Jack, two weeks ago I was talking to one of our Canadian suppliers, whose mom (in her 60's) needed emergency AND innovative heart surgery. I believe it had to do with valve replacements. I asked her about the wait, cost, and overall quality of care. She practically gushed at how quickly, effortlessly, and FREE this new procedure was accomplished in record time. Her mom's recovering nicely.
She loves America but is sad as to how we've deteriorated on so many fronts from medical care to immigration just to name a few. She said that much of what we've been told about the Canadian system is hyperbole, anecdotal, and just simply lies. She is mid level management/middle class & has no special inside privileges btw. If her mother had had the same surgery here it would have cost her $250,000+ & possibly not covered by our outrageously expensive plans due to it's innovative nature. She would have lost her house. Sound familiar? She also said that Obamacare is but a drop in the bucket that barely covers anything. Much ado about NOTHING.
I grew up in a physician's household where we despised the term "socialized medicine". However, I pay 3x more in monthly premiums for my company's BC/BS policy with a $5,000 deductible that covers less (no prescription, dental, developmental issues, etc.) than I did 5- 6 years ago for one with a $250 deductible that covered MORE. WTH??? I'm having second thoughts about this pos medical system we call the best in the world... I end up paying much more out of pocket but what happens if I should ever go broke? Medicaid? Is that what we've lowered ourselves to? (pardon ending with a preposition)