I'm from Canada and I've see the Moore film. I was shocked to hear the numbers of people without any insurance coverage at all in the US. 45 million people... was it? That is 10 million more people than live in all of Canada!! And worst the number of people denied insurance and actually denied services. I think I always assumed that it was treatment first and payment later in the US cuz I couldn't image anyone being able to turn someone away knowing they were giving the person a death sentence. I can't image what it is like to be a doctor or nurse or hospital administrator or even a insurance claim person in the US who has to turn someone away to die. That must be horrid for them.

Like others have already mentioned it is comforting to know that no matter our economic or social status or our health circumstances we all have equal access to medical care. While there may be wait listed for non-life-threatening care we are always given front of the line service if time is a factor to the course of treatment.

It's not perfect and it is costly to support but I for one would prefer paying the higher taxes for a universal system than be on my own to pay for high priced medical services. I think I'd be in a constant state of anxiety if my primary and emergency health care was dependant on qualifying for private insurance or my own ability to pay.

Like in the UK our cost of living is much higher here than in the US. That is related to the amount of taxes we pay on everything short of the food we eat. The average person pays on average about 30% of our income in tax. Interesting to note here that in Canada wages on average are about 25% higher than in the US for the same job. We also pay sales tax on everything but food in some provinces (7% in BC, )% in Alberta) and a 6% (just dropped from 7%) goods and services tax on everything including food. Since the Canadian dollar as surpassed the US dollar the difference in prices in Canada compared to the US has cause us to raise concerns about why. Again it comes down to taxes and tarriffs added to goods and services entering Canada that are passed on to consumers.

We don't have a universal prescriptions program (yet) but most people have an extended private insurance plan that they cost share with employers. Low income people are provided these benefits for free. People like me who are middle income self employed don't usually have any kind of extended health benefits so scripts, dental and vision care are out of pocket expenses. In this small way I can relate to the US situation. Because I don't have extended health benefits I don't take good care of my teeth, I don't get my vision checked even though I know I need glasses and I don't take the psych drugs prescribed to me cuz I can't afford the $400+ dollars a month to keep on the drugs. Still I know that if I become seriously ill or injured that there will be no discussions about who is going to pay for the treatment. I will be treated with the same urgency and care as the next guy or gal regardless of my ability to pay.

I don't think Moore painted a totally balanced view of the Canadian situation because it does have its serious flaws for sure. We have shortages of doctors and nurses and much of that is because of what Sky suggested around caped salaries. But it also has to do with the high cost of education and the declining numbers of people willing to accumlate the level of debt they need to get through their training to be a doctor. Plus we experience the "Brain Drain" that has Canadian doctors going to the US to enjoy the higher wages. The US recruit aggressively in Canada and offer doctors and nurses unimaginable purks and benefits. Canada can't compete so we loose a lot of people that our taxes helped to educate. It also has to do with a general decline of people (worldwide) who are chosing the helping/serving profession. The same trend is evident with recruiting police officers and soldiers and other high risk jobs. Few people are entering those professions than in previous generations.

I know I"ve babbled on more than any one need to hear but one last point I'd like to make from something Sky said. The suggestion that socialized national programs are somehow related to communist idiologies is something we hear a lot from Americans. I don't get the parallel myself. Socialism and communism are two different things.

And lastly I agree with Moore that health care should not be a business that requires a profit to be made. That is utterly obsurd and shameful in my opinon. It says volumes about the values governing those decisions. Money over human life. I hope things improve for the average citizen of the USA. No question the US has some of the finest doctors and facilities but the fact that they are not accessable to everyone and anyone is beyond reproach in my opinion.

Sorry for being so gabby.... I'm pretty hyper right now and have lots of restless thoughts racing in my head. Thanks for putting up with me. It's been a good focusing distraction to comment on this discussion. One way I cope with these kinds of episodes.

Take care everyone.... my your next health care need be within your reach.