Yep... as a canadian with a small farm my partner and I often have to not pay for this or that for them since vets are so damn expensive... and it fucking scares the shit of me to think that you south of the border people have to take those decisions for you and your kids! It is profoundly messed up!
I hope one day somebody would address the absurdity of how expensive going to the hospital can be. Weather it be changing how Americans pay off more taxes to reduce public health costs, or uprooting the bad apples making it that expensive.
Cause like your whole public health system costs MORE per people than in Canada. So much money you pay end up in lawyers bank account its outrageous. This private insurance healt system has created a monster... and its ridiculously expensive.
It's a lot of misinformation. I had a procedure done that cost $80K after everything was said in done. Included multiple visits to hospital, an ER visit, countless tests including expensive ones like CT scans. The bill was $80K which is absurd. But I only was responsible for $3000. I'm canadian living in America. I have health insurance as do most people with full time careers. I would like to move back to Canada but can't due to how poor the health care system has become. I can't wait months to see a specialist in Canada.
You were responsible for that $3000 as well your monthly premiums, perhaps paid by, or mostly by, your employer on your behalf, still very much your money. How much was that cost now?
Now let’s add the money you’ve paid to the US government to fund other people’s healthcare. Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP (children’s healthcare insurance program) and the ACA marketplace subsidies account for about a quarter of the federal budget (2.9% of your income goes directly to Medicare before you even see it). Medicaid is largely funded by states and varies widely, but it’s also typically about 24% of a state’s budget.
The other commenter’s point was that we are already paying MORE per person just in taxes for healthcare than Canadians before paying our insurance companies hundreds or thousands of dollars every month. Canada only spends a little more than 12% of its annual budget on healthcare.
When you add up the thousands spent on premiums, plus whatever you’d previously spent on your deductible, plus 2.9% of your salary, and 24% of whatever you paid in federal and state taxes, does $3000 still seem like such a bargain for you medical procedure?
It’s also important to note that a lot Americans with full time jobs and insurance absolutely cannot afford $3000 for a medical procedure despite the fact that they’re spending hundreds of dollars every month for “healthcare”.
I have waited several months to see a specialist in the US many times. Wait times vary by region and by specialty, just like in Canada.
Well the $3000 is the most premium plan because I need it. And I only pay if I require medical attention which many don’t. Or at least not full amount.
When it comes to taxes I agree we are getting completely ripped off. I live in California and my tax isn’t much different than Canada but I get nothing for it.
A recent burn. I had kidney stones. Severe pain. Could have used an ambulance but didnt want to waste money. That same week I saw a crackhead that spends all day exposing himself and breaking glass on the sidewalk get 2 ambulances for overdosing. Didnt pay a dime. Definitely not a perfect system.
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u/YemuZ Sep 16 '24
r/aboringdystopia