Story Photos
 Photo by Bill Wagner / The Daily News
Reid Rasmussen, a Dallas insurance executive, discusses the health care system of his native Canada at the Cowlitz Expo Center Thursday.
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Future of health care discussed locally
Friday, March 14, 2008 7:27 AM PDT
By Erik Olson
Printable version
E-mail this articleCanada's universal health care system is a source of national pride but is not the best fit for the United States, an insurance executive and native Canadian said in Longview on Thursday.
Canadians "are more excited about their health care system as a social program. It's a poster child of their federal government," said Reed Rasmussen, who's worked at the Dallas-based BenefitMall insurance agency for the past four years.
About 75 people attended Rasmussen's talk at the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce quarterly business meeting at the Cowlitz Expo Center. Chamber representatives heard Rasmussen give a similar talk last year in Vancouver which prompted the invite for Thursday, said Rick Winsman, the chamber's executive director.
In Canada, the federal government provides all health care at a flat rate. With rising health care costs in the United States, many people have begun to look at Canada's single-payer system as a model, Rasmussen said.
However, that system is only available to those who are willing to wait for care - sometimes as long as four months for a necessary surgery, he said.
"You find out you really don't have an unlimited supply," Rasmussen said.
People in Canada, with a population roughly the size of California, are more willing to wait for health care, he said. But Americans are more impatient and would likely balk at such long delays, he said.
Instead of moving to government control, the United States should focus more on preventative care, Rasmussen said. Rising obesity rates nationwide contribute to higher rates of diabetes and other diseases, meaning more Americans need access to health care, he said.
Last year, Rasmussen gave a similar presentation to 25 different groups nationwide. He said he's seen more interest in health care this year, driven in large part by the presidential race.
The Canadian system has its perks, too, Rasmussen said. Hospitals in Canada are usually full, which indicates the system makes full use of the available dollars, he said. Also, U.S. hospitals have an overabundance of some costly services, such as MRI scanning, he said.
Winsman said he hopes Rasmussen will spur further discussions about health in the business community. The current system needs to be changed, but no easy solution exists, he said.
"The more we engage in discussing other aspects of it, the more effective the solution will be," Winsman said.
Gee what a surprise wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:38 AM:
" An insurance company executive, whose job is to deny health care doesn't like a system that guarentees it. Speaking to the Chamber of Commerce I guess you're preaching to the choir. Why did this article even get into the paper. It isn't worthy of Fox New. TDN fair and balanced. How about fixed and biased.
What a bunch of garbage. Should we keep the system as it is with 75 million Americans with no health care? "
What a bunch of garbage. Should we keep the system as it is with 75 million Americans with no health care? "
Conflict of interest wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:43 AM:
" Rasmussen works for a health insurance company who most certainly stands to lose business if America were to adopt a similar health plan like Canada. Doesn't that represent just a little bit of a conflict of interest in his presentation? What qualifies this guy as an expert on universal health care programs anyway? The fact that he was born in Canada? I'm curious though - did he mention the fact that the Americans spend about $1.40 for every $1 a Canadian will spend on healthcare? How about America as the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn't provide coverage for it's population? Or, better yet did he talk about the rising profit margins of insurance providers and pharmaceutical corporations? "
His company profits by withholding healthcare wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:55 AM:
" Why ask an insurance company executive his opinion of a future program which will put his company out of business. Health care is a right and who cares what this guy thinks or the chamber of commerce for that matter. They are the ones that got into this mess. If you want to discussion why not ask someone with some solutions and not just the same old story. "
Very Good! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:17 AM:
" I am sure I am going to get negative comments made about this post; that seems to be the norm of the blogs. But, I would like to say that as a member of the communtiy, I have noticed that the chamber seems to be more active and involved in a lot of things that look at the best interest of the community. I am very happy to see that! Keep up the great work you are doing. "
re very good wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:39 AM:
" How does listening to a sales pitch benefit the community? There are no shortage of problems in need of solutions in our community. Crime, pollution, drug abuse... heck even fixing the roads and traffic would be a HUGE improvement. Maybe "involved" means declining the free coffee mugs and picking up a shovel to get some work done? "
Great work! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:40 AM:
" Bring in a speaker that's dead wrong, with no new ideas, that you all agree with and call it great work. How is that in the "best interest of the community" more like an echo chamber. Besides none of the Democrats are proposing the Canadian Plan anyway, too bad. "
thegibkahuna wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:40 AM:
" bad news for the socialists here:
health care is not a right.
if you want health care, you have to pay for it - with more money, longer waits, lower quality, or fewer procedures.
our country is broke and currently can't afford everything you want. we have 75 trillion dollars in unfunded Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and federal and local government pension obligations. Who do you think is going to pay for all that?
Why do you think the dollar is at record lows? It's because we keep spending money we don't have.
Why do you think gas is $3.50 per gallon? It's largely because the dollar is at record lows.
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Your government is broke. Your country is broke. You are broke. You can't afford "free" health care because there's no such thing.
Get over it. Put the doughnut down, stop sipping the Kool-Aid, and get thee to the gym. "
health care is not a right.
if you want health care, you have to pay for it - with more money, longer waits, lower quality, or fewer procedures.
our country is broke and currently can't afford everything you want. we have 75 trillion dollars in unfunded Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and federal and local government pension obligations. Who do you think is going to pay for all that?
Why do you think the dollar is at record lows? It's because we keep spending money we don't have.
Why do you think gas is $3.50 per gallon? It's largely because the dollar is at record lows.
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Your government is broke. Your country is broke. You are broke. You can't afford "free" health care because there's no such thing.
Get over it. Put the doughnut down, stop sipping the Kool-Aid, and get thee to the gym. "
Almost Died wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:57 AM:
" I belong to a local HMO and they denied me coverage of an ER visit (one of many)for excrutiating chest/abdominal pain. I went to their doctors and their surgeons who denied me surgical intervention THREE times. I finally wrote to the insurance commissioner and they demanded a second OUTSIDE opinion. It turned out I had a condition that would have eventually killed me - a paraesophageal hernia. I was then allowed the surgery - thank goodness by the second opinion surgeon who was not part of the greedy HMO. The time from first attack until surgery? 7 MONTHS! For a surgery that should have been URGENT! I am DEFINATELY for a government run health care system that isn't biased by greed. "
Oh wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:10 AM:
" As well as our government runs most programs do you think they could fix healthcare? NOT... See how well they manage Social Security? If you think taxes are high now wait until the government would take over healthcare. Do you know how many Canadians come to the US for health problems because of the long lines if you live long enough to get in for treatment. Europe has the same problems too. Government is not our babysitter. "
pangborn wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:12 AM:
" Socialize my medicine NOW!
If the country provided health care at least My/our taxes would be spent on something worthwhile.
Fund healthcare not war. "
If the country provided health care at least My/our taxes would be spent on something worthwhile.
Fund healthcare not war. "
Health care is a right wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:13 AM:
" Emergency rooms are required by law to provide treatment at public hospitals, sounds like a right to me. Your greed is the only thing that exceeds your ignorance. No other issue shows how completely indifferent to suffering you people (republicans) are. I would be proud if we socialized medicine, the rest of the civilized world has. Calling it socialized is just a trick to fool stupid people. It would cut costs if everyone was covered. "
be rational wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:27 AM:
" O.K. so the guy isn't necessarily in a position to be unbiased - that doesn't mean what he said makes no sense. A system that works for Canada... sort of... isn't going to work in the U.S. - TOO MANY PEOPLE - and a lot of the people are non-workers (elderly, children, disabled, etc.) who can't pay into a system to earn their universal health benefits. Do I think the system we currently have is doing all it can to serve people in the best way possible? NO! Do I think insurance companies take full advantage of the system as it currently operates? YES! Will Canada's system work for us? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Like the guy in the article said - "The more we engage in discussing other aspects of it, the more effective the solution will be." "
One problem with Canada wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:38 AM:
" A very important fact that most Americans who look at Canada and say "We want that system" is this: There is almost no important medical research done by Canadians due to the fact their healthcare system does not support it. Almost all of the important research is done in America and some of it in hospitals such as the UW. This is expensive work but it paves the way to solutions. In addition, Canada does not have the money drain on its system with the AIDS epidemic that the U.S. Those medicines are extremely expensive to research, make, and for patients to use. The numbers of dollars spent on AIDS in this country is staggering and a tremendous strain on the healthcare system. Canada has nothing that compares to the size of this problem in the U.S. So all of you who think Canada's program is great, stop and think about the differences in our countries and the problems each faces and tries to handle. We are America because we have always done more than Canadians in every important field. That doesn't mean we don't have problems with the insurance industry. We do. But to say we will solve it with a Canadian system is wrong. All we will do is create a bigger problem with possibly bigger side-effects such as less money for vital research. I would rather have the private system and more research. "
Capitalist wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:42 AM:
" Health care is not a right, period. Health care problems have been created by the government and private sector employers deciding to provide insurance "plans" as a benefit to their employees. This has made the government and corporations the negotiators for health care costs for plans that are not specifically tailored to individuals represented by the plans. This effectively creates an environment that avoids free market pricing. The solution: allow all employers to only provide a health insurance stipend and force individuals to "shop around" and find their own health insurance that suits their own needs and use the employer provided stipend (and still have the tax benefits). This is what consumers have to do for car insurance and home insurance already (and those costs have not risen near as much). This will result in a lowering in health care costs because it will increase competition between health care providers to attract clients and reduce frivolous elements in current plans not desired by many plan members. "
RS wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:49 AM:
" I was born in a country with socialized health care & I have lived in the US now for 3 years. Back home we continually complain about the system, however if the folks back home took at a look at the disastrous system in the US they would agree the one back home ain't so bad.
I have spent the better part a month attempting to understand the health care system here & I have to say as a reasonably intelligent individual I am still baffled how it can cost $500 a month to insure only me & I still have to have out of pocket expenses.
Back home I can get my husband & I fully covered, from private room, doctor of choice right down to reimbursement of gym shoes & membership for under $200.00 per month.
I think the delays, known as waiting periods, Mr. Rasmussen is referring to are due to some people going to the doctors for the slightest ailment - a splinter or a mild cough. They run to the doctor or to their local emergency ward (if the doctors are closed).
Most of these people are either unemployed (with nothing better to do) or immigrants who are discovering the wonders of free health care.
Where has common sense gone in our societies? If it's not an emergency you should be turned away from the emergency ward, which will never work in the US as the society is so litigious & would sue. "
I have spent the better part a month attempting to understand the health care system here & I have to say as a reasonably intelligent individual I am still baffled how it can cost $500 a month to insure only me & I still have to have out of pocket expenses.
Back home I can get my husband & I fully covered, from private room, doctor of choice right down to reimbursement of gym shoes & membership for under $200.00 per month.
I think the delays, known as waiting periods, Mr. Rasmussen is referring to are due to some people going to the doctors for the slightest ailment - a splinter or a mild cough. They run to the doctor or to their local emergency ward (if the doctors are closed).
Most of these people are either unemployed (with nothing better to do) or immigrants who are discovering the wonders of free health care.
Where has common sense gone in our societies? If it's not an emergency you should be turned away from the emergency ward, which will never work in the US as the society is so litigious & would sue. "
To health care is a right wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:50 AM:
" If everyone is covered by a government health care system the costs will not go down. Government bureaucrats will be negotiating the services provided by the providers and the fees the providers will be paid. If you know anything about government and finances you cannot realistically say that the costs would be cheaper. Taxes would be increased to astronomical levels as a result. Do you think the American voters would approve if they could rationally contemplate the trade offs? Give me a break! "
Calling it socialized; ooohhhh!!! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:52 AM:
" You know what the PUD is socialized power, you know what the cable company is socialized entertainment, FDIC socialized banking, interstate 5 is socialized transportation, you use socialized like liberal as sort of a dullards curse word, because people are so easily confused. Right, left, conservative, liberal, privatize, socialize, they are just words. The actions are what matter and none of the actions are all that consistant with any labels. Intelligent people can assend beyond the dumb labels. "
To One Problem in Canada wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:52 AM:
" Are you saying that socialized health care in Brittan, Eurpose & the Asia Pacific Region has done no extensive research in medical advancement?
Slightly arrogant of you, don't you think?
Go look at the break through's in medicine being made outside of America and then come back and say that with some conviction. "
Slightly arrogant of you, don't you think?
Go look at the break through's in medicine being made outside of America and then come back and say that with some conviction. "
Capitalist's plan would work great in fantasy land wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:57 AM:
" Insurance company profit margins are based on denying care. Look and your example of auto insurance, why do I carry uninsured motorist coverage, because you idea is invalid. Complete indifference to others suffering has raised it's ugly republican head again. That's why there's no such thing as a compasionate conservative, they are a contradiction in terms. "
gimme gimme gimme wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:03 AM:
" Why is it that people feel entitled to "basic healthcare"? Who pays for it? I can tell you the reason we pay so much for insurance is because people use the hospitals as their primary physicians.
The second biggest reason is that people have children that they can't afford. It's called "kids without consequences". Most of these folks are on public assistance and they don't have second thoughts about adding more mouths to the mix. Stop them from having kids and our healthcare crisis goes away. I've had enough of my insurance premiums going through the roof! I'm willing to fight tooth and nail to keep phony universal healthcare from ever seeing the light of day! "
The second biggest reason is that people have children that they can't afford. It's called "kids without consequences". Most of these folks are on public assistance and they don't have second thoughts about adding more mouths to the mix. Stop them from having kids and our healthcare crisis goes away. I've had enough of my insurance premiums going through the roof! I'm willing to fight tooth and nail to keep phony universal healthcare from ever seeing the light of day! "
TO Healthcare is a Right! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:09 AM:
" Keep your filthy hands out of my pockets! Healthcare is not a right! Hospitals provide basic lifesaving measures not basic Healthcare you dolt! You want us to be like other countries with 50,60,70% taxes? Of course you do, my guess is you don't work so what do you care? I earn my money and I would like to spend it on my family not yours. And your idiotic comment about Republicans is just.....idiotic. I vote Democrat except on this issue. Lastly on human suffering, who causes the suffering? Is it me by wanting to care for my family or is it people who insist on having kids even though they can't afford them? "Blame everyone but me" that's your motto. Your a typical money grubbing socialist. "
Just Another Reader wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:10 AM:
" When one looks at the current state of our healthcare system, it's obvious that it's near the collapsing point. There are several reasons for this: (1) An ever growing and longer living population has increased demand on the system, (2) Higher costs from a technical standpoint, medical malpractice claims, higher insurance premiums with less benefit payments, (3) Continually reduced access to healthcare providers due to lack of coverage, (4) Fewer physicians remaining in practice, and (5) Obscene profits of health insurance companies. The Feds want out of the healthcare business, but they still want to control how it's done. Given their track record, it's doubtful that socialized medicine would work in this country. However, a form of universal health care might if the insurance companies were regulated like public utilities are. Guarantee them a fixed profit margin and most people would have health insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. Of course, to accomplish this requires our legislators to grow a little backbone and act definitively and for the public good. And, as the Bard said, therein lies the rub. "
Capitalist wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:11 AM:
" If one is interested in assisting the suffering individual make a donation to a charitable organization (which I do and probably much more $ than fantasy land). Don't force me to pay increased taxes that are wasted by the government so others can feel better about an ineffective system. Please go put your $ where your mouth is and forget about wasting our country's tax dollars. It will make you feel better I promise. "
Parsley wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:16 AM:
" I don't think that government health care will be cheaper or better for us. Everytime a 'government' program is created to help solve some problem, all it really seems to do is pad the pockets of whatever agency is assigned to implement the program. Look at the mess Katrina was and still is. Look at our welfare system. There is so much corruption! "
Dr. Evil wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:16 AM:
" Great move. Bring in an insurance hack to tell us why the Canadian plan isn't the best fit. Our tax dollars could easily fund basic health care for all. Health insurance companies such as the giant United Healthcare whose CEO Bill Mcguire pocketed billions recently must be put out of business. The more care they deny, the more money they make. The US system is broken. There are ways to fix it but first we must eliminate wasteful spending in the military-industrial arena and the corporate welfare sector. These two items are the biggest drain on our tax dollars and could free hundreds of billions so we can take care of each other. Didn't some famous person once say whatsoever you do for the least of these, you do for me? "
Healthcare costs would go DOWN wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:20 AM:
" Costs would go down because of preventative care would save money, emergency rooms are the least cost effective means to give care. Another reason costs would go down is because insurance is heavy on administration and profit, neither of which help anyone. Study's show that costs go down, the article even says so. People are afraid to change; and a lot of people seem to feel (including a couple bloggers here) that if you get sick it is somehow you own fault, like people choose to get sick. What a bunch of nonsense and propaganda. Blame the victims when your arguments don't convince anybody, you make Karl Rove proud. "
Earl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:27 AM:
" All these people for free health care probably dont have jobs and are just a drain on society. Maybe you should all do some damage control on Obama's preacher? "
mit wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:36 AM:
" We should trade food stamps and welfare for Health Care. Keep programs like HUD to help poor mothers afford housing, but do away with welfare and food stamps and provide free health care for everyone. I personally believe the only people who should get "free money" are those that are too disabled (either physically or mentally) to work. Doesn't social security cover that? With Social Security covering that aspect of it, I have to seriously question how terribly we need welfare anyway. "
Whats funny wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:44 AM:
" Is that America already has socialized healthcare. It includes care for the young, the old, and the poor. It bascially just excludes the working class who, ironically, are the ones paying for healthcare for everybody else. I'm sick of paying taxes for other people's healthcare and then having to pay again for my own families coverage. I've spoken to foreigners who have universal care and it's not that bad and they still have the option to see private doctors if they choose to. IT's the best of both worlds. But here in America, it gets worse and worse every year as people refuse to consider the so-called liberal alternatives. "
I stand corrected your concern for suffering moves me to my core. wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:19 AM:
" Such compassionate conservatives. Squeezing the nickel so hard you can hear it squeal. I bet you all call yourselves christians too. Jesus spent his whole life ministering to the poor and SICK. Wow! Such hatred over an idea that works great in the rest of the world. I guess you believe your own propaganda, don't let silly things like facts get in your way. I guess we should be pushing for mental healthcare as will because I think some of you belong in straight jackets, you sound crazy. "
People without jobs are a drain on society. wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:25 AM:
" Boy that sounds kind of sick. Tell that to the folks and the senior center or the elementary school. Or the person making your hamburger, or taking care of you kid at the daycare. None of these examples pay for healthcare. But it is typical of blaming the victim for something that is the fault of broken system. Then there's that damn republican propaganda that you all seem to believe in. I guess that's what has poisoned you minds to any common sense. Just stick to that party line and we'll see you in November, your days are numbered. "
ShowMe wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:42 AM:
" If you don't think everyone isn't already paying everyone else's health benefits, think again. Each time you buy a loaf of bread, a canned soft drink, a shirt or a movie ticket, part of the purchase price pays for health benefits at the company that provided the goods or service. "
propaganda? wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:47 AM:
" I dont see how you can call video of Obama's mentor up there yelling "hate whitey" propaganda? That is a cold hard fact. He seems to be a little out of touch with Americans and you cant accept that? Just keep listening and nodding your head to his empty rheortic and John McCain a real American hero who is bi-partisn will mop the floor with B.H.O "
The immorality of health Insurance wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:01 PM:
" What really bugs me is the complete immorality of making profits off of people's sickness and misery; which is the job of health insurance companies. Their entire profit margin is based on denying people care to the point that they pay bonuses based on their employees abiltity to deny benefits. Congratulations here's $100 bonus you saved the company $10,000 and by the way you killed one of our customers. What a system. It makes me ashamed to call myself an American and it should everyone else. Only a compasionate conservative could defend it. "
Realist wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:07 PM:
" Jesus never advocated universal health care! Read the Bible critically if your going to attempt to make some abstract citation to it in an attempt to back up your argument. Try to make your comment relevant, too. Jesus performed healing miracles. He did not advocate government programs to help the poor and sick, but personally met them where they were at and assisted them. Maybe that would be a better plan. Help them individually at a personal, local level, not pawn it off on another ineffective government sponsored program that will raise everyones taxes and alleviate a few peoples guilt. Let us try "love thy neighbor", not fund a program administered by the government so we don't have to be bothered. "
new to gooberville wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:10 PM:
" oh lord, where do I start.
"We are America because we have always done more than Canadians in every important field." This internal self important thinking underlines the troubles in USA. In more areas than more than just healthcare. Only American ideas or plans are worthy? Does that kind of thinking trouble anyone but me? Maybe just maybe another country can come up with an idea that has merit? A country that thinks only it has the answers is doomed to self implode.Maybe the system in Canada,the UK or Europe is not perfect, or not an exact fit for USA. But is the current Americian HMO system that perfect fit? If the effort was put into a solution instead of who deserves the credit or pointing fingers, solutions could be found. But giving credit to other countries is so un-American. Why not look at other health care plans, take out what doesn't work for us, expand on American only needs and put some sort of plan in place. Doing nothing but shooting down other plans ensures we will never have a plan of our own. If America wants to be the world's leading country (like it demands all other countries to believe), then act like it. Good leaders don't have all the good ideas, they have the best results. It doesn't matter where the ideas come from , it's the results that count. Like my grandma used to say"the proofs in the pudding" Grab a spoon and start stirring. "
"We are America because we have always done more than Canadians in every important field." This internal self important thinking underlines the troubles in USA. In more areas than more than just healthcare. Only American ideas or plans are worthy? Does that kind of thinking trouble anyone but me? Maybe just maybe another country can come up with an idea that has merit? A country that thinks only it has the answers is doomed to self implode.Maybe the system in Canada,the UK or Europe is not perfect, or not an exact fit for USA. But is the current Americian HMO system that perfect fit? If the effort was put into a solution instead of who deserves the credit or pointing fingers, solutions could be found. But giving credit to other countries is so un-American. Why not look at other health care plans, take out what doesn't work for us, expand on American only needs and put some sort of plan in place. Doing nothing but shooting down other plans ensures we will never have a plan of our own. If America wants to be the world's leading country (like it demands all other countries to believe), then act like it. Good leaders don't have all the good ideas, they have the best results. It doesn't matter where the ideas come from , it's the results that count. Like my grandma used to say"the proofs in the pudding" Grab a spoon and start stirring. "
Realist wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:11 PM:
" Government sponsored programs will get awarded to the providers the above commenters are complaining about. So if we raise taxes and have universal health care the same employees would be denying more care, saving more money and killing more people (and by the way our taxes would go up out of sight too). Great plan! "
Here's a political deal wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:15 PM:
" I won't bring up McCain's lunatic minister buddies, like the Reverend Hagy or Parsley and you don't bring up Obama's Rev. Jeremiah Wright (that's his name, genius). By the way Obama has alread denounce and renounced or whatever, McCain is standing right along side Hagy's crazy ass. This is why religion is such a lousy test of politicians, faith is stupid, and separation of church and state was the founders best idea and none of this has a thing to do with healthcare. "
Earl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:21 PM:
" ashamed to call myself an American. WELL I AM ASHAMED TO CALL YOU AN AMERICAN ALSO! I THOUGHT YOU PEOPLE WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY WHEN W WAS REELECTED? Our forefathers fought for freedom that you dont even really care about! All you want is a free lunch and a "feel good" story. Well bud this is the United States and here we pull up our boot straps and go to work to pay for lowlife like you to stay free. "
uninsured wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:53 PM:
" I am single.I pay so much tax for things I don't use.If I get sick or hurt,I LOOSE MY JOB!CAN"T PAY ANYWAY AND wonder how fair is it,while prices soar and no raises.Thanks to lobbyist I think about moving away,then who'll pay for the things I don't use.Go get lost on a mountain or pick a fight in Bagdad, it's for my HEALTH.We can pay HEALTH CARE FOR CONVICTS? "
Why don't you get it? wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:04 PM:
" The bottom line is this....Socialists and non working trash need to keep their hands off my wallet! Don't talk to me about compassion or any other handwringing subjects. I pay enough as it is for my family. I don't want to pay for yours! Oh, and by the way, other countries with socialized medicine are almost broke because of it. Next time any of you socialists speak, you darned well better learn more about the subject your blathering about. Italy and France are near bankrupt because of their socialist policies. Canadians hate their health care (just ask a Canuck). Now these moronic bleeding hearts think we should follow the same path. My answer to socialists is to get jobs, get educated and then visit other countries where they have socialized medicine. They will change their minds quickly! Oh and other countries feed off the medical research the US conducts. Canada benefits immensly from the US drug research, why do you think medicine are so much cheaper up there? It's because they don't conduct their research, they use ours and then create generic drugs. "
Nice1EARL wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:05 PM:
" Just don't get sued telling the truth so harshly.I don't think George Washington would be willing to pay for health care for prison inmates and let hard working honest citzens go with out.I pray for a day where the we take care of OUR COUNTRY and let the rest of the WORLDS take care of theirs. "
Earl sounds like a great guy wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:24 PM:
" I bet you $1000, my buddy Earl dies ALONE in a resthome on medicade. By the way friend, I'm a veteran so I have VA health care (did you serve, chicken hawk) in addition to the insurance provided by my job. What a bunch of hateful people you really are. Gooberville is the understatement, I'm surprised you can read, let alone write, given the level of you socialized education (3rd grade) you received. "
to: be rational wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:43 PM:
" Canada's system won't work becuase there are too many people in the US? That is the same as saying that the US using wheat as a food staple (as is done in Canada) won't work becuase there are too many people here. Um, have more doctors. There, problem solved. How do you make it through the day? "
Rasmussen is a lier! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:00 PM:
" Watch the documentary "Sicko" and see the truth. The artical says that Canadians have to wait months for care but in the documentary Canadians are interviewed and have never had to wait for any services. Also alot of comments mention a tax increase but I and MOST other people who have health insurance have to pay a portion of the cost for it so what is the difference. And by the way I work 40 hours a week in a skilled trade and have a college degree. "
Local Yokel wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:04 PM:
" What's the tirade about here, folks? We are never going to see universal healthcare in our lifetimes anyway. There are way too many lobbyists out there that are being paid for by the HMO's to keep us all dependent on them. The only way to see real change is to stop supporting the insurance companies and buying their load of bull. Universal healthcare can work if the people that are in charge of it are educated and savvy to the NEEDS of the American public. "
Hey why don't you get it, wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:07 PM:
" You say other countries are almot broke becouse of socialized health care, Did you know that England began offering free heath care to all right after WWII. The country was destroyed but the goverment cared enough about its own people to help them. All our leaders seem to care about is giving OUR MONEY to Iraq. So I'm sorry to say but people do have there hands in your wallet and are giving YOUR money to people in other countries while countries like Canada are helping there own first. "
uninsured for 5 years wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:10 PM:
" I just wanted to let all you people know I was uninsured for 5 years. I was not unemployed as a matter of fact i worked in the health care field. My employer did not offer health insurance. I finally let the health care field and have insurance. I believe we need to a least make affordable health insurance available to all people. You know many doctors will not even see you without insurance which forces people to use emergency rooms. Get your facts before accuse all uninsured people of being unemployed. Several employers are doing away with insurance. "
Leigh wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:27 PM:
" I agree that the health care system in the country is extremely broken and needs to be fixed, but people, socialized healthcare is not the answer. You people complain about how much taxes you pay now and how you can't afford anymore (refer to the comments on the Woodland school levy failing with people complaining how they can't afford $29 more a month in property taxes)How much in additional taxes do you think we are going to have to pay out of our paychecks to offer government run insurance to each and every American? You think your HMO is complicated and requires second opinions and documentation and referrals, then take a quick look at how the government mandates Medicare and Medicaid programs. It takes a Phd to figure out if your Cat Scan will be covered or not by reading the CMS mandates. The system needs to be fixed, but this is not the answer. What is? I don't know, I think insurance companies have a lot of explaining to do, why in the world should Kaiser Permanente post 1.3 BILLION in net revenue in 2006? They are making money off our premiums, that is 1.3 BILLION - yes BILLION with a B! "
danahan01 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:30 PM:
" I have said it before, and I'll say it again. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's free!!!!!!!!!!! "
Event wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:44 PM:
" Larry King really did ask Hillary what she would do if not all American's were "paying into" her proposed health care system and SHE DID claim that a payroll deduction might be required similar to Social Security and Medicare is funded now.
Not just Obama's claim, I heard the interview. "
Not just Obama's claim, I heard the interview. "
Nothings free wrote on Mar 14, 2008 4:38 PM:
" My grandmother lived in England and experienced there health care system. She says there is no way she will vote for it. It was a horrable situation. Patient compassion and care was pretty much non existent. Health care workers were forced to push through patients as fast as possible. All ready our health care workers are under staffed and over worked what do you think will happen if the govt. runs it. Where do you think the moneys gonna come from. I agree we have problems in our system, there is no excuse for children not to have insurence, and the elderly to not be able to offord the perscriptions that keep them alive. But universal health care is not the answer. "
El Gabilon wrote on Mar 14, 2008 5:06 PM:
" This country needs a National Health Care system. One in which every working citizen is required to pay into and one that does away with private medical practice of any kind. All manufactures of medical equipment must be put under strict government control. Whether rich or poor all citizens should be required to use it. All medical personnel should be paid out of this system. Honors systems should be put in place to honor those medical professionals who contribute above and beyond the norm. This system should have complete control of all prescription drugs whereby they purchase all drugs from drug manufacturers and distrubte these to pharmacies and then to consumers. The most discusting thing we can think of is for anyone to be making a profit off of the health needs of a fellow human being. The medical profession, homelessness, hunger, starvation etc. within the human race IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF WHAT A HUMAN IS, HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND MORE THAN LIKELY WILL CONTINUE TO BE...a parasite upon the world, and worse yet, upon itself. One can puff themselves up all they want but a close examination of human activities cannot deny it. "
SOUTH KELSO wrote on Mar 14, 2008 5:16 PM:
" Insurance Company Executive says, "NO, you don't want national health care, You would be better off letting us screw with you!" Well DUH! Who is going to trust that Fox guarding the henhouse?
You can tell when an insurance executive is lying, their lips move. "
You can tell when an insurance executive is lying, their lips move. "
Responsibility wrote on Mar 14, 2008 5:38 PM:
" I wish people would be responsible and not abuse the us health care system. I don't want to sound under compassionate, but as an ER nurse, it seems that the insured patient thinks more carefully sometimes before they rush to the hospital for non-emergent reasons. Those on medicaid of non-insured that don't ever intend to pay come reguarly for their routine health care, or for more narcotics that their primary provider won't give them. It congests the system, and as a nurse, I can see daily the dollars just going down the drain. We try to educate as best we can while these people are in front of us what they can do for themselves, but often it is on closed ears, because they don't want to wait. They don't want to wait for an appointment, they don't want to wait for a day or two for their headache or cold to get better. They want it fixed right now and for free. A lot of people also don't want to help themselves. There are a lot of responsible consumers of health care out there, so I don' want to step on any toes, but most of my shifts are filled with misuse of the system. "
To Nothings Free wrote on Mar 14, 2008 5:38 PM:
" With spelling like yours, perhaps you should be investing your money into the education system.
The last thing I want is someone dictating to me what should and should not happen in this country when they have 7 spelling mistakes in 6 lines of text! "
The last thing I want is someone dictating to me what should and should not happen in this country when they have 7 spelling mistakes in 6 lines of text! "
Picked Clean for a Grand a Month Premiums wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:12 PM:
" I think Health Delivery for PROFIT is not only UnAmerican it is UnHoly. It is something our nation should be totally ashamed of. To decide to let people die for lack of money.
Don't let them lie to you it's what they do.
Our local hospital has refused to help a man in our community because his family is poor and he is under insured for the surgery he needs. He will die without it. Of course they will NEVER STEER HIM to a program that could help because that would jeopardize their standing in the MEDICINE FOR PROFIT COMMUNITY. "
Don't let them lie to you it's what they do.
Our local hospital has refused to help a man in our community because his family is poor and he is under insured for the surgery he needs. He will die without it. Of course they will NEVER STEER HIM to a program that could help because that would jeopardize their standing in the MEDICINE FOR PROFIT COMMUNITY. "
To Picked Clean Blah Blah wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:59 PM:
" I know you are not talking about our local NON-PROFIT local hospital St John, who does not turn people away for their inability to pay and who has trained staff to help people either get signed up for programs to help pay or set up a payment plan right? Perhaps it is his insurance company that is refusing to pay, but not the hospital. "
Just Another Reader wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:14 PM:
" It appears that many of you would prefer to curse the darkness, and each other, rather than light a candle to find the door to solutions. Having spent 30 years in the healthcare field, I too have seen the things that "Responsibility" speaks of. It is, indeed, appalling to say the least. But it is symptomatic of a broken system. Here are a few facts to chew on that directly affect, or will affect, the access and quality of our healthcare. (1) Access to healthcare will become increasingly more difficult due to fewer physicians entering med school to serve an increasing and longer living population. (2) Since the early 1990's, fees paid by both government and commercial healthcare programs to physicians and other healthcare providers have been constantly cut to about half of what they were then. (3) The cost of living, as we all know, has seen an average increase of 3% to 4% each year since the early 1990's. This is not an exercise in widget economics, where you make it for $2, sell it for $1, and think you can make up the difference with volume. This is serious, real life stuff. You can't ignore it and hope that it will go away. Serious, outside the box thinking is needed here. Maybe, if we collectively tell our elected officials that we're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore, something might get done. After all, it's the squeaky wheel that gets greased. "
Maddie wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:18 PM:
" If you really want to have - let's say another 5% taken out of your paycheck and put into a fund managed by the same government who is running Social Security into the ground and has the national debt up sky high - and then have that same government manage your health and the health of your family,your kids, your parents.. then go ahead and go for it people.The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
"
"
Tazer Baby wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:55 PM:
" Hey, why don't you guys pack it up and move to Canada. I'm sure everything will be roses and sunshine, then you won't have to deal with this horrible country anymore. I am positive they'll be more than happy to accept you with open arms up north. In fact, I'll drive you. "
Too little too late wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:49 PM:
" As a healthcare provider, I do not see how we have a choice of a system of healthcare-we are in a downward spiral and there is no turning back! It's a broken system. We are in a crises!!! Not enough providers, not enough reimbursement, too much time money and energy spent to avoid litigation the list goes on and on. I have been in healthcare for over 20 years and have never seen such low morale amongst healthcare workers. No mater what you do, it is never enough! Our nation is the land of "entitlement" and therefore people are unhappy with healthcare because they can't demand and get what they want when they want it. Healthcare is NOT McDonalds! You can't have it your way. Get over it....go ahead and complain. Customer service and healthcare do not belong in the same sentence. "
Constitutional rights wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:52 PM:
" The only population of people guaranteed healthcare by the constitution of the United States are Prisoners! I guess that's one way to get healthcare. "
Free Healthcare? wrote on Mar 15, 2008 10:06 AM:
" yeah right... "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch"
Ever hear of that? If the US was to nationalize healthcare to have it run by the government, Taxes will go up dramatically, and everyone will find out just how "free" it is. The US government can't even run Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security right. What makes you think they can run healthcare? "
Ever hear of that? If the US was to nationalize healthcare to have it run by the government, Taxes will go up dramatically, and everyone will find out just how "free" it is. The US government can't even run Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security right. What makes you think they can run healthcare? "
to: Rasmussen is a lier! wrote on Mar 15, 2008 10:12 AM:
" Oh... so you mean the 5 people he interviewed and the cherry picked cases that he sifted through to find the ones he wanted... sure, that is a great representation of the canadian healthcare system... "
to: uninsured for 5 years wrote on Mar 15, 2008 10:16 AM:
" i guess it was your choice not to go find your own coverage eventhough your employer could not afford it....
Healthcare is all about the choices you want to make. you chose to be uninsured. "
Healthcare is all about the choices you want to make. you chose to be uninsured. "
Archie Bunker Lives wrote on Mar 15, 2008 2:17 PM:
" Boy some of you guys sound just like Archie Bunker, you should be proud of yourselves. I am a liberal and proud of it. I also have an advanced college degree and have been gainfully employed for 20 years. I also read alot, how bout you. Read anything lately that hasn't been put out by the republican pary propaganda machine? The one constant I have seen is how fast my health premiums go up. Paid 100 bucks a month 10 years ago with my employer paying 50% of that, today the same coverage is over a thousand dollars. I never have used it. Sounds like your plan is working well, maybe we should open our minds and listen to what others can tell us. Get a clue!! "
Sick wrote on Mar 15, 2008 2:42 PM:
" Sounds like be rational is a totally propagandized person who believes in Rush Limbaugh. "
The Problem with Stupidity wrote on Mar 15, 2008 2:45 PM:
" One problem with Canada "is that there is no research" is a complete LIE.
Canada is a COLONY OF BRITIAN. AS SUCH THE "RESEARCH" is being done in the UK.
Boy I don't know what our country is going to become in the future with people with no knowledge continuing to bully the kinder gentler of our nation into a corner unto death. If they could they would ride motorcycles on our rooftops and call us names for not liking it. "
Canada is a COLONY OF BRITIAN. AS SUCH THE "RESEARCH" is being done in the UK.
Boy I don't know what our country is going to become in the future with people with no knowledge continuing to bully the kinder gentler of our nation into a corner unto death. If they could they would ride motorcycles on our rooftops and call us names for not liking it. "
I'm The Speaker wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:48 AM:
" Wow, a lot of people sure decide pretty quickly about what my talk was about. It's funny - I grew up, trained & worked in the Canadian system. Then I've spent the past 18 years of my life working in the American Health Care System. And many of you say that I shouldn't be allowed to talk about the system?! I came to town to discuss the issues. You ought to ask one of the attendees what we actually talked about (contact the Chamber directly if you don't know who else to turn to). One of my main themes is that some people want to just turn the whole system over to a full-scale government solution, rather than looking at the details of what is & isn't working in other countries. And what is & isn't working here. I try to get people past the simple one-size-fits-all just-do-like-the-Canadians-do solution. I ended my talk by discussing solutions that we ought to start implementing right now. If you're interested in hearing them, you ought to ask Erik Olsen to do a follow up article on that. "
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