Curious "Canadian or U.K." question on health care?

[gwstang]

Did those countries have U.S. styled health care with an insurance company before changing over to one health care they have now? I realize it was years ago this happened, but just curious as to what happened to the insurance companies? They just went away? What would happen to the insurance companies here in the U.S., if we suddenly went to a one payer like if everyone suddenly changed to a medicare system? Just wondering? :confused2:

 

[ericm979]

Single payer describes how the health care is paid for but not how it's delivered- that can be public or private or a combination. It also does not preclude insurance companies. Look at how Medicare works- there's still insurance companies involved, and private doctors and hospitals providing service. There's insurance that supplements Medicare and insurance that kind of re-packages it and supplements it (Medicare Advantage). If we went to Medicare for all the insurance marketplace would be different but there'd still be insurance companies. Health-net is a big Advantage supplier and is making money off it.

Getting insurance companies involved less in the business would reduce costs quite a bit. Most other first world countries spend about half what we do (on a % of GDP basis) and get equal or better results. One of the big differences is that our system requires a huge amount of paper pushing between service providers and insurance companies. Other first world countries don't have such a complex system (even the ones that have private insurance) which saves a lot.

Of course the big insurance companies would like to preserve their current status. It's politically difficult to change their situation because they have a lot of money and power. This was one of the problems when framing the ACA- they had to keep the insurance companies on board, so they ended up with a system that's kind of a mashup. It could be simpler and cost less.

Interestingly, we'd have had universal health insurance in 1945s except the AMA (doctors) worked to kill it. 69 years ago, a president pitches his idea for national health care | PBS NewsHour

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Most other first world countries spend about half what we do (on a % of GDP basis) and get equal or better results.

Every American should be required to recite that before voting.

But every dollar cut from health care spending is a dollar cut from health care earning. That's the real problem.

 

[AWSubie]

Just Google "Canadian Health Care".

 

[RNeumann]

Not a Canadian so I can’t answer directly. However, while building my place in North Idaho I stayed in a local hotel.....A LOT. We saw several Canadians who came over the boarder to get care. If they could pay cash and didn’t want to wait they would just come across and get it done.

The one that stands out the most was a couple in their 60-70s and the lady had a bad bunion or similar and could hardly walk. They were told it would take months in CA to get the required surgery. They didn’t want to wait and feared that if she had to sit around for that long it would create other medical issues.
I was left with the impression you couldn’t buy different levels of coverage (like insurance) and everyone was treated equally. However, it also seemed they had long waits for some procedures. I don’t believe you can legally pay a doctor cash and have the procedure done on say an evening or weekend. It sounded like that would be a crime.
Again- no Canadian. I’m just relaying my hotel conversations with several folks just over the boarder in North Idaho.

 

[gwstang]

I hadn't thought about the medicare and how the insurance companies are still involved. I'm 62 and still 3 years away so don't know much about that end.

"Of course the big insurance companies would like to preserve their current status. It's politically difficult to change their situation because they have a lot of money and power. This was one of the problems when framing the ACA- they had to keep the insurance companies on board, so they ended up with a system that's kind of a mashup. It could be simpler and cost less."

I'm retiring June 1 and will still be covered by my employer until 65. My wife won't be anymore (about $300/month right now). So, I had to call the "Market place" insurance board today and get her signed up. Gave me indigestion to even comprehend how much hers is going to cost me. I'm not happy. Going to take a chunk out of retirement $$$ for sure, at least until she gets 65. Oh well, I still "Luv 'er" after 41 years so I will gladly pay for it. Still got indigestion though...lol I have really taken an ugly disliking to most politicians on this issue ....real ugly...as in a swift kick where it will hurt them the most, kind of ugly.

 

[gwstang]

"and the lady had a bad bunion or similar and could hardly walk"

Heck, I could take care of that with a dremel and sanding disk....

My wife was complaining about a callous on the bottom of her foot that was pressing and causing her pain. I got the dremel out and told her not to hold it but a second on the callous and then repeat until gone. Worked like a charm.

 

[RNeumann]

"and the lady had a bad bunion or similar and could hardly walk"

Heck, I could take care of that with a dremel and sanding disk....

My wife was complaining about a callous on the bottom of her foot that was pressing and causing her pain. I got the dremel out and told her not to hold it but a second on the callous and then repeat until gone. Worked like a charm.

Nothing says 41 years of wedded bliss quite like this story!

Signed-

envious and hopeful

 

[mrmikey]

Canadain system is nice in that you don't get dinged major $$ for a procedure. Canadian system sucks in that you wait years for a procedure. I waited over two years for a knee replacement from the time that they decided I needed one. I waited 1-1/2 years fro a hip replacement during which time it's all I could do to walk. Just recently a friend of mine went from cane
to two canes to walker to wheelchair because both his hips were screwed. Ended up selling his business because he couldn't move around any more.......................Mike

 

[Jstpssng]

I don't see what the health care type has to do with the length of time until treatment; it seems that would be a function of the amount of facilities available. We are going to be faced with a shortage of health care providers in the US down the road.