Is public health care better than the private one?

There is a great debate going on with our neighbor south of the border regarding Heath Care Reform. Here in Canada, most people are very proud of our public health system. Whenever, there is a discussion of what is better, I seem to be at odds with the majority of the people. For the 20 years I have been in Canada, I have not had very good experience with the system. I had been wrongly diagnosed, turned away by clinics when I was very sick and found quite a few receptionists and nurses rude. I do not even go to medical facilities often, on average, probably once a year. Because of the bad experience, I practically avoid health facilities unless it is absolutely necessary.

Then, 40 days ago Richard broke his ankle (spiral fracture to be precise) falling from a height of 6-7 feet. He had a surgery done and a stainless steel metal plate fitted in with 8 screws. Out of the 40 days he has been house bound for 32 days. A nurse from CLSC came to dress the wound every other day for 2 weeks and twice weekly for 2 weeks.

Besides $125 dollar ambulance fee, $25 dollar pain killer prescription and $25 dollar crutch rental, it did not cost us any money. Overall, I would say the public health system did a good job.

So far based on my personal experience, I would say that if you have accident related treatment, the public health system is very good. On the other hand, since medical care is free for all and there is much abuse for people who do not need urgent care, if you have chronic illness, you probably do not get a nice treatment. I heard a nurse complaining that a man walked into emergency room because he had one cough in the morning and demanded to have anti-biotics. Then there are some extremely lonely people who want to talk to somebody.

I was turned away by a clinic when I had hyper-thyroid activity but before it was diagnosed because the government put a cap on how many patients a general practitioner is allowed to see per day. Some doctors will see a certain amount of patients over and above the limit per day for free. Others will ask the receptionists to turn away patients without appointments. I was almost in tears when I was told that if you had been feeling sick for a month without seeing a doctor, you could always wait for 2 more weeks. I understand all the reasons for the medical professions to screen people first in order to help the really sick people. But when it is happening to you and you are really sick, it is really no fun.

I do not think this kind of treatment happens when you pay for the service. Dental care in Canada is not part of the public health care system and you get treated very differently. I was even told by my dentist that in case of emergencies (such as unbearable toothache); she would make time to see me on Sundays (her clinic is normally closed on Sundays).

Is public health care better than the private one? I think the answer is very complicated. If you are poor, the answer is yes since you do not contribute in and you get a free ride. If you are not poor and you are healthy, the answer is yes also since the only time you need care is when you are in an accident. If the person is not poor and is terminally ill, the answer is probably mixed. Some relatives say the good thing with public care system is that it does not bankrupt your family when a member becomes terminally ill; and others say that the way you are treated, you do not get to die with dignity. There are many other scenarios and there are valid arguments for both sides.

So in the end, I do not have an answer.



c-cassia