I'm from Mexico and we also have a health care system. Actually, we have several. The are two that are the most used, IMSS and ISSSTE. These are at a national level.

i have a part time job in the state government so I have another one (ISSSTESON) and it's pretty good. It also covers my wife and kids. I have used it for small things as colds, for an emergency in the middle of the night when the kids got stomach flu and for big things such as arthrostopic surgery on my left knee.

I've had good attention from the doctors, more than enough meds (even pain killers for the knee surgery ), and in the case of the knee problem they even gave me three weeks of work leave with pay.

So if a border state of a third world country can make it work, I just don't understand all the troubles the USA is having with it.

 

i friggin miss my OHIP, down here ya pay a rediculous amount for your yearly exam its like ok employment down here is going to hell in a pink fuzzy hand baskett and they still get away with murder charging 1,2,300$s a visit hell femenin health care is a joke too "you're approved for a program but its 600$s a year" (oh you're unemployed thats to bad then you DON'T qualify suddenly)...its a joke..health care down here...like the kiwi's are having money issues going into thier blazers i have money issues taking care of my own damn health...sad, very sad..

 

C.Blazer: Don't get used to it

This is a pretty eye opening thread. Everyone always tells the tale of how America has the best health care (doctor wise) with the worst coverage possible. But looking through the handful that have posted from outside countries.... It doesn't look that different really. You still have problems, just in a minor way.

At least the average working joe here has something the other countires don't, an incentive to stay healthy. (since for most there is no possible way to cover the bills if they don't). U! S! A! U! S! A!

 

how about a reply from an American living in Norway? Over here we have National health care. Regular doctor visits cost 182 norwegan kroner, about 27 bucks. If you get shots, blood tests etc. you pay a portion of the materials. ER visits are free (I think I have never been there) Operations are free, child birth is free (the medical part anyway, you still have to deal with a preggo )
We have a maximum out of pocket expense of 18xx kroner A YEAR. Again a max out of pocket expense of ca. $300 a year. this includes doctor, presciption(which is also subsidized), kiropractor (I think), physical therapy, psychologist, other specialists, and taxi to and from (if needed). After this maximum is reached you pay nothing. You just show your free card and the gov. picks up the bill.

OK those where the positives, and here come the negatives, The waiting. It can (99%of the time it does) take a long time to get in to a specialist, and if it's not serious ( I cut my finger and need the doctor to put on a band aid, of I have a cold) you won't get to your regular doctor before everything is healed up or you are healthy again.

Yes we have high taxes 25% sales tax, I pay 32% income tax, and cars and trucks and fuel are utrageously overprised. (my 99 Blazer cost about 19g's) and that was a pretty good price!

We also have the problem of private doctors/specialists and insurance. Companies like the one I used to work for buy this insurance for their employees and they get to cut in line at the doctor/specialist. So they can get back to work sooner. This in my eyes undermines the benefits of the public health care (I have seen the best and I come from USA so I have also seen how wrong things can get.)
We can also take 3 at a time paid sick days. If you need more talk to your doctor, you will get what you need. Your employer pays the first two weeks and the the state takes over and pays you 100% of your normal (37.5 hours a week) paycheck.
Government run health care can be very good we just have to keep the politicians in check, and remind them they work for us and not the other way around.

 

Wow. Norway's system sound so very exploitable. Really. You would only see me when i go outside to collect my pay check from the mail box every week. Just get a doctor to cut you a sweet deal (like the fools that give marijuana for some anxiety, or pink eye here in Oregon) and you are off riding a government sponsored gravy train.
With biscuit wheels no less!

 

yea we've got a few of those, but the system is a little messed up. If you get paid from the gov. direct you might not get paid the same day every month (Normal pay is once a month here), which could be a problem if your broke. The majority doesn't abuse it too bad. It is nice to know that you don't have to worry if you get sick or injured though. They started a get back to work quicker program last year. I'm not quite sure how it works though, even though I was a part of it. One month off, one month working 50%, one month working 80% and then back to normal. Bad back + heavy lifting = problems

 

New info: After one month the employer has to sit down with you to see how things are and what can be done to get you back to work. After 2 months they have to do what they can to get you back to work. within reason of course. different position, other tasks/assignments, lifting aids. etc.

 

hmmm. that actually sounds like a pretty good system. I will have to find another country to exploit then. Thanks Mczuk.

Brian, let us know how this goes. I am interested. You seem to be like a lot of people I have heard as far as a "middle of the road" stance. Our system is broken, but breaking it the other way is not the answer, kind of thing. What are you proposing as far as your arguments go? Not looking for your paper, just the talking points.

 

I will let you know how the discussion goes. It’s next Tuesday and I turned my paper in today. The discussion is going to turn into a argument like it always does. It usually ends up that our professor who you would think would stay neutral ends up agreeing with all the other liberal know it alls in our class. You would think some of these kids are brainwashed or have never earned a dollar by there so called deep beliefs on items. The ideas that come out of this class are so anti-business. ... Shakes head..
Thanks all for your input everyone. It is much appreciated.