>>>Most Canadians are happy with their health care system. You are seizing on a few to advance a minority view.
>>>
>>>As I said before, IMHO, most NHS systems work just fine unless you has a condition which requires extensive (expensive) tests. Since most people do not fall into this category, of course they are in the minority which isn't have so bad if you are not a part of it. That is all I am saying.
>>>
>>>In this country, with my health insurance, if I am not feeling well and my doctor can't come up with a diagnosis, she can order all the diagnostic tests that she wants in order to find out what is wrong. And I do not have to wait weeks or months to have them - I can have them within a couple of days. In my experience and from what I have seen on the news, I do not believe that this is true in countries with national health care.
>>
>>Do you think our system is worth what we are paying for it?
>
>http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/21/healthcare-provision-us-uk

He neglects to mention the illegal immigrants in his total of uninsured.

Regardless, there is a real problem here for those who cannot afford health insurance and unless you (or someone you know) fall into that pool, you don't see it and as they say "ignorance is bliss." It's not so blissful for those suffering and even dying.

Tricare works (administratively) better than Medicaid and Medicare; the VA system is great in some areas and disastrous in others; and federal employees have a much better system which is already paid for 75% by taxpayers. Then look at the congressional coverage - the best yet.

There are pieces of the house plan(s) that I thought were great but other pieces disturbing and downright scary. I found some aspects of the Republican plans (or even the Dem or Repub plans in the Senate) more feasible and more competitive. I think they might be a better first step (and also more acceptable to the masses) towards universal health coverage.

Universal healthcare coverage might have to be a gradual change in this country but there is no denying the change is coming.

Just to add for full-disclosure: I've been without health insurance, received care under Medicaid, used the military healthcare system (as have relatives), used the VA system (as have relatives), used Tricare (my daughter still does), and had excellent healthcare insurance through employers (I have the best insurance now). I've been in the hospital in the U.S. (too many to mention), Germany, Panama, and other countries. I had procedures, tests, and surgery under all of them (except no surgery under Medicaid). I've done all the research, arrangement for care, discussion with doctors, nurses, labs, and paid the bills for Medicare for my mother. I've also fell under the civilian government medical insurance plan for 7 years while working for the government as a civilian.

Just a note: for foreign countries, Panama had the best care. That was in the late 80s, early 90s so I cannot speak for today. In Panama, I had to use a local facility in the interior (Chiriqi, Penoneme, Santiago, David) as well as in Panama City and Colon for emergencies. Some other countries in central and south america are places (back then) I wouldn't visit unless I was at death's door (and then I would hopefully only stay for emergency triage and get moved out of country for further care). I witnessed the care there. Germany had pretty good doctors and nurses, but the facilities, testing, and care was terrible in comparison to other countries back then. A few countries I can't talk about - some were really good and some were really really bad.

Keep in mind that almost all of my experiences in foreign countries was years and years ago. The systems are probably better today and may even surpass other countries.