Martin Baxter wrote:
Dave wrote:
On Fri, 05 May 2006 07:56:19 -0400, Martin Baxter said:

That is *one* good thing you can say for Canada's system,
Do I correctly understand you're not entirely thrilled with Canada's system?

It has it's good points and it's bad. If you are not really sick, i.e.
about to die, it can take a dogs age to get anything done. Wait times
for hip and knee replacements can typically run between 3 and 6 months.
You can easily twiddle your thumbs in a ER for 4 hours unless you're
hemorrhaging a couple of units every 10 minutes.

On the other hand bypass surgery occurs in just a few days. My brother
went to his GP with chest pain, two days later he was on the table
getting a quad bypass.

Of course, contrary to what the Government says, it is a two tier
system. If you have the bucks and want something done right now, go to
the 'states and pay for it, or try Alberta.

It is certainly not "free" as many seem to tout, we pay among the
highest taxes in the world to finance our health care system. My
province introduced a "Health Care Surtax" on top of the general tax
levy two years ago. For me that amounts to an additional $600 a year,
(the Cdn $ is now up to $0.90 US), no it's not cheap, but it is
universal and will do it's best to save your life in an emergency.

There are now many procedures and test not covered by OHIP, i.e. PSA
test, cosmetic surgeries, a good many dermatological related things,
most physiotherapy, chiropractic (thank God), podiatry and you must pay
for them yourself.

For you personally, up until two years ago one could get a thorough
ophthalmic exam at no cost every year, now one must pay,
ophthalmologists are not terribly pleased, nor am I, (I only have
presbyopia, but hey I'm not getting any younger and it's nice to get
completely checked out every couple of years.)

I think ours is a better system than yours, at least it won't bankrupt
you in the event something like a quad bypass, but it certainly leaves
something to be desired.

Cheers
Marty

P.S. for Katy, presbyopia does not mean that I'm Presbyterian.

I knew that, Martin. So how much of your tax dollar per annum do
you contribute for health care?