Obamacare

[Eternum 1]

On another thread there were some misconceptions about health care in the US and Canada and comparative costs. I hope to address some of those misconceptions:

Not single payer: Canadian critics tend to rail against “two-tiered” medicine, but in fact, the U.S. has a multi-tiered system. And despite the hype on both sides of the Congressional aisles, Obamacare keeps the same complex structure in place, while adding another layer through the introduction of health care “exchanges” for uninsured Americans. But the majority of Americans will continue to access care through a variety of health insurance plans made available or subsidized by their employer; nearly 50 million elderly and disabled through the federal Medicare program; another 60 million lowest-income through state-federal Medicaid arrangements.


Not universal coverage: Health care in Canada is based on a simple proposition: every legal resident is covered through a publicly-financed provincial or territorial plan. The individual mandate, derived from a Republican precedent in Massachusetts, stands in stark contrast to Canada’s universality principle. Even though Obamacare broadens coverage, the individual mandate relies on a fundamental insurance principle – care depends on type of coverage – and compels Americans to purchase insurance to access care. Americans now have more affordable insurance options and subsidies to cover their costs, and the lowest-income may be eligible for public coverage through the expansion of Medicaid. Still, despite the crush of online traffic as enrolment began Tuesday, only half of the estimated 40-plus million uninsured will be affected by Obamacare.


Not “national” health insurance: One of the hallmarks of health care in Canada is that, although each province and territory administers a health plan, everyone can expect to be covered for a comprehensive range of services, no matter where they live. And the federal government is expected to chip in to provincial coffers to make this happen. There’s plenty of intergovernmental friction as a result, but nothing like the fractured federalism of the United States. The implementation of Obamacare will further exacerbate regional and state differences, mainly as a result of the Supreme Court decision to curtail the federal government’s obligation for states to expand their Medicaid coverage. As a result, only about half of the states have chosen to sign on to the new Medicaid program.


Not equal access: There’s been some controversy in Canada lately over wait times and access to timely care, but this pales in comparison to the wide gulf that exists in access to care in the United States. Obamacare tries to address this in its provisions for insurance reform, such as lifting pre-existing conditions and limits on co-payment. But for all of the emphasis on affordable care, the new law reinforces the notion that access depends on how much you can afford, not how much you need. In the health insurance exchanges, the price of premiums will depend on your age, health, income, and on whether you opt for a bronze, silver, gold or platinum coverage. In Canada, access to necessary health care services is not a competition/


It is my opinion that Obamacare will entrench the private nature of the American system, and likely render national health insurance, or anything remotely like “Canadian-style” health care, impossible to attain in the foreseeable future.

[LadySaturn]

It's a whole stew of b.s. that keeps having ingredients added to it on a daily basis. By the way, the last time I took a taste of b.s. stew it tasted freaking awful and I swore to never eat it again. And I haven't. If anything I'll send my serving back to the kitchen.

[bags123]

Who asked you? You over educated Canuck!

[heinzs]

Thanks Dennis. That was my assessment as well. Well stated.

[MJPease]

I guess it's off to a soft start. I sure hope it turns out to be a big success especially with all the problems. Take Care

[Eternum 1]

Some other countries who treat their people with dignity:

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[bags123]

That's some pretty graphic evidence you got there. Eh?

[Eternum 1]

Don't call me Eh.

[LadySaturn]