Canadian (Socialized) Health Care

[Mr_Moore]

I think in Sweden we pay in average around 3000 dollars in taxes to health care. I remember reading a few months ago that it is around what an American would pay with the difference that he would not have to wait in line.

[GoodCallYouWin]

It costs around $3000 a year here too. Also, our socialist health care system in Ontario was the excuse for our income tax, so that's another reason it sucks.

[bobman0330]

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I think in Sweden we pay in average around 3000 dollars in taxes to health care. I remember reading a few months ago that it is around what an American would pay with the difference that he would not have to wait in line.

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$30/month + $1500 annual deductible = ship it!

EDIT: ship it! + tax-free HSA to pay deductible with = double ship it!

[Copernicus]

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I think in Sweden we pay in average around 3000 dollars in taxes to health care. I remember reading a few months ago that it is around what an American would pay with the difference that he would not have to wait in line.

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$3000 pays for family coverage with reasonable co-pays and out of pocket maximums. Depending on the emergency room, the time of day and your illness you may not face lines here either. The last 3 times Ive had kidney stones, 3 different hospitals in 3 different states, I was on an IV within 10 minutes of getting there.

[JMa]

coincidentally, swedish newspapers today ran a story about a 20yo who suffers from Hunter syndrome. hunter syndrome is a very rare disease that attacks the organs. anyway, the medicine costs about $1.5M per year. the government thought said that they couldnt afford it and wouldnt pay for it. why did this kid pay taxes if they dont cover stuff like this? sickening.

[Kaj]

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I think in Sweden we pay in average around 3000 dollars in taxes to health care. I remember reading a few months ago that it is around what an American would pay with the difference that he would not have to wait in line.

[/ QUOTE ]

$30/month + $1500 annual deductible = ship it!

EDIT: ship it! + tax-free HSA to pay deductible with = double ship it!

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Nevermind the fact that your insurance is rigged to deny claims as much as possible. Not that they've necessarily denied any of your claims to date, but a for-profit system has different operating style than a universal health care system. Just comparing how much you pay neglects the fact that the American model leaves millions without care who can't afford what you so easily can, and also denies coverage to millions and ruins them, forcing them to hire lawyers they can't afford to challenge bills they can't afford. And some people who actually have had medical problems could never dream to get the coverage you can at the prices you can, but are left out to fend for themselves. The fact that this hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it isn't happening here.

[Kaj]

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coincidentally, swedish newspapers today ran a story about a 20yo who suffers from Hunter syndrome. hunter syndrome is a very rare disease that attacks the organs. anyway, the medicine costs about $1.5M per year. the government thought said that they couldnt afford it and wouldnt pay for it. why did this kid pay taxes if they dont cover stuff like this? sickening.

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I guarantee you that an American insurance company would deny this treatment as well. "why do you pay [insurance premiums] if they don't cover stuff like this? sickening"

[JMa]

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[ QUOTE ]
coincidentally, swedish newspapers today ran a story about a 20yo who suffers from Hunter syndrome. hunter syndrome is a very rare disease that attacks the organs. anyway, the medicine costs about $1.5M per year. the government thought said that they couldnt afford it and wouldnt pay for it. why did this kid pay taxes if they dont cover stuff like this? sickening.

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I guarantee you that an American insurance company would deny this treatment as well. "why do you pay [insurance premiums] if they don't cover stuff like this? sickening"

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the point is, in a privatized health care system you have a choice. this swede has no choice.

[Kaj]

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coincidentally, swedish newspapers today ran a story about a 20yo who suffers from Hunter syndrome. hunter syndrome is a very rare disease that attacks the organs. anyway, the medicine costs about $1.5M per year. the government thought said that they couldnt afford it and wouldnt pay for it. why did this kid pay taxes if they dont cover stuff like this? sickening.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guarantee you that an American insurance company would deny this treatment as well. "why do you pay [insurance premiums] if they don't cover stuff like this? sickening"

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the point is, in a privatized health care system you have a choice. this swede has no choice.

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The only choice you have here is to pay the $1.5M a year the rest of your life out of your own pocket. You could do this in Sweden just as well.

[mosdef]

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I guarantee you that an American insurance company would deny this treatment as well. "why do you pay [insurance premiums] if they don't cover stuff like this? sickening"

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The difference is that the insurer would have to have provided a contract in advance saying that this is not part of the included coverage. The government says "Universal health care for all!" and then later says "LOL, just kidding kid we meant for affordable people only. Thanks for the taxes, though".