Canadian Healthcare from a Canadian...

The thing is, the issue of affordable health care isn't limited to those who put entertainment before health. Try being diabetic and trying to find affordable health care. Not every business provides a company health care plan, and those who do provide it charge double the amount that yours charges you for family coverage. For instance, family coverage for my place of business is over $300 a pay period.

While I disagree with a government based health care plan, I do believe families should be able to have their choice of affordable private insurance.

And to add, I also believe individuals who are born with diseases such as diabetes or other diseases shouldn't be penalized because of their reliance medication to stay alive.

This I agree with to a point.

Because my employer is large, has a high number of employees, and is in the healthcare provider business, top-notch coverage is only $90 a paycheck. I'm in a very fortunate situation. I do agree that it's bullshit that somebody who works for a small company has to shell out $300, $500, or $700 a paycheck for the same coverage.

We're buying the same product, why should the price be so different.

So if there's one thing the government can do without harming the quality of care delivered, it's mandate that pricing be consistent for all walks of life. A PPO (great coverage) should cost X for everyone. A HMO (alright coverage) should cost Y for everyone. If you can't afford it, tough. But at least it's priced fairly that way.

let me see. i know a guy that made all the wrong decisions in life, so the people that are really trying to better themselves, but just cant turn the corner, guess what? people like jsarno says screw you. he has everything he needs. so you guys are on your own. i cant believe how selfish some people are. its probably because i started out without, that i know there are people out there that want to succeed, but just cant. it seems like people that start out pampered, are definitely less compassionate for our fellow man

If a person hasn't turned the corner, but has a nice car, or nice clothes, or cable TV, they don't deserve any help.

If they're doing everything they can, then I'm all about helping. Problem is, for every one person you find who is genuinely trying, you find 9 others who have the cable TV, or the nice car, or the nice clothes, and yet still have their hands out.

This I agree with to a point.

Because my employer is large, has a high number of employees, and is in the healthcare provider business, top-notch coverage is only $90 a paycheck. I'm in a very fortunate situation. I do agree that it's bullshit that somebody who works for a small company has to shell out $300, $500, or $700 a paycheck for the same coverage.

We're buying the same product, why should the price be so different.

So if there's one thing the government can do without harming the quality of care delivered, it's mandate that pricing be consistent for all walks of life. A PPO (great coverage) should cost X for everyone. A HMO (alright coverage) should cost Y for everyone. If you can't afford it, tough. But at least it's priced fairly that way.

I think you're seeing it basically the way I do. I realize it takes a lot of money for research in health care in order to find new treatments and cures for diseases that we face today. I realize that money has to come from somewhere. At the same time, all the research and discovers in modern medicine isn't going to do any good if nobody can afford to use it.

And Jsarno, seriously, how are you going to say you have a site arguing how good McD's health coverage is and then post McDonald's own site? Seriously, I swear you are a troll sometimes laughing at my expense.

The point was to show what McDonalds offers. I was told by Matty that McD. has poor coverage, that link shows they have good coverage. Failing to see your point here.
I never said I had a site that shows how great McD's coverage is, just that because they are a big company they can offer good coverage. I proved my point with the link.

The point was to show what McDonalds offers. I was told by Matty that McD. has poor coverage, that link shows they have good coverage. Failing to see your point here.
I never said I had a site that shows how great McD's coverage is, just that because they are a big company they can offer good coverage. I proved my point with the link.

I think people would have found your link less peculiar if you had just come right out and said "Here is a link to the official McDonald's site, showing the coverage they offer"

The point was to show what McDonalds offers. I was told by Matty that McD. has poor coverage, that link shows they have good coverage. Failing to see your point here.
I never said I had a site that shows how great McD's coverage is, just that because they are a big company they can offer good coverage. I proved my point with the link.

You didn't prove anything. What are the limits on those coverages? What are the co-pays? What does the employee pay out of pocket per pay period for these benefits? Are they available to all employees?

The thing is, the issue of affordable health care isn't limited to those who put entertainment before health. Try being diabetic and trying to find affordable health care. Not every business provides a company health care plan, and those who do provide it charge double the amount that yours charges you for family coverage. For instance, family coverage for my place of business is over $300 a pay period.

While I disagree with a government based health care plan, I do believe families should be able to have their choice of affordable private insurance.

And to add, I also believe individuals who are born with diseases such as diabetes or other diseases shouldn't be penalized because of their reliance medication to stay alive.

I am assuming a 2 pay period month, meaning you pay over $600 a month???? If that's the case, you need to seek private healthcare for a better quote. You might be able to get it cheaper than your company is providing.

I think the only way to actually fix these issues is to do away with insurances altogether. Have the gov. step in and drop the prices for surgeries etc. If there were companies fighting for our business the prices would be a lot less. There is no one out there to say "$300k for a 5 hour operation...are you kidding?" For some reason it's acceptable. Why should a routine doctor visit cost $150??? All for them to barely touch you, maybe give you a prescription (which costs even more money) and take your money.

Sorry to say, but the way the system is, it is fair for you to pay that much because you use it a whole lot more.
I NEVER go to the doctor, so why should I have to pay extra? I know it sucks for you, it REALLY sucks, but why should someone that is healthy pay the same amount than someone that is not?

I'd like to see a system kind of like property taxes. You have to pay once or twice a year, and you pay according to how much you use. So if you have a lot of prescriptions and you visit the doctor constantly, then you pay more. If not, then you pay nothing or very little.

You didn't prove anything. What are the limits on those coverages? What are the co-pays? What does the employee pay out of pocket per pay period for these benefits? Are they available to all employees?

Well, I doubt we will know the cost unless someone here actually works for them to enlighten us.
However you said:
I'd be willing to be the coverage is pretty shitty and not cheap.

It's not shitty. Point proven with link. Do I need to spell EVERYTHING out for you? They offer good benefits.

About the cost, I have no way of knowing that, and to me, it doesn't matter. You either get it, or you don't. It's offered, and it's up to them if they want to get it. If they choose not to, that doesn't mean I should pay it for them which is what this thread has turned into.

Are they available to all employees?

What kind of question is that? How many employers do you know that don't offer their benefits to their employees? If they are full timers, they are offered it.
:doh:

Well, I doubt we will know the cost unless someone here actually works for them to enlighten us.
However you said:
I'd be willing to be the coverage is pretty shitty and not cheap.

It's not shitty. Point proven with link. Do I need to spell EVERYTHING out for you? They offer good benefits.

About the cost, I have no way of knowing that, and to me, it doesn't matter. You either get it, or you don't. It's offered, and it's up to them if they want to get it. If they choose not to, that doesn't mean I should pay it for them which is what this thread has turned into.

How can you tell they are good benefits without knowing what the limits are, how much the co-pays are, and how much the out of pocket cost is?

Cost might not matter to you, but I guarantee cost really matters if you're making $8 an hour.