Canadian socialized medicine: myths and facts.

I have to say that I have been paying only on and off attention to the whole health care debate in the US. I have also listened to the news with limited interest and peripherally gone online to read some of the arguments. And I confess, I have done this all with the smug satisfaction of knowing that my health care and that of my family does not depend on the debate. 

Today, I read in a New Yorker article (thank you for the humurous post Dr. Aubertin) that in the debate arguments against socialized medicine and how ineffective it’s supposed to be, the Canadian plan was likened to genocide and I found myself shaking my head and saying: "These fools, what are they thinking? Where do they get their information?" The definition of genocide as per Merriam-Webster is: "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group. I have been in Canada for 21 years and I am a doctor, let me assure everyone I have no knowledge of people dying by the hundreds due to lack of health care.

To dispells the myths all that was needed was to quote Wikipedia! YES! Wi-ki-pe-dia!!!! I am not one to advocate the use of Wikipedia for solid information (althoug it often is - do not tell my kids or students I said that!) but if someone is going to make such uniformed statements the least they could do was have a quick look at it. So I have cut and pasted (so simple you'd think some of the anti-Obamacare lawyers could have had a look in advance eh?) the "Health care in Canada" entry here. A truthful, accessible, short and most of all, TRUE description of the Canadian health care system:

1) Health care in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded health care system, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities.

2) It is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984.

3) The government assures the quality of care through federal standards.

4) The government does not participate in day-to-day care or collect any information about an individual's health, which remains confidential between a person and his or her physician.

5) Canada's provincially based Medicare systems are cost-effective partly because of their administrative simplicity. In each province each doctor handles the insurance claim against the provincial insurer. There is no need for the person who accesses health care to be involved in billing and reclaim. Private insurance is only a minimal part of the overall health care system.

6) Competitive practices such as advertising are kept to a minimum, thus maximizing the percentage of revenues that go directly towards care. In general, costs are paid through funding from income taxes, although British Columbia is the only province to impose a fixed monthly premium which is waived or reduced for those on low incomes.

7) There are no deductibles on basic health care and co-pays are extremely low or non-existent (supplemental insurance such as Fair Pharmacare may have deductibles, depending on income).

8) A health card is issued by the Provincial Ministry of Health to each individual who enrolls for the program and everyone receives the same level of care.There is no need for a variety of plans because virtually all essential basic care is covered, including maternity and infertility problems.

9) Depending on the province, dental and vision care may not be covered but are often insured by employers through private companies. In some provinces, private supplemental plans are available for those who desire private rooms if they are hospitalized.

10) Cosmetic surgery and some forms of elective surgery are not considered essential care and are generally not covered. These can be paid out-of-pocket or through private insurers.

11) Health coverage is not affected by loss or change of jobs, as long as premiums are up to date, and there are no lifetime limits or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

12) Pharmaceutical medications are covered by public funds for the elderly or indigent,or through employment-based private insurance. Drug prices are negotiated with suppliers by the federal government to control costs.

So NO, NOT genocide just sound, cost-effectvie medical care for all.