Canadian Health care for dummies.

After having a few discussions with American friends regarding the Canadian health care system, I thought I'd write a quick synopsis (so i can stop having to explain it over and over) and rant a bit after.

Most health care in Canada (barring hospitals) is provided by private enterprises or private corporations.
This means that doctors are not in the employ of the government, but rather are private practices. Doctors are paid on a fee-per-visit/service and bill the insurer.
The Public part of our health care system is that your health insurance is provided by the government of the province in which you reside. It's funded primarily through income taxes. There are some things it doesn't cover, such as prescription drugs (although drug prices are negotiated with suppliers by the federal government to keep cost under control) and non-emergency dental care. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by provincial health insurance.

It gets a little more complicated than that, but this is a synopsis, not a full blown critique.

Basically it boils down to this: Except for hospitals, Health care in Canada is provided privately, but paid for publicly.

I like the set up the Canadian health care has. Even though health insurance is publicly funded, it still cost the government lest per capita that the US (US$3,678 for Canada, and U.S., US$6,714 for the states in 2006). Please note: This is GOVERNMENT spending. Private insurers are NOT included in this number.

I personally think the US should have adopted a similar system to Canada's. The only problem is the republican party seems to be in the private insurance companies pocket. It really doesn't have anything to do with ideology, as it is in the best interest of the people. It has everything to do with the almighty dollar.

Maybe one day they'll pull their heads out of their asses and realize its better for the government AND the people. Just once I'd like to see them say: Screw you big business, we're going to do what's right for the people, not your pockets.

This will never happen. Mostly because of guys like this:

Now i know why Bill and Ted were always like "Whoa......"
This is some good shit......

He is not a politician, but leads a large, very vocal cult of followers and like minds. They opposed the health care reform most likely because they were to busy sticking their heads in the sand to do a little research about the Scary Communist Canadian health care system. That and Capitalism is far more important than the well being of The People, apparently.

You see, the thing that's best about the Canadian health care system is this: Young, old, terminal illness, emergencies, just a check up, its always there for you. If you are live in Canada and you need health care, they will never turn you away because you have no health insurance. All you have to do is smile, present your provincial health card, and wait your turn. It's by no means perfect, it has its share of problems, but the system does work.

Oh, and one other thing: Medicinal Marijuana is legal in Canada if you have the right paperwork. Anyone in chronic pain doesn't always have to rely on pharmaceutical painkillers with high addiction rates unless necessary. It's a nice touch.

Thanks for reading, now i don't have to explain it every damn time someone asks. If you want a little more info the Wikipedia article covers a lot more.