happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:27 pm)

Another positive in Canada: Medical marajuna is legal in Canada (many sick and dying Americans go to Canada where they can receive humane treatment for their pain). Mike Moore's intentions are good, but I think he owes people a more balanced report of the facts. Although he's really just in the business of selling entertainment and he does that well. Just check the facts yourself people before you get on your soap box. Freedom, Prosperity & Peace! Dave

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:24 pm)

Positive things about Canada: Some prescription drugs are very cheap (government handles price fixing, delays and\or denies the release of newer, more expensive drugs and subsidizes drugs costs for the poor, elderly and those in long-term residential care). Some drugs cannot be bought, at any price, in Canada so Canadians come to America to get them).

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:22 pm)

Or they divert more of their budget to healthcare and sacrifice other non-healthcare services. And don't forget about the lack of specialists and long waits. 4 weeks to have someone check out your breast cancer, 22 months for an MRI, 2-3 years for a hip replacement. One out of every 9 Canadian doctors move to America to practice medicine. Canadians who can afford the best possible treatment come to America and pay for it out-of-pocket rather than get it for "free" in their home country.

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:21 pm)

65% of all Canadians carry supplementary private insurance through their employers to help offset the costs that are not covered by Canada's "free" healthcare system......Michael Moore forgot to mention that part too.

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:21 pm)

Canada tries to follow a more balanced budget system where they don't allow yearly deficits. Since they cannot afford it they must cut services offered in order to make up for the lack of funding. Nowadays Canada's system only covers about 65-70% of the medical costs, the rest is paid for by private citizens(in addition to their taxes). The "free" healthcare system in Canada also does not pay for things such as prescription drugs, dentistry and optometry.

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:20 pm)

I cant post the link to this info but its on nprs website (storyId=92116914)

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:14 pm)

France just released their financial records concerning their universal healthcare system for fiscal year 2007. For year 2007 they had a deficit of over 9 billion dollars. Prior years have racked up similar numbers.

happinessisnowhere (July 24, 2008 at 8:06 pm)

Always buried at the end of any report on European or Canadian "free" healthcare is the glaring fact that they are deficit financed. I enjoyed watching Michael Moore's movie Sicko where he touted all the benefits of "free" socialized medical systems, but as always his documentary was very one-sided. He fails to explain to us how this magical system is actually paid for.

samuelmiller64 (July 24, 2008 at 4:06 pm)

hey Michael, do they perform liposuction in Cuba? Guess not.

heeh2 (July 24, 2008 at 7:13 am)

what a fucking douchebag