California launches investigation following stunning admission by Aetna medical

[Janes Groove]

Why do I keep hearing this from Americans, but not Canadians? 

I've heard that anybody regardless of how wealthy they are can get SRS fully paid for in Canada and it doesn't cost them anything.  No deductibles. No copays. No $33,000 out of pocket if your plan denises you.  Nada.   Drugs are way cheaper in Canada too.  Not to mention Canada is rated higher than the US for quality of care and overall health outcomes.

And I agree, insurance companies have become worse since I believe ObamaCare went into effect.

They were such sweethearts before Obamacare. Telling folks dying of cancer, "Sorry, you got a pre-existing condition. Sucks for you." and "Oh thanks for paying all those premiums over the years.  POLICY CANCELED."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/03/26/historians-take-note-what-america-looked-like-before-obamacare/?utm_term=.9a1b06615bd7

[AnneK]

My personal experience with the US healthcare system, and that includes stage iv cancer treatment, has been exceptional.

I've never questioned the availability of good heath care in the U.S..  The problem is affordability of it for so many, including those with insurance having to cover deductibles.  Trump recently cut millions off Medicaid.  How much health care can they afford?

There are health insurance companies in Canada.  However, they're there for things that our health care doesn't cover.  For example, if I have to go into the hospital, i might not get a private room.  Private health insurance will cover that.  But a really big reason for private insurance is for when travelling  where the health care doesn't cover all the costs.  This is a real concern for those travelling to the U.S.  On the other hand, if it's necessary to go to the U.S. for treatment, then the full cost is covered.

[ainsley]

I've never questioned the availability of good heath care in the U.S..  The problem is affordability of it for so many, including those with insurance having to cover deductibles.  Trump recently cut millions off Medicaid.  How much health care can they afford?

There are health insurance companies in Canada.  However, they're there for things that our health care doesn't cover.  For example, if I have to go into the hospital, i might not get a private room.  Private health insurance will cover that.  But a really big reason for private insurance is for when travelling  where the health care doesn't cover all the costs.  This is a real concern for those travelling to the U.S.  On the other hand, if it's necessary to go to the U.S. for treatment, then the full cost is covered.

So, a couple points to what you are saying.  I know our care costs more.  We are capitalists and in my opinion, you get what you pay for.  You want good care, then you have to pay for it.  But I say that from an individual's point of view. 

Which leads me to my next point: Medicare.  I don't care about medicare.  That is the social health care program and not private health insurance.  Obviously, the 'you get what you pay for' mantra doesn't apply here.   The saying that goes with that is the same as I told my kids when they were young and I was distributing things among them: you get what you get, and you don't pitch a fit. I said that because we didn't have enough money while raising our kids to shower them with everything they wanted.  Same with the distribution of social health care in the USA.  The USA is a capitalist society.

Which leads me to my final point: Representative Republic.  Trump did not cut medicare.  The representatives that the people of the USA sent to Washington cut medicare.  Hence, the people of the USA cut medicare.  It is not a majority rule, nor a democratic society.  We are a representative republic, like it or not.

The people of the USA are divided (of course we are) on many issues, and we send people into office to do what we want them to do.  Blame the people for cutting things, not the people we send there.  The people are the reason we have the health care system in place now.  If the people today wanted to move to a social care system, it would have happened already.  That tide may be changing, but it is not as easy as one may think, because the States can make their own laws and that is where the real power of the United States lies (in the people).  Which is exactly what the State of California is doing with Aetna: wielding their power to address inequities from a profit driven company.  We don't need federal intervention in healthcare.  The people will handle it.

[Deborah]

Yes, we are a representative government with the best representation that The Russian intelligence service alongside the Russian crime syndicate can buy.  What a joke.


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[AnneK]

Why do you have such a problem with helping people who need help???  Why is it OK to set up a situation that requires people to have sufficient resources, either directly or through insurance, to get health care?  Back in the '60s, there was the war on poverty.  Now the situation seems to be kick them while they're down.  You've got a president who thinks cutting benefits for those who need them while creating tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthy is a good thing.

BTW, while I consider the current disaster of a president to be an aberration, there appear to be a lot of people are so determined to hurt and not help others.  It's an absolute disgrace in so many ways.

I used to have respect for the U.S., but not now, when I look at the health care situation, poverty, gun rights nonsense (Why are gun owners rights more important than the lives that have been lost to guns?) and so much more.  How is it possible for the richest country on the planet to have so many who cannot afford health care?  Are in poverty?  How can you possibly justify that??

We are capitalists and in my opinion, you get what you pay for.

And now you're getting it with Trump, by far the worst president in history!

[ainsley]

Why do you have such a problem with helping people who need help???  Why is it OK to set up a situation that requires people to have sufficient resources, either directly or through insurance, to get health care?  Back in the '60s, there was the war on poverty.  Now the situation seems to be kick them while they're down.  You've got a president who thinks cutting benefits for those who need them while creating tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthy is a good thing.

BTW, while I consider the current disaster of a president to be an aberration, there appear to be a lot of people are so determined to hurt and not help others.  It's an absolute disgrace in so many ways.

I used to have respect for the U.S., but not now, when I look at the health care situation, poverty, gun rights nonsense (Why are gun owners rights more important than the lives that have been lost to guns?) and so much more.  How is it possible for the richest country on the planet to have so many who cannot afford health care?  Are in poverty?  How can you possibly justify that??

You did not read and/or understand what I just wrote.  Do not ask me your questions.  I just explained how the system works in the USA and you assume my personal stance on things, of which, you have no clue. 

Let me sum it up and hopefully you will be able to see why your questions are misdirected:  The basic tenants of the USA-

Popular Sovereignty
All power comes from the people.

Limited Government
Government may do only the things that the people give it power to do.

Separation of Powers
Basic powers of the state are distributed among independent branches of government.

Checks and Balances
Each branch of government can be checked by the other branches.

Judicial Review
Power of the courts to determine if a law/government action is constitutional.

Federalism
Division of power among a central and local governments.

From those you will see your issues with the US are not with the US, but the way the people are.

Also, I don't care what you, or anyone outside of the US, think of our representatives (i.e., President, Senator, Representative, etc.).  They aren't there for you; they are there for the people of the US.

[AnneK]

All power comes from the people.

Take a look at all the politicians that have been bought.  One example recently in the news is how the NRA is giving millions to politicians to fight gun control laws.  Is that the will of the people in Parkland Fla.?  Or the parents of the Sandy Hook kids?  Or is it the will of the gun industry, putting profits ahead of people's lives?
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/marco-rubio-took-millions-from-nra-did-nothing-to-prevent-parkland-10089415

Government may do only the things that the people give it power to do.

The U.S. government apparently forgot about that with all the wiretapping Ed Snowden revealed.

Each branch of government can be checked by the other branches.

Power of the courts to determine if a law/government action is constitutional.

Trump seems to be of different opinion on those.

Division of power among a central and local governments.

And that's why the FCC is trying to pass a law that prevents states from passing laws guaranteeing net neutrality, which is clearly stepping on state's turf.  On this note, how many Americans want their ISP or carrier interfering with their access to the 'net?  What if one of those companies decided they don't want people accessing sites such as this?  There's another thread here about how Trump created a law that allows businesses to discriminate.

They aren't there for you; they are there for the people of the US.

What happens in the U.S. often affects what happens elsewhere, particularly Canada.  For example, since Trump got in, we've seen a rise in bigotry, white supremest, etc., thanks to a U.S president that not only doesn't stand up against those things, but actually seems to support them.

[Cassi]

After waking up this morning I turned on the radio and the station that I listen to plays oldies.  I was blown away as the music they were playing were God Bless America and a few other old patriotic songs. 

[Laurie]

  This thread has deteriorated into accusations and political bashings as expected by the usual users. Before it melts down completely I am locking it. Discussion is one thing TOS violations is another. 

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