Can't have universal healthcare because of long waits?

[holiday]

You know this is one of them excuses repubs try to scare people with. If we have universal healthcare the doctors will be flooded with patients and it will take us months to get in to see our doctors. They have always used this excuse and people buy it. My mom is one of them. We were arguing today about it. I said, I know people who have free healthcare in their countries and they feel sorry for us. She won't believe me.

Is there anything online I could point her too that will end this so she can see? I know a few people from Canada from other message boards who have nothing negative to say about their healthcare system. But I want to give my mother something more concrete. At least she does believe in getting rid of pre-existing conditions and she also believes you shouldn't have to lose your home if you have outrageous medical costs.

[lob1]

1. Rent her Michael Moore's "Sicko".

[Merlot]

8. Agreed. Sicko spells it out very clearly.

Even if she still doesn't believe that there won't be long wait times, she can't help but be moved by the stories. Plus she'll get to see how people in other countries live with their health care. Betcha she'll be just a little envious.

[DURHAM D]

2. Both my parents and my siblings have single payer (medicare).

They don't wait for appointments, procedures, or anything else. And the doctors don't have to wait to receive their money from the U.S. treasury.

[The Wielding Truth]

3. Try these posts.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8456963

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x65706

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=322202&mesg_id=322202

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Diegd-6ilj0

[Puzzler]

4. I can just walk into any clinic...

... and see a doctor. I may have to wait 20 minutes to 1/2 an hour. But usually if I show up when the clinic opens, it'll only be about 10 minutes.

Oh yeah, I can also go see my own doctor down the road too.

I think the waits are just the same as in the US. The only difference is that I can probably see way more doctors, if I choose.

[Hieronymus]

6. And you get that without writing a check. I'm envious.

[Puzzler]

7. Yes! No bill probems.

[waiting for hope]

5. This was a good one:

Sick Around the World

I got into that same argument with my mother today ....

[K Gardner]

9. Tell her to come see me in my ER. I guarantee she'll spend at least 7-8 very uncomfortable

hours in the lobby, followed by another 4-5 in the back.. and that's if she's really sick.

If not, she'll end up being a "LWBS" (left without being seen) or LAMA (left against medical advise) .. or maybe she'll see the crowds of people puking and coughing and sweating in the packed waiting room and decide to go see HER private medical doctor in his nice clean office.

Maybe she'll realize the others don't have that option, and should.

[Oregone]

10. In BC, Canada, it takes 10 minutes to see a doctor if you dont have an appointment

Yeah, horrible wait lines

Elective surgeries are another matter. But it really isn't too bad and comparable to the states. They just keep better track.

BTW, it depends on the doctor you choose (you can choose any). If they got a ton of patients, obviously...

[avaistheone1]

11. If you can't afford health insurance coverage the wait to see a doctor is forever.

I prefer a single-payer plan myself.

[Vinca]

12. Tell good old mom my Canada story.

A few years ago I had a severe gallbladder attack that led to pancreatitis, a potentially fatal complication. I had been cherry picked out of insurance for about a year at the time, so I stayed in bed for a couple of weeks and hoped for the best. Eventually, I made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. Despite describing my dire symptoms, I had to wait a week. By the time I got to see him, I was beginning to improve. He examined me and was about to admit me to the hospital and call a surgeon for the gallbladder when I said the magic words "no insurance." Suddenly my treatment amounted to a blood test to be certain I wasn't in imminent danger of dying. I went back home to bed and eventually got better. A few months later a Canadian woman was visiting my neighbor and had the identical set of medical circumstances happen to her. She was taken to the local hospital immediately and later the same day transferred to a major medical center an hour away. Doctors there called Canadian health care to authorize her treatment. Canada opted, instead, to FLY A PRIVATE JET WITH A MEDICAL TEAM to the hospital, pick up the Canadian patient and treat her in Ottawa. That's how expensive U.S. medical care is - it's cheaper to fly a Lear jet to pick up a patient. In any case, she recovered nicely and didn't go bankrupt in the process.

[Thrill]

13. There is only one word for that argument. Bullshit

.

[rug]

14. I haven't seen a doctor since 2002. I won't mind long waits.

[a la izquierda]

15. I'd rather have a long wait...

and be able to afford my foot surgery, than constantly have to bandaid fix it. Right now, twice a year I have to get painful steroid injections into the side and bottom of my foot. It sucks. I could get surgery, but it would cost me $15000 and I HAVE insurance. I'm a grad student....I couldn't afford it if I tried.

[holiday]

16. thanks

I sent her everyone's replies and link to that pbs show. I bet she says nothing lmao

[yodermon]

17. The US *already* has the LONGEST wait times in the world.

because for those with no insurance, their wait times are fucking INFINITY.

How do you average INFINITY into a wait-time calculation???

[NewJeffCT]

18. According to a recent survey, the US has longer wait times to see a doctor

Than every first world nation, save Canada... which is why the RW always cites Canada for wait times.

[zulchzulu]

19. The "Long Wait" excuse is lame on two basic points

First of all, if you call your healthcare provider and say you want a checkup, in most cases, it takes sometimes at least a month to get an appointment. Then the appointment usually takes about 8-10 minutes unless you keep asking questions.

Secondly, if you do actually get the healthcare provider to cover you for an illness and not take it away with the "pre-existing condition" takeaway, it will cost you a LOT of money anyway.

Consider the "long wait" in other countries. It's about the same length of time and it is covered and FREE (although you'd pay some taxes to have the coverage).

[WinkyDink]

20. I have received free and immediate care in: England; Portugal (twice); Amsterdam; and Canada.

Meanwhile, my husband, told he has skin cancer on his arm, was given a date in August merely for a consultation, when they KNOW more excision is required! THIS, from the doctor he's been seeing for years!

[Jennicut]

21. Its a long wait anyways, I don't see how it could be any worse.

[lame54]

22. Here ya go...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5898318&mesg_id=5898318