WIC is definitely a great program, but you're right a lot of people don't use it.

The Canadian system is the way to go.

interesting that a fair number of canadians don't think so. G

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Why I am bringing this issue is that the healthcare situation is worse, than ever before. People have to choose between what they eat, and the drugs that saves their lifes....Some people get cheaper drugs from Canada.

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The reason drugs are cheaper in Canada has to with the pricing policies of large pharma (BTW, the market for Canadian pharmaceuticals is only 5% of the U.S.).

As far as the Canadian system goes, wait till you experience it. A large number of Canadians do not have a primary care physician and getting a specialist consult can take months. Despite its cost, I can get a specialist consult in the U.S. within a couple of days.

Rationing medicine (yes, that's what socialist systems do) is (IMO) not the answer.

BTW, did I mention that there's a physician shortage in Canada? Guess, where it is harder to get a residency? You'd think that they'd open their doors to IMGs. Nope.

Why? Because the Canadian governments (both Federal and Provincial) would like to limit the number of physician, as each one costs a ton of money (they pass their bills on to the provincial health insurance systems). Governments really can't save much on fixed costs (e.g. running a hospital, infrastructure, etc...), but keeping the number of physicians down limits costs (e.g. rationing).

Why do Canadians come to the U.S. for imaging and invasive procedures? Because, they don't want to wait six months on the waiting list!

Of course, you wouldn't know this, as you probably haven't seen the system up close and personal. I OTOH did rotations in Canada.

Miklos

NB Unless you have a drug card benefit in Canada, you still need to pay out-of-pocket for your medicines.

Not entirely true. Again, there are programs out there to help people who have to choose between food and medication. Most companies will give people the medicines they need. It is just another example of an under utilized program. I think that one of the reasons it is under utilized is because physicians don't know about them, or are too lazy to get their patients hooked up with them. patients can also look for ways of getting their meds. G

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There are thousands of people who have to chose between food and medicine, all you need to do is to come with me to center city phily, and see it for yourself.

Please re-read. I know that there are. There is simply no need for it. If docs would be patient advocates, they can find the drugs for their patients. It's not hard. It is usually as simple as calling the drug comapany and asking about programs for low/fixed income patients, or asking the rep for samples. My experience has been mixed. The fixed income medicare (older/retired) patients have the paperwork I give them for the program in the mail the same day they get it. Many of the low income younger patients never send it out. I have seen it again and again, but these are big boys and girls, and personal responsibility goes a long way. Almost EVERY SINGLE drug company has programs to help those who can't afford their medication.

http://www.loren*******.org/freemeds.htm#Brand
http://www.rxassist.org/
http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20021100/51howt.html

Simple google search....

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every major drug company has the program. i filled out hundreds of forms last a year.... florida i beleive started a economic based rx system as well with a $2.00 or $5.00 co-pay, i don't remember all the details but last time i spoke with a IM doc friend of mine there he said it was up and running.

there are plenty of programs out there. medicaid guidelines are pretty liberal in who they admit and for those that don't there are these assistance programs. the fault can't be entirely the doctors, i would say out of the ten or so forms i personally filled out, had the doc sign, and gave pts to bring back with proof of income i got back 2-3 so who is to blame? people did come back like clockwork for their narcs though ..sometimes even a few days early...maybe we can put a little codeine in glucotrol or sprinkle the z-pack in some hycodan?

or here is a noble idea: how about we put down the double quarter pounders with cheese, the "eggnormous" breakfast sandwich and maybe we will not need to stuff ourselves full of pills just to walk up a flight of stairs while the pfizzer board of trustees jet sets around the world counting record profits once again while the bleeding heart left wants to tap in my wallet again for another entitlement program that doesn't fix anything but how much i can make.....

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make sure you explain to people this is part of the reason why healthcare in the US is expensive.....ALSO I love how people bash the US system but this article proves its kickbutt in regards to care. If you denied all these people healthcare then that would be a huge chunk you can put towards poor US citizens.....of course that would be inappropriate against the illegal alien constitution (sarcasm), really really mean and also unethical. Personally, I would rather have the option to work my butt off and get the care I want when I want. I have no problem whatsoever helping out people who need it but I have a huge problem helping mothers (of any race) that serve as baby factories or people who are just downright lazy drains on society. So I offer you the choice, should we deny illegal immigrants healthcare and use that towards helping the poor, lowering prescription costs for them and be the really really mean americans you think.....or should we offer people the programs already in place, tell them to suck up their egos if its in the way and utilize them.....I dunno the choice is yours

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...formedicalhelp

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