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lyle_from_minneapolis · Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:11 pm

It happens a lot...

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DE4DA1438F934A15751C1A964948260

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:18 pm

The Great Escape

mfb · Post by **mfb** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:55 pm

Yes, Brasil is alright (I have no reason to complain) but Australia is much better when it comes to the health care system, at least!

And Portugal is pretty good, which was a bit surprising ...

Let's just say, I know where I'd rather be and I sincerely hope the americano health "managers/manglers" stay away from where I am right now!

Interesting, I thought that normally when a thread drifted here, everyone got fat and drunk just looking of the drifting threads ...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:06 am

Sean, another sad fact is that our "trauma centers", even in a megalopolis like LA/OC, are now few and far between; to run her to County/USC (for instance) would have been a nightmare.

Here in SF, a city the same size as the one in Brasil where we were, there are fewer than a half-dozen 24 hour trauma centers. Even the independent, critical care center$, are only open until 5! In contrast, the Brasilian city (Natal, RN) had over 15 ERs open 24/7.

When I suffered a kidneystone attack in SF back in January 2004, I was forced to drive for 45 minutes--in rush hour, stop and go traffic, to get to an ER. And the entire Sutter chain up here are about to go under.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:45 am

The Canadian health care system, while better than some, is certainly not perfect, & not getting any better.

Our 'government' is casting an envious eye south in attempts to reduce costs (read: user fees & more).

Our system is great if you have the time (2 to 3 hours on average), & some smaller towns have no ER on weekends.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:03 am

"2 to 3 hours on average" You think that's a long time in an ER? Come to the USA. Try a day, day and a half in some (read: most) hospitals. And then go home with literally thousands of dollars in bills if you are lucky enough to not get dumped with a bandaid over your broken arm if you don't have the insurance that is worth it's weight in gold here and costs just as much.
I lived in Peru and was able to get great health care there and payed cash.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:31 pm

Remember folks, the gov't, State and Federal, also use your tax money to keep your roads maintained so that you don't have to wait in traffic essentially giving you "free" roads to drive on. *cough*

"Free" health care will be no different. You think you're waiting a long time now? Wait until it's "free".