Dr. Goldstein's Blog

Canadian Health Care: Myths vs. Facts

2009-09-12T06:59:00Z

Corporate lobbyists in Washington D.C. and the politicians in their pockets are bashing and misrepresenting our excellent Canadian health care system. As a Canadian who has worked in hospitals on both sides of the border I would like to set the record straight regarding our single-payer "Universal Health Care" system, and respond to some of these sickening attacks.

In a previous post I explained the basics of Canadian health care , and I pointed out that the highest rate is only $108 for a family of three or more. Those with limited income get their insurance virtually free, just like American members of Congress do. Yes, those same elected nimrods who bash Universal Health Care are receiving essentially the same thing.

Senators and Congressmen get to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program(FEHB). This is low cost (but good) insurance and taxpayers pay two thirds of the premiums. FEHB insurance does not deny claims because of pre-existing conditions, just like Canada's Health Care system.

Former President Bill Clinton has been a very vocal supporter of Canada's system. He knows America's system as well as any American, and he knows a lot about the Canadian system. Clinton notes that in the U.S. today, there are "incentives to keep people misinformed and full of fear."

The main tactic used by lobbyists is to take isolated incidents of poor health care delivery and misrepresent these rare incidents as if they were standard operating procedure in Canada. Sure, examples of medical malpractice and improper diagnosis can be found on both sides of the border, but malpractice is not the norm in Canada or the USA.

The Canadian System provides for universal coverage for medically necessary health care services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay. In practical terms "universal coverage" means you get the services and care you need, but doctors bills and hospital bills are unheard of in Canada. I visit my family doctor every three months for medication refills, and to discuss any health concerns. These visits are free just like major surgeries and specialist appointments are free. "Ability to pay" is never a concern in Canada.

Any time (24/7/365) I have a health related concern I can dial 8-1-1 and speak with an experienced nurse or a pharmacist. The nurse will decide if I can treat the problem myself, or if I should see my family doctor or go to the emergency room.
The only time I used that service was when I had a swelling spider bite on my foot. I was driving home and the nurse told me it was potentially serious. "Go to the Emergency Room and have it looked at right away." As always the emergency room visit cost me nothing, and the prompt treatment probably saved me from getting a skin graft.

THE "WAITING LIST" STRAW MAN ARGUMENT

Yes, Canada does have waiting lists for some procedures, but...

...1. Nobody ever goes on a waiting list for emergency care. Heart surgeries, Cancer treatments, etc all take place immediately.

2. We have some waiting lists for some non-emergency procedures such as knee replacements, MRI scans, etc but wait times are not ridiculous and they are well prioritized. The big difference between Canada and the USA is Canadians will always get the procedure. ALWAYS. So what if they have to wait. It's not a perfect world.

3. In America I saw people die of Cancer with no treatment, because they were poor. I also knew several people who walked around on painful knees and hips because they could not afford the arthroscopy or joint replacement. I am certain they would have been delighted to get on a waiting list for a free joint replacement.

4. Rich Canadians can "jump the queue" and pay for non-emergency MRI's or surgeries if they wish. Personally, I would prefer to use a cane for a few months (just like Dr. House) and get my knee replaced for free.

Are Canadians really being "forced" to get treatment in the USA?

No. Sometimes the specialists and surgeons are backed up, or staffing shortages occur. In a small number of cases Canadian patients get sent south of our border when it is best for the patient. Complicated pregnancies requiring a certain hospital to do the delivery, and rare diseases where the best expert is in the USA are two examples, However - when this happens - it is all at the Canadian Governments expense. Travel(Ambulance or Air Ambulance) and treatment are all paid for 100% by the Government, not the patient.

How many Americans get to travel to Canada when the top specialist is in our country, and have it paid for by the American Government? Sending patients to the USA for teatment, when appropriate, is a good thing not a bad thing.

Overall President Clinton is on the right track, and he surely has President Obama in his corner. Both men know that America's system is immoral and embarrassing when compared to all established Western democracies.

Universal Health Care, regardless of ability to pay, is the only way to go. I look forward to the day when my American friends can enjoy the Universal Health Care I take for granted.

Health Care for All - It works great here in Canada

2009-06-26T06:55:00Z

Something Americans needs to know...

...You desperately need a Canadian-style health care system.

"To summarize the solution: America must replace it's military-industrial complex with a medical-industrial complex."

The USA has almost 50 million people with no health care plan. Millions more have "plans" that will put them into bankruptcy when they have a major illness or injury. When compared to all other Western democracies America's system is a dismal failure and a painful embarrassment.

Highlights of Canadian Health Care:

1. Health care is mandatory and very affordable. The most expensive rate is $108 for a family of three or more.

2. Every person has equal access and full access to health care, regardless of ability to pay or pre-existing conditions.

3. Everybody has the exact same all-inclusive plan.

4. You can see any doctor, any hospital, any time, and leave your money at home.

5. Medical bills such as hospital bills and doctor bills are unheard of in Canada..

6. Free surgerys and hospitalization.

7. Free doctor visits, including specialist appointments.

8. All "tests" ordered by a doctor are free, including x-rays, Cat scans, lab tests, ultrasound, cardiac stress tests, etc, etc.

9. No deductibles or co-pays are allowed.

10. All healthcare workers and doctors are well paid, and they enjoy the many benefits of being labor union members.

11. Canada has a simple single-payer system. All bills are sent to the government, and not to patients.

12. Canada's system encourages people to open businesses and become entrepreneurs, because they don't have to worry about having employer-based health policies.

What price will America have to pay for a Canadian-style healthcare system?

The truth is that America does not really have to pay anything. It is just a simple matter of changing federal budget priorities. To summarize the solution: America must replace it's military-industrial complex with a medical-industrial complex.

In my home province of British Columbia, Canada, almost 50% of the budget goes to health and social services. We have a huge social safety net in addition to our great healthcare system. What few military bases we have are essentially Coast Guard like search and rescue stations.

Overall, Canada spends only about 5% of it's budget on defense. Compare that to America where the military and the Veterans Administration eat up about 50% of the budget. America must stop it's endless wars, and start taking care of it's own citizens.

Canada's system is good for the economy and tax rates

If you think that a generous health care system will hurt the economy - think again. Canada has the most stable economy of the G-20 nations. Putting people ahead of imperialism has been a win-win formula for success in Canada.

Many people mistakenly believe that Canada has exceptionally high taxes. Canadian tax rates are comparable to, or lower than American taxes. And there is no question that us Canadians get more bang for our buck thanks to the great health care and social programs.

Note: The author has worked as a healthcare provider (Diagnostic Imaging) for over 30 years, including several years working in the USA.

Global Warming or Global Cooling ?

2009-05-17T18:00:00Z

Many scientists say we have global warming. They point to some exceptionally hot years and other evidence. Many climatologists are now making the case for global cooling as well. Record low temperatures and record high snowpacks the past 2 years, and decreasing solar activity appear to be their key arguments.

This article will not take sides. After reading this brief article you will have enough knowledge to decide for yourself.

Climate history is fascinating stuff !

Reading this will give you a solid understanding of Earth's main climate history that is currently known and proven.

With this knowledge you can better analyze the competing claims about cooling and warming and put them in perspective.

Let's just call this article...

..."The 5 minute Climate Scientist"

As you view the climate history graphs you will notice that climate is never 'stable'. You will learn that both global warming and global cooling have happened hundreds of times previously.

Earth is always warming or cooling in somewhat predictable cycles, or it is in a brief transition from one cycle to another.

The Ice Core Data -
Prehistoric snowflakes acted as memory cards:

Several projects have been undertaken that involve drilling extremely deep holes into the Arctic and Antarctic Ice. All of the ice started out as snowflakes, falling through the atmosphere. It is not frozen sea water.

As the snow piles up it compresses into ice. The snow has been piling up and turning into ice for over 500,000 years. Gas bubbles and other particles trapped in the ice have allowed scientists to recreate the atmosphere and temperature history going back over 450,000 years. The two main Ice Core projects were the Vostok and EPICA deep ice core surveys. The temperature data is accurate to better than 1/100th of a degree.

Ocean Sediment Cores:

Ocean sediment cores also trap gases and isotopes, allowing Geologists to create an extremely accurate climate history going back millions of years.

Long Ice Ages and Shorter Warm Intervals:

As you view the climate history charts you will see a clear ongoing pattern of long ice ages (glaciations), separated by comparatively brief warm intervals (interglacials).

We are currently living our lives during a warm interglacial, between ice ages, called the Holocene.

The Holocene started with a massive warming event about 12,000 years ago. That was a good thing because the ice was several kilometers thick and it covered Canada, the UK, Northern Europe, and almost half of the USA.

Climate Of The Last 5 Million Years:

See Graph: 5 Million Years of Climate Change

Note: The present is the right side of the graph.
1.The pattern of ongoing warming and cooling is obvious.
2. The overall trend is downward. The ice ages (glaciations) are getting colder.

Climate of the Last 450,000 Years:

See Graph: Vostok-EPICA Ice Core Data

Note: Everything below the dotted line (Zero degrees C) represents glacial Ice Age Conditions. The warm spikes are so consistent it almost looks like a heartbeat monitor.

1. The spikes on the graph are the warm interglacials.
2. The spike on the right side of the graph shows our current Holocene interglacial.
3. The Ice Ages (below zero degrees C) last about 90,000 years on average.
4. The warm interglacials (above Zero degrees C) last from 6,000 to 12,000 years.
5. Our current Holocene Interglacial is the coldest interglacial recorded in the past 450,000 years.
6. 125,000 years ago during the last interglacial (Eemian interglacial) it got much hotter than today's climate. At that time our early human ancestors were still in the stone age.

Climate Of The Last 12,000 Years:

See graph: Holocene Interglacial Temperature History

1. The climate history shows that Holocene temperatures peaked about 8,000 years ago.

2. The recent temperature rise following the Little Ice Age (1650-1850) is in line with - or less than - the many other global warmings during the Holocene.

3. These interglacials only last 6,000 to 12,000 years.Then Mother Nature will take us into the next ice age glacial which will last about 90,000 years.

Note: The Holocene warming was accompanied by a sea level increase of over 350 feet.
See Graph: Holocene Sea Level Rise

After pondering the ongoing climate cycles the statements "humans cause global cooling" and "humans cause global warming" become questionable at best. How can anybody say such things about warming and cooling cycles that have been ongoing for millions of years, way before humans came along?

Sure, we have trashed out our environment, depleted our oceans, etc., etc., but it is unrealistic to assert that humans can control the climate one way or the other. Some things, like climate change and continental drift, are natural phenomena that are way beyond human control. The belief that "humans can control the climate" is based on both undeserved bravado regarding human capabilities, and complete disregard of the known climate history. Anybody who believes that new taxes will create a stable climate is kidding themselves.

But what about CO2?

see Graph:
600 Million Year CO2 and Temperature History

1. During the late Ordovician Period CO2 levels were 10 times higher than today's CO2 level, but Earth went into a long Ice Age period.

2. Current CO2 levels are at the low end of the scale when viewed in a historical perspective. CO2 is presently only 0.038% of the atmosphere. Natural water vapor causes 95% of the greenhouse effect.

3. Claims that "today's CO2 level is the highest ever" are flat out lies, and they indicate the speaker has no knowledge of Earth's proven climate history.

Global Warming "Deniers" are now the majority

2009-05-11T06:00:00Z

The global warming "deniers" and "skeptics" are now the majority.

Only 34% still believe the theory that "humans cause global warming.".

SEE: The Latest Rasmussen Poll

Most people now understand natural climate cycles (planetary trends).

See Chart: Climate history of the last 12,000 years.
Holocene Temperature History

1. The temperature history shows clearly that our recent "global warming" is really nothing compared to the many pre-industrial "global warmings."

2. The temperature history shows that temperatures peaked about 8,000 years ago and we are now trending downward to the next ice age.

3. All of these pre-industrial global warmings are 100% natural. They happened before the industrial revolution or automobiles came along.

Did CO2 cause all of these pre-industrial warmings? The only plausible answer is "No" unless you believe Aliens in UFO's came along and beamed down giant cannisters of CO2. The temperature history is proof that climate warms and cools naturally.

4. The Holocene is the present interglacial (a warm spike between ice ages). These interglacials only last about 12,000 years so we are due for another ice age soon. To deny this is to deny basic Climate History 101.
see: Glacial-Interglacial Graph

It is interesting to note that our current Holocene interglacial (right side of graph) is the coldest interglacial recorded in the last 450,000 years.

Has the next ice age already started?

NASA has discovered that the Sun's output is suddenly dropping, and it is already "13% cooler."
SEE: NASA PRESS RELEASE-SOLAR OUTPUT DECREASING

The public has done their homework and fact checked Al Gore's movie. Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice...

...it ain't gonna happen. Sorry Al, once public opinion starts changing rapidly the pendulum never swings back.

People now understand that CO2 is only 0.038% of the atmosphere, and 95% of the greenhouse effect is from natural water vapor.

Follow the Money

People now understand that Al Gore is Chairman of the for-profit Generation Investment Management(GIM), PROOF which is all about money ($$ Billions 'invested'). Gore is also a business partner in KPCB , another for-profit operation.

"Global warming" is about making windfall profits from "carbon trading", "cap and trade", etc. Certainly a non-profit organization could be created to handle "carbon markets" if it was not about making money.

When Al Gore goes to D.C. he should be treated like any other businessman or lobbyist trying to make a buck for his corporations. Either that, or he needs to walk away from these corporations.

"Computer Models" are totally unreliable.

Here is what an IPCC scientist had to say: Kevin Trenberth is head of the US National Centre for Atmospheric Research and one of the advisory scientists on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"None of the models used by IPCC is initialized to the observed state and none of the climate states in the models corresponds even remotely to the current observed climate."

The global warming skeptics are putting forward a lot of scientific data to educate the public ,