Post

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

After I moved to Canada a couple of years ago I realized that I was no longer constantly running a massive stress routine in the background of my mind worrying about health care and guns. It was weirdly noticeable only when it stopped.

3K reposts28K likes

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Of course Canada is not without gun problems and its healthcare system isn’t perfect but man the issues are just not at all on the same level

Hilary Davidson
@fourredshoes.bsky.social

As an Australian who lives in the US, when I first moved here healthcare and guns were the main things people at home were worried about for me. I feel a sense of relief and normality when I visit Canada.

Starre Vartan
@starrevartan.bsky.social

Are you heading back? I've lived in the US much of my life but I'm out of here, I spend 2 months in Sydney every year and it's come to feel like some kind of paradise. I'm a little upset with myself that I stayed so long.

Sally
@sally-ann-cole.bsky.social

Agreed. Canadians seem less self absorbed I lived in Canada decades ago;the healthcare system was simple & stress-free, as were filling taxes. A Canadian doctor who did residency in US put it perfectly “US has the best & the worst quality of healthcare”

Dr. Word Person
@drwordperson.bsky.social

That was definitely my experience in Italy. I noticed I was no longer afraid to attend outdoor events in spaces filled with people. Germany, the healthcare workers treat me with immaculate dignity and respect and I don't feel like I'm going to be run over by cars.

Pau S. Pujolas
@paupujolas.bsky.social

If you are in Ontario, I am surprised by your positivity. May I ask what city you're located? In Hamilton, I have so many examples of terrible care, I can't imagine a worse tax-funded healthcare system.

Geo B
@geob42.bsky.social

I kept a ‘mea culpa’ article written by a US insurance executive for his slander of the Canadian health insurance program trying to retain US style insurance

mad-science-guy.bsky.social
@mad-science-guy.bsky.social

It’s that “same level” thing USians don’t get. I see something similar in people from Europe or even “developing” nations. There’s a level of anxiety about basic stuff that is less acute. That doesn’t mean it isn’t there at all, but it isn’t so all consuming.

Old Hound
@oldhoundderby.bsky.social

The Canadian healthcare system’s big problem is timely routine care. That said, when the system has to move for a serious health issue, it does a solid job (I say this as both a physician and as the son of a parent without a family doctor who needed cancer care).

Lori Bauckman 🇨🇦
@loribauckman.bsky.social

Living in Alberta means my anxiety about our healthcare under the #UCP is ⬆️. However, I know if we were in the US, we'd be bankrupt due to my kids' chronic illnesses. Thing 2's est cost to the system avg $200K CDN/yr for the last 6 yrs. Will continue indefinitely.

🇨🇦🌻Sharon Dinsmore 🇨🇦
@dinsmores.bsky.social

IMHO most Canadians are tolerant people who know our health care system isn’t perfect & we may have to wait to let our more ill ‘neighbour’ go ahead in line if needed. As for guns, I believe almost all Canadians are terrified of handguns and don’t want anything to do with them. We are blessed. ❤️🇨🇦

Ashley
@palmtree275.bsky.social

A large number of Americans prefer not having healthcare over having any system African Americans could benefit from. This has continued over many generations.

Juan Pedro Fisanotti
@fisadev.bsky.social

A similar experience is usually told by Argentinians who emigrate. In this case, the peace of mind is about not living always in a state of economic crisis. I never left so I don't know what's like to stop. But living here I can tell you, that constant background noise is so tiring...

Defender of Democracy, Liberty and Justice for All 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇮🇸 🇮🇪 🇩🇪
@grothmog.bsky.social

Where corporations don't make profits of $90 billion in 12 months. m.macrotrends.net/stocks/chart...

m.macrotrends.netUnitedHealth Group Gross Profit 2010-2024 | UNH | MacroTrends<ul style='margin-top:10px;'> <li>UnitedHealth Group annual gross profit for 2023 was <strong>$90.958B</strong>, a <strong>14.24% increase</strong> from 2022.</li> <li>UnitedHealth Group ann...
Fiona Andrews
@fionaandrews.bsky.social

I find it literally impossible to get my head around the American attitude to health care & guns A country that is happy to send 5 year olds to school with bullet proof backpacks & then not to provide free health care if they get shot? No words

Josanne
@josannel.bsky.social

This! It blows my mind, how people just accept their children could be massacred at schools, and they could be bankrupted paying the medical bills if their kid is shot and doesn't die instantly. Like WTF? For a country that celebrates revolution, that seems more worthy of one than paying a tea tax

Michelle McCrae
@hereforgoodtrouble.bsky.social

There are many Americans who see their private health insurance as something the government will "take" from them & they'll get taxed to death. Unfortunately, there is a willful ignorance epide.ic here & nothing much makes sense anymore.

Josanne
@josannel.bsky.social

But they currently pay more in insurance premiums to for profit companies, that then deny claims, and have deductables than they'd pay in taxes... 🤦🏻‍♀️

Abyss
@experiment10agentx.bsky.social

They think it'll be more expensive. They will cut off their nose to spite their face. Especially if it means someone "beneath" them isn't getting something. Or that someone "beneath" them is harmed. 'Murikkka 🙃

Michelle McCrae
@hereforgoodtrouble.bsky.social

Exactly. The premiums go up each year. Deductibles in the thousands of dollars. Co-pays. Out-of-network costs. And you can still end up with massive bills & possible bankruptcy. And your plan is (usually) tied to your job. It's insanity.

Sooz
@curiositysaves.bsky.social

This happened to me when I moved from Alaska, US to Munich, Germany. It was so wild to just safely walk outside at night along a darker alley. It took a while for it to turn off, but when it did... Amazing. I now live in Canada and enjoy the same general peace of mind.

Shon-Lueiss
@shonlueiss.bsky.social

We want to move north badly. Washington State is blue with fairly sensible gun laws, yet, we’ve had two shootings at our local mall including one during a trick or treat event we were on the way to. The violence knows no bounds and it’s a privilege here to say it’s of no concern.

Vicky Forster
@vickyyyf.bsky.social

I had to recently claim back some prescription medication from my work insurance. For the first time it needed a letter from the prescribing physician and I had to call the insurance company. It was 100% covered ($90) but what a time sink. No idea how anyone has the time to do this regularly.

BergenRoad 🇨🇦
@bergenroad.bsky.social

“Despite the stereotypes, guns are surprisingly rare in much of rural Alberta. Sure, you’ll find the occasional hunting rifle locked up in a barn, but most folks are more likely to reach for a snow shovel or a thermos of coffee than a firearm.

🇨🇦Jae
@jae-jwpez.bsky.social

My parents had a cottage in “bear country” so they always had guns “just in case” The one time that bears came in the yard (with kids playing), I hit every key fob alarm hanging by the back door before my dad could even get the key to unlock the gun cabinet Alarms went off. Bears left No guns needed

🇨🇦Jae
@jae-jwpez.bsky.social

I would assume that any noise that’s loud and unfamiliar would do that. I just happened to be standing by the door when the bears walked in the yard and the key fobs were hanging right there inside the door I was also thinking about driving my dad’s truck between the bear and the kids

Winnie
@grungegirl0220.bsky.social

I'm trying to see if I can find an industry job in toronto but I need to have work experience here first before I move there, but I will definitely not have a family in this country

Bruce Gamblin 🇨🇦 🇺🇲 💙
@brucegamblin.bsky.social

The current state in my home province of NB is about a 7-year wait to get a family doc and multi year wait for some specialists. God help you if you have pre-existing issues and you move back... Having said that I do believe in universal health care, just pointing out they are in crisis mode ATM.

LillyDoryClaire
@lillydoryclaire.bsky.social

We can get in to see a MD faster than that for sure, but we end up thousands of dollars in debt, our medicines are declined by the insurance company and you can’t get a human on the line, it’s an AI generated phone call with no options. So that’s where we are in the US.

Bruce Gamblin 🇨🇦 🇺🇲 💙
@brucegamblin.bsky.social

Plenty of meds issues in Canada too. Most people carry additional insurance to cover meds, ambulance, dental, vision etc. Overall their meds costs are lower but they do sometimes deny specialty or expensive meds (humera from what I've heard) and can make it difficult. USA is worse overall though.

Katryn
@katrynadams.bsky.social

I don't know why debt would keep you out. If you found an employer willing to sponsor you, they'd probably even cover the visa fees. Worth looking into if you're in healthcare -- there's a shortage of providers everywhere.

JohnnyBruce1970
@johnnybruce1970.bsky.social

The other day I mentioned the same thing to somebody. Not only will there be a brain drain because of the fears of deportations and increase in racist attacks, there will be people who don't go in the first place. Scaring away talent is incredibly stupid

Gorgonlin
@gorgonlin.bsky.social

This is why I moved my family to British Columbia 4 years ago. No active shooter drills for my kids. I had a bike accident, 3 broken ribs and a punctured lung and it took 1 minute to get into emergency to see a doctor and they had me fixed up in a day. They even gave me free pain meds when I left.

paperwall.bsky.social
@paperwall.bsky.social

I can relate to this as living in Australia and constantly being mindful of possible snake bite in summer for myself and the dogs. Then I visit New Zealand and romp through tall grass without a worry - no snakes in NZ. Bliss

Mark
@hquimby.bsky.social

But really….just how much grass is there in OZ??? I mean….most of the place is kinda arid. (Be a great place for huge solar….but that’s another subject😂🤣😈😈😈)

Mark
@hquimby.bsky.social

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I’ve seen an awful lot of it. But I had my Great Australian self-deprecating humour/sarcasm hat on….and I just couldn’t control it……ohhh nooo…..make it stop!!!!😂🤣😈😈😈

ari :3
@rrrojita.bsky.social

had a very similar experience moving to the EU for grad school. i suffered from a lot of anxiety in public spaces due to fear of mass shootings. i only realized that it had stopped when a family member got caught in one recently and it made me reflect on how i'm not afraid to go outside anymore

ari :3
@rrrojita.bsky.social

i was in the periphery of one of the most well-known school shootings while i was also in high school and i will never forget going to school the next day to essentially a huge SWAT team guarding the high school entrances. leaving the US was such a huge relief

Meg Gray
@meggray.bsky.social

Thank you for noticing. There are many things we still need to improve in our systems, but I can’t imagine living with that stress every day. It’s a different level of personal safety planning

Ophelia
@the-piglet.bsky.social

I noticed that as an American now living in the UK. Not once did I ever have to worry about my kids getting gunned down at school or that we’d end up with crippling medical debt. Nice eh.

Finn
@finn-cak.bsky.social

My BIL found that universal healthcare took a big burden off his shoulders when he moved to the UK and wanted to start his own business. Health care was there for him while he worked to build his business and bring in a little money. You can’t do that easily in the US.

Tracy Eastwood
@tracyeastwood.bsky.social

I lived in England/France for several years. So incredibly different than living in the U.S. Much less stress, more time for friends, and plenty of awe inspiring architecture, museums, art, and culture. The best of times contrasted by the worst.

Andrew Crowder
@awatayama.bsky.social

Yikes! Sorry your sister broke her leg. Glad she got good care. Japan has a rel. high poverty rate, but low homelessness rate; the nation’s made the political decision to house people. Public housing & transpo, and national medicine mean it’s possible to be poor, yet live with some dignity.

Iain (一言) Dooley
@iaindooley.com

I visited new york in January 2002 so everyone was pretty raw still after the attacks. There were flags everywhere and a sort of aggressive nationalism that I had never really experienced before. So my impression was probably somewhat biased by that ...

albert | stream strategy by TWICE
@btsflopped.bsky.social

Let me guess ur yt and live in a yt majority area… haven’t been to any First Nations area, don’t have to take public transport, moved with a lot of money and bought a house so u don’t have to rent? Stop painting Canada to be some utopia because we also have bad knife crime in Toronto 😭

Heather
@hmwillson.bsky.social

Tell me about it. High deductible - frozen shoulder so far has cost me $148 dr appt, $350 exrays, $1300 physical therapy, $895 MRI, and $335 for Dr appt with a shot into my shoulder. It's still not better, and a reset of deductible happens on January 1st. Resetting deductibles are a real issue.

Rhonda Stewardson 🇨🇦
@rhondastew.bsky.social

Had a frozen shoulder a decade ago. Many Dr appointments, physio 2x a week for 8 months, acupuncture... I paid nothing. Had some extra insurance through my employer which covered physio after my gov't-funded eligibility for it was used up. Was a year before I could move it - you have my sympathy!

Rack Ella 🇨🇦
@rackella.bsky.social

I’m originally Canadian but lived in the southern US for 15 yrs. I decided to move back home about 12 yrs ago for many reasons but the most immediate relief upon moving back was not having the looming stress of not having healthcare + I wanted kids but didn’t want to raise them in the US.

Carol Reinoso
@oyecaro.bsky.social

Good call! There are millions of decent Americans but we are trapped in a culture of white supremacy and runaway capitalism. We are an extremist country, sadly. I hope Canada sees us a warning.

Katie Mac
@heyitskmac.bsky.social

Ooh, could that become a thing? I would love to just trade spaces with some trump aficionados. I think the guilt of sending them here with the people who aren't able to flee would eat me alive. It would be different if I lived in the deep south or Texas.

zeebart.bsky.social
@zeebart.bsky.social

Canada really is the best country to live in. I have lived overseas and have always come to appreciate Canada more each time I was away. The US is going down a path that will further make the average American become captives to the health care system and to the incoming administration.

mizGigiB🇨🇦🪶🧡💛🤍🖤🇵🇪
@gigibu.bsky.social

I cried a lot. The stress is horrible I don't wish it on anyone. Our system might no be perfect(thanks to the Cons) but at least we can see a doctor anywhere. I will fight tooth and nail to make sure the Cons don't destroy it. Otherwise we are surely faked. People need to wake up about this.

Hari Sheldon
@harisheldonus.bsky.social

I feel the same about my family in Germany. If anything health related happens, I am usually the only one immediately worrying how to pay for it. A strong argument to moving back from the US to Germany.

She 🐺
@chewolf.bsky.social

I had a friend from Singapore who is living here in the US due to marriage. But she was contacted at age 50 to become part of their senior medical insurance pool. She joined because it was so cheap...and just in case. So, she can always go back.

Canucker🇨🇦
@thedude-iam.bsky.social

I do t think we’ll ever have the same gun problem as the US has though, just not the same culture. And even conservatives here look upon school shootings as another “Tuesday” in the US and are sickened by it.

Xavier Harmony
@transitharmony.bsky.social

Access to good public transportation is underrated. The US road fatality rate is much higher than its peers, twice as high as even other driving heavy countries like Australia. Public transportation is so, so much safer (on top of having many other benefits).

sailorbp
@sailorbp.bsky.social

I know 2 coworkers who’ve moved back to Taiwan to get healthcare, one after he retired and one is on medical leave. Both have serious long term health issues and can get care for low cost there.

Joel
@kofujoel.bsky.social

When I moved to Japan 20 years ago it was the same. It's like putting on noise-cancelling headphones for the first time. You never notice that background hiss until it's gone, and the silence is deafening. Been here ever since.

Jamie Skimming
@jamieskimming.bsky.social

I’m always a bit uneasy whenever we travel to the States. We have travel insurance through our employment benefits but I always imagine it would be a nightmare to navigate. Would we actually be expected to use a credit card at a hospital?

Scott M.
@hiker-scott.bsky.social

I too have that, in our case it wasn't a life and death situation so we had to first call and tell them we were going to the hospital and talk to them for something like 20 minutes. Then when we got to the hospital we gave them the benefits info and they worked together.

figmo
@mfwic1667.bsky.social

I and my Canadian wife lived there for 27 years. You and your employer each paid a percent of your salary into the government plan which then paid for doctors, outpatient treatment and hospital stays. No caps. Prescriptions were extra but much cheaper. Health care was no issue in job interviews.

nobody-2024.bsky.social
@nobody-2024.bsky.social

A salient observation which gun happy Americans with a SCA that rules favourably for gun ownership in their take of the constitution would do well to be reminded of that this is hardly a Great Country when you need guns to survive! MASFO- 'Make America Safe For Once'!!

Ayella
@onmymind.bsky.social

I used to have this sensation of relief coming home after travelling in the USA and I realized it was the worry of gun violence and/or getting in an accident and needing to go to the hospital. I say “used to” because I just can’t go there anymore due to that anxiety.

Endymion
@lionendymion.bsky.social

Like I used to go to Vons for groceries only after 9PM because that is the time when shooters are less likely to target grocery stores and I had to train myself not to do that here because all the stores close at 8.

Endymion
@lionendymion.bsky.social

My fiance once did a bit where he woke me up in a panic saying we had ten minutes to pack and get outside because we were being evicted and our upstairs neighbours were already outside because he thought I was LYING when I said that is how US evictions work. I almost ripped his dick off after.

Kevin Korb
@kbkorb.bsky.social

When I moved to Australia, I was able to afford private health insurance after years without any, even though here it isn't necessary. The US needs to be detoxified. I'd start with the oligarchs.

Beth Bolt
@bethbolt.bsky.social

I experienced a lot of ant-Americanism while living in Canada. Most Americans don’t expect it but it’s a real issue. I have seen first-hand how strained health care is right now in Canada. I have excellent coverage here in California and it’s far better than my Canadian friends’ coverage.

Beth Bolt
@bethbolt.bsky.social

It depends on which insurance you have and what amount your employer is paying. We pay a portion and our employer pays the rest. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for Medicare For All. But I don’t know anyone without medical coverage. We need to eliminate the insurance co middlemen!

Panlogia 🍁
@panlogia.com

Growing up and living in a country in which I only pay a very small amount for my meds (for the kids it's completely free), it always shocks me, when I hear that people in the US die because they cannot afford insulin

Theydes
@theydes.bsky.social

I see and hear so many Americans talk about how regularly they hear gunshots and it blows my mind. For perspective, I grew up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and whilst I have heard gunshots in my life, it was NOT common. The fuck is going on in the States??

Andrew Crowder
@awatayama.bsky.social

Yeah we moved in July 2015. In April someone fired 6 rounds from an AK-47, about half a block from our house in a very modest lower-middle-class neighborhood in N. Seattle. Very distinctive sound. I’m a martial arts guy. If something matters enough for violence, it needs to be up close & personal.

Jen Miley
@jenmiley.bsky.social

I moved to Canada and we honestly had a shoot out between a couple of right-winger twenty-somethings and the police the second year we were here. And it happened only a few blocks away. The difference was that everyone was freaked out about it. RCMP shut down the neighborhood for three days.

Scott M.
@hiker-scott.bsky.social

The other thing that isn't talked about much is the fact that you are healthcare is often linked to your employer. Meaning that the stress of switching jobs is just that much higher.

Luke R. J. Maynard
@lukemaynard.bsky.social

I mean, from the sounds of it, probably not Alberta's beautiful Valley of the Ten Peaks (Figure 1). But possibly Alberta's oil sands outside Fort McMurray (Figure 2), which used to look closer to (1) and are now slightly more Mordor-esque.

Colin Armstrong
@rantinscot.bsky.social

I'd hate to live with constant worry like most US citizens. I know the Scottish NHS has its problems, but compared to America, it's brilliant. I don't worry about paying for prescriptions, and if I become unwell, we call an ambulance. I go to the hospital for treatment and no bill at the end of it.

Morgan Starr
@morganstarr13.bsky.social

AMERICANS got sold on whats best for billionaires instead of the middle/lower classes!! We can stop the Trump TRAIN!! Urgent need matching donations!! by midnight!!& sign up, Non-partisan election integrity!!https://smartelections.us #dumpthetrump #election#elon#trending#trendingnow#truth

Tam not Lin
@tam0lin.bsky.social

I think about the possibility of being shot every time I sit in a movie theatre, in church, on the school bleachers. My kids’ schools have had two genuine lockdowns for armed threats. I can’t ever quite get used to it.

Tam not Lin
@tam0lin.bsky.social

We had an aggressive patron in our library who was clearly armed. Turns out there’s no policy excluding firearms! But the local government offices sure do, along with a metal detector and security guards.

Chappy
@shonanchris.bsky.social

I had the eye opening experience when I lived in Taiwan. While far from perfect it was exactly what I needed and wanted at that stage of my life. In July I am immigrating to Japan, no coming back to the US to live. I expect some challenges but I also expect being able to actually live again

burlon.bsky.social
@burlon.bsky.social

Yup . . . we love travelling to the UK and other European countries and we love spending time in Hawaii . . . but there is no place like home . . so it is great to be Canadian and yet have all these other neat places to go, see and enjoy.

Janet Mohapi-Banks 💜🇨🇦💜
@janetmohapibanks.bsky.social

What you’ve described there is the same as leaving an emotionally abusive relationship. Because there’s no physical bruising and you get used to the lack of love, it’s only when you’re out of the situation that you recognise the harm that was inflicted. I’m pleased you’re out of that environment.

Mouse
@mousemc.bsky.social

We did 18mths in USA and once we got home it was like a huge weight off our shoulders that we didn't know we had. Worked as a nurse in head injuries unit- 95 % gun trauma. I actually get nauseous thinking about returning and most certainly will not consider now with Adolf Trump at the helm.

BCMECR spooky/pumpkin spice mode
@b1kes.bsky.social

As a Canadian who literally hasn't been to a family doctor in twelve years our system is broken and near useless for routine medical stuff. Emergency? It's okay. Resoundingly okay. If you're okay waiting ten hours for the ER... If it's even open. Great that it's socialized. But horribly run.

Lord D Stafford
@davidstafford1.bsky.social

As someone from the UK, I can relate. Living without the constant worry of gun violence is a relief many take for granted. And healthcare? It’s such a given with the NHS that it rarely crosses our minds. That said, the service has declined, and governments must act to protect and prioritise it.

Lord D Stafford
@davidstafford1.bsky.social

American pharmaceutical companies have been circling for years, desperate to gain access to the UK healthcare system as private entities. Unfortunately, some of our shady politicians would happily oblige if given the chance. Protecting the NHS from such interests is more important now than ever.

Elizabeth D
@elizabethdarby9.bsky.social

Yes! My daughters now live across pond And I'm stuck how their daily background thoughts have more to do with Living life joyfully choices ... Where to go for dinner... This after enduring school shooter drills and lockdowns since Kg. I'm v happy for them. And you!

Mercedes MF
@mmillberryfowler.bsky.social

We are here under DAFT, so it depends on if you are looking for a job or to start a business. There are some good guides that go through the DAFT process. It is getting a little harder now with the current govt. But we do not regret a minute of the move.

Katryn
@katrynadams.bsky.social

Any country you're interested in will probably have a website explaining their immigration process and criteria. Take a look at those and see what your easiest visa route would be (eg, work, school, family, retirement). No point researching other stuff until you have a way to get into the country.

Francie Berens
@fberens.bsky.social

Yes. You can. Some places you can even carry a high powered rifle. As an American, if I ever saw that, the shopping cart would be abandoned in the aisle and I’d be OUT THE DOOR. Not all of us put up with that lunacy.

Brie Aristine
@aristine.bsky.social

I've seen it myself. 😕 ...and yup, you just have to hope this random stranger isn't carrying it because he plans to use it. You hope he won't do something dumb or malicious. It really sucks.

Brie Aristine
@aristine.bsky.social

Often, my wife and I simply leave when we see someone open carrying. Neither of us really want to gamble with our lives on whether that person is "Good Guy With The Gun" or "Bad Guy With The Gun." By the time you know which he is, it's too late.

Dr. James H. Gundlach
@pecanjim.bsky.social

You cut the total expenditure for health care in half and added four years to your life expectancy. And you will worry one hell of a lot less during the years between now and whenever. Words from a demographer.

Panem et circenses
@apeman122000.bsky.social

Most of the guns used in crimes are smuggled from the US. Hunting weapons are generally excluded (long guns) but hand guns and automatic weapons are closely Controlled. It’s more the difference in culture. Guns just are not that prevalent. There is no open carry.

Milly Woods
@millwoodsgal.bsky.social

I’m in Alberta and our universal health care isn’t great. I buy supplemental insurance for $3260 per year to cover Meds, PT, Chiro, Massage, and Travel Insurance. Specialist appointments are hard to get. It’s all about $$ here too. UCP sucks.

NervousRex
@echofactor42.bsky.social

True, but Alberta is happily trotting towards an Americanized privatized system so we're not immune or perfect over here I think is the point. It's not to the same degree at all, but we're not free of the problem entirely

Delphine Petra
@gimbalhat.bsky.social

I’m not sure you understand how far the Canadian healthcare system has fallen. Disabled and immunocompromised are dying. I’m in the US and used to envy Canadian healthcare 20 years ago. It’s now almost as big a nightmare for the chronically ill as the US is.

Ladybi*ch
@sanityplease.bsky.social

I cannot agree with this. My mom has suffered with medical issues forever. In the US, she would have died years ago. Our medical system saved her life many times. Flawed? Absolutely. But I believe in caring for those with less. Back in the day, that included me - a single mom in an entry level job.

cdk
@cdkscully.bsky.social

In addition, myself, I wait MONTHS for specialists. 6 months to see a podiatrist for example. 6 months to see an endo or pulmonologist. My copay for ER is $800 - I will be on death's door before I go.

cdk
@cdkscully.bsky.social

$3260 CDN is CHEAP compared to US Health Insurance. Imagine paying a premium each paycheck AND THEN paying a deductible (usually around $6K per year) for your medical and pharmacy. Vision and Dental are not included - those are extra as well.

Milly Woods
@millwoodsgal.bsky.social

Don’t forget I also pay taxes to cover my universal healthcare. That $3260 covers things not covered by universal healthcare. What I’m trying to say is Canada’s universal healthcare is not perfect and not all it is supposed to be.

cdk
@cdkscully.bsky.social

Like I said, US residents pay a lot out of pocket with insurance. For example: You go the hospital and have surgery and an inpatient stay. Your deductible is $6000. You have to pay that before any coinsurance or copay takes effect. Not everyone has dental and vision ins. and that is all extra

JosephWelchVI
@josephwelchvi.bsky.social

I travel a lot overseas and it is immediately noticeable that even in large busy cities, the people aren’t harried looking or stressed out. They have much of the same problems Americans have but they’re not losing their shit at a fast food counter because there’s not enough sauce for their nuggets.