Health Care Myths

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Specializes in ICU, med/surg.

It seems to me that over the past few weeks since the surfacing of Michael Moore's movie "Sicko," there have been many myths about Canadian health care floating around.

Americans who are particularly against Michael Moore, socialized health care, or both seem to be spouting these myths about Canadian Health Care in order to show that it is a horrific system.

These are some rumours that I have heard more than once:

I have heard that in Canada there is no choice in health care providers. That the government chooses our doctors for us. We are not allowed to go for second opinions or reject the appointed provider. Myth!!!

I have heard that Canadians often have to wait months for emergency surgeries and that people are dying because of this issue. Myth!!!

I have been told that health care in Canada is mediocre at best because socialized medicine promotes laziness in its medical professionals. The rationale is that we health care professionals are all treated equal no matter what, thus taking away our motivation to be ambitious and succeed. MYTH!!!

Is anyone else getting sick and tired of these false accusations being passed around?

Sean

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You betcha Sean!! I just wrote a very long post to another similar thread yeasterday... no wait, the day before (since it's 0145hrs).

https://allnurses.com/forums/f108/can-you-fill-me-233209.html

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Specializes in ICU, med/surg.
You betcha Sean!! I just wrote a very long post to another similar thread yeasterday... no wait, the day before (since it's 0145hrs).

https://allnurses.com/forums/f108/can-you-fill-me-233209.html

Phew! I'm so glad I'm not alone! I'll be reading your post ASAP!

Sean

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I enjoy the one that I heard that we limit access to drugs and when people do get them the drugs are either generic or not as good as the ones in the US

What annoys me (and I will be flamed for this one) is new grads who feel they will be better paid and "better nurses" if they go down south asap.

They usually have Cdn. student loans and were educated in publically funded schools. By all means go south but repay the government for the share of your education that the taxpayer paid.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
I enjoy the one that I heard that we limit access to drugs and when people do get them the drugs are either generic or not as good as the ones in the US

Maybe I should take a picture of the stacks of Neoral packages and Didrocal I have in my medicine chest... with the Canadian pharmacy labels and "patient pays $0.00" on them.

What annoys me (and I will be flamed for this one) is new grads who feel they will be better paid and "better nurses" if they go down south asap.

They usually have Cdn. student loans and were educated in publically funded schools. By all means go south but repay the government for the share of your education that the taxpayer paid.

:yeahthat::trout: WHAT YOU SAID!!

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It seems to me that over the past few weeks since the surfacing of Michael Moore's movie "Sicko," there have been many myths about Canadian health care floating around.

Americans who are particularly against Michael Moore, socialized health care, or both seem to be spouting these myths about Canadian Health Care in order to show that it is a horrific system.

That movie is giving me cause to seriously re-consider my plans for moving to the US. I hate the winter here, but I hate the idea of profit from human misery even more. I thank God that I've lived in a country conscious of social justice and willing to address the issue.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

I too get angry when people act like the health care in USA is better than Canada. I often point out that if you get hit by a bus going home from work, in Canada you will get better, but in the USA you will get better but may lose all your savings, your car, your home, etc.

I also get frustrated by people saying that they are going to the USA to work after graduation. From what I've read posted on the other nursing forums, nursing in the US is much different than in Canada. I would never want to nurse in US based on what I've read - charging people for everything? More concern about profit over pt care? Not for me!

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Specializes in LTC, Community.

I used to live in the states.. we have been back in canada for 6.5yrs now...

it is soooo much better up here.... i hear students in my class talking about going down there to work.. In a way im glad they will.. more jobs for me... but seriously i warn them... my mom still lives there... she moved down in 1992 and is a nurse... she is now married and has settled so its much harder to just up and leave but she would if she could...

alot of ppl don't realize that most ppl down there would love to come back.. but its hard because they started families, have houses etc...

i hate all the myths.. especially the one where its all free.... umm not so much...and of course underserviced areas are crappy for personnel, services etc.. thats y when i am done school i want to work in an underserviced area.. probably won't allow me til i get experience but thats my ultimate goal...

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I'm very curious about healthcare in England and in Canada. Is it similar? If anyone could provide links to articles or a website about healthcare and how it works in England, I would very much appreciate it. I am american and I believe our healthcare system needs a major overhaul. From what little I know of Canadian and English heathcare, they sound similar.

There are some health insurances that pay well in america, BUT, if you're middle class, (as I am) you have to be employed by a facility that is contracted with one of those 'good' insurance companies. Otherwise, the plans that have good coverage are not affordable.

As it is, most of the insurance plans that are affordable, don't pay much at all unless there is if a catastrophic event.

The doctors in america require payment up front--before they will see you. So those that fall through the cracks, are the middle class. And, those who have chronic health problems are as fortunate as the elderly. (meaning)-

1)We use our limited knowledge to try and treat ourselves as much as possible, and if we aren't successful, then we save our money, and do without something, so we can go to a Dr.

2)We buy our meds in either Mexico, or order them online - usually from a pharmacy that doesn't require an RX. And then, we cut the doses in half to make the pills last longer.

So, I am ALL for an improved plan for healthcare. :))

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I'm in the US, and I'm very envious of the health care Canadians have.

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