it is only the profound ignorance of what passes for "acceptable" elsewhere that keeps us where we are.

when vacationing in Mexico, one of our party came down with giardia (sic). she was so ill, she could not walk without help.
we took her to a clinic. she was seen for $10, without appointment, and prescribed medication (as part of that cost).

this is MEXICO, mind you. MEXICO!

i have a friend who lives in San Diego and goes to Tijuana for dentistry. $20 for cleaning and x-rays. no appt.

we have a lot to learn from others. our problem is fundamentally one of a superiority complex: sometimes called exceptionalism.

we have a lot to learn from others. our problem is fundamentally one of a superiority complex: sometimes called exceptionalism

Our problem is also one of heartless greed on the part of those who have never had to go without....

It never ceases to amaze me how much bull dust is spread down there about other country's health care systems.  The incredible thing is that the bull is believed despite study after study showing the U.S. is below even a bunch of third world countries in terms of healthcare.  What's even more incredible is that there is common ground down there that the current system is not sustainable, outstrips the costs of every other country and leaves a very large segment of the population either without care or only minimal care but nobody is willing to bite the bullet and do what's necessary.  Even the new healthcare plan really is nothing more that patchwork tinkering.

So very very true...every word.

Chaos, you can then imagine how I felt that day, after coming to Canada, that I got my health care card. I've never, ever felt such a sense of relief and gratitude. At my age, I knew the day was coming that I would need more maintenance, lol. In the US I always felt on edge, waiting for that shoe to drop and knowing (after having been through an uninsured hospitalization with the ex) that I would not seek treatment unless it was an emergency situation. By that time, it could have been too late. There is such peace in knowing that you do not have to worry about your health care. Our system here is far from perfect, but it sure beats the hell out of the US. Thank you Canada.

PS. Come on up! You'd love it here, weather notwithstanding.

I am totally jealous. So many people here one tragic medical illness of a family member away from bankruptcy even with with private insurance.