I loved this picture I got at the doggie park yesterday. There weren't too many people there due to the weather, but Georgie played plenty with those two (I think they are) boston terriers for a long time.
That health care summit. Wow. I don't see how the sides can reconcile. It seems the Republicans are steadfast in their belief that health care is not a fundamental right, whereas Democrats think it should be. I fail to understand the heart of a person who believes people should only be cared for medically if they can afford it. And what logic is there in letting insurance companies decide treatments. I suppose the doctors are just advisers, and it's the insurance company administrators who know best, right? The system is broken and it's just gonna stay that way it looks like. That picture from the Olympics was funny. I pay through the nose in taxes up here, but I'm certain if I moved back to the states it would cost me more overall if I took an individual health insurance policy. Yep, I just went and checked. If I got similar coverage as here (actually impossible because there is no co-pay here) it would cost me $644 a month. If I would even be accepted, as I am an ex-smoker. I hear ex smokers are having more and more trouble getting insured. $644 a month and I've been to the doctor once in ten years. And the insurance industry whines that 12 billion in profit isn't enough. Broken broken broken. Happy to be in Canada.
20 comments:
Presumed humiliation. That's what the summit was about. Dems hoping to show the U.S. public that the GOP thinks it is not a right.
Shamu's little friend stood up the entire thing.
I frequently want to ask the senators who think that health care is only for the rich and famous - those who can afford it - whose going to do your shit work for you when all the "little people" die because they cannot afford the medicines to keep them healthy?
The health care thing make me furious, just like the gay thing does.
Love the pic of the doggies.
XO, have a good weekend Torn!
We were so close and then that dang republican had to win Ted Kennedy's senate seat. UGH...I've been to Montreal once and LOVED it. I think I may move there.
it sucks down here...you have it good in canada...you have health insurance, the govt. recognizes your marriage, tighter handgun laws...what's NOT to like?
have a good weekend!
I'm happy to live in the UK, things aren't perfect here but they could be a whole lot worse.
Better weather would be good though!
Love the doggy pic, Georgie looks like he's having nothing to do with them.
The unending greed that seems to fuel the U.S. really gets me down sometimes.
I'm hoping the American public starts to wake up about it's government.
Well, I don't think it's right, but I have to agree that there's no Constitutional guarantee of health care. However, there also isn't a Constitutional guarantee of education, either. It'd be nice if this country would focus on addressing these gaps in human rights protection, instead of pushing for BS like opposite marriage amendments.
As a Canadian, it's whenever I listen to debates in the U.S. about health care that I truly grasp that our neighbours to the south do form a very foreign country to ours. I'm not saying it's worse or better; it's just very different. As hard as I try, the GOP's arguments against health care reform are simply inintelligible words to me. I. Just. Don't. Get it.
They are on two completely different planets on health care. Very little common ground. And all at the extreme expense of those who need it the most...children, poor, workers, the needy.
You know, I'm glad you live in Canada too!
Just joined your Blog. I like it. Trying to get one started myself. I like the way you talk about everyday stuff.
I hear that in Canada those who have Cancer must wait for treatment so long that they either die or if they are wealthy come to the U.S. for treatment. Republican creed: To be very, very concerned about the welfare of the rich. Ted
Yes, they're bostons, and yes, healthcare here is teh sukc. Even as someone who has never smoked, when I was self-insured I had to pay over $500/month for a big co-pay, and that was 5 years ago. Now David and I have a health savings account plan through my work. It's okay for us right now, since we're fairly healthy, but it's still a $5K deductible each.
Healthcare. What do we do? This one's got me befuddled.
Is it state thing like we have in Massachusetts or national?
Are the stories you hear about Canadian healthcare a shame (cancer patients waiting months for treatment)?
I saw your comment on Dirk's blog inquiring as to where Ed is. Thanks for your concern. I can't use my old name and e-mail on blogs that don't allow anonymous comments. My brother works for the government and their computers are able to trace any known e-mail address and read the comments. I now use Ted but forget to use Ed on blogs like yours. I still read your blog every morning and look for Ed or Ted on an anonymous comment and it's me. Ted
I'm so disgusted with the healthcare debate that I can't even comment on it. So I'll say that I love that pic! Awww, Georgie :)
I really don't want to have an actual debate on the topic because deep down inside I don't really care - the US will do what it will do as a country and that is right.
However, I don't think our system is all that great either, I'd like to think that I am a better steward of the money I earn than the government in every respect and area. If I had to wait for any treatment for eight months I'd become a health tourist so fast the plane would spin.
Health care is not a right. You have to pay for it, one way or another. It's only a matter of who and how. The system in the states now is appalling not in principle but in practice - just like the government. If there was actual across state lines free competition between insurance carriers and health providers the costs would drop dramatically, the same way it does in any free enterprise. Basically either the govt needs to step right out, or step in, not this half assed bs with corrupt regulations and policy writing. Ever wonder how AMA can afford to do all it does for only 80 bux a year? One single tow costs more than that. If the market is not falsely regulated many spontaneous and market driven solutions would emerge, the problem is corrupt legislation that only benefits the drug and insurance cos.
Yes there needs to be change, but our system is not always fair or good either. It's just the lesser of two evils.
You're so right about the broken health care in the US. Not only is it unreasonable to think that most people can afford to purchase private insurance, it is impossible for many. When Spouse tried to be self-employed he could not get private insurance at any cost because of his height/weight ratio. This is a man who works out regularly, rarely has a cold, and takes no medications. The US could learn a lot from Canada regarding health care.
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