especially this excerpt...
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SHANOOR SEERVAI: So one of the things that we hear about in the U.S. when our two health systems are compared is that Canada has really long waiting times for health services. How long do people really have to wait to get care?
CHRISTOPHER HAYES: So I guess it’s — it depends on what do you think you’re waiting for. So if you are in a hospital and you need surgery you don’t wait. It gets done in — if it needs to be done in 30 minutes it will be done in 30 minutes. If you need an MRI for care provided in a hospital you will get it whenever — depending on where you are because not every hospital has an MRI, but you will be prioritized and that will happen probably as quickly as it can be done anywhere. It is as the priority drops or is deemed less by whomever that the wait — so the waits are how long will you wait to see a specialist after seeing your family doctor.
I mean, the one that people will talk about is cataracts, hip surgeries, non — not cancer type surgeries, where there — things will get worse if you don’t get treated. And so you can wait months for those surgeries.
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Is HC anywhere "Perfect"?...let's all agree that the answer is NO...and the root cause is that there simply aren't enough resources (...Talent and $$$)...If you're truly interested, pick up Steven Brill's book "America's Bitter Pill"...basically, he's all for cutting out the Insurance 'Middle Man' and putting restrictions on Hospital 'Oligopolies' that will otherwise be free to innovate, etc. He also mentions the issue of "Fee for Service" vs. what is often called "Capitation" for HC services (e.g. Cleveland Clinic or Kaiser Permanente)...these institutions operate to a predetermined budget...they provide very good care, but as an example, don't do ACL repairs if not medically justified...
Now, what are your thoughts on what I posted in response to Curly's UK example?...see any problem with that country financing HC given their Brexit decision?...or do you not respond to other's questions?
Link: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/podcast/2018/oct/truth-about-waiting-see-doctor-canada