Alberta auditor general investigating Smith's Health Ministry

[furrowtickler]

40% of every Sask. tax dollar in Sask. goes to health care. Time for a change, not just more money.

Well past time for all government agencies to be more accountable for the tax dollars they already receive.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

True enough. Over the years every province in Canada has thrown more and more money at healthcare. Yet in every province more and more people are without a family physician. Waiting times continue to increase. Yes we need fundamental change!

Yet the same people who are demanding we spend more money on healthcare, are the screaming mad that US politicians are attempting to remedy the root causes.

They don't want solutions, just more government.

[Landdownunder]

Haven't you guys got access to private health insurance if you wish to go down that route??
Basically costs me $180 per week for rolls Royce cover about 1/3rd has a govt tax incentive to join, idea is to keep you OUT of public system free up space.
Varying types of cover basic hospital cover only maybe $70 per week.

Two recent examples I have had 5 operations on my wrist in 13 months.
Once I rang surgeon/assistant on there cell phone cracked it at him about the issue 8.30am can you be down at 10.45 can slot you in for a look had surgery 6pm same afternoon.

Realized that failed a few weeks later rang surgeon again "its back" he said look your gonna have to see plastic surgeon rang them was a 5 week wait not get in bugger. Rang original surgeon back said will this is getting worse by the minute ring plastic surgeon, make it happen got into plastic surgeon next day for consult X-rays surgery 12 days later. Cost $370. Anethatist and surgery gap.

2 yr wait in public. More that stay out of public better it is for all.

Edit scaphidectomy, 4corner fusion, lateral ganglion removal , 8 screws in there plus two other things they did. Its finally fixed

[sumdumguy]

We have socialism here - unions, nurses love the “wait-wait and die” system. Private system, even if it does free up space in public health care, is scarce and resented.

[Hamloc]

Haven't you guys got access to private health insurance if you wish to go down that route??
Basically costs me $180 per week for rolls Royce cover about 1/3rd has a govt tax incentive to join, idea is to keep you OUT of public system free up space.
Varying types of cover basic hospital cover only maybe $70 per week.

Two recent examples I have had 5 operations on my wrist in 13 months.
Once I rang surgeon/assistant on there cell phone cracked it at him about the issue 8.30am can you be down at 10.45 can slot you in for a look had surgery 6pm same afternoon.

Realized that failed a few weeks later rang surgeon again "its back" he said look your gonna have to see plastic surgeon rang them was a 5 week wait not get in bugger. Rang original surgeon back said will this is getting worse by the minute ring plastic surgeon, make it happen got into plastic surgeon next day for consult X-rays surgery 12 days later. Cost $370. Anethatist and surgery gap.

2 yr wait in public. More that stay out of public better it is for all.

Edit scaphidectomy, 4corner fusion, lateral ganglion removal , 8 screws in there plus two other things they did. Its finally fixed

Yup my sister that lives in Canberra tells the same story. Watching from the outside certainly questions how far Canada’s system has deteriorated. She certainly is happy with Australia’s system!

[Landdownunder]

Yup my sister that lives in Canberra tells the same story. Watching from the outside certainly questions how far Canada’s system has deteriorated. She certainly is happy with Australia’s system!

people say it aint fair the "user pays system" "elitist" well turn that around ive been paying since 26 now 61 of course was cheaper when I started. But ive had 2 hips one shoulder one knee plus wrist etc etc with hospital stays usually 5 days except for wrist same day or overnight. Out of pocket for whole lot maybe $7500

[Landdownunder]

But to purchase new cover now not sure how it would be. As long term you sort of get long term no claim bonuses which I did 22 years didn't claim once but peace of mind.

[furrowtickler]

Much like our crop insurance , can pay into it for decades and get zero.
hopefully never need it but helps when you do . As long as it’s not more than 2 years in a row then it becomes very costly

[Landdownunder]

Last comment a few wealthy guys "oh why should lower income get medical for free and we pay via private health blah blah" I 100% disagree you want best pay for it via premiums. Free up the waiting lists.

Son had appendicitis few years back went to local hospital going round and round in circles looking for emergency surgery will be at least 8 days getting know where told them from get go we had private. Eventually I said stuff this will sort myself like 10 at night after 8am admission. Rang a private hospital in big smoke, can ya bring him down yup, did necessary paperwork private health fund studied good to go top cover got done midday next day. Out of pocket that time a while ago think $250 from memory works for me

[chuckChuck]

We have a shortage of family doctors providing primary care that affects the whole system and backs up ERs. We also have a lot of seniors waiting in hospitals for long term care beds.

Train more doctors, nurses and other staff including nurse practicioners. Create more long terms beds for seniors. All this requires requires some spending.