If It Were My Home

[cassiesmom]

If I lived in the Cayman Islands... I'd have 57% more chance at being employed, use 19% less electricity, live 2.3 years longer, consume 5% less oil and make 5% less money.

Works for me! I'd take a 5% pay cut to spend time at the beach!

And I'd consider moving to Canada to spend almost 50% less on health care.

[pomtzu]

And I'd consider moving to Canada to spend almost 50% less on health care.

Nah - you'd better not - not from what I hear are waiting times in some hospitals, and for elective surgeries and diagnostic procedures. I'll wait for weeks, but not months - or longer!
I complain about what I have to pay too, but I think I'll keep our system.

[Edwina's Secretary]

The quality of healthcare is measured, not by how much you pay for it, but how well it works. Things like infant mortality, life expectancy, HIV/AIDS rates are the measures of quality.

Looks like alternatives that appeal to me...Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany - all have better healthcare, more free time, MUCH lower healthcare costs but with the tradeoff of lower wages.

Hmmmmm....

[pomtzu]

The quality of healthcare is measured, not by how much you pay for it, but how well it works.

Works for me!!!!
And considering some of the horror stories that a Canadian friend relays to me, I know I'm definitely staying put!

[Edwina's Secretary]

How very fortunate you are! Sadly, I know of many who are not as satisfied - in the US and have heard plenty of horror stories as well.

And I know many who are very satisfied with the Canadian system as well as the systems in other countries.

I go with facts - not feelings when it comes to how well my money is spent.

But again, I am very happy for you that you are satisfied with the US healthcare.

[pomtzu]

How very fortunate you are! Sadly, I know of many who are not as satisfied - in the US and have heard plenty of horror stories as well.

And I know many who are very satisfied with the Canadian system as well as the systems in other countries.

I go with facts - not feelings when it comes to how well my money is spent.

But again, I am very happy for you that you are satisfied with the US healthcare.

Yes, I'm certain that there is good and bad in all systems, regardless of our geographical location. There is room for improvement everywhere.

But I also know that if I need surgery or tests, I don't have to wait a ridiculous amount of time for it. When I hear of waiting times for something as routine as cataract surgery, or a knee replacement or such, in some other countries, I am quite flabbergasted, especially when I know that I can have it done in a matter of weeks, and not have to wait months and months on a long waiting list.

[Edwina's Secretary]

You are indeed fortunate in your healthcare.

Unlike the over 50 million people in this country who do not have medical insurance.

Or those who do not have very good insurance. Or who live in parts of the country where there is inadequate availability. Or are poor.

Long waits for services are not uncommon here in the US. Especially if you are uninsured or underinsured.

And by objective measurements such as longevity, infant mortality, etc. we pay the most money but don't get our money's worth.

I guess it comes down to which is worse - anecdotal long waits for non-emergency services or higher infant mortality? Shorter lives but less wait time for non-emergency services?

Like you I have access to good healthcare. How lucky we are!