Well I'm gonna add my 2 cents to this issue.
You're right, its not that they are more advanced, its that some people's insurance won't cover it or it'll be far too expensive for them. ALso some insurance companies ARE sending people overseas to India and Thailand, because it is so much cheaper, even adding in the cost of travel. The surgeries done there are on par with surgeries done here.
Well this is one of those scary stories about Canadian healthcare. People die here from insurance companies denying coverage. Remember the teenage girl who needed a liver transplant? Her insurance company denied it because it was 'experimental', once this hit the news the insurance company backtracked and approved it, but it was too late, she died the next day.
Here is an interesting article. It states that 18,000 Americans die every year because of lack of basic health care.
Here in an article that busts myths about Canadian healthcare.
Another article too. Part 1, Part 2
As a side note, do you remember me complaining that it took me 6 months to get an xray for my back, when I went to my doctor here with back problems, and my history of back problems? In Canada I would have had an xray that day. Instead my doctor said I would have to see a specialist and if he said I needed an xray that would be ok. So off it went to insurance for approval to see a specialist, then making the appointment, going to see him, him writing his report for my doctor, then her sending that off to the insurance company for approval for xrays, etc... That took 6 months. Thats insane.
Insurance companies are in it to make money. They regularily deny people coverage even though their insurance covers the cost of treatment. They do this because only a certain percentage will actually fight it, its very cost effective for them to work this way. My wife used to be an insurance defence lawyer, she knows a heck of a lot about their tactics.
Having said all that, US doctors are great. I would not be alive if not for Dr Bradford, so I can hardly complain about US doctors. What I do complain about is the system. Is there a perfect system? No. Both the US and Canada have areas to improve on, and thats really what is important, making the system work better.
Ok, stepping off my soapbox now.
Brad
Originally posted by Pooka1
View Post
I can well imagine folks in Canada coming to the US for surgery if they can't get scheduled soon enough in Canada. The way Canada keeps its medical costs down is by strictly rationing the number of doctors and surgeons. People die waiting for some procedures.
Here is an interesting article. It states that 18,000 Americans die every year because of lack of basic health care.
Here in an article that busts myths about Canadian healthcare.
Another article too. Part 1, Part 2
As a side note, do you remember me complaining that it took me 6 months to get an xray for my back, when I went to my doctor here with back problems, and my history of back problems? In Canada I would have had an xray that day. Instead my doctor said I would have to see a specialist and if he said I needed an xray that would be ok. So off it went to insurance for approval to see a specialist, then making the appointment, going to see him, him writing his report for my doctor, then her sending that off to the insurance company for approval for xrays, etc... That took 6 months. Thats insane.
In terms of fewer woo-woo treatments available in the US, if that is even true and I doubt it, it may be because all states have a BBB and will prosecute folks for medical fraud. Perhaps other countries are far more lax in this department.
Having said all that, US doctors are great. I would not be alive if not for Dr Bradford, so I can hardly complain about US doctors. What I do complain about is the system. Is there a perfect system? No. Both the US and Canada have areas to improve on, and thats really what is important, making the system work better.
Ok, stepping off my soapbox now.
Brad
Comment