Health Care Costs in U.S.

elaine · 04-05-09 1:39 pm

In Canada, life expectancy at birth is about two years higher than in the United States. And this advantage is not gained by spending more. Medical costs as a percent of G.D.P. (combining public and private costs) are 15 percent in the United States and 10 percent in Canada. There are flaws in the Canadian system, but then that is also true of the American system. What the letter writer labels “horrors of a Canadian-style single-payer system” are a bit hard to see.

george · 07-28-09 7:12 pm

The main hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia just finished renovating their ER to the tune of 2 million dollars but it doesn't have the staff to run it. There were 11 ambulances lined up at the ER yesterday waiting to get in - never mind the walk-ins. It's nice when you don't have to pay but the trick is to get in.

don · 07-28-09 8:48 pm

It's nice when you don't have to pay but the trick is to get in. Canada is experiencing a doctor shortage, especially in rural areas. A trend in Ontario and Alberta (we are visiting in central Alberta this summer) is to have stand alone walkin clinics. The draw back is one cannot get ongoing care at such a clinic, just momentary solutions; minor problems, prescription renewals, etc. The advantage, usually the wait time is reasonable, and the hours open, better. . (Message edited by Don on July 28, 2009)

elaine · 07-29-09 2:22 pm

There is also a shortage of rural physicians here in the U.S. There is a lack of hospitals nearby, lowered reimbursements and there is a crying need for primary care physicians, even emphasized by Obama, to care for the majority of patients. Physicians go into the higher-paying specialties. There needs to be a more equitable pay system for physicians, as well as reimbursement that is so varied throughout the country.

george · 07-29-09 2:48 pm

Another bit of news for our area - we are now able to phone in with health concerns and will be advised by a nurse practitioner. In fact, many doctor's offices have a nurse practitioner who do the menial tasks of taking blood pressure etc. The doctors comes in pretty much to verify the nurse's findings and deal with further issues. By the way, Halifax is not what would be known as a rural area. The rural areas have visiting doctors. The ambulance incidence took place at a university hospital.

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#1 04-05-09 1:39 pm

Health Care Costs in U.S.

#2 07-28-09 7:12 pm

Re: Health Care Costs in U.S.

#3 07-28-09 8:48 pm

Re: Health Care Costs in U.S.

#4 07-29-09 2:22 pm

Re: Health Care Costs in U.S.

#5 07-29-09 2:48 pm

Re: Health Care Costs in U.S.

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