U.S. Annexing Canada (split fm Liberal Minority thread)

[ModlrMike]

Despite all the problems, FN have a pretty sweet deal right now. There's no way they'll agree to give that up and be governed by the US. Their treaties are with the Crown, and renegotiation with the US govt would not go in their favour.

 

[brihard]

Despite all the problems, FN have a pretty sweet deal right now. There's no way they'll agree to give that up and be governed by the US. Their treaties are with the Crown, and renegotiation with the US govt would not go in their favour.

Yup. There is absolutely zero plausible legal path for Canada as a whole to join the U.S. if an individual province were first to legally separate from Canada and then seek to join the U.S., treaties with indigenous peoples would be a pretty colossal barrier.

 

[FJAG]

so that would be the formation of a new country entirely, with a new identity.

So . . . Oceania?

Just as an aside. I don't see a $100 billion trade deficit. The numbers seem to run in the area of US$50 - 60 billion on Canadian exports of roughly US$440 billion. Of those exports, roughly US$128 billion were mineral fuels, oils and distillates.

We import about US$20+ billion from the US.

So here's a simple solution to give the US an immediate US$40-60 billion trade surplus. Stop buying our freakin' oil!!!!

 

[dimsum]

No they just die in ER rooms bleeding to death while addicts take up beds receiving drugs paid by tax paying Canadians. Or they'll die waiting for treatments and access to care. Great system.

This is from 2020 but it was a coordinated effort by the medical insurance industry to convince Americans that Canadian healthcare was worse than American healthcare.

https://www.npr.org/2020/11/06/931990578/why-americans-have-been-deceived-about-canadas-health-care-system

 

[PrairieFella]

Trump is rattling the cage, hopefully canada gets its act together.

Not all of Canada needs to get annexed, just the useful bits outside the Toronto-Montreal-Ottawa corridor.

Oh good, you're a traitor. If you served, you dishonour your uniform. You're so blinded by hatred you can't see that your fellow countrymen will probably suffer under American occupation, except for the richest segment of Canadian society.

Edit: Further reading has me reading your views on the our French speaking brethren. T'es un tocard.

 

[PrairieFella]

I hear the US military is hiring.


Colour me shocked that you think that “commie-land” Vancouver and Victoria are useful

And @Quirky - I’ve seen a lot of…um…interesting comments from you but even I was surprised at your last few. In other country’s contexts, there would be a term for that but I’m pretty sure I’d be booted off the site for saying it.

I'll say it. Traitor. Turncoat.

 

[dimsum]

Wonder how the U.S. medical system for their government pensioners compares to ours?

When I retired on my 55th birthday, our municipal government continued to pay 100% of my extended health and dental benefits and Group Life Insurance until my 65th birthday.

That was replaced by a Health Care Spending Account ( HCSA ) payable to age 75, and a lifetime burial insurance policy.

If they’re not funded through Tricare (the military / veteran insurance) they just go through normal insurance. Tricare, from my experience, varies wildly from “good” to “the CAF is better”.

 

[PrairieFella]

Not if you're in a hurry.

Woman's right leg amputated after waiting 8 days for bed at Winnipeg's HSC to treat open wound​

I think it's telling when one leader is getting tougher on crime and making it easier for citizens to defend themselves meanwhile the other leader is championing the opposite.

Good ole fashioned reductio ad absurdum. I'm sure I can find a thousand horror stories about the American system too.

 

[dimsum]

I'd like to know how man Canadians go to the US for medical procedures VS how many Yanks come to Canada.

Those would be elective procedures.

If you’re at the point of needing to go to the ER, you’re not going to book a flight to another country.

Americans (and presumably Canadians) also do medical tourism in Mexico, SE Asia, and other areas because it’s cheaper.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Good ole fashioned reductio ad absurdum. I'm sure I can find a thousand horror stories about the American system too.

You could. It would ultimately demonstrate our system is better when it comes to not bankrupting someone for seeing a doctor however still rife with many problems and not the gotcha we want it to be when making comparisons.

 

[The Bread Guy]

On the Canada vs. U.S. health thing, at one point during the POTUS45 tenure, they thought at least one thing was better here about 5-ish years ago or so

Trump approves final plan to import drugs from Canada 'for a fraction of the price'

President Donald Trump, outlining his “America First Health Plan” Thursday, announced that his administration will allow the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. | President Donald Trump, outlining his “America First Health Plan” Thursday, announced that his administration will allow...

www.fiercepharma.com

UF study: 2 million Americans buy prescription drugs outside the country - UF Health

Buying prescription drugs from other countries is one way some Americans have coped with rising drug prices. A new University of Florida study, published today…

ufhealth.org

Trump Administration takes historic steps to lower U.S. prescription drug prices

The Trump Administration is taking steps to lower prescription drug prices.

www.fda.gov

Trump official who OK’d drugs from Canada chairs company behind Florida’s import plan

The Food and Drug Administration's unprecedented approval of Florida's plan to import drugs from Canada was made possible only after Alex Azar, as the Trump administration's Health and Human Services secretary, certified that bringing medicines over the border could be done safely.

www.news-medical.net

And this hasn't gone away, either ....

Move to allow Canadian drugs to be imported by U.S. creates shortage fears

Health Canada has reminded the pharmaceutical industry about export rules designed to prevent drug shortages after a major shift in U.S. policy on buying prescription medication from north of the border sparked fears of a supply crunch.

www.ctvnews.ca

Statement from Health Canada on FDA decision on Florida bulk drug importation plan

On January 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the state of Florida’s plan to import select Canadian prescription drugs in bulk. The Government of Canada is taking all necessary action to safeguard the drug supply and ensure Canadians have access to the prescription drugs...

www.canada.ca

FDA Allows First-Ever Canadian Drug Imports To U.S.

Florida estimates the new program could save the state up to $150 million.

www.forbes.com

Canadian Drugs for Canadians - Canada First!

 

[dimsum]

You could. It would ultimately demonstrate our system is better when it comes to not bankrupting someone for seeing a doctor however still rife with many problems and not the gotcha we want it to be when making comparisons.

Sure, but if the choice is “don’t see a doctor until it’s too late bc you’re going to be bankrupted” vs “you’ll wait a while in the hospital”, I’d take the choice that doesn’t result in medical bankruptcy.

States confront medical debt that's bankrupting millions

Lawmakers in over a dozen states and the U.S. Congress are tackling medical debt, which has become a leading cause of personal bankruptcy. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports an estimated 100 million Americans have amassed nearly $200 billion in collective medical debt — almost the size of...

apnews.com

 

[Jarnhamar]

Sure, but if the choice is “don’t see a doctor until it’s too late bc you’re going to be bankrupted” vs “you’ll wait a while in the hospital”, I’d take the choice that doesn’t result in medical bankruptcy.

Absolutely. Sad that waiting for a bed is the better option here.

The US might be able to afford health care if they cut back on sending other countries so much money.

 

[dimsum]

Absolutely. Sad that waiting for a bed is the better option here.

The US might be able to afford health care if they cut back on sending other countries so much money.

The issue isn’t that they can’t afford it. The issue is that healthcare in the US is a business, and the healthcare industry won’t give up that profit for a single payer system.

As I mentioned upthread, they even had a campaign not that long ago to convince the public that Canadian healthcare was worse.

To add: Even if you do have a manageable health insurance plan, you have to find doctors / clinics / hospitals in “your network”, which was the source of one of the memes after the UnitedHealth CEO assassination. So basically, you need to find someone that will even take your health insurance, rather than just going wherever.

 

[Lumber]

I'll say it. Traitor. Turncoat.

The messaging on here by some has been disturbing and even sickening. I've been meaning to pose a hypothetical question to some folks here, but I'll avoid pointing any direct fingers and just say it general.

In a hypothetical situation where you had to chose two options: A. 10 more years of Trudeau, or B. Canada is immediately annexed by the US. If you would pick B, and especially if you wear/wore a Canadian uniform, then I believe your decription @PrairieFella is accurate. Heck, I'm pretty sure someone would pick B even if option A was PP as PM, and that makes me sick.

 

[Lumber]

To add: Even if you do have a manageable health insurance plan, you have to find doctors / clinics / hospitals in “your network”, which was the source of one of the memes after the UnitedHealth CEO assassination. So basically, you need to find someone that will even take your health insurance, rather than just going wherever.

Two sickening stories.

1. Someone was charged $1200 for an annual health assessment. They didn't understand because their health insurance plan included a free annual check-up (no deductible). However, during the check-up, they asked the doctor a health-related question, which changed the "health assessment" into a "diagnostic", and not covered under the plan.

2. Patient goes to doctor within network for health-check. Doctor orders blood work. Patient is hit with a several thousand dollar bill, because it turns out, while the doctor was "within" the patients "network", the lab the doctor used was not.

 

[dimsum]

Two sickening stories.

1. Someone was charged $1200 for an annual health assessment. They didn't understand because their health insurance plan included a free annual check-up (no deductible). However, during the check-up, they asked the doctor a health-related question, which changed the "health assessment" into a "diagnostic", and not covered under the plan.

2. Patient goes to doctor within network for health-check. Doctor orders blood work. Patient is hit with a several thousand dollar bill, because it turns out, while the doctor was "within" the patients "network", the lab the doctor used was not.

I personally know one couple posted to the US that had to pay for their kid to be born, because the hospital didn’t accept Tricare.

They’re still trying to go through the process to claim it through Canada Life OUTCAN, but so far I haven’t heard whether they got anything back yet. Kid is about to turn 1.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I personally know one couple posted to the US that had to pay for their kid to be born, because the hospital didn’t accept Tricare.

Did they not ask those questions before hand?

 

[FSTO]

The issue isn’t that they can’t afford it. The issue is that healthcare in the US is a business, and the healthcare industry won’t give up that profit for a single payer system.

As I mentioned upthread, they even had a campaign not that long ago to convince the public that Canadian healthcare was worse.

To add: Even if you do have a manageable health insurance plan, you have to find doctors / clinics / hospitals in “your network”, which was the source of one of the memes after the UnitedHealth CEO assassination. So basically, you need to find someone that will even take your health insurance, rather than just going wherever.

I wish we could have a mature discussion in Canada about changes to our system that would result in better outcomes for all of us. Instead we compare ourselves with the US which according to the Commonwealth Fund is arguably the worst.

According to the Legatum Institute and Prosperity.com (have no idea how good they are, LOL!)
Singapore is number 1, Canada 32, and USA 69.

Home > International Plans > Global Health Insurance > Best Healthcare by Country

The Best Healthcare in the World: Country Rankings​

Global Index Reveals the Countries with the Best Healthcare​

Healthcare systems differ significantly by country and region, making it difficult to determine where to find the best healthcare in the world. Fortunately, some organizations have assessed which country has the best healthcare (as well as the countries with the worst systems!). Below, you will find results from multiple studies to help you compare various systems and determine the level of care you will receive in each.

In 2024, CEOWorld Magazine's Health Care Index analyzed the overall quality of healthcare systems across various countries. The index considered factors such as healthcare infrastructure, competencies of healthcare professionals (including doctors, nursing staff, and other health workers), cost per capita in USD annually, availability of quality medicine, and government readiness. Italy, with a score of 72.15, ranked highest on the index, followed by Singapore at 67.22 and Iceland at 65.15. Other countries in the top ten included Hong Kong, Finland, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Monaco, and Norway—source: CEOWorld Magazine.

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Healthcare System Performance Ranking​

The Commonwealth Fund regularly ranks the best healthcare in the world. The United States has come in last in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2021.

Key Findings: "The top-performing countries overall are Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia. The United States ranks last despite spending far more of its gross domestic product on health care. The U.S. ranks last on access to care, administrative efficiency, equity, and health care outcomes, but second on care process measures."

Ranking World Healthcare by Country 2021-2022​

Source: Commonwealth Fund

The Best Healthcare Systems in the World in 2024​

The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, has also evaluated where to find the best healthcare in the world. Its 2023 report includes a "Health pillar" based on how healthy a society is and whether people can access tools to maintain their health, including healthcare services.

Of course, in most countries, you'll need a travel insurance plan for short visits for up to one year or an international medical insurance plan if you want long-term medical coverage for a year or more to access these services.

According to this assessment, what country has the best healthcare? Singapore comes in at number one. Japan and South Korea came in 2nd and 3rd. In this assessment, the United States came in 69th.

The full rankings are listed below.

Compare the Best International Health Plans​

Review the top 10 international health insurance companies that provide expats and their families with comprehensive medical coverage worldwide.
Review Plans
Get a Quote

The Best Healthcare in the World​

1. Singapore
2. Japan
3. South Korea
4. Taiwan
5. China
6. Israel
7. Norway
8. Iceland
9. Sweden
10. Switzerland
11. Netherlands
12. Luxembourg
13. Germany
14. Hong Kong
15. Finland
16. Denmark
17. Italy
18. Belgium
19. Malta
20. France
21. Australia
22. Austria
23. Ireland
24. Slovenia
25. New Zealand
26. Spain
27. Cuba
28. Czech Republic
29. Cyprus
30. Costa Rica
31. Thailand
32. Canada
33. UAE
34. United Kingdom
35. Uruguay
36. Colombia
37. Estonia
38. Qatar
39. Seychelles
40. Portugal
41. Greece
42. Malaysia
43. Kuwait
44. Vietnam
45. Slovakia
46. Hungary
47. Sri Lanka
48. Poland
49. Uzbekistan
50. Bahrain
51. Chile
52. Peru
53. Croatia
54. Turkmenistan
55. Oman
56. Saudi Arabia
57. Panama
58. Iran
59. Latvia
60. Argentina
61. Lithuania
62. Belarus
63. Turkey
64. Trinidad and Tobago
65. Bulgaria
66. Albania
67. Jamaica
68. Armenia
69. United States
70. Algeria
71. Mexico
72. Romania
73. Cabo Verde
74. Macedonia
75. Tajikistan
76. Kyrgyzstan
77. Kazakhstan
78. Nicaragua
79. Tunisia
80. Serbia
81. Mauritius
82. Ecuador
83. Brazil
84. Russia
85. Azerbaijan
86. Morocco
87. Indonesia
88. Paraguay
89. Dominican Republic
90. Georgia
91. Belize
92. Cambodia
93. Moldova
94. São Tomé and Príncipe
95. Bosnia-Herzegovina
96. Philippines
97. Venezuela
98. El Salvador
99. Honduras
100. Jordan
101. Ukraine
102. Lebanon
103. Montenegro
104. Guatemala

Source: Legatum Institute and Prosperity.com

 

[Jarnhamar]

A. 10 more years of Trudeau, or B. Canada is immediately annexed by the US. If you would pick B, and especially if you wear/wore a Canadian uniform, then I believe your decription @PrairieFella is accurate.

If the US annexed Canada and the Canadian government supported it, would you physically back the Canadian government's move to be amalgamated by the US?