Ar> Socialized healthcare is good for one thing: to keep poor serfs calm
Ar> because they believe they are covered.

DI>My sister has a friend who lives in Scotland who lost his mother to cancer
  >because she has to wait so long to be seen for it.

DI>Even for me, I often have to wait three to four months to be seen for a
  >doctor's appointment using my veteran's benefits.  The VA is trying to get
  >better about it but it's still pretty bad.  However, I have learned to be
  >squeaky wheel and know how to work the system meaning if I bitch loud enough,
  >I will get seen much sooner.

I am not going to say that Gov't healthcare is perfect, and as costs
go up due to an aging population it's getting worse - not helped at
all by those who refuse vaccines so that currently many hospitals
are housing more than double the number of patients they are built
to accomodate simply due to the Flu..

But.. In Canada it is generally not too bad. 3 people in my immediate
family got various cancers and were treated quickly and recovered and
other relatives with ongoing problems get what they need in a timely
fashion and most prescription drugs are also covered for seniors and
lower income people.

I might have to wait a week to see my doctor so I could end up having
to go to the Hospital Emergency Room if I need to see someone quickly.

Emergency waiting times are getting worse all the time but there's
a finite amount that we can spend on healthcare. Currently it
costs about $5,500 nationally per person each year.

Working people pay a 'premium' for coverage but it's pretty low,
starting at about $5 a month for those making $20,000 a year
and topping out at $75 a month for those making over $200,600.00.

As I said, not perfect but an ER visit for someone not covered
by that will pay easily $400+ for a simple in and out visit.

I believe those figures are current but I haven't had to pay
anything most of my life since I was lower income or retired
and things have changed a bit over the years.

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 * SLMR Rob  * Why is "Abbreviation" such a long word ???
 * Origin: Capitol City Online (618:250/1)