- Joined
- Jun 17, 2018
- Messages
- 3,148
- Reaction score
- 672
- Location
- NOW Beautiful Pasco County
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Conservative
Indeed there have been many such cases.
Of course there are also the cases of Americans who come to Canada to get medical treatment that they simply cannot afford in the US.
At one time Kingston General Hospital had quite a nice arrangement with several American medical insurance companies whereby the US companies would send patients up to KGH for treatment and would then pay 100% of the bill upon presentment.
Why would they do that?
Because KGH charged the insurance companies less than the American hospitals did (while the US insurance companies based their rates on what they would have to pay if they had sent their clients to US hospitals).
BTW, the universal medical insurance programs in Canada DO have provisions for paying elective care medical bills outside of their own provinces. In Canada there is generally an "overlap" period where the patient's home plan covers them until the plan for the patient's new province of residence kick in. Outside of Canada you have to get the treatment approved first (this is NOT a case where it is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission).
PS - Have you heard of the Americans who have not been able to get any treatment at all (without bankrupting themselves) because they didn't "qualify" for any form of medical cost assistance/insurance? I have heard that, and can't say I would like to experience it.
PPS - Whenever I travel into the US I always carry "travellers' medical insurance". It costs me around $10 per month.
I would say that as long as the majority of Canadian's like their plan, it's their decision to make. I truly hope it works well.
I had not heard of the Kingston Hospital arrangement. That is interesting and should kick off some sort of an investigation here.
As to bankruptcy for the cost of treatment, that is truly unfortunate.
As a Conservative, I have a strong negative suspicion of the Government and the programs they administer. It may be that Canada has a better crop of program administrators and functionary's than the US, but granting that, you can see why we here are not in favor of one size fits all insurance coverage.
All that said, I do support health coverage for all, I just believe we already have it here, just not so named.
Regards,
CP