General Discussion

LauraInLA

(1,495 posts)

122. Re. Health care quality and availability in US vs Canada

Sun Jan 5, 2025, 04:46 PM

Jan 5

I believe availability in the U.S. often depends on geographic location/metro size — I never had difficulty getting specialist appointments for my mother or sister within a week, but we live in the Los Angeles area. In smaller cities, towns, rural areas waits can be much longer. But I do know several families from BC, Ontario, and Quebec who travel to the U.S. for medical care without delays. Interestingly, in Canada the shortage of doctors can mean that even in the Toronto metro area wait times are still substantially longer. Even trying to get onto the list for a GP can be extremely difficult, as our relatives moving from Ottawa to the Maritimes have discovered. Their mother with COPD has been discouraged from joining them because of the difficulty she’d have with medical care.

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U. S. Expats Are Revealing The "We're Being Scammed" Realizations They Had After Moving Abroad [View all] Diamond_Dog Jan 4 OP

Americans are being scammed, enslaved, robbed by the oligarchs and corrupt politicians dalton99a Jan 4 #1

And almost half are idiots, that want to give more of their hard earned money to billionaires. Bluethroughu Jan 4 #3

More than half, I'm afraid (n/t) PJMcK Jan 4 #19

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #22

Really? PJMcK Jan 5 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #30

Okay PJMcK Jan 5 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #33

A factual world would have done a hand recount of huge numbers arthritisR_US Jan 5 #51

How can one have evidence based on data defacto7 Jan 5 #72

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #114

The "evidence" died in a plane crash. LT Barclay Jan 5 #140

Trump won a plurality, not a majority Beck23 Jan 5 #125

Trump** won with a plurality, not a mojority. soldierant Jan 5 #133

Yes, because you must include millions who in past elections "claimed" to be Democrats, elocs Jan 5 #64

And Rome continues to burn... ECL213 Jan 5 #102

Well, if you buy a lot of things you're "giving money to billionaires" Callie1979 Jan 5 #111

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 4 #15

Soon to be... 2naSalit Jan 5 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #34

I seriously wonder why we haven't risen up as one and fought back against the billionaire scumbags. Initech Jan 5 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #38

Meanwhile we're governed by petulant asshole John Roberts and the Hassler Jan 4 #2

"Citizens United" made it a democracy of corporations, not what used to be citizens. usonian Jan 4 #4

Yep - totally agree Diamond_Dog Jan 4 #6

Hang on. How is a credit score an "arbitrary number?" Pay what you owe and you'll have a good score. PeaceWave Jan 4 #5

Not necessarily true. First you have to establish credit LisaM Jan 4 #8

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 4 #11

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 5 #25

Mine was called Consumer Ed.....early 1970's 56miSSie Jan 5 #139

First, no one should be dinged for not having debt. LisaM Jan 5 #47

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 5 #52

I am not sure why you are giving me this tutorial. LisaM Jan 5 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 5 #56

Thank you, it was helpful FullySupportDems Jan 5 #79

Thank you LisaM. You get it. Demanding credit just to get basic services holds many people back. Diamond_Dog Jan 5 #67

Thank you! Prairie Gates Jan 5 #68

I agree except for #4. Unused cards shouldn't affect your rating. Callie1979 Jan 5 #113

Mine dropped when I paid off my mortgage. They will also ding someone if their credit usage sinkingfeeling Jan 5 #75

That Happens A Lot ProfessorGAC Jan 5 #115

So true! mainer Jan 5 #88

Yeah, sure, but more amazing is that our Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 5 #58

Its amazing how many dont know how to use a checking account. Callie1979 Jan 5 #112

Not even close PJMcK Jan 4 #20

And corporations can use the threat of damaging your credit score not fooled Jan 5 #23

What are these threats and scams you're referring to? PeaceWave Jan 5 #35

Declaring bankruptcy is always coached with "it will destroy your credit" NickB79 Jan 5 #66

And if you get into a car accident, intheflow Jan 5 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftInTX Jan 5 #45

went to buy a vehicle , it had been 8 years since my last car note. that hurt my credit score KG Jan 5 #73

Lol not true obamanut2012 Jan 5 #83

LOL! Good one! ck4829 Jan 5 #84

If you never buy anything on credit, you'll have a shitty credit score meadowlander Jan 5 #91

Nope Cuthbert Allgood Jan 5 #103

What were your parents credit score spapeggy Jan 5 #105

I recall writer/historian Morris Berman mentioning how US passports... keep_left Jan 4 #7

I didnot have a passport until the late 1990s. Old Crank Jan 4 #9

Mr. Berman is probably on the right track. mwmisses4289 Jan 4 #13

I've had a U.S. passport since I was 14 PJMcK Jan 4 #21

Your remark about xenophobia is exactly Berman's point. keep_left Jan 5 #29

Why should they be? OldBaldy1701E Jan 5 #77

I found out last year Jilly_in_VA Jan 5 #104

I think you mean REAL ID Kali Jan 5 #36

Yeah, I've forgotten some of the details (this was post-9/11, after all)... keep_left Jan 5 #40

The Real ID law was passed in 2005 Old Crank Jan 5 #61

It increases the number of drivers without licences or insurance... hunter Jan 5 #78

You can still get a CA license Old Crank Jan 5 #86

That's why California has not required Real ID. hunter Jan 5 #89

I use my German DL to rent in the USA too DFW Jan 5 #141

I'll have to look into that. Old Crank Jan 6 #142

The contracts and vouchers are usually issued by TUI DFW Jan 6 #143

Some of them are that size. Old Crank Jan 6 #144

We have trouble finding where all the buttons and switches are, too. DFW Jan 6 #145

Certain types of Americans are more traveled than others IronLionZion Jan 5 #39

That's no doubt true. But see also posts #21 and #29... keep_left Jan 5 #43

You didn't need one to go to Canada. Not sure about Mexico. LisaM Jan 5 #94

Not quite sure what you're saying--do you mean that... keep_left Jan 5 #99

You didn't need a passport to go into Canada until a few years ago. LisaM Jan 5 #101

No (or very low) tuition in college too! KSNY Jan 4 #10

What sucks is that now, most countries won't accept us. FirstLight Jan 4 #12

Most European Universities are free Old Crank Jan 4 #16

Im finishing my BA at 55 FirstLight Jan 5 #24

I went there about ten plus years ago. Old Crank Jan 5 #60

In Germany for 9 plus years now. Old Crank Jan 4 #14

An interesting take on a German girl living in the US for 6 years. Difference between mitch96 Jan 5 #71

My gall bladder removal in the Netherlands was free Laurelin Jan 5 #82

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftInTX Jan 4 #17

Yes, my Mexican plumber's sister in Mex was robbed while on vacation last week Callie1979 Jan 5 #110

There is plenty of racism and anti-immigrant hatred abroad Fiendish Thingy Jan 4 #18

Proof that strong social safety nets, universal health care, low inequality, low "economic anxiety" betsuni Jan 5 #50

That's a good point. yardwork Jan 5 #74

They should just be thankful they have the money to move abroad Blue_Tires Jan 5 #26

There's a lesson here for the Democratic party if they would only listen. Yavin4 Jan 5 #28

i have been to denmark twice. i was epals w/ an older danish man. pansypoo53219 Jan 5 #41

Believe me timvrip Jan 5 #44

We did the same thing - Been here since 2018 and now have our 10 year cards GoneOffShore Jan 5 #49

I spend a large portion of every year working abroad... Melon Jan 5 #46

I got a kidney transplant in Germany stollen Jan 5 #53

The NHS got cronicaly underfunded Old Crank Jan 5 #62

Are you a UK resident or citizen? róisín_dubh Jan 5 #135

No. I just fly in for work and have two employees there Melon Jan 6 #149

I read the reviews and many of them are not expats! LeftInTX Jan 5 #48

It's all relative, and no place is a perfect paradise DFW Jan 5 #54

Thank you! I'm glad your showed up. If you read the reviews, many aren't even "ex-pats" LeftInTX Jan 5 #57

Ignorance is bliss DFW Jan 5 #59

Your tax issues aren't our experience. Old Crank Jan 5 #63

It has to do with the source of the income DFW Jan 5 #76

Thank you for your informative posts in this thread. Mr.Bill Jan 5 #95

While I respect the risks firefighters are subjected to DFW Jan 5 #97

No fun. Old Crank Jan 5 #109

Thanks! My prospects are vague at best. DFW Jan 5 #124

Would your tax situation change dramatically if you moved to another country? Callie1979 Jan 5 #117

Good question! DFW Jan 5 #131

THANK YOU!!! A very detailed explanation. Callie1979 Jan 5 #116

It's simple malaise Jan 5 #65

Can confirm. Tom Dyer Jan 5 #69

I stopped reading here: madville Jan 5 #70

Maybe you should read up a bit more on Poland. ancianita Jan 5 #118

Polish Abortion Law Violates Human Rights madville Jan 5 #123

So does American Abortion Law. ancianita Jan 5 #127

Moving the goal posts madville Jan 5 #128

Nothing has to be 100% true to be true. This isn't science and scientific theory; it's society. ancianita Jan 5 #132

Scamigarchs Clouds Passing Jan 5 #80

There is no Scam. It's people voting for Republicans that always oppose public investment JI7 Jan 5 #81

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As European societies become more diverse, it's interesting to watch this same attitude rise -- "they" LauraInLA Jan 5 #120

K&R ck4829 Jan 5 #87

This One Was Me Deep State Witch Jan 5 #90

The non-tourist version - meadowlander Jan 5 #93

Luckily, the price in the U.S. has come down -- I believe thanks to the Biden administration. LauraInLA Jan 5 #121

My dad had a serious medical incident while visiting me in New Zealand meadowlander Jan 5 #92

"People are kind." snot Jan 5 #96

I am strongly considering leaving the country when I retire. dsc Jan 5 #98

Both Are Good Deep State Witch Jan 5 #137

my daughter and her husband live in England... mike_c Jan 5 #100

OMg, whatever DeepWinter Jan 5 #106

These were all tenets of the stories in the articles Diamond_Dog Jan 5 #108

Are you saying your Canadian mother-in-law can call up a doctor here in the US and get seen within a week? thucythucy Jan 5 #119

Re. Health care quality and availability in US vs Canada LauraInLA Jan 5 #122

I think the situation, while apparently better than in Canada, thucythucy Jan 6 #146

Agreed on all your points. Re. adolescent psychiatric care/beds... LauraInLA Jan 6 #147

In 2016 my son was diagnosed with ACC cancer Lifeafter70 Jan 6 #148

I'm so sorry to hear about all the difficulties you've had -- I hope your children are both doing well! LauraInLA Jan 7 #150

Your experience is exceptional stillcool Jan 7 #151

I'm so sorry for your loss and that you're having such a hard time! LauraInLA Jan 7 #152

I highly recommend Michael Moore's movie, "Where to Invade Next." CrispyQ Jan 5 #107

We gotta do better at cuing all us DUers into the inside dope for the better deals bucolic_frolic Jan 5 #126

...so, you're "leaving" the U.S. huh ? Alberta Bound Jan 5 #129

Just had my cousin edhopper Jan 5 #130

My story from Englan LogDog75 Jan 5 #134

Who did vote?? blueseas Jan 5 #136

We must hold a vision for a better future for this country and our people. I'll start with 5* universal free childcare mahina Jan 5 #138

5th columnists. Bad Dog Jan 9 #153

When I lived in UAE our pediatrician came to our apartment JCMach1 Jan 9 #154