Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Mark Metzger
So everyone is going to get the same treatment under Obamacare, huh? Yeah, right! We need look no further than the Great White North (a.k.a. Canada) to see what is going to happen under a socialist healthcare system.
Believe it or not, only about 40% of the Canadian population use government-funded healthcare alone. The other 60 percent, most of who actually work, have other insurance providers to improve their quality of care. Why on earth would a Canadian do that when the government is the grand savior? Could it be that standing in line for hours with a smelly guy does not appeal to a lot of people? Perhaps. Contrary to popular thought in the US, Canada has 15 different government administered systems, none of which cover eyeglasses, dental work or prescription drugs. Physicians also DO NOT work for the government as they do in Britain, but rather operate under a “fee-for-service” model. Supplemental insurance plans range from something that is just north in quality of government care to platinum pla
ns with premium coverage for everyday services. The most interesting thing is what happens when you need surgery.
A pacemaker, for example, may take an average of six months to be installed under the government rationing system, depending on the province in which you live. Most provinces even publish a “Wait Time List” so you won’t call and bother them while
you suffer. Since the government plans fund most surgeries, you have no other option but to wait in line—
or so you would think.
If you have ever been to the Bellagio in Las Vegas, you know there are two lines at the Grand Buffet—“regular” and “VIP”. If you are in the regular line, you will wait 3-4 hours to get in to the restaurant, depending on the traffic. However, if you are in the VIP line, you get to bypass the “regular” line and you are in within minutes. Why? Because you get the VIP passes for spending money, either in the casino or by purchasing the VIP pass. This expense gains one immediate access—the same works for Canadian surgical procedures.
For example, for a small fee of $2,500 paid in cash directly to the physician, your name magically goes from the bottom of the list to the top for that pacemaker! Need a heart bypass, for an extra $7,500 there is no need to wait, even though it’s 8-9 months in the “regular” line in many provinces. Need a cancer removed? No need
to worry. As long as you have some extra cash, Canadian physicians have a reserved spot at the front of the line for you. Isn’t
free enterprise wonderful?
Now, Canada does have a priority (P) list. You can be a P1 (need treatment immediately) or a P2 (can wait a while) or a P3 (we’ll get to you whenever). But cash talks and P levels walk, so if you have the green, you get to be a P0 (screw everybody else, you’ve got money!) This sounds cold and unjust in a liberal world. But for the free thinkers among us, in a socialist medical system, we Americans are happy to know this option will become a reality if we are forced to go this route.
Look at it this way—so it costs me several thousand dollars to move to the front of the line—so what! What good is that money going to do me if I drop dead waiting for the procedure?
God bless the black market and Canadian ingenuity!
Permanent link to this post (590 words, 7 images, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)
Filed under: Uncategorized by A Constitutional Right
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
In an effort to get an injunction to stop the January 1st 40% reduction in Medicare reimbursements to heart specialists for vital routine office procedures, the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) has filed a lawsuit against the administration, specifically, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. The cuts involve imaging and diagnostic tests, changes that will increase the mortality rate according to Jack Lewin, CEO of ACC. The organization represents 90% of the 40,000 heart specialists in the United States.
This is a preview of
Medicare Cuts Starting January 1: Decrease In Access To Cardiac Care and Increase In Mortality Expected
.
Read the full post (524 words, 1 image, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)
Filed under: Uncategorized by Grass Roots Annie
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
All Americans that are not fat-cat bankers are upset, frustrated and furious against the Mega Banks that have taken our savings and used securities that nobody understands to make themselves super-rich and to produce the second Great Depression for the rest of us. We bailed them out because they were “too big to fail.” In response, they are continuing the wild behavior that has ruined our economy. What can we, the people, do?
Filed under: Uncategorized by Paul Siegel
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
KOS, your progressive voice is a strong, eloquent, and persistent battle cry against the monstrously nihilistic conservative Republicans who are trying to tear our society apart. You were a prime force in getting President Obama and the Democratic Congress elected. Now you are pushing them to achieve progressive legislation, especially health care reform. However, your exertions against bipartisanship and your continued fight for the already-defeated public option only serve to pull Republicans into the next Congress.
Filed under: Uncategorized by Paul Siegel
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Mark Metzger
ns with premium coverage for everyday services. The most interesting thing is what happens when you need surgery.
you suffer. Since the government plans fund most surgeries, you have no other option but to wait in line—or so you would think.
to worry. As long as you have some extra cash, Canadian physicians have a reserved spot at the front of the line for you. Isn’t free enterprise wonderful?
Look at it this way—so it costs me several thousand dollars to move to the front of the line—so what! What good is that money going to do me if I drop dead waiting for the procedure? God bless the black market and Canadian ingenuity!
