to $850. I'm still trying to pay off those debts a year and a half later.

[trailmix 77]

Jauque - where the heck do you live in Canada?

[Jauque 1]

I live in northern Alberta, Grande Prairie to be specific. It's a boom oilfield city. I really do have no idea what its like elsewhere in the country, I've lived most of my life here and never had easy access to healthcare.

[Arabella 4]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere in Canada but where I live the healthcare is deplorable. There hasn't been family doctors taking patients since I moved here in 1995 and the bottom line with the health unit is that they are "working to attract more doctors"... for 14 years.

If I want to see a doctor I have to go to the emergency room or spend all day at the walk-in clinic hoping that I make it in before they close, because come 2pm if you havn't gotten in to see the one doctor that they have their daily you are asked to leave. While the ER won't turn you away I've never gotten in to see a doctor there in under 6 hours and even then they order blood tests before the docor will even look at you which is another 2 hours.

Anytime that I think I have to see a doctor either for myself or for my daughter the dread I feel for the illness is far over-shadowed by the dread I feel about trying to find a doctor to actually see us.

The greatest thing about the time that I have spent so far in Kansas is that for 90$ I can walk into almost anywhere see a doctor and be in and out in minutes. Maybe just becasue of where I live in Canada I have very bad experiences and feelings toward public health care. I'm quite disappointed with this whole "US might go public health-care". I would far rather pay 90$ for the few time a year that I actually need to see a doctor than get "free" healthcare that puts me out at least a day of work and has me paying taxes out the nose.

Does anyone have good experiences with the public health-care system here in Canada?

I've never had a doctor visit here in the US that only cost $90 without insurance. The cheapest I had was $400...ranging up to $850. I'm still trying to pay off those debts a year and a half later.

The full cost of the walk-in clinic that is one block from my house and has several doctors on staff at all times is $120. That is what the bill says when it comes to my house. My insurance pays it of course. I have never seen a doctor visit for $400-$850. I have two kids and am constantly going to the doctor. You must have had blood work or tests done to get a bill that high.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere in Canada but where I live the healthcare is deplorable. There hasn't been family doctors taking patients since I moved here in 1995 and the bottom line with the health unit is that they are "working to attract more doctors"... for 14 years.

If I want to see a doctor I have to go to the emergency room or spend all day at the walk-in clinic hoping that I make it in before they close, because come 2pm if you havn't gotten in to see the one doctor that they have their daily you are asked to leave. While the ER won't turn you away I've never gotten in to see a doctor there in under 6 hours and even then they order blood tests before the docor will even look at you which is another 2 hours.

Anytime that I think I have to see a doctor either for myself or for my daughter the dread I feel for the illness is far over-shadowed by the dread I feel about trying to find a doctor to actually see us.

The greatest thing about the time that I have spent so far in Kansas is that for 90$ I can walk into almost anywhere see a doctor and be in and out in minutes. Maybe just becasue of where I live in Canada I have very bad experiences and feelings toward public health care. I'm quite disappointed with this whole "US might go public health-care". I would far rather pay 90$ for the few time a year that I actually need to see a doctor than get "free" healthcare that puts me out at least a day of work and has me paying taxes out the nose.

Does anyone have good experiences with the public health-care system here in Canada?

I've never had a doctor visit here in the US that only cost $90 without insurance. The cheapest I had was $400...ranging up to $850. I'm still trying to pay off those debts a year and a half later.

The full cost of the walk-in clinic that is one block from my house and has several doctors on staff at all times is $120. That is what the bill says when it comes to my house. My insurance pays it of course. I have never seen a doctor visit for $400-$850. I have two kids and am constantly going to the doctor. You must have had blood work or tests done to get a bill that high.

but you have insurance.. the insurance company and the doctors work out an agreement on what things will cost...

[Jauque 1]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere in Canada but where I live the healthcare is deplorable. There hasn't been family doctors taking patients since I moved here in 1995 and the bottom line with the health unit is that they are "working to attract more doctors"... for 14 years.

If I want to see a doctor I have to go to the emergency room or spend all day at the walk-in clinic hoping that I make it in before they close, because come 2pm if you havn't gotten in to see the one doctor that they have their daily you are asked to leave. While the ER won't turn you away I've never gotten in to see a doctor there in under 6 hours and even then they order blood tests before the docor will even look at you which is another 2 hours.

Anytime that I think I have to see a doctor either for myself or for my daughter the dread I feel for the illness is far over-shadowed by the dread I feel about trying to find a doctor to actually see us.

The greatest thing about the time that I have spent so far in Kansas is that for 90$ I can walk into almost anywhere see a doctor and be in and out in minutes. Maybe just becasue of where I live in Canada I have very bad experiences and feelings toward public health care. I'm quite disappointed with this whole "US might go public health-care". I would far rather pay 90$ for the few time a year that I actually need to see a doctor than get "free" healthcare that puts me out at least a day of work and has me paying taxes out the nose.

Does anyone have good experiences with the public health-care system here in Canada?

I've never had a doctor visit here in the US that only cost $90 without insurance. The cheapest I had was $400...ranging up to $850. I'm still trying to pay off those debts a year and a half later.

The full cost of the walk-in clinic that is one block from my house and has several doctors on staff at all times is $120. That is what the bill says when it comes to my house. My insurance pays it of course. I have never seen a doctor visit for $400-$850. I have two kids and am constantly going to the doctor. You must have had blood work or tests done to get a bill that high.

but you have insurance.. the insurance company and the doctors work out an agreement on what things will cost...

My visits were with no insurance, just flat out 90 dollars.

Edited August 9, 2009 by Jauque

[DIARD 1]

I don't know the Canadian system but I know the US system. My daughters asthma doctor charges $689 for her routine visit here in the US. Her medication (Advair inhaler) is $300 a month. My daughter didn't develop it until we moved and she was 6 before she first attack. Better hope that your child doesn't get asthma when you move down here. You will be spending alot more than $90 a visit.

[trailmix 77]

Maybe if you had like an ear infection they would charge you $90.

Speaking of which, my Nephew went to see a Doctor here in Calgary, when they were up here visiting - no insurance. They charged him $30.00.

My Husband had a sore toe and went to see a Doctor in Florida, I believe we paid about $225.00. They didn't care that we had insurance but a huge deductible - so he had a test for diabetes, 2 xrays and they booked him in for an ultrasound, which he didn't go to.

They gave him some anti-inflammatories and some other pill and it was fine.

If you have good insurance there is absolutely nothing wrong with U.S. health care. If you lose your job, if you are poor, if you want to change jobs, if you are under insured, if you have pathetic health insurance - then it sucks i'm sure.

Edited August 9, 2009 by trailmix

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah that is the thing.. one of the major reasons hubby went back to his current job was because they had good health care insurance... and it started right a ways .. no waiting for 90 days for your insurance to kick in etc...

my hubby doesn't really like his job though and it sucks that he has to basically pick a job based on the health care insurance...

[thetreble 19]

My visits were with no insurance, just flat out 90 dollars.

$90.00 with no insurance? That's interesting. I went to see a doctor for my throat infection in the US without insurance years ago and the bill was over $1000.00.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Its like anything--if you have the $$$$$ it is all good,lol You have no money(insurance) it sucks,lol As stated in the other health care post, it all depends where one is in Canada. I have lived in Northern Saskatchewan, and yes the care was probably sub par, as not many (medical)people want to reside in Northern Sask!! My sisters as part of their Nursing program was to spend some time up in a Northern community, working at a medical clinic! They had to leave after a few days, as they were afraid for their lives!! Super high alcohol/drug problem, and at night the drunk/stoned locals would try and break into their residence! They couldn't pay them enough to ever go back,lol

[JillA 2]

I cannot stand the coverage I am seeing on health care reform here.... it's absolutely ridiculous, the things these people are saying/thinking/believing about HC reform. Talking about euthanasia, comparing Obama to Hitler, it's making me sick.

And they're going to these rallies, shouting and screaming at the people trying to explain it.... they are acting like animals

[Rhiannercakes 14]

"You get what you pay for".

Is pretty much all I have to say on the matter.