2014 Off Topic Thread

[edman5555]

Some things to consider in the canadian vs us healthcare debate:

A lot of canadians come to america for services because the wait is too long in canada. They are actually seeing some private insurance companies spring up.

We are the fattest country in the world so we require more services per person.

We have a much higher murder rate which effects our life exp statistics.

I think a lot of the pharm drugs are produced in america where the patents have to be respected. I think the canadians can just make generic versions of them for less money.

As far as i know we have the best cancer survival rates of any country.

[trotterz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...%29_per_capita

Yeah, Canada spends about $4.5k per year per person on health care; the U.S. spends about $8.5k, way more than any other country.

And our life-expectancy is shorter, too.

Sad to say but this is mainly due to your food.
Everytime I travel to the U.S. I can't beleive how badly you guys eat. Junk food is everywhere .... and wwwwaayyyyy cheaper ... if you want to eat good you'll have to pay 3X the price of junk food. It always suprises me how cheap it is to eat in the U.S. if you are willing to eat junk food.

[trotterz]

If by "free" you mean that you paid for it with your taxes... yeah. I read that the portion of Canadian taxes that goes to healthcare averages out to about $5k per person, per year. That is basically the same as I am about to pay ($10K total, but that's for 2 adults). Canada is just a lot better at not wasting other tax dollars than the U.S. I think overall the tax rates are pretty similar, but yours includes health care, so good job Canada. I have never really wanted to be Canadian until about a week ago. I also like mountains and places where there are no people. Something for me to consider.

Everything "products wise" is way cheaper in the U.S. everything that I need to buy, I usually buy online and get it shippeds from the U.S.
as a quick example, I had to buy a new pair of glasses. I went to the biggest glasses store in Canada and was looking at a specific pair of oakley frame. With the prescription lenses being at 50% off, the total amount was of $750.95 can.
I bought the exact same pair of glasses online from a U.S. store including the prescription lenses for $356.
We are being screwed in Canada ... totally.
things are usually at least 30% cheaper(minimum) in the U.S. even taking the currency rate into consideration.

[Svino]

If by "free" you mean that you paid for it with your taxes... yeah. I read that the portion of Canadian taxes that goes to healthcare averages out to about $5k per person, per year. That is basically the same as I am about to pay ($10K total, but that's for 2 adults).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_total_health_expenditure_%28PPP%29_per_capita

Yeah, Canada spends about $4.5k per year per person on health care; the U.S. spends about $8.5k, way more than any other country.

And our life-expectancy is shorter, too.

[MMA_scientist]

wow .... when I hear that I am happy to be a Canadian ... .everything health is covered by free work insurance plan, or free by the government

If by "free" you mean that you paid for it with your taxes... yeah. I read that the portion of Canadian taxes that goes to healthcare averages out to about $5k per person, per year. That is basically the same as I am about to pay ($10K total, but that's for 2 adults). Canada is just a lot better at not wasting other tax dollars than the U.S. I think overall the tax rates are pretty similar, but yours includes health care, so good job Canada. I have never really wanted to be Canadian until about a week ago. I also like mountains and places where there are no people. Something for me to consider.

[MMA_scientist]

Well there are congressional elections coming up this year in november i believe. If the republicans gain control of the senate they will attempt to force a change or repeal.

I am not holding my breath. I generally don't spend a lot of time worrying about things that are not within my control. The law exists, it is basically a screw job on me personally today, but I acknowledge that it helps a lot of people. I am just trying to mitigate the damage. It is going to help me in 10 years when I am ready to retire (fuck you, middle class workers of the world, have fun supporting me even though I'm rich!- I won't have much "income" so I will get basically free coverage).

[trotterz]

wow .... when I hear that I am happy to be a Canadian ... .everything health is covered by free work insurance plan, or free by the government

[Mr. IWS]

Cheapest policy is $900 per month.

That is fuckin crazy

[edman5555]

No, it is worse. I got a cancellation letter from my carrier, so I am not even going to get to keep my policy for 2014 like I hoped. Cheapest policy is $900 per month. I am looking for a non-ACA compliant policy and just pay the penalty. But I can't even find a catastophic non-ACA compliant policy.

I think I am going to go the religious co-op Medi-Share route. I can't think of anything else to do. It has me thinking (seriously, not even joking) about calling it a career and just cutting way back on work and lifestyle. Just moving into a small house and working part time and saying fuck it.

Well there are congressional elections coming up this year in november i believe. If the republicans gain control of the senate they will attempt to force a change or repeal.

[Luke]

Happy birthday Luke!

thanks man

[MMA_scientist]

Scientist, is anything getting better in your insurance situation?

No, it is worse. I got a cancellation letter from my carrier, so I am not even going to get to keep my policy for 2014 like I hoped. Cheapest policy is $900 per month. I am looking for a non-ACA compliant policy and just pay the penalty. But I can't even find a catastophic non-ACA compliant policy.

I think I am going to go the religious co-op Medi-Share route. I can't think of anything else to do. It has me thinking (seriously, not even joking) about calling it a career and just cutting way back on work and lifestyle. Just moving into a small house and working part time and saying fuck it.

[Mr. IWS]

Happy birthday Luke!

[edman5555]

Glad it all worked out. You don't have to accept their settlement offer though... If they are willing to pay it just like that, it probably means it is worth a lot more. General rule of thumb is 3x the medical bills.

Scientist, is anything getting better in your insurance situation?

[edman5555]

I thought that you wanted him to come back, not piss him off more?

I was just kidding.

[Mr. IWS]

Yeah, you can't really fuck around with that kind of stuff. Dumb situation, though. How was the MRI?

i was wrong, MRI is monday. She is a lot better today though. these fuckin kids bounce back really quick. I was afraid She was going to be out for the entire Track and Lacross season the way this doctor was talking, but Im a bit more hopefull now.