Canada versus America

[crazypants]

Being on the other side of the world it amuses me to see people comparing countries that are so much the same.

I think it's being on the other side of the world that leads you to believe they are much the same.

 

[crazypants]

I've been living here my whole life and I see nothing wrong with it. People are nice and normal. Usually people who say something bad about the place have a really stupid reason for saying so.

I've been to Montreal a few times and they seem pretty much the same as they do down here in Boston. LOL, but now that I say that - and I meant it in a good way - that probably seems like a negative because I know some people think Boston folks are cold?? I guess it's all what you're accustomed to.

Maybe it's the fact that people are speaking French a lot. I think when you hear people speaking another language that you don't speak, you sort of feel unwelcome or something.

 

[crazypants]

I don't think it can be entirely blamed on price fixing of doctors and med corps. Much of it has to do with the insurance companies and what they will or won't pay for. Also, Medicare service isn't crap as it often pays more than a private insurance company does! This is definitely going to change though.

Our healthcare costs are also high because of the amount spent on medical technology. It is the primary factor in our rising healthcare costs.

And, I can say from my own experience working in the medical field, Americans are a bit spoiled when it comes to delivery of medical services. We can be seen by a medical provider on the same day we come in, get a CT scan or ultrasound on the spot, and be in surgery within a few hours afterward! We are not willing to wait, which is what, from my understanding, often happens in NHS countries: a long wait time.

I'm happy that Obamacare is moving forward, but people are going to need to be willing to make some adjustments!

Now this is the thing I don't get. I always hear people (the ones who don't want universal healthcare here in the US) say that we don't want the same kind of healthcare they have in Canada or England because you have to wait months to see a doctor. Well, last time I checked, I DO wait months to see my doctor! Unless you're having some medical emergency, doctor appointments, whether it's a general practitioner or a specialist, take MONTHS!

I'm pleased as punch that Obamacare has passed, but it's just the lesser of two evils as far as I'm concerned. What we really need is a single payer system like in other countries and remove the greedy insurance companies from the equation entirely.

 

[Waybuloo]

Now this is the thing I don't get. I always hear people (the ones who don't want universal healthcare here in the US) say that we don't want the same kind of healthcare they have in Canada or England because you have to wait months to see a doctor. Well, last time I checked, I DO wait months to see my doctor! Unless you're having some medical emergency, doctor appointments, whether it's a general practitioner or a specialist, take MONTHS!

I'm pleased as punch that Obamacare has passed, but it's just the lesser of two evils as far as I'm concerned. What we really need is a single payer system like in other countries and remove the greedy insurance companies from the equation entirely.

Here in England, I've always been able to make an appointment with a GP (general practioner), even on the same day if I ring in the morning. You do have to wait to see a specialist/consultant in the hospital. The one I will be seeing is extremely qualified and works in a private practice. They get drafted in by the NHS, all paid for by the NHS when there is no one qualified enough in the hospital. The maternity service I received at my local hospital (which is the first NHS hospital in Britain) was excellent. The head midwife and another midwife were very patient, kind, flexible and professional and I didn't need to have any male doctor present. My experience of the health care in England makes me conclude that with all its faults, miles better than that in Australia. When I mean flexible I don't want to imply that they need to contort their bodies in order to get the baby out.

As I understand it, the insurance system in the US is not fail safe, they don't cover all illnesses and there are a lot of conditions, not to mention taking account of your pre existing conditions.

 

[crazypants]

Here in England, I've always been able to make an appointment with a GP (general practioner), even on the same day if I ring in the morning. You do have to wait to see a specialist/consultant in the hospital. The one I will be seeing is extremely qualified and works in a private practice. They get drafted in by the NHS, all paid for by the NHS when there is no one qualified enough in the hospital. The maternity service I received at my local hospital (which is the first NHS hospital in Britain) was excellent. The head midwife and another midwife were very patient, kind, flexible and professional and I didn't need to have any male doctor present. My experience of the health care in England makes me conclude that with all its faults, miles better than that in Australia. When I mean flexible I don't want to imply that they need to contort their bodies in order to get the baby out.

As I understand it, the insurance system in the US is not fail safe, they don't cover all illnesses and there are a lot of conditions, not to mention taking account of your pre existing conditions.

That sounds wonderful!

And you are right about what you say. After paying all that money for our insurance, we still may not be covered. There are lots of drawbacks, all too depressing to list. If you've ever seen the Michael Moore movie Sicko, that lays it all out pretty well.

Although one of the good things about Obamacare is that they can no longer refuse to cover pre-existing conditions, that's something I guess!

 

[Newtype]

Well one time when we were there a man assaulted my sister for walking too slow on the sidewalk, he grabbed her and threw her into a brick wall. Then we were at a restaurant one time and the waitress who was speaking perfect english 2 seconds before decided she would forget the language when she got to us. My sisters french boyfriend shot off to her in french then she decided she would forget that language too, we just left. I dunno I just find people in montreal dont take too kindly to the rest of Canada.

I understand but aren't you judging a whole city based on some freak accidents? That sidewalk guy just sounds crazy, it's really not normal behaviour for anyone who lives here, and we're not raised to act like that waitress. I don't know what's the deal with her. Considering you can't get a job here if you don't talk both French and English, she might have lied on her C.V. I find it hard to believe that someone who's comfortable in English would refuse to speak it and risk losing her job. You must've had good service in English in other places, no? Almost half of the city is anglophone, so nobody knows if you're a Montrealer or you're from another province.

 

[hidwell]

It is a close call but on points I say Canada beats America.

 

[LadyWench]

I would move to Canada in a heartbeat. This has been something I've wanted to do for a long time, but never had the money to do so. It's actually a dream of mine that I hope will happen someday. In my opinion, Canada > USA. Just sayin'.

 

[Invisibleman]

I understand but aren't you judging a whole city based on some freak accidents? That sidewalk guy just sounds crazy, it's really not normal behaviour for anyone who lives here, and we're not raised to act like that waitress. I don't know what's the deal with her. Considering you can't get a job here if you don't talk both French and English, she might have lied on her C.V. I find it hard to believe that someone who's comfortable in English would refuse to speak it and risk losing her job. You must've had good service in English in other places, no? Almost half of the city is anglophone, so nobody knows if you're a Montrealer or you're from another province.

Alright settle down chief, I still love Montreal, I go to there every summer to go shopping and go to the rogers cup {Which is pretty poor service,not a lick of english). Im just saying that it, like most other large cities, contain people not as ideally pleasant as more country folk like as said newfies or saska- saskatchewanians? anyway lol

 

[coyote]

i live in the sort of in between area of the northern great lakes

there's no poutine, but there are moose and wolves and ice

looks alot like skyrim, but without the decapitations

 

[MrSunday]

To be entirely honest, I don't follow things that involve politics.. How is this "Obamacare" plan different from NHS?

Not an expert on this, but I think Obama's health care programme relies on people taking out insurance, as in it is compulsory. While the NHS is publicly funded through the tax system.

I could be wrong. This is an area I'm totally not familiar with. Feel free to correct me.

I wouldn't want to go to CanadaI or America. The culture is too loud for me. :/ I want to go somewhere quiet and die there.

 

[Remus]

And, I can say from my own experience working in the medical field, Americans are a bit spoiled when it comes to delivery of medical services.

You come in 37th in the WHO rankings, what exactly are you paying for, a nice bed?

We can be seen by a medical provider on the same day we come in, get a CT scan or ultrasound on the spot, and be in surgery within a few hours afterward! We are not willing to wait, which is what, from my understanding, often happens in NHS countries: a long wait time.

For emergency, there is no wait, for urgent, within a month, for non urgent within a few months. If you want to pay or have private insurance, it would be a little quicker.

For example, I had an accident at work, straight to hospital in an ambulance, on monitors inside the ambulance etc. Got into the ER ,had a quick check of my vital signs and off to radiology for a brain scan. All within the hour.

The other day I got onto my GP for a referral back to hospital, As it was non urgent I can choose the hospital, the consultant and the time I want the appointment, all done online or by phone. Got an appointment in four weeks time.

 

[KiaKaha]

My vote goes toward space colony.

 

[coyote]

I wouldn't want to go to CanadaI or America. The culture is too loud for me. :/ I want to go somewhere quiet and die there.

it's pretty quiet where i live in the US

most of the country is not even remotely like what they show on television

 

[9407]

Canada anyway. Canada's not perfect, but I'd rather not go to a country where I can get shot or beaten up for being a certain skin colour.

 

[coyote]

Canada anyway. Canada's not perfect, but I'd rather not go to a country where I can get shot or beaten up for being a certain skin colour.

no one around here where i live in the US can remember when the last time anyone was beaten or shot - for any reason - regardless of their skin color

most amercians are not violent, gun-toting racists

just like i'm sure you don't live in an igloo

 

[hidwell]

i live in the sort of in between area of the northern great lakes

there's no poutine, but there are moose and wolves and ice

looks alot like skyrim, but without the decapitations

I thought the only place in the US to see wolves was at Yellowstone national park ?

 

[Silatuyok]

I thought the only place in the US to see wolves was at Yellowstone national park ?

You thought wrong, I'm afraid.

 

[9407]

no one around here where i live in the US can remember when the last time anyone was beaten or shot - for any reason - regardless of their skin color

most amercians are not violent, gun-toting racists

just like i'm sure you don't live in an igloo

I'd rather not turn this into an ugly race debate, but a lot of people will tell you that racism is still a big problem in America.....especially if you look like me.....

 

[coyote]

I thought the only place in the US to see wolves was at Yellowstone national park ?

they have been re-introduced in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan and are doing quite well - probably 1,000 wolves in wisconsin alone