Only in America, the world's greatest country...

[Trade]

I've come to the conclusion that we made a huge mistake by fighting the revolutionary war to get freedom from England. Canada on the other hand gained their independence though a peaceful process. And look where we are. Canada and England both have universal healthcare and here we are stuck with this predatory for profit system.

 

[Warrigal]

Whats the wait for a hip or knee replacement in UK or Australia?

How long is a piece of string?

In Australia, a lot depends on where you live (city v regional or rural) and whether you have medical insurance. I had 6 joint replacements during my seventies (I'm 83 now) and had top level hospital cover. My wait time in Sydney for a private hospital was minimal and I could avail myself of a 2 week stay in a post operation respite facility with the services of nurses, doctors and physios, all at no cost. I had been paying for top hospital cover plus extras and did not have to pay anything beyond about $20 for internet access. Even today I still pay for hospital cover plus extras but have dropped the level down a notch by eliminating unnecessary conditions such as joint replacements, IVF and pregnancy.

The surgeons, assistants and anaesthetists were partly covered by Medicare and insurance, but there were some out of pocket expenses.

This link is more current and gives general information about waiting times for public and private patients.

Understanding Orthopaedic Surgery Wait Times in Australia

 

[spectratg]

I was actually thinking of,as long as you think it's funny, then anyone else is a bonus.

The first rule of humor is to maintain a sense of humor about the aging process itself, often summarized as: "It's better to grow old with a sense of humor than to grow old with no sense at all".

 

[Irishdude]

Someone could just take their profits and invest it in medicare for all, including ears, and teeth. Sure, someone would probably keep it for themselves, but on the off chance ....

Well, Medicare for all is estimated to cost $2.5 trillion per year. If you subtract the $75 billion in insurance company profits you only have to come up with $2.425 trillion.

Our national debt is $40 trillion and we are running a deficit of about $1.5 trillion every year.

Nobody likes health insurers, but the whole system is broken and waste, fraud and abuse are rampant.

 

[IrishEyes]

Being as we in the States have what we have and many are getting free care (so we hear, who knows). The abuse of it
is deep and all consuming so ; it makes me wonder if it was like Canada and UK would we still have people and powers
that be abusing the system? Would that really make a difference?
Not being snarky, I just really wonder because so many just have to find a way to skim money somehow no matter
where you are it seems.
I have a sister who lived in Canada for 25 (duel citizenship) years and when she got bad health wise, she came moving back to the States
to get health care as she wanted. Now mind you she is a con artist so maybe Canada got wise to her and cut off things she
wanted or told her no. Maybe finding shady Doctors here is easier?