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jellyfish_sky · 08-28-2008, 11:30 AM

Here in Quebec, people have mixed feelings about the health system. Well most do agree that free healthcare is a good thing, but most are complaining about the taxes we pay for it... lol For information, our meds are subsidized by the government (but you need to buy insurance - mandatory, may it be from the government or private). You have to pay fully for dental care, but kids get free dental care.

There are a lot of problems with free healthcare as well: emergency rooms are packed, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses, and recently some hospitals had to close beds due to a lack in personnel and urgent need for renovations. A lot of patients die while being on the list for surgery, because the wait is sooo long. Those who can afford it go to the US to get treated. Many doctors here leave for places where salary is much higher (ie US), but do their studies here where it is much cheaper. Because of that, our gov has signed contracts with the private sector which will process some patients in urgent need of care. Much opposition there...

I would think that the major thing that would make people oppose free healthcare is a rise in taxes... I think that culture has a lot to do as well (value of money, individuals vs society, etc). Here in Quebec, people are very leftist - maybe more than the rest of Canada, because of our history (French Canadians, that is pretty complicated lol).

08-28-2008, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
jellyfish_sky jellyfish_sky's Photo Gallery Location: Montreal, QC Find me on the map! Zone: 4-5a Name: Celine Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 90 BananaBucks : 7,054 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: universal healthcare Here in Quebec, people have mixed feelings about the health system. Well most do agree that free healthcare is a good thing, but most are complaining about the taxes we pay for it... lol For information, our meds are subsidized by the government (but you need to buy insurance - mandatory, may it be from the government or private). You have to pay fully for dental care, but kids get free dental care. There are a lot of problems with free healthcare as well: emergency rooms are packed, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses, and recently some hospitals had to close beds due to a lack in personnel and urgent need for renovations. A lot of patients die while being on the list for surgery, because the wait is sooo long. Those who can afford it go to the US to get treated. Many doctors here leave for places where salary is much higher (ie US), but do their studies here where it is much cheaper. Because of that, our gov has signed contracts with the private sector which will process some patients in urgent need of care. Much opposition there... I would think that the major thing that would make people oppose free healthcare is a rise in taxes... I think that culture has a lot to do as well (value of money, individuals vs society, etc). Here in Quebec, people are very leftist - maybe more than the rest of Canada, because of our history (French Canadians, that is pretty complicated lol). __________________ Celine Bananaddiction~!