How much was your last medical bill, or did you let the insurance take the hit?

@Abstraction Is government healthcare socialist to you? You know socialist is not the next step to communism it's painted to be. There is many examples of blended socialist/capitalist countries.

@thewindupbirdchronicles I think you misread me. I was explaining that it isn't socialism. The term socialism has lost its meaning in USA because it has been used to manipulate. Australia is a social democracy which is NOT socialism. Correct definition of socialism includes government control of the means of production. 9 of the top 10 countries on the Human Development Index are social democracies. US isn't in top 10 because of the inequalities in income, health and education. Australia has slipped from the top 2 or 3 down to 8 because of our right wing government.

@Abstraction I gathered some from your words. Guess I could have worded differently. I fear Canada is losing it's place within there. Makes me at times defensive.

@thewindupbirdchronicles Yes, Canada seems to be suffering from the same influences as us although I'm not fully up-to-speed. Democracy and capitalism work when democracy is in charge. That's what's slipping in Australia. Donate a paltry amount to both parties from powerful corporate and wealth interests and you get the policies you want. That's why Australia has become the most backwards of developed nations on global warming. Gas and coal interests just have to wink and the prime minister rolls over and does tricks.

@Abstraction Not sure entirely, not entirely up to speed on Australian politics, but for a long time in Canada (or at least Ontario) is P3 hospitals.... meaning public private partnership along with the community around contributing. That works for affluent areas, where there is money and profit. Which is not the spirit of universal health care, but most who have voice are those with affluence where often the need for care is not where there is that kind of money.

@Abstraction I'm guessing it speaks to same kind of influence even though I'm talking on a more local level.

@thewindupbirdchronicles Surely it's government policy creating that gap?
This article shows how UK, Australia and Canada have slipped down the rankings on best health systems alongside having right-wing governments. I haven't examined their metrics in detail but it's quite obvious that it's true.
https://healthcarechannel.co/how-australian-healthcare-ranks-worldwide-2020/

@Abstraction Canada, is complicated in jurisdiction.... Health is a provincial responsibility laid out federally in what is supposed to be met. A way, in intent, for the federal government to grant equity. At onset, that is good in idea. There is a few right wing conservative provincial governments here, but federally we have a liberal government right now. But a name is a name. The Liberal party, like usual, has cut health transfers collected from taxes to provincial governments.

Which makes it somewhat contradictory when they talk about citizens (namely anti-vaxxers) not taking enough care upon health. Leaves the impression of talking down. (I am vaxxed)

Meanwhile, I live in the province with most vaccinated, also the most restrictions sitting on federal money that was given to help support and they don't spend it? Just an example of stupid politics.

@Abstraction I do appreciate some doctors who express (and I'm not saying what metric is right), but Canada needs to recognize it's system is lagging and why the US has less restrictions. It's not just ideology; more is spent there per capita on healthcare. I'm not saying we should accept death, but we should ask for a healthcare system adequate.