mdfenton

The USA doesn't have too many entitlements? Really? The latest being given to illegals, including Syrians.

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

that's why it doesn't make sense to respond to this nonsense. Why don't you make sure of your facts before you comment?

J.R.Newton Loc: Saint Bernice, Indiana

I'm sorry, but the United States is not Sweden, Norway or Germany!

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

And you indeed should be sorry and envious.

mdfenton

Nothing (welfare system) to be envious about in Europe, or Canada (especially its health care system).

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

Do you really know anything about it? I suffered a loss of hearing in my left ear this week. I went to our local ER where I was examined by a doctor, prescribed an antibiotic and arrangements made for a CAT scan next Tuesday. My only cost was 1.50 for a coffee. As a senior, I paid only 4.50 for my prescription. My wife suffered an asthma attack Christmas night while we were visiting our daughter in another, larger Ontario city. She was attended quickly and competently at the local hospital there despite a large number of people waiting. You have been brainwashed, my friend, by the opponents of "Obamacare" who believe it is better to declare personal bankruptcy than to have universal medical care. You will find the vast majority of Canadians enthusiastic about our much maligned system and also angry that so many mistruths about it have been spread in the US.

mdfenton

My friend was forced to leave Toronto to have a hip replacement in Switzerland at her expense $10,000.

mdfenton

http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/06/13/if-universal-health-care-is-the-goal-dont-copy-canada/#23e06d03290d

Written by Canadians. Read slowly and carefully. Cheers.

J.R.Newton Loc: Saint Bernice, Indiana

Oh! I'm sorry! I just noticed you're Canadian. My brother-in-law is Canadian living in the U.S. His father died in Toronto while on a waiting list. In the U.S. he could have had the surgery within a week.

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

I find that hard to believe. True there is some waiting for non urgent procedures such as knee replacements. But in critical situations, things are attended to promptly. I know that from personal experience both in Toronto and in the small town where we now live. What was your friend's father's problem and was it lack of surgery that actually killed him? The United States is the ONLY developed nation without universal health care. Sure, there are some problems with our system. But nobody declares personal bankruptcy because of medical bills. Nor do they get second rate care. Indeed, Toronto is one of the leading medical centres in the world. What we need now is pharmacare. We seniors are taken care of but people under 65 will get excellent treatment but then can't afford the prescriptions they're given. And tomorrow I have to cough up $4000 for my wife's dental work which is not insured. My late mother-in-law had no resources and lived with us in Toronto for several years. She lost the use of her legs and she died of heart problems. If I had had to pay her medical bills, I would not be enjoying comfortable retirement in a nice home in a gorgeous part of Canada.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

Just recently lost my wife with Lung Cancer and the treatment on the National Health service over here was first class. My wife and I paid all our lives into the government run national insurance scheme which every working person in the UK has had to pay into and for all that life I have not had to pay a penny extra toward health costs nor have my children or grandchildren so all the knocks and illnesses of life have been treated. In the states you guys must dread getting ill and wondering if your insurance can cover the cost. All of us rich or poor over here don't have that worry. It is a misconception that the Health service over here is free, its NOT all working people pay into it. By the way take no notice of sensationalising headlines the NHS is just fine.

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

You don't malign a whole system because of one experience. I'm sorry about your friend but you haven't shared details which may have nothing to do with the over all subject.

mdfenton

Why do people in UK and possibly Canada pay into mandatory health care systems all their lives and, if they can afford it, join private medical "clubs" , thus paying double premiums? These clubs are called "boutique" medicine in the U.S., which are becoming popular. The answer to the question is: better and quicker care. I've experienced this in Northern Virginia. ObamaCare forced me to leave my doctor who formed a boutique office charging $1650 per year just to join the club. This plus the cost of my private insurance premium and medicare premiums. Thank you Mr. Obama. Fortunately we have other available doctors from which to chose. Until, the liberal Democrats tell us what choices to make.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Dear bgl;

I do understand the facts, much better than thee:

I don't thinkest that thou remember how the "FEDS" promoted the "Housing for everyone" routine which FORCED the banks to issue loans/mortgages/credit to most of the people that would not otherwise qualify (or they were threatened with heavy fines, etc.), and definitely couldn't keep up with the payments

I know a whole more than you think, as I supported one of the World's LARGEST BANK's Mortgage and Load departments during that period.

You as a lib understand little if anything at all about REAL ECONOMICS.

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

You use the label "liberal" as a veiled insult.I wear it proudly as a socially responsible individual. I am, as we say in Canada, both a small and a large L Liberal and it is truly exciting the way our new Liberal prime minister has re-energized the country after the dark days of Stephen Harper who, as a trained economist, did understand REAL ECONOMICS and almost destroyed our freedom with his slavish devotion to them. Economics are an important part of running a country but they are only one of many parts.