What do YOU like or dislike about govt. healthcare?

[99'busa]

Originally Posted by Red05

I still think that a paid National health plan, much like Social Security is paid, would work. It would omit those not working, leaving Medicade as their only option. One of the problems with health insurance is the relationship between the insurance companies and doctors or hospitals which in some cases is downright unethical. I've had MRI's both covered by insurance and paid out of pocket, and the difference in charges was huge. Identical procedures and roughly a 30% difference in charges. The higher rate paid by the insurance company reflects in our premiums, and the snow ball effect is horrendous. There has to be regulation here, and rates mandated by a National plan could be a solution, maybe with some hard a$$es like the IRS to watch things (runeight, your experience with the IRS hopefully not being the norm). I'm not so much a supporter of a National Health plan as I am a supporter of regulating what goes on in medical billing.

I def. agree that at the VERY least the govt. should step in and regulate charges. Force hospitals to set a standard FAIR rate by states. I have seen the samething when I had to pay out of pocket. Some cases its almost 1/2 what ins. pays. THIS has to be a huge part in the current health care problem.

[thrasherfox]

I think this article about Natasha Richardson is an example of the problems with the Canadian health care system (at least in some parts) in comparison to our health care system

Doctor: Lack of medical helicopter cost actress - MSN Movies News

Here is a quote from a Canadian doctor

"It's impossible for me to comment specifically about her case, but what I could say is ... driving to Mont Tremblant from the city (Montreal) is a 2 1/2-hour trip, and the closest trauma center is in the city. Our system isn't set up for traumas and doesn't match what's available in other Canadian cities, let alone in the States," said Tarek Razek, director of trauma services for the McGill University Health Centre, which represents six of Montreal's hospitals.


Note where he says "let alone in the States"

[99'busa]

Originally Posted by thrasherfox

I think this article about Natasha Richardson is an example of the problems with the Canadian health care system (at least in some parts) in comparison to our health care system

Doctor: Lack of medical helicopter cost actress - MSN Movies News

Here is a quote from a Canadian doctor

"It's impossible for me to comment specifically about her case, but what I could say is ... driving to Mont Tremblant from the city (Montreal) is a 2 1/2-hour trip, and the closest trauma center is in the city. Our system isn't set up for traumas and doesn't match what's available in other Canadian cities, let alone in the States," said Tarek Razek, director of trauma services for the McGill University Health Centre, which represents six of Montreal's hospitals.


Note where he says "let alone in the States"

That's messed up. There arent enough hospitals sometimes now. If a trip to the hospital was free it would get way worse.

[Mr Bogus]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

I am not sure how to answer your question but I think we should take a hard look at the best of universal health care systems (France, Germany, Sweden, England, and others) and see if we can improve upon them or at least look to mitigate where they are weak.

and none of them work even remotely well... (unless your are rich of course)

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

If that were true then there would not be so many falling through the cracks.

you are sadly unaware of the system and how it works... I have been involved in health care billing and insurance now for about 5 years..

you socialize medicine and your "people falling through the cracks" will never even make it to the sidewalk.. You are going to let the guys that drove the economy into the ground take over the health care system?

everyone in this country has access to critical health care (no some fat lady feeding her diabetes icecream bars may not get all she needs but self inflicted health issues are the primary source of many peoples ailments) But if you are in real need of health care it is available..

Runny noses and "pseudo" illness's are common because many think they need to run to a doctor every time they sneeze.. They want to be treated like they are sick.. (many are looking for disability papers)..

The system needs some serious reform but it is more related to what/why people visit primary health care providers.. I would venture to guess 50% of the people showing up are just wasting every ones time..

What we need is some more of Obama's changes... his current ones are working so well...

[Mr Bogus]

Originally Posted by 99'busa

I def. agree that at the VERY least the govt. should step in and regulate charges. Force hospitals to set a standard FAIR rate by states. I have seen the samething when I had to pay out of pocket. Some cases its almost 1/2 what ins. pays. THIS has to be a huge part in the current health care problem.

who do you think regulates charges now? you think Dr's and hospitals just make up numbers and bill? the Govt and insurance companies are heavily involved in "price fixing" in health care.. they also decide how much they feel like paying when paying claims.. (not even remotely close to what is billed, $35 charge? pays .25, yea twenty five cents in many cases) I write off between 40 and 90% of billed charges every month.. Many offices refuse Medicaid and Medicare pt's for this very reason..

It is also illegal for a Dr's office to bill 2 rates.. (insurance vs cash) Any office caught running this gig will end up in Washington DC fighting Medicare/Medicaid for there very survival.. Some offices WILL offer discount for full payment OR if you are paying cash but the must bill exactly the same..

[99'busa]

Originally Posted by Mr Bogus

who do you think regulates charges now? you think Dr's and hospitals just make up numbers and bill? the Govt and insurance companies are heavily involved in "price fixing" in health care.. they also decide how much they feel like paying when paying claims.. (not even remotely close to what is billed, $35 charge? pays .25, yea twenty five cents in many cases) I write off between 40 and 90% of billed charges every month.. Many offices refuse Medicaid and Medicare pt's for this very reason..

It is also illegal for a Dr's office to bill 2 rates.. (insurance vs cash) Any office caught running this gig will end up in Washington DC fighting Medicare/Medicaid for there very survival.. Some offices WILL offer discount for full payment OR if you are paying cash but the must bill exactly the same..

one of my situations was the birth of our last daughter. If we paid in full before we check out they cut about 40% off the bill. I know if we had ins. this would not have been the case. I do understand that ins pays slow. I def. am no expert with these claims or policies.

[Gardzilla]

500 supporters rally for hospital

Cambridge residents fear they'll have to drive to other cities for treatment if services get cut

March 23, 2009
April Robinson
RECORD STAFF
CAMBRIDGE
TheRecord.com - CanadaWorld - 500 supporters rally for hospital

Eric Dahlin relies on Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

He was diagnosed with bladder cancer last year, and has returned for surgeries, checkups and treatments.

Then the cancer came back.

As his local hospital looks ahead to an operational review, and service cuts that may follow, Dahlin is angered by the prospect of driving to Kitchener for treatment.

"I'm not normally politically active," said the 61-year-old yesterday at a rally to get fair funding for the Cambridge hospital. "But I think what's going on is wrong and we've got to fix it."

More than 500 people gathered at the Cambridge Newfoundland Club then marched down Hespeler Road.

They heard brief speeches from local politicians and Cambridge doctors, and asked a few questions of their own.

"How many people have to die before we get what we deserve?" asked Ed Schmeler, who recently had triple bypass surgery. "When you have a serious health problem, you need quick action.

"Why should you have to go to another town?"

Rasa Mazeika has two frail, 87-year-old parents living in Riverbend Place, next to the hospital.

"They're hanging on," she said. "And they're not taking up nursing home beds. How are these people going to get to Waterloo?"

A review of Cambridge Memorial Hospital's budget is underway to cut a projected $3.5 million deficit in the next year. The hospital is required to balance its $104 million budget by the end of 2009-10.

Residents and doctors are worried they'll lose valuable services -- such as obstetrics, oncology and ophthalmology -- and be forced to drive to Kitchener or Guelph for care. They are also frustrated by delays in a much-needed expansion.

"Somehow, in 2003, Cambridge Memorial Hospital fell off the radar of the Liberal government, and it has never been there again," Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer told the cheering crowd.

Both the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo have set aside funding for the expansion.

Sandra Hanmer, of the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network, which ordered the budget review, said it's important for all of the local hospitals to "live within their means."

"I think all of us have the same goal in mind today -- a strong community hospital in Cambridge," she said. "It needs to be a sustainable hospital."

A four-person team will report back to the health network this spring, Hanmer said. It's not now known how much the review will cost, or who will pay for it.

Many at the rally questioned the purpose of the Waterloo-Wellington network, and whether it distributes provincial funds fairly. "It's a poor concept," Dahlin said. "It's for government to duck responsibility."

"I'm not sure why we've been centred out to be treated this way," Dr. Glenn Martin told the crowd. "I have strong suspicions we haven't got all the money from the (network) we're supposed to."

Hanmer said it's important to have the structure to make health care decisions "close to home."

Cambridge isn't being targeted, she added. All area hospitals are reviewing their budgets to ensure beds and services are used as efficiently as possible.

Hospitals in Waterloo Region and Wellington County received $730 per resident in 2008-09. That's $279 less than the average for 11 local health networks, according to the Growing Communities Healthcare Alliance.

[Mr Bogus]

Originally Posted by 99'busa

one of my situations was the birth of our last daughter. If we paid in full before we check out they cut about 40% off the bill. I know if we had ins. this would not have been the case. I do understand that ins pays slow. I def. am no expert with these claims or policies.

yes the CAN discount the bill but they can NOT charge less... It is at the providers discretion as to the amount of discount they will apply..

at 40% off you bill? they still whacked you 10-30% harder than the insurance company would have paid.. The insurance company decides what the discount is, not the provider..

Sort of like you going to the grocery.. you get steak for dinner and they tell you $24.. you go ok that is fine, you get the steaks and then at checkout you tell them here is $10 take it or leave it... I own the steaks..

I can see the time coming where people without a lot of knowledge about the finances of medical care are handled are going to make some sweeping changes that will screw the average person right out of health care.. I have sat through a number of meetings with Dr's from regions with "centralized" (or govt run health care) and it is most disturbing..

They pick and choose your care by what they "think" will be the outcome of your treatment.. they will withhold chemo/radiation if they feel you are going to die anyway.. Also, health care is defined in finite terms.. "we have 4 chemo sessions available and 7 patients that need it.." Ok who do you think will benefit most? who is cuter? who do you like? Which one will "benefit us" most if they live?

you think you see racist/social/biased decisions now? just wait....

[Dino]

Originally Posted by Mr Bogus

and none of them work even remotely well... (unless your are rich of course)


...

How many have you been in? My son was born in a German Hospital and the experience was very good. My mother lives in Sweden and she has nothing but good things to say about the health care. What is your assessment based upon?

[99'busa]

Originally Posted by Mr Bogus

yes the CAN discount the bill but they can NOT charge less... It is at the providers discretion as to the amount of discount they will apply..

at 40% off you bill? they still whacked you 10-30% harder than the insurance company would have paid.. The insurance company decides what the discount is, not the provider..

Sort of like you going to the grocery.. you get steak for dinner and they tell you $24.. you go ok that is fine, you get the steaks and then at checkout you tell them here is $10 take it or leave it... I own the steaks..

I can see the time coming where people without a lot of knowledge about the finances of medical care are handled are going to make some sweeping changes that will screw the average person right out of health care.. I have sat through a number of meetings with Dr's from regions with "centralized" (or govt run health care) and it is most disturbing..

They pick and choose your care by what they "think" will be the outcome of your treatment.. they will withhold chemo/radiation if they feel you are going to die anyway.. Also, health care is defined in finite terms.. "we have 4 chemo sessions available and 7 patients that need it.." Ok who do you think will benefit most? who is cuter? who do you like? Which one will "benefit us" most if they live?

you think you see racist/social/biased decisions now? just wait....

Ive heard horror stories about medicare and medicaid like this from elite brain surgeons. I was shocked to hear how little the make from a brain surgery with medicare or cade.