Idea of fast-tracking surgery for visitors from U.S. discriminates against Canadians in their own country
Some ideas are not as wacky as they seem. Health Minister Kevin Falcon’s suggestion that we look at ways to turn part of our health care system into a gold mine is not one of these ideas. On closer examination it is just as wacky as it appears at first blush.
India’s tradition in medical innovation is world-renowned, as are its standards in providing world-class health care and expertise at reasonable costs. The country has been attracting foreign patients for numerous procedures in all health specialties and in particular for attractive cost obesity surgery packages in India.
Should you change or even cancel your travel medtravel health care plans due to concerns over “Swine Flu” ? Its your call. As with most things in life decisions are made on a risk versus benefit ratio.
First ask yourself how sick and immunocompromised you are . What are the potential outcomes if you go , don’t go or delay therapy. Also work in the mix the implications , complications and progression of your disease or illness should you hold off on your medical and healthcare treatment or procedure. Of course if its strictly cosmetic surgery that is another call entirely.
Canadian Doctor: Shortages So Bad North Of The Border Some Towns … – Dr. David Gratzer, writing in the Wall Street Journal, also makes a good point about just how dependent the Canadian health care system is on America’s. Indeed, Canada’s provincial governments themselves rely on American medicine. …
Why we need a public options for health care and debunking … – Every time we try to have a discussion about a public single payer option we hear how we shouldn’t have it and Canada as used as an example of how bad public health care options are. This article debunks the myths surrounding Canadian health … As a Canadian living in the United States for the past 17 years, I am frequently asked by Americans and Canadians alike to declare one health care system as the better one. The article continues, debunking myths about Canadian …
Wash Park Prophet: Canadian Health Care Works – The things that work in the Canadian health care system are explained here. I suspect, although the article does not say so, that in addition to having lower administrative costs and saving money with preventantive care, that many providers are also paid less richly in Canada than in the United States (although providers in Canada have essentially no bad debt losses, while American providers are swimming in bad debt). Posted by Andrew Oh-Willeke at 6/09/2009 12:08:00 AM …
To many overseas , or even in Canada , the concept of not being provided with medical care – uninsured or not insured , or not being able to afford medical care may sound unlikely or even preposterous. Yet it is the sad fact for many in the United States. On top of that health care costs themselves in the U.S. compared to other places are relatively much higher. This is said to be the result of many causes – not one in themeselves. It costs money to run a business – especially in the states. Doctors not only have to be paid relatively large pay scales compared to the U.K., Europe and Canada and yet their costs are not small . Doctors have to pay substantial costs for health care insurance due to the plague or almost an industry of lawsuits against them. It is said that having 2 lawyers in a town increases the total costs of legal services and total services used immensely . Imagine a whole industry based on seeking lawsuits against medical practitioners. Its defensive medical system at its finest. On top of that add other costs – costs of modern equipment , running a hospital often with unionized staff . On more point is the cost of administration – both in the medical insurance plans and companies for administration and non payment and collection of bills to doctors.
What is interesting is that even though patients and health care consumers in other countries with socialized or public health care believe all in all that their healthcare is “free” even though they may be subsidizing it greatly with tax dollars either specifically collected for that purpose or from general tax accounts – from say gasoline taxes or income taxes.
Even though these citizens may be astounded that someone in America will gladly pay for medical treatment in their countries the actual consumer may see it as a tremendous bargain and value when all costs are counted up. Its similar to a Canadian citizen making a special trip to farwaway Texas or Florida to purchase a automobile to bring it back to Canada. Even though the car may be manufactured in Canada under free trade Nafta rules when it is all said and done they may be greatly ahead in the bargain – even when including travel as well as other costs. To boot they even get a sort of vacation away from home during the cold Canadian winter. The Canadian car industry may not like it , however you cannot “have your cake and it too”. If these local north american industries wish to benefit from the economies of scale that a free larger market provides for , they cannot pick and choose what rules and procedures they wish to follow and which they don’t. The only people in the equation who may be perplexed may well be the customs officers at the Canadian border who when finding that even when the rules are followed , they cannot stop the process. It is all perfectly legal and proper. If the customs agent was not suave enough to use those same rules – and even contacts to obtain a similar bargain that is their issue and not one of the thorough and determined modern consumer.
<p><a href=’http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/nip-and-tuck-solutions-take-price-medical-tourism-down-under’>Nip and Tuck Solutions take the price of Medical Tourism Down …</a> – This is the age of affordable international travel and with it has come the rise of medical tourism and healthcare. Nip and Tuck Solutions Australia has seen a dramatic increase in demand for Medical tourism services for Australian …</p>
<p><a href=’http://www.groundreport.com/article.php?articleID=2872902&offset=2′>GroundReport | Malaysia | Medical Tourism an extra advantage to …</a> – As healthcare becomes increasingly expensive, savvy patients are now looking to Medical Tourism as a cost-effective alternative to receiving medical treatment and Malaysia stands out to be the best option available. …</p>
<p><a href=’http://malaysiahotelnews.blogspot.com/2008/11/medical-tourism-feeling-slight-pain.html’>Malaysia Hotel News: Medical tourism feeling slight pain from turmoil</a> – Mahkota Medical Centre Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Francis Lim was of the view that Malacca could gain from the slowdown. “We may benefit as we still have price advantage over Singapore … unless Singapore adjusts their prices …</p>
<p><a href=’http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-danger-of-medical-tourism.html’>The Danger of Medical Tourism!</a> – What can appear to be an attractive and relatively cheap prospect for those considering some form of plastic surgery, can often turn into an expensive nightmare. The perils of medical tourism. The Danger of Medical Tourism!.</p>
<p><a href=’http://medicalnewstodayblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/wellpoint-pilot-program-will-provide.html’>Medical News Today: WellPoint Pilot Program Will Provide Coverage …</a> – “It allows the customers to have choice,” Hashmi said, adding, “Certainly the cost difference is striking enough for some procedures.” According to the Star, the proliferation of medical tourism programs like WellPoint’s could “create …</p>
<p><a href=’http://indolac.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/medical-tourism-to-india-all-expenses-paid/’>Medical Tourism to India, All Expenses Paid</a> – In January, Serigraph Inc., a West Bend, Wis., manufacturer, will become the first US company of any size to embrace medical travel or medical tourism, offering employees the option of having certain nonemergency operations, …</p>
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