Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Canadian Political Free-for-All -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lino... who wrote (62)	10/29/2000 11:50:28 AM
From: average joe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 37940

I was surprised while in a large waiting room at the Mayo clinic many years ago how many doctors from Canada went there for treatment. I remember one relative was sliced and diced while looking for the malady over a period of six months here, getting diagnosed and on the first treatment after 5 days at Mayo. It was shocking to see the difference. As for the money who cares what it cost (it was under $5,000) when your life is at stake and it is a family member what is a few grand. A friend of our family a brilliant young lady after being educated in Canada went straight to Mayo and who can blame her. I know three doctors here from South Africa that are either in jail for criminal offences here or shipped back to SA to face tribunals there. What a great country.

To: Lino... who wrote (62)	10/29/2000 1:48:47 PM
From: Gulo	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 37940

>those that are the most vocal about the sacred cow "universal" health care don't want to talk about the other side of the coin, that being that it can be universally bad. Agreed. I can go to the U.S. or Europe for treatment if I have to. Many of the poor sods that insisted on socialized medicine can't. What the socialists don't understand is that we already have a two-tier health system - domestic and foreign. Why do we have to keep the innovative clinics out for the sake of universality? Is it fair that a poor person dies because they can't afford some exotic treatment? Is it fair that some middle-class person dies even though they could have afforded the treatment but were denied? Illness and death are never fair. Basic health care for all is an admirable goal, but to fund it completely through state funds is not necessary. Is it fair that a smoker's health insurance costs are funded from the taxes of a non-smoker? A fixed health care insurance plan could be subsidized for low income earners, but the service provided by private clinics - at least where there is a large enough a population for competition. Middle and upper income earners could get a tax credit for the first $3000 they spend on health insurance. That said, socialized medicine is a sacred cow for many Canadians, mostly because they are paranoid about the alternatives. I would be willing to give them their cow in trade for a bit more liberty of my own. Health care and education do not make up the majority of government spending. Cut the rest, if that's more politically palatable. -g