Socialized medicine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.........." Socialized medicine is a term used in theUnited States*to describe and discuss systems of*universal health care—that is, medical and hospital care for all at a nominal cost by means of government regulation of health care and subsidies derived from taxation."........"Because of historically negative associations with socialism in American culture, the term is usually used pejoratively in American political discourse." ~~ I noticed JD left that part out but I felt it was important to note. I am not sure that was left out intentionally, but it brings up important factors when talking about a universal heath system and cultural differences that cannot be side stepped easily. Seems misleading to ignore why it is called socilized medicine in America, and if that is really the best way to describe it. Beliefs we hold onto might also very well impact whether something will be a success or failure. ~~"by the 1930s, the term socialized medicine was routinely used negatively by conservative opponents of publicly funded health care who wished to imply it represented socialism, and by extension, communism." It is interesting to note that in the states you have things such as public libraries, not "socialized" libraries.

In Canada we don't call it "socialized" health care. We call it universal heath care or public health care. The word socialized does not seem to carry the same weight here with many people like it does in America. It's not a dirty word. Our health care is not free either. It is free only when you speak in terms of point of service. It's mostly publicly funded through taxes but not entirely. We have a mix of public and private sectors.

This explains Canada's system pretty well. It is not easy for me to explain, it can be complicated. Our system has problems as well, wait times has been a big issue, we have seen wait times dropping. We have shortage of dr's as well which leads to the wait times. Many dr's leave Canada to go to the States where they can make a huge profit not that they do not get paid very well here, but obviously they can make a lot more money in the states because of your system, this was a much bigger problem in the '90's, which we have been working to correct and have seen a big increase of dr's practicing in Canada. Health care in Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I would rather wait a little than not be seen at all. USA does actually have wait times as well for somethings. I would think that knowing you have to wait sometimes (not all the time ) because almost everyone needing treatment is recieving it would be worth it. How comfortable is it knowing that there is often no wait because because so many people who need the same treatment are being denied?

Overall I am very thankful for our system, even with some of the problems. I would never want for-profit health care. We do need to work on our systems short comings, but I personally feel fixing our problems is better than scraping it and switching to a for-profit or private health system. I am pretty sure most Canadians would agree. When I looked at the AHCA plan here, I don't really think it looks like socialized heath care at all. Not to me anyways, or universal heath care. Most Canadians would absolutely freak out if our government completely overhauled our system to a private one (not unlike many Americans reactions), but unlike America I am pretty sure that is because we know what we have.

I have never seen a dr bill, psychiatrist bill, hospital bill. I have never had to check first when one of my children or I needed medical attention to see if I could afford it or if it was covered. I do really appreciate that fact.

Sorry for the wiki links, but I was having a hard time finding an article that explained it well. Hope that helps give you a better idea.

Article below explains some of the major differences. I don't agree with everything said in this article but the differences are there. I don't know if AHCA is going to turn out to be a plus or minus, but it is not a comparable system to Canada's really. I do think AHCA is a least a step in a better direction. I find health viewed as a comodity especially disturbing. Baby steps I guess is how I see the AHCA, which is odd since so many americans seem to view it as a massive overhaul to something completely different. Doesn't look that way to me, look similar to what you already have, with some changes trying to address major holes and pitfalls in the system. In my opinion, it's just not universal ("socialized" if you prefer) enough.

Obamacare vs. Canada: Five key differences - The Globe and Mail

On the prescription end in British Columbia we also have Fair Pharmacair. Other similar programs in other provinces as well...Provincial Pharmacare Programs in Canada

I have looked up before how much I would be paying in the states for certian things I have needed up here like my daughters surgery. If I ever recieved a bill like that there is no way I could have paid it. And the payments would cause futher decline in our health since that money would not be able to go towards preventitve meassures or other health related costs or just plane living necessatites. It would become an even bigger burden on the society at large in many areas then it needs to become. How does people not paying the bills add up? Either way looks like a problem that just spreads.