America: Universal healthcare creates wait times for healthcare. Also America: waits six months for a neurosurgeon consult and a year to get into a dermatologist…
Replies
Try guy who hasn't been to the doctor in 46 years because after paying for insurance I could not afford the co-pays and deductible. It bothers me to think of all the money I've thrown away on "insurance."
aug 22, 2025, 2:35 am • 2 0 • view
Countries with universal health deliver care at half the cost of the US.
aug 21, 2025, 5:39 pm • 13 0 • view
Recently my 2 days in a French hospital, oxygen & MRI scan of lungs & heart. Ambulance to the hospital 20 kms away- my total cost was 40 €, administrative fee. People who live in countries that have universal healthcare live 2 to4 yrs longer than the average American. WTF- USA can do better than RFK
aug 21, 2025, 7:39 pm • 5 0 • view
You get into a dermatologist in a year?
aug 21, 2025, 8:25 pm • 2 0 • view
I don’t think most Americans understand how long you have to wait here for a specialist appointment… until they need a specialist appointment.
aug 21, 2025, 2:51 pm • 87 4 • view
Which, spoiler alert, is going to be a bigger and bigger need for the generations that have consistently voted against it. The older you get, the more effort it takes to keep on tickin’.
aug 21, 2025, 11:02 pm • 1 0 • view
And so many of us need pre-authorizations. . . In network, out of network, it's ludicrous. [As someone who's seen more specalists than should be necessary]
aug 21, 2025, 4:16 pm • 41 2 • view
My vision became distorted in June, wavy and spiked margins and irregular shapes. The earliest appointment I could get is in late December. The waiting list to fill canceled appointments is 31 people long. I'm 31. Hope I don't lose my vision by then.
aug 24, 2025, 11:37 pm • 1 0 • view
Not if you are rich. All good. If you have limited financial resources, not good.
aug 21, 2025, 9:42 pm • 1 0 • view
It's not even specialists. My friend had to wait almost two weeks after an ER visit to get in to her primary.
aug 21, 2025, 4:23 pm • 1 0 • view
The dentist we’ve been going to for years is booking more than a year out.
aug 22, 2025, 12:02 pm • 1 0 • view
And the Rheumatologists in my state have 1-3 year waits. Not acceptable!
aug 21, 2025, 2:56 pm • 5 1 • view
And none of my kid’s doctors have recommended working in medicine when I bring it up, so expect those waits to increase as the medical profession gets battered from insurers, frustrated patients, and recent changes to medical school loans.
aug 22, 2025, 1:21 pm • 2 0 • view
It's so past time for Universal Healthcare!
aug 22, 2025, 3:41 pm • 2 3 • view
…and then spends the 6 months after the consultation fighting against the insurance company who denied the claim even though it’s medically necessary
aug 21, 2025, 6:50 pm • 2 0 • view
And we still have to pay high costs that benefit CEOs.
aug 21, 2025, 2:39 pm • 11 1 • view
I've been waiting for a call...A CALL, to SCHEDULE a colonoscopy since January. The clinic told me they are backlogged 6 months, which is closing in on 9 months now. The HealthNeglect (it's not healthcare anymore) industry has made insurance agents doctors now. They call the shots, not real doctors.
aug 21, 2025, 3:03 pm • 35 4 • view
It depends on your health care system. My system rarely had a wait of more than a month. Much depends on the number of providers per capita.
aug 21, 2025, 5:55 pm • 1 0 • view
I've Long maintained that Doctors in our country Don't Treat Patients.... Insurance Companies DO! 😒
aug 22, 2025, 1:11 pm • 2 0 • view
Bingo!
aug 22, 2025, 1:11 pm • 2 0 • view
No cologuard?
aug 21, 2025, 3:10 pm • 8 1 • view
I'd much rather shit in a box! lol Nah, I can't though. I had cancer many years ago and they want to make sure the pipes are all good. Although, apparently it's not that urgent going on almost 9 months wait now? 🙄
aug 21, 2025, 3:13 pm • 17 1 • view
That’s crazy. You should be a priority patient bc of prior condition. America has a crap health care system. As you say, Health Neglect.
aug 21, 2025, 11:07 pm • 0 0 • view
I have to get one every two years. In Canada. My GI often schedules it a week out. (And then I complain it’s too fast!) They also won’t let me poop in a box. Damn underlying conditions.
aug 21, 2025, 4:23 pm • 12 3 • view
aug 21, 2025, 6:23 pm • 5 1 • view
It’s not indicated for those of us who live with inflammatory bowel disease (can’t speak for other GI disorders). We get the hose camera up in rear steerage. I’ve been dealing with regular colonoscopies since 25 (middle-aged now). Super good times - 0/10, do not recommend!
aug 21, 2025, 11:07 pm • 0 0 • view
Gotta be the squeaky wheel. Find anew clinic if you can.
aug 21, 2025, 9:53 pm • 1 0 • view
#pinks
aug 21, 2025, 3:59 pm • 2 1 • view
I have Medicare and I still waited 8 months for a dermatologist and still incurred costs so yeah I’ll take the Universal Healthcare in a heartbeat.
aug 22, 2025, 9:53 am • 2 0 • view
Nine months for endocrinologist.
aug 21, 2025, 3:49 pm • 3 1 • view
Even if it were true, the underlying argument is that “it’s worth it for me to have a shorter wait time, even if that means other people can’t access healthcare at all”. Sounds bad when you say it out loud.
aug 21, 2025, 4:07 pm • 4 0 • view
I don't want to wait for healthcare. I'd rather that someone else die so that I don't have to wait. So many people brought in to this immortal argument.
aug 21, 2025, 2:50 pm • 2 0 • view
Richest country in the world can't even guarantee health care to it's citizens. Some people choose to die rather than go into debt. Should be a crime against humanity.
aug 21, 2025, 5:06 pm • 4 0 • view
Full year for an ear surgery that was time dependent. And it would not have happened without a lawyer’s help. Kaiser.
aug 21, 2025, 2:53 pm • 5 1 • view
I believe Kaiser also owns their own medical facilities. Very few other facilities take their insurance…
aug 21, 2025, 5:47 pm • 2 0 • view
As per our Union contract, we were forced to use Kaiser for the first 1 1/2 years exclusively. They’re HMO and have no incentive to spend money or resources on someone who’s forced to pay monthlies anyway. Our guitar player walked in, got out in a bag at 42. They didn’t even try to get him dialysis.
aug 22, 2025, 4:23 pm • 1 0 • view
I’m so sorry that our system failed your friend…
aug 25, 2025, 1:51 pm • 1 0 • view
I happened to wait almost a year and a half for my neuro appt in North Florida’s fantastic health care.
aug 21, 2025, 10:45 pm • 2 0 • view
AF veteran, hubs retired AF officer, as such we have Medicare and Tri-Care for Life, a retiree benefit. I want every American to have that level of care. Minor costs, no wait. Note the countries that have universal healthcare. BECAUSE IT IS CHEAPER. worldpopulationreview.com/country-rank...
aug 21, 2025, 5:02 pm • 4 0 • view
Yes! TriCare covers Medigap & Part D (prescriptions). I have the best heathcare I’ve had in my life. Of course, I had to serve a career in the Navy to get it, and Congress keeps trying go to cut it.
aug 21, 2025, 10:34 pm • 1 1 • view
Make medical school free. In Return for lower fees! Increase enrollment and residency slots.
aug 21, 2025, 5:51 pm • 4 1 • view
Unfortunately an exceptionally large number of Americans are gullible and ignorant. 🇨🇦🤷🏼♂️🇨🇦
aug 21, 2025, 3:35 pm • 9 1 • view
So true. And they vote against their interest.
aug 21, 2025, 10:20 pm • 1 0 • view
That last part is by no means unique to the USA.
aug 22, 2025, 2:47 am • 0 0 • view
money for war violence kidnapping terrorizing prejudice hate tyranny greed nothing for health education climate arts science goodness. This is not ideological. This is evil.
aug 21, 2025, 3:52 pm • 14 3 • view
aug 21, 2025, 6:24 pm • 2 0 • view
We have some NERVE critisizing Canada's healthcare system. THEY at least serve their ENTIRE POPULATION. We only serve those who can AFFORD it.
aug 21, 2025, 11:17 pm • 9 0 • view
V hard to find a pcp accepting new patients. God forbid you get a new job with a new insurance company
aug 21, 2025, 4:33 pm • 3 1 • view
I'm having to wait for a new patient appointment and my first choice isn't taking any more patients. Also, when they say wAiT tImEs WiLl iNcReAsE, they mean they think they are more deserving of seeing someone for medical care than others.
aug 21, 2025, 4:34 pm • 3 1 • view
My referral has expired twice whilst attempting to find a PT for multiple issue, all the money we pay monthly feels so worth it 😩 after living the first half of my life in England I can say free healthcare for all is amazing and really no different to the USA except the vast amounts of money it cost
aug 21, 2025, 2:54 pm • 3 0 • view
Waiting is better than no health care at all. Perhaps a triage system for limited specialists. I'd be okay with someone bumping me for a more urgent issue.
aug 21, 2025, 3:11 pm • 3 0 • view
But if waiting means never seeing anyone because it’s impossible? weirdly when we had medi-cal when my kids were little it was so much easier/faster and of course free, I will forever be grateful for that time, had a few health issues with kids that were sorted really fast
aug 22, 2025, 1:04 am • 1 0 • view
That’s changing. My kiddo on Medicaid had neurosurgery. Had seizure this spring. Got a day-of appointment: no referral b/c 1st observed seizure. Next one: recorded; went to ER. ER says see neurologist. Neuro needs referral. Met neurosurgeon; still no referral. Oct appt took ~15 hrs of advocacy/3 mos
aug 22, 2025, 1:14 pm • 0 0 • view
I got a neuro/spine referral from the ER doc.
aug 22, 2025, 1:27 pm • 0 0 • view
Appt for consultation just 3weeks after referral.
aug 22, 2025, 1:28 pm • 0 0 • view
That’s nice for you. We can’t even get an annual physical scheduled easily for her because so few doctors take Medicaid in Indiana now. She can get emergency care just fine 😥 but the assigned Medicaid doctor has changed 3-4 times which is more times than she is years old.
aug 22, 2025, 1:50 pm • 0 0 • view
Urgh that’s awful, so sorry. It’s scary as a parent when this is the case
aug 22, 2025, 2:41 pm • 1 0 • view
I feel blessed as the diagnosis was 2 years of pushing young Doctors and Physicians Assistants for help. So, waiting did happen. Six of one... 🫂👊
aug 22, 2025, 3:34 pm • 0 0 • view
I distinctly remember, several years ago it was MONTHS just to see my primary care doctor for a physical.
aug 21, 2025, 7:29 pm • 3 0 • view
My son tore his ACL, he could not see a dr for a month! With a torn ACL. Bring on universal healthcare because for profit healthcare serves no one
aug 21, 2025, 6:55 pm • 7 0 • view
Can't get in to see a primary care provider for months ...
aug 22, 2025, 12:51 am • 4 0 • view
Yet another con we have been fed all these years. “You have to wait in other countries…”. If one doesn’t have healthcare, they’re not likely to make any of these appointments.
aug 21, 2025, 4:18 pm • 6 1 • view
Takes me 8 months to get my 6 month check up at the dentist!
aug 21, 2025, 11:27 pm • 3 0 • view
American Healthcare: the perversity of making employment a fundamental function of coverage.
aug 21, 2025, 7:28 pm • 8 0 • view
I know! I don't go to doctors but I keep hearing people say they had to wait months for an appointment!
aug 22, 2025, 3:27 pm • 0 0 • view
The uk and Canadian universal healthcare systems do. What’s wrong with taking a hard look at those system and creating an American alternative. I’m talk a hard look. Let hospitals and doctors and appointment centers. Let’s use a n app maybe WE CAN DO THIS.
aug 21, 2025, 3:02 pm • 4 1 • view
I've had at least a 1 year wait for anything. I never see my primary provider outside of my annual physical because they aren't available. Continuity of care is virtually nonexistent.
aug 21, 2025, 5:02 pm • 3 0 • view
3 monrhs for an annual wellness exam.
aug 21, 2025, 10:27 pm • 1 0 • view
The gop want to keep us Unhealthy Uneducated And Deep In Debt All their "policies" prove that
aug 21, 2025, 3:56 pm • 6 3 • view
I just waited 6 months for a hip replacement
aug 22, 2025, 12:31 pm • 0 0 • view
This is 100% accurate
aug 21, 2025, 4:24 pm • 4 1 • view
I *only* had to wait 9 months to see a Dermatologist.
aug 21, 2025, 11:51 pm • 3 0 • view
Yeah, the thing is that universal healthcare doesn't really create wait times. I can get an MRI in two weeks. I have had back surgery 3x, with a two week wait time being the longest. I can get same day care from my GP. Are there longer wait times? Yes. Does the ER have long wait times? Mostly, yes.
aug 22, 2025, 1:45 am • 5 0 • view
But, out of pocket cost for anything medical is parking fees. We never have to worry that no matter how serious and long your illness lasts, you won't be bankrupted by it. I can't imagine jumping through financial hoops while suffering an emergency. Universal healthcare is a superior system. 🇨🇦
aug 22, 2025, 1:45 am • 8 0 • view
I would like to immediately flag this as a misleading view of goverment healthcare. In the UK you get your hospital travel expenses refunded if you cannot afford them. You barbarians.
aug 22, 2025, 9:11 am • 1 0 • view
And don’t forget the year of fighting with insurance company to cover treatment
aug 21, 2025, 5:31 pm • 4 0 • view
You're right, I'm waiting four months to see a endocrinologist.
aug 21, 2025, 2:28 pm • 3 1 • view
🎯🎯🎯
aug 21, 2025, 10:28 pm • 1 0 • view
Yeah, I don’t think I can get any slower. I live up in Prescott and it takes me six months to get to see somebody. I needed neck surgery really bad and the doctor asked me after three weeks of waiting to see him, how I got in so soon… Well your PA Saw my MRI and pushed me to the front!
aug 21, 2025, 3:51 pm • 5 0 • view
And even though I got pushed ahead, it was still six months before I had my surgery.
aug 21, 2025, 6:54 pm • 2 0 • view
You have been very strategically brainwashed into believing the exceptionalism of your healthcare system versus anywhere else to only find out that when is exposed and you pull the Band-Aid off, it’s a festering wound beneath the only winners of the insurance companies and the shareholders
aug 21, 2025, 2:27 pm • 252 17 • view
Hey!!! Most Americans have great healthcare. Fantastic, even…until they need to use it.
aug 21, 2025, 4:31 pm • 3 0 • view
Not just healthcare - Americans have been brainwashed about their exceptionalism in so many things. Healthcare and education are at the top of that list.
aug 21, 2025, 4:14 pm • 1 0 • view
I actually haven't, but yeah... lots of people have and it's said. We really need to improve our education. And if more Americans travelled, they'd see how awesome the rest of the world is.
aug 21, 2025, 3:55 pm • 1 0 • view
Exactly!
aug 21, 2025, 3:26 pm • 0 0 • view
Hell, our dental hygienist is booking three appointments out!!! The last visit they said let’s book your next cleaning (with the next two already booked). It was tough scrolling on the calendar to Feb. 2027. 🙄
aug 21, 2025, 11:39 pm • 0 0 • view
Truth!
aug 21, 2025, 3:29 pm • 0 0 • view
The only way health insurance companies can make a profit, is by denying coverage or claims. They take our money, deny coverage and boast about making a profit.
aug 21, 2025, 6:15 pm • 1 0 • view
Colonial/imperial mindset. We favor in-group, hierarchical structures uncritically because we've been conditioned to do so. It's roots are in everything. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX7K...
aug 22, 2025, 1:12 pm • 0 0 • view
💯
aug 21, 2025, 4:52 pm • 0 0 • view
Exactly! US healthcare is big business (for profit vs. for people). I was living as a legal resident in a country with universal healthcare. It opened my eyes to the lies we've been told. Universal healthcare is not scary and inadequate. It is 1st rate care w/no deductible, no co-pay, no ins denial.
aug 21, 2025, 3:12 pm • 203 24 • view
Same I lived in the UK for 5 years and it was absolutely eye opening at the efficiency and safety net of their healthcare system. Is it perfect, no but it isn’t here either and getting care without having to worry about the end costs or deal with insurance was a huge weight lifted.
aug 21, 2025, 4:22 pm • 113 15 • view
Our NHS UK in crisis due to deliberate underfunding by UK Government & privatisation.
aug 21, 2025, 5:32 pm • 48 3 • view
Same thing in France. We used to have one of the most efficient systems, but successive governments have been gradually destroying the system in order to submit it for the benefit of their buddies.
aug 22, 2025, 3:34 am • 3 0 • view
It's the privatisation that's killing the program. I've watched countries deliver key social services to private companies only to be screwed worse than if the gov't had managed it. The lure of maximizing profits, lack of direct oversight, & criminal money-laundering makes gov't look benign.
aug 21, 2025, 9:53 pm • 2 0 • view
Privatization of NHS is a betrayal of the UK people.
aug 21, 2025, 9:32 pm • 1 0 • view
It's been 'underfunded' for decades yet the people who work there and the systematic processes I've witnessed first hand through my 92yo mother have been fantastic. So are you just giving a 'stock' headline or have some evidence?
aug 21, 2025, 8:11 pm • 9 0 • view
It really depends on where you seek service. Urban? Great! Rural? God help you.
aug 21, 2025, 10:15 pm • 1 0 • view
Does 2 decades of lived experience count? Not decrying NHS staff who have worked hard under difficult circumstances for many years.
aug 21, 2025, 9:04 pm • 7 1 • view
Diagnosed with leukaemia in 2018. Treatment started this March - Just as Dickless Donald started cutting healthcare & research. 2 chemo drugs are >$26,000 a month WITH insurance my share PER MONTH:
aug 21, 2025, 9:51 pm • 1 0 • view
$26,000 x 20% = $5,200 per month OUT OF MY POCKET. PLUS, I have to pay a $5,000 Annual Out-of-pocket FIRST before insurance pays a dime. Do the math. I'm lucky. I have insurance. Even more lucky, my oncologist was able to get me into a study. Otherwise, I would have ended my life.
aug 21, 2025, 9:51 pm • 1 0 • view
Who in their right mind wants to lose EVERYTHING to a catastrophic illness or injury? Who wants to see their family surrender EVERYTHING to bankruptcy to cover medical costs?
aug 21, 2025, 9:51 pm • 2 0 • view
When will humans learn to share & not be so damn greedy? Let's take care of the lives we have before we start killing more with shitty laws & more psychotic, anti-social behavior?? I too, have lived in countries with socialized medicine. Yes, there's a wait. But wanna know a secret???
aug 21, 2025, 9:51 pm • 2 0 • view
Glad you're still here Pal. I hope you have a good support system. 💙✌️
aug 22, 2025, 12:19 am • 1 0 • view
I have one of the best private insurance plans, I live in metro Denver, and I STILL have to wait to see certain docs, my primary has an 8 month wait for new patients! I STILL have to go thru referrals. And I still pay $5000 every Jan before my insurance United HC pays a damn dime!
aug 21, 2025, 9:51 pm • 1 0 • view
The problem with Universal Healthcare in America, is that everyone would get it. Maga has a problem with the everyone part. They don't believe POC, immigrants should've receive anything from the government.
aug 21, 2025, 7:27 pm • 5 0 • view
The other part is they would still try to make it as lucrative for business as the current model. The US will never put the welfare of its citizens above its insatiable greed.
aug 22, 2025, 2:01 am • 0 0 • view
Abortion is why we’ll never get it.
aug 21, 2025, 11:07 pm • 1 0 • view
While it might be true that patriarchal societies hate women the most, they also don't want other marginalized groups getting healthcare.
aug 22, 2025, 2:03 am • 0 0 • view
Thanks Obama and democrats for squandering the opportunity to address this problem.
aug 21, 2025, 4:12 pm • 0 0 • view
aug 22, 2025, 2:24 am • 0 0 • view
Cathy, it's not the insurance companies. It's the health systems. Follow the money not the AMA. Health systems drive massive waste and abuse. We pay too much for health care. Just copy/ benchmark the highest performing countries and we have universal coverage at a fraction of our current costs.
aug 21, 2025, 6:14 pm • 1 0 • view
That is exactly what several GOP members of Congress said. Out loud. It was astonishing.
aug 21, 2025, 3:46 pm • 2 0 • view
Because they don’t want universal health. They are heavily invested in insurance.
aug 21, 2025, 7:40 pm • 2 0 • view
Isn't this the truth?!!!!!!
aug 21, 2025, 4:24 pm • 3 0 • view
Lucky, I had to wait a year to see a neuro. And then another six months to get a second opinion. Took two years to get properly diagnosed, and by then my large fibers were damaged and there was nothing they can do.
aug 21, 2025, 3:09 pm • 2 0 • view
Honey, it's that way NOW! Even with "good" insurance.
aug 22, 2025, 12:09 am • 3 0 • view
I can’t see my gastroenterologist for three months, even though I’m having trouble swallowing. So I’m seeing the PA instead in six weeks.
aug 21, 2025, 5:24 pm • 3 0 • view
I’ve been treated for back problems in China. Got in for a standard (actually VIP because “you’re American *seriously*) care same day. Very affordable. 🤷🏻♂️🙄
aug 21, 2025, 2:59 pm • 5 1 • view
Insurance companies (who RUN healthcare in the US) are the biggest grifters in this country. Millions of people pay exorbitant amounts of $$ every month and either never make a claim or are denied for one stupid reason or another. [1 of 2]
aug 21, 2025, 2:44 pm • 25 3 • view
Leaving MILLIONS for the insurance companies to spend on 5 story buildings with floor to ceiling windows on three sides. Our dollars not only pay for THAT, we also pay to HEAT those buildings and to have those windows washed to shiny perfection.
aug 21, 2025, 2:44 pm • 19 1 • view
aug 21, 2025, 8:31 pm • 4 0 • view
That's been our experience. We have insurance and have been seeing the same primary care doc for 15 years. My husband needed a physical - hasn't had one in 5 yrs - and her earliest appointment is in January. I have to see a neurologist once a year and I have to book five months in advance.
aug 21, 2025, 3:03 pm • 5 1 • view
And a lack of Health Care Coverage means never seeing a doctor and years cut from the average life span...
aug 21, 2025, 5:33 pm • 4 0 • view
And goes bankrupt if/when treated.
aug 21, 2025, 6:38 pm • 3 0 • view
Many end up having to abuse the emergency room, which only makes other’s costs go up. We have to jump through hoops to get insurance companies to actually pay for anything. Our healthcare system is terrible. Many just give up.
aug 21, 2025, 7:24 pm • 3 0 • view
and if you lose your insurance you can forget having an appt at all
aug 21, 2025, 4:54 pm • 2 0 • view
hmmm increased wait time ,,,, or NO CHANCE IN HELL OF SEEING A DOCTOR
aug 22, 2025, 1:16 pm • 0 0 • view
Also at least 8mos for an endocrinologist
aug 22, 2025, 12:57 am • 2 0 • view
Doesn’t have to be that way! The wealthy /oligarchs want to keep their thumps on the lower CASTS! Yes CASTS we are in an Oligarch created CASTS SYSTEM! Middle & lower are to remain in their place . Making it to expensive for education , housing and wages! Wake up and get MAD and outraged! Protest
aug 21, 2025, 6:14 pm • 6 0 • view
People with universal health care are the only ones who complain about the wait times because that's ALL they have to complain about, but fromy experience, it's a false narrative.
aug 21, 2025, 3:11 pm • 59 5 • view
Exactly
aug 21, 2025, 3:20 pm • 0 0 • view
1 1/2 years wait for carpel tunnel surgery. Not false it’s lived experience. (Quebec)
aug 21, 2025, 3:24 pm • 0 0 • view
Oh, Quebec! Still not quite over the corruption there. Sorry. But seriously, you should have tried chiropractic and acupuncture and massage during that period, and you wouldn't have needed the surgery.
aug 21, 2025, 4:41 pm • 0 0 • view
🇨🇦 wait in real lines with triaging based on need. Yes, backlogs occur, especially surgeries after COVID-19. My own CTS diagnosis and surgery were delayed too. 🇺🇲 face delays based on denying coverage and others paying their way to the front. I'll take our system over theirs any day.
aug 21, 2025, 4:28 pm • 1 0 • view
I will follow you!
aug 21, 2025, 5:02 pm • 1 0 • view
Lol that's not abnormal here in the states. Hell, employers will fight tooth and nail to not have to pay for the surgery. You normally just end up with pain pills and a quaze wrap.
aug 21, 2025, 3:38 pm • 6 0 • view
*gauze
aug 21, 2025, 3:48 pm • 2 0 • view
In Canada our only real complaint is the cost of parking for appointments lol
aug 21, 2025, 4:11 pm • 33 2 • view
OK, Envy here! But is there adequate healthcare outside of metro areas? Canada like the US has large areas of sparse population. 29 counties in Colorado have NO hospital/emergency clinic. Rural health is important if you're in an accident & all you've got are volunteers. demography.dola.colorado.gov
aug 21, 2025, 10:01 pm • 1 0 • view
There are a very few people who might have to travel a couple hours to get hospital care, but it's a rare place that wouldn't have a GP within short range. I think a couple of our Inuit communities in the far north are underserved. Each province runs it their way. Cons are trying to privatize.
aug 21, 2025, 10:06 pm • 2 0 • view
Colorado enacted a law setting aside several million to help find drs, fund computer tech (electronic records), clinic offices, training for EMTs, providing updated equipment etc. But that's one state out of 50. And even then, getting med staff to stay when they can make $$ elsewhere.
aug 21, 2025, 10:13 pm • 1 0 • view
We have similar programs where new docs are encouraged to go to remote areas to practice for a few years. It's good for everyone.
aug 21, 2025, 10:16 pm • 1 0 • view
My first fertility doc was from Toronto. He moved to ABQ, NM because he couldn't make 'enough money' in the socialized system. He was also an idiot & did more damage than good. I suspect he may have been encouraged to leave Canada. But price doesn't guarantee good healthcare. Diligence does.
aug 21, 2025, 10:13 pm • 2 0 • view
I wish I was capped at $300k a year lol. Good problems.
aug 23, 2025, 12:31 am • 1 0 • view
Yes!
aug 23, 2025, 3:57 am • 0 0 • view
In Ontario we have a conservative premier (GOP lite). They’ve closed many rural hospitals the last few years or limited occupancy.
aug 23, 2025, 12:32 am • 3 1 • view
(He was a necessary evil to ensure a liberal government federally since Canada can't bear to have mirror governments in Ontario and federally.) Since the Rae days there's little chance of the NDP taking Ontario again.
aug 23, 2025, 3:56 am • 0 0 • view
Jack Layton was about as close as they will ever get. Maybe even Ed Broadbent. Those were good guys.
aug 23, 2025, 10:27 pm • 0 0 • view
Jack Layton was Ed Broadbent's puppet. He literally said in an interview that he needed a face for his party because his own just wouldn't do. Jack was my neighbour (after losing his co-op status) and was only interested in bike lanes!
aug 24, 2025, 8:51 pm • 0 0 • view
In Quebec, at least in the Eastern Townships, the first two hours of parking are free. I hear complaints re: waits but that’s mostly small things, or trying to see a dermatologist. My experience has been: if you have an urgent concern, it is looked after urgently.
aug 21, 2025, 5:13 pm • 18 1 • view
Indeed. I get a yearly notice about my mammogram (I have dense breasts so they keep a close eye on me) and in August, I just booked for December; but if I found a lump and my doctor said I needed a mammogram, I'd get one within two weeks.
aug 21, 2025, 10:01 pm • 5 0 • view
I’ve had some cardiology-related appointments after a scare in early June - all prompt & efficient and tightly scheduled. Cardiologist, echo & stress tests (separate and together), follow up with GP … no complaints at all.
aug 21, 2025, 10:09 pm • 4 0 • view
Oh, great: now you’re all just out here bragging! Just kidding - good for you all!!
aug 21, 2025, 11:04 pm • 4 0 • view
We're largely grateful that we are never bankrupted because of medical bills. It is difficult to comprehend the Republican mentality around this issue, but Ayn Rand set it out nicely (surely as a cautionary tale).
aug 22, 2025, 1:19 am • 8 0 • view
The idea that universal healthcare creates long wait times is a myth. It's simply not true. Now, hospital emergency room wait times can be long, but that's really the only situation where we can complain. 🤷♀️🇨🇦
aug 22, 2025, 1:52 am • 4 0 • view
Out of interest, what do you consider a long wait in A+E? I’m British and we usually get triaged immediately but then we can wait 2-4 hours or so before we see a doctor.
aug 22, 2025, 7:36 am • 2 0 • view
I think 2 to 4 hours is a short waiting time, and I'm thinking that in the context of my age and experience being in the ER over ~50 years. 6 to 8 hours would be a very long wait.
aug 22, 2025, 4:55 pm • 2 0 • view
It depends also on the time of day you attend, and the moon phase, and here in Toronto, Canada the political phase, as every Conservative government that gets elected fires thousands of nurses right away, then in two years after the consequences hit hard, hire a bunch back,as if heros...
aug 22, 2025, 3:02 pm • 3 0 • view
In the US, it’s not strange to hear stories of waiting in the ER for 6-8 hrs. They obviously triage but when the volume of patients is high and many hospitals are understaffed, you can only do so much.
aug 22, 2025, 2:43 pm • 2 0 • view
Also I don’t live in the big city - I tend to find myself at smaller regional hospitals that are less likely to see high volume (two larger towns near me)
aug 22, 2025, 2:40 pm • 1 0 • view
It depends … triage is immediate. Allergic reaction: they see you quickly. I went for a possible detached retina last winter & was seen in an hour. Some complain of very long waits, many hours long. Depends too how busy that ER is …
aug 22, 2025, 2:32 pm • 4 0 • view
Sorry (in Canadian) :)
aug 22, 2025, 2:42 am • 3 0 • view
The nicest of sorries then! Much appreciated…*whispers “help us”* 🤣
aug 22, 2025, 2:57 am • 2 0 • view
Wish we *could* help somehow. But, sorry to say, you guys are pretty screwed at this time. Even if T kicks the bucket, you then have even more dangerous whackadoodle next in line. And we’re feeling too, with the whack job economics.
aug 22, 2025, 2:36 pm • 2 0 • view
No more Bick's pickles for a while!
aug 22, 2025, 3:03 pm • 2 0 • view
The sentiment is appreciated, nonetheless.
aug 22, 2025, 2:45 pm • 1 0 • view
I just had a derm appointment I made 10 months prior. In the interim I tried to make an apt with my primary about my concern, but the first available was going to be after the long-awaited derm apt so I waited. Yesterday I made one for a due mammogram and they are scheduling 4 months from now
aug 22, 2025, 7:25 am • 1 0 • view
Same with dentist. My fix things visit is beyond the every 6 month cleaning visit. Hope they don’t send me away because I need a cleaning again first.
aug 21, 2025, 2:56 pm • 2 0 • view
If a subscriber dies while waiting for approval to care, does United Healthcareless also get their soul?
aug 21, 2025, 5:34 pm • 3 1 • view
Ontario, Canada here. Longest wait in my life was 2 months for E.N.T. as only two in my city. Other than that most procedures done same day or less than a week depending on urgency or need. No bill. No BS. Almost everything covered except cosmetic or voluntary.
aug 21, 2025, 6:41 pm • 3 0 • view
It depends where you live and who you see. Wait times are either a system failure or not enough healthcare practitioners. Considering the cost to become a doctor, physicians, assistant, or nurse practitioner, I would suspect there are fewer specialists to see. Maybe AI for routine exams?
aug 21, 2025, 6:08 pm • 2 0 • view
Broke my upper arm four years ago. Took me so long to see a surgeon to put in a metal bar that they had to re-break my arm during the process because it had already began healing incorrectly.
aug 21, 2025, 4:06 pm • 5 1 • view
If it’s something simple like a blood pressure pill or reflux meds, no problem. But step even slightly outside the routine and they’re lost. My friend with Kaiser (already a cancer survivor) found a lump, and they told her to wait a whole YEAR for a biopsy!
aug 21, 2025, 5:12 pm • 6 1 • view
Are you referring to the insurance company? I had them and despise their greedy inhumanity. Their rates were very high and, then, after many years they just cancelled me with no notice. We can thank the Republican Congress for always writing laws that favor corporations and the wealthy.
aug 21, 2025, 4:57 pm • 5 0 • view
On average, students graduate from medical school with @ $264,000 in student loan debt. Then do internships and residencies, working in private, public or university hospitals: earning @ $36,884 to $65,000, with 5th-year residents making @ $78,000. ACGME suggests an 80 hr work week max.
aug 21, 2025, 4:04 pm • 3 1 • view
I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist. I've worked on over 14k people in my career. I've had dozens of clients who couldn't have cranial work because they have thin spots or straight-up holes in their skulls because they had brain surgery, and an INSURANCE COMPANY decided their brain didn't need skull.
aug 21, 2025, 7:27 pm • 1 0 • view
These clients all had 2 things in common. 1) They were all Americans. 2) They were all women. I have never had a male client tell me he can't have cranial work because of a thin spot or hole in his skull. Imagine the stress of not having proper protection for your brain for the rest of your life.
aug 21, 2025, 7:36 pm • 4 0 • view
There are two kinds of doctors in America: 1) People who hate everything about out healthcare system, hate dealing with insurance companies, and daily wish we had single payer healthcare 2) People who disappear into the netherworld when you say their names backwards.
aug 21, 2025, 8:17 pm • 1 0 • view
Depicted: an American physician who has ever uttered the phrase "Insurance companies are a necessary and beneficial component of our healthcare system" without a hint of sarcasm. (Shown here in its natural form.)
aug 21, 2025, 8:23 pm • 1 0 • view
My Doctor with standard insurance today is booked 2 months out My dentist 3 months So their argument is idiotic We’re not incentivizing smaller private practice general practice doctors - so those waits will get worse
aug 21, 2025, 2:37 pm • 8 2 • view
The insurance I have its minimum 6 months out for any doctor and I work for a large medical provider. There is also a huge push to move doctors out of the US with the collapse of the health system/CDC/NIH, etc. In a few years, its very likely anyone who stays in the US wont be able to get care.
aug 21, 2025, 2:51 pm • 6 0 • view
I’m now doing some appointments and paying cash when I’m in other countries for work - none with ridiculous costs Did a full blood panel in an eastern European country for about 30 bucks - the doctor consult was another 30 Lab booked same day - results 3 days later
aug 21, 2025, 2:59 pm • 6 3 • view
Thats what I do. Philippines & Mexico have excellent dental care. Across Europe, and parts of Asia has excellent medical care even without insurance. Ive told some people in the US they can fly to Europe, get care and fly back home for cheaper than the US with medical insurance.
aug 21, 2025, 7:07 pm • 3 1 • view
aug 21, 2025, 4:49 pm • 6 1 • view
Don't know where you live, but I've never experienced those kinds of waits! And I'm 75😉
aug 21, 2025, 4:30 pm • 3 1 • view
That’s because Medicare is the closest thing to single payer that the US has. And the monied interests want to kill that too. I live near medical centers and still have waits. Gotta keep those MD incomes up by limiting the number of physicians.
aug 21, 2025, 10:47 pm • 1 0 • view
Going on 3 weeks to get results on an MRI.
aug 21, 2025, 3:52 pm • 4 1 • view
I've been trying for 3 weeks just to talk to the 'surgery counselor' about vet necessary cataract surgery. 😑
aug 21, 2025, 8:53 pm • 2 0 • view
Years ago, I was a reporter covering a town hall & people were venting about the ACA & one guy who said he had Medicare opposed it because that meant more people would get health care and he might have to wait in line. I thought how selfish can people get. I was just witnessing the future.
aug 21, 2025, 2:44 pm • 27 4 • view
Private equity is buying all healthcare facilities. What happens when they fire half the nurses to save money? Oh yeah it’s already happening
aug 21, 2025, 8:21 pm • 3 0 • view
I agree. The wait time argument is assinine.
aug 22, 2025, 12:57 am • 4 0 • view
Still trying to find a primary care doctor that takes my insurance, it's been years
aug 21, 2025, 2:58 pm • 4 0 • view
You are correct. However, if it is urgent and you can not wait, you can step out of the queue and pay for it from your own funds........ nice to have the choice. We have private Health Insurance for these sorts of occasions, which is affordable compared to US premiums.
aug 22, 2025, 3:16 am • 0 0 • view
Unless of course if you have the money. Which is really what these people want. The little people can go wait on a line while the proper people get their care immediately. Why should they wait on a line? The self-entitled arrogance is mind blowing.
aug 21, 2025, 3:31 pm • 9 1 • view
Also America: We're going to make it so expensive that you'll never have insurance and/or seek out care if you do.
aug 21, 2025, 4:39 pm • 2 1 • view
I've lived in 4 other countries (& US) & never had to wait for appointments or care. I did have a 3 month-wait for an elective surgery in Australia. 4 days in hospital, nothing out-of-pocket. Similar surgery in US: also 3 month wait. < 24 hrs in hospital. $22K cost; my share $4K. US HC is crap.
aug 21, 2025, 4:21 pm • 19 3 • view
I was 22 and dying from colon cancer, found a doctor to remove it but Blue Cross wouldn’t pay for it because I was “too young” for colon cancer, lmfao.. 🤯 I completely agree, our healthcare sucks in the US.
aug 21, 2025, 4:24 pm • 18 5 • view
I'm very sorry about your cancer. I hope you find some treatment or a charitable donor who will help. 🫂
aug 21, 2025, 4:27 pm • 9 1 • view
Hi!! I absolutely love your name btw. 🫶 I should have clarified; it was 1996, blue cross ended up paying but only after my amazing doctor fought them for about 4 months.. I’m totally cancer free as long as i keep riding my body of the polyps. Thanks for the love! Cheers! 🥰
aug 21, 2025, 4:49 pm • 11 0 • view
Oh, GOOD, I'm so glad. Yes, in another life I was a priestess of Avalon. *sigh*
aug 21, 2025, 5:14 pm • 5 0 • view
My Absolute Favorite book is Mists of Avalon. Seeing your name brought a ton of lovely memories back. 🙌 Cheers My Priestess. 🫶
aug 21, 2025, 9:45 pm • 3 0 • view
A childhood friend died of pancreatic cancer at 35 b/c he didn't have health insurance & no hospital or cancer center would treat him. The ER gave him pain meds & sent him home to die.
aug 21, 2025, 4:26 pm • 0 0 • view
omg 😳 that is horrific. 🤦♀️ I am so sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine being those nurses and doctors who sent them away with little to no help. absolutely heartbreaking.
aug 23, 2025, 5:40 pm • 1 0 • view
Also America: your insurance company decided that you don’t need the operation and medication to save your life, and it doesn’t matter what your doctor says.
aug 21, 2025, 4:37 pm • 2 1 • view
10 month wait to see a psychologist for a special needs child who self-harms. Make it make sense.
aug 21, 2025, 3:18 pm • 15 1 • view
And reimbursements for mental health are very poor. Not a priority for our health system.
aug 21, 2025, 10:11 pm • 2 0 • view
When the VA enacted Choice - allowing veterans to get care in the private sector at 115% of the cost to tax payers - wait times INCREASED. Health outcomes got worse, too.
aug 21, 2025, 4:17 pm • 495 114 • view
Privatization ALWAYS increases costs and decreases results for consumers. #PrivatizationScam
aug 21, 2025, 7:16 pm • 5 0 • view
We need MORE doctors in this country. If we ever want Universal Healthcare, we will have to think about at least subsidising medical school
aug 21, 2025, 5:15 pm • 13 1 • view
It is very expensive to become a doctor.
aug 21, 2025, 5:42 pm • 4 0 • view
The number of slots to medical school is severely limited on purpose: They want to keep their incomes high. That puts big bucks in everyone's pockets all the way down the line: From the medical teachers to the college administrators. Unfortunately it makes medical care very expensive too.
aug 21, 2025, 7:17 pm • 5 1 • view
We need to stop criminalizing medical care.
aug 21, 2025, 5:24 pm • 1 0 • view
Yup. Hated it.
aug 21, 2025, 11:56 pm • 0 0 • view
And Community Care Providers didn't get paid and so they stopped taking patients so veterans were left without care.
aug 22, 2025, 12:10 am • 1 0 • view
Perhaps we would have better wait times if that DoD asshole didn’t fire my doctor and his team.
aug 22, 2025, 3:49 am • 3 0 • view
Well you create a system meant to extract the most value instead of the best treatment… what happens? When the system puts profits above the customers what happens? I’m not blaming the doctors, I’m blaming management.
aug 21, 2025, 4:23 pm • 128 4 • view
I’m Blaming for profit insurance companies.
aug 21, 2025, 4:38 pm • 138 7 • view
Hospital executives at for profit hospitals have had joined the business model of execs getting unsustainable reimbursement compared to the workers.
aug 21, 2025, 6:39 pm • 2 0 • view
Bingo
aug 22, 2025, 1:40 pm • 0 0 • view
The insurance companies are helping to drive away the doctors
aug 21, 2025, 5:23 pm • 59 3 • view
Unfortunately the business side of our medical structure is super complicated and the doctors are bottom-tier and actually get paid poorly considering our loans and educational requirements. A lot of docs hate the idea of gov't involvement, but there's gotta be some checks & balances somewhere.
aug 21, 2025, 8:49 pm • 22 0 • view
How much time do you spend doing prior authorizations and generally dealing with insurance companies?
aug 21, 2025, 9:02 pm • 13 0 • view
Do people NOT understand how Canada gets such cheap meds? The Gov't forces them to negotiate. IKYK.
aug 21, 2025, 9:57 pm • 2 0 • view
I can NOT imagine what it is like over there now. I haven't had to deal with US insurance since 2017.
aug 21, 2025, 9:54 pm • 2 0 • view
Zero—I live abroad
aug 22, 2025, 1:45 am • 1 0 • view
None yet, but I really fear for my future with prior auths 😭 The thought of a peer-to-peer with someone in a completely different specialty keeps me up at night. Idk a solution, I just have heard way too many docs (typically older) hate on the idea of the gov't negotiating w/ insurances
aug 21, 2025, 9:41 pm • 6 0 • view
As a retired doc, I can tell you the government rate was low but at least they paid, private insurers fought every charge, demanded prior auth for generic birth control and sometimes demanded $ back from surgery done 2yrs ago because they changed their mind, all for single payer here 🤠
aug 27, 2025, 10:49 am • 2 0 • view
I have never ever ever heard of a doctor complaining that the govt was pushing back on the insurance companies. I have quite a lot of experience with insurance. 🤷♀️
aug 21, 2025, 10:19 pm • 0 0 • view
I guess it's been them bitching about the government trying to control healthcare and mistrust of their actions. Mostly in the context of ACA "making everything unaffordable" (per a doc I talked with a few mins ago). Another one said "do you really trust the govt to manage healthcare"
aug 21, 2025, 10:28 pm • 0 0 • view
Medicare (govt plan) has been managed for decades and had high customer satisfaction rates and high efficiency. Yes, I would trust a reasonable govt (not Trump) to manage a health insurance plan. They already did it
aug 22, 2025, 12:05 am • 0 0 • view
Well, contrary to your anecdotal example, people LOVE getting cheaper meds.
aug 21, 2025, 9:54 pm • 8 0 • view
Yes! Sign me up for cheaper meds!!!
aug 21, 2025, 9:56 pm • 1 0 • view
AMEN!
aug 21, 2025, 9:57 pm • 1 0 • view
I would love cheaper meds and some Canadian influence! I'm definitely NOT on the same page as those old private-insurance loving docs 😂
aug 21, 2025, 10:00 pm • 6 0 • view
I had to deal with insurance, in various roles, for most of my work career and I even worked for an agent for awhile. I HATE the insurance industry with the power of 1000 blazing suns.
aug 21, 2025, 10:04 pm • 18 0 • view
Dissolve private insurance companies and let taxes fund the care.
aug 22, 2025, 6:09 am • 2 0 • view
As a licensed counselor who deals with Medicaid and Medicare consistently. We typically don’t have difficulty getting patients what they need from insurance. They are our best paying insurance, too! You have more hoops to jump through with documentation up front, and annually, but I’ll take that.
aug 22, 2025, 2:27 am • 2 0 • view
People fail to understand that insurance is a business and remains in business based on making a profit. Maybe costs would go down if we didn’t file so many lawsuits and there was a cap on monetary awards. We all pay with higher insurance premiums and doctors leave because of the cost of insurance
aug 22, 2025, 2:32 am • 1 0 • view
Health insurance used to be non-profit. It’s should have remained non-profit.
aug 22, 2025, 2:42 am • 1 0 • view
I must not be old enough to remember that. Some hospitals are non profit. I remember when if you were picked up by an ambulance and they took you to the closest hospital, if you didn’t have insurance they sent you to the county hospital and some died in route.
aug 22, 2025, 2:56 am • 0 0 • view
Are they bottom tier or is it because they were educated in another country? During Covid most of the doctors in charge of the emergency section were at least 90% foreign born. Maybe US educated doctors feel they are better or just want more money and prestige.
aug 22, 2025, 2:20 am • 0 0 • view
"bottom-tier" as in the insurance companies don't care about docs... I'm not saying anything about individual docs or regions/quality of education. I'm only saying insurance companies just don't respect any doctors and see them as a business expense
aug 22, 2025, 2:24 am • 1 0 • view
Got it. Some of their denials are ridiculous. But in essence they are actuaries. What’s the success rate of certain drugs or surgeries? How old is the person and other mitigating factors. Then there’s the overwhelming amount of fraud and the lack of oversight and some are Senators
aug 22, 2025, 2:49 am • 1 0 • view
I used to develop insurance "products." Then came the ACA. It was a compromise with an industry lobby. When I read it, I couldn't help but think it was designed to fail. Medicare for all is the most accessible solution for now.
aug 21, 2025, 10:03 pm • 3 0 • view
Why are we profiting on people’s health
aug 21, 2025, 9:18 pm • 1 0 • view
Agree w n3rv. People want OUR money to continue to go private? Have insurance companies dictate our healthcare? There will be private options available if you believe this hypothetical situation w occur. We're not going back. Ppl can complain about it all they want. Better have a solution also
aug 21, 2025, 4:33 pm • 1 0 • view
And it is hypothetical. We've never tried healthcare for all, once. No one knows yet Learning from other's mistakes and creativity is possible. Create a system that avoids the pitfalls.
aug 21, 2025, 4:38 pm • 1 0 • view
I mean we kinda know. All the other CIVILIZED countries have it and it works just fine.
aug 21, 2025, 5:12 pm • 2 1 • view
I think some blame goes to management of for profit care, but even more goes to insurance companies who collect as much as they can, and pay out as little as possible.
aug 21, 2025, 5:45 pm • 4 0 • view
It's ALL for profit healthcare. That's what the goddamn individual mandate was so fucking important! The bigger the pool the more afford the insurance.
aug 21, 2025, 9:53 pm • 1 0 • view
There should be no such thing as for profit healthcare. It's FKD up.
aug 21, 2025, 9:50 pm • 4 0 • view
Same ….
aug 21, 2025, 9:18 pm • 0 0 • view
As a veteran my care has been pushed out to regional specialist who collect lab work but operate as if i am a machine with individual parts that do not affect one another. Hence each specialist can take a payment & tell me it's the other specialists area of work, not there's; with no primary care
aug 21, 2025, 5:09 pm • 0 0 • view
The government bad private sector Reagan mantra has devastated this country. Even their anecdotes don't hold up. My local DMV is more efficient and friendly than 90% of the businesses I deal with regularly. Some things shouldn't fall under the for-profit model and health care is one of them.
aug 22, 2025, 1:58 pm • 0 0 • view
Also, 1151 claims can’t be made when a private provider screws up.
aug 21, 2025, 4:28 pm • 0 0 • view
aug 22, 2025, 2:42 pm • 0 0 • view
While I support universal healthcare I don’t have much faith given the example of the VA . I thought it had gotten better since they no longer had to wait for approval before being treated by the VA. Many died while waiting
aug 22, 2025, 2:10 am • 0 0 • view
😢
aug 22, 2025, 6:54 am • 0 0 • view
The choices became slim & expensive! This isn’t universal healthcare
aug 22, 2025, 8:57 am • 1 0 • view
We have focused so much attention on access that we have forgotten about the quality of treatment. In the process, access has also fallen off. Health systems are forcing doctors to essentially become piece workers instead of medical practitioners. Mine retired instead of doing more paperwork.
aug 21, 2025, 4:29 pm • 4 1 • view
I think we need to stop calling the States “United” or “America”. We have successfully isolated ourselves from all other American countries and we have successfully divided ourselves so we cannot even unite on the stupidest things let alone important ones.
aug 21, 2025, 2:39 pm • 15 2 • view
What other ‘American’ countries? Do you mean other wealthy democratic countries?
aug 21, 2025, 10:19 pm • 1 0 • view
In Canada, we usually call your country "The States", seldom 'America" (well, perhaps new Canadians do) All the lands to the left of the Atlantic ocean are part of the Americas, South, Central, and North.
aug 21, 2025, 10:32 pm • 2 0 • view
Three months to see an oral surgeon.
aug 22, 2025, 1:41 pm • 0 0 • view
Fifteen months unable to eat solid food because you have the misfortune to need a root canal on one side and wisdom tooth extraction on the other
aug 22, 2025, 7:55 pm • 0 0 • view
I can get an appointment with a dermatologist in 2 weeks. Meanwhile in UK, doctors are leaving due to low pay
aug 22, 2025, 3:42 pm • 0 0 • view
Neuropsych eval had to be scheduled about 14 months in advance for my kid.
aug 21, 2025, 6:09 pm • 4 0 • view
If you haven’t already Jess Piper, please read Prof Timothy Snyder’s “Our Malady - Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary”, a wonderful read.
aug 21, 2025, 10:08 pm • 2 0 • view
I’m still waiting for my PT appointment after 3 months from seeing my Dr who ordered it.
aug 21, 2025, 3:04 pm • 2 0 • view
Unless you're wealthy.
aug 21, 2025, 7:15 pm • 2 0 • view
WHAT? Think there're no wait times now? With my very expensive commercial health ins., specialist wait times is MONTHS. My primary care, a few days, if lucky. Cost on top of premiums, when focus is profits over health, is through the roof. All ppl fear the med cost more than getting sick😱
aug 21, 2025, 5:10 pm • 3 0 • view
We don't have universal health care here & look at the wait times currently. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physici...
aug 21, 2025, 3:45 pm • 4 0 • view
Ah, the great right wing American myth. Only other systems have wait times. Not ours. 🙄
aug 21, 2025, 6:12 pm • 10 0 • view
Try getting a specialist appointment it’s a joke
aug 21, 2025, 9:44 pm • 0 0 • view
Lies travel faster than the truth.
aug 21, 2025, 6:36 pm • 5 0 • view
Especially when you have a media that isn't journalistic at all, but a propaganda arm of the rich oligarchs.
aug 21, 2025, 6:37 pm • 4 0 • view
A lot of people who complain about waiting for medical care should check their zip code.
aug 21, 2025, 3:52 pm • 5 1 • view
I will take a national 100% comprehensive heathcare system any day !
aug 21, 2025, 7:09 pm • 6 0 • view
And half the people either don’t have healthcare or can’t afford the co-pays for the healthcare they have.
aug 22, 2025, 11:13 am • 0 0 • view
No insurance means you just die if you can't pay.
aug 22, 2025, 12:40 am • 4 0 • view
Another person argued to me that in universal health care your medical decisions are. made by a committee. I replied with insurance they are too. And they have a profit motive
aug 21, 2025, 4:09 pm • 3 1 • view
Very true
aug 22, 2025, 12:45 am • 0 0 • view
I just waited 4 months for an iron infusion.
aug 22, 2025, 1:40 am • 1 0 • view
Took me 4 days to see a Derm. 3 to see cardio. Never had to wait more than 2 weeks for anything
aug 21, 2025, 11:43 pm • 2 0 • view
Not saying our system doesn’t suck Im just maybe lucky .
aug 22, 2025, 12:40 am • 0 0 • view
Damn, Peege...lucky! The cardio wouldn't even see me because of an insurance issue.
aug 23, 2025, 1:26 am • 0 0 • view
I mean I have a 4,500 deductible but my PCP gets me whatever test and in anywhere I want. Sorry you have a hard time. This is what’s wrong with the system. There needs to be a baseline experience that’s good enough to keep people healthy if we aren’t going to get full universal healthcare
aug 26, 2025, 3:34 pm • 1 0 • view
Just scheduled a CT scan and I’m going Friday
aug 27, 2025, 1:49 pm • 1 0 • view
Good luck! Hope it goes smoothly.
aug 27, 2025, 2:10 pm • 1 0 • view
And after that 15 minute appt w the dermatologist, you have to schedule another appt to actually have the necessary procedures done. Waiting another 6 months.
aug 21, 2025, 11:39 pm • 2 0 • view
Also America: Wait 8 months for a primary care doctor because you're a new patient. Then 2 days before the appointment, they cancel. Lather, rinse, repeat for 3 years and you get me, 4 untreated comorbidities because America.
aug 21, 2025, 4:11 pm • 9 2 • view
I did wait a year to get into the dermatologist. Follow up visits are a minimum of 3 months unless there is a cancelation.
aug 21, 2025, 2:53 pm • 2 0 • view
Truth!
aug 21, 2025, 3:13 pm • 3 1 • view
Dammit!! I had to take my wife for a CT scan the other day and I had to pay $15.75 to park for the whole day!!
aug 21, 2025, 11:35 pm • 3 0 • view
I’m in San Diego, a city in the USA. I had a colonoscopy on Feb 6. My follow up consultation with my primary care DO is September 16!
aug 21, 2025, 4:12 pm • 5 1 • view
Wait times for certain special medical practitioners will always occur due to their low numbers. At least with UHC, at the end of the wait you don't have to sell one of your kidneys to pay for the appointment. I know this since we have UHC and I've been there.
aug 21, 2025, 11:55 pm • 3 0 • view
Exactly! I waited 6 mos to see a liver specialist. They have rescheduled me 3 times & now it’s set for mid Dec!! Trying to get my doctor to send me somewhere else.
aug 21, 2025, 6:45 pm • 1 0 • view
Even if you site extreme cases, at least they have Healthcare. There are millions here that have no health care whatsoever.
aug 21, 2025, 10:04 pm • 4 0 • view
So true…
aug 21, 2025, 3:34 pm • 2 0 • view
This an issue related to gatekeeping the profession as well.
aug 21, 2025, 2:33 pm • 8 1 • view
I hate that insurance companies get to decide what treatment a person needs. Not their doctors. It’s just not right.
aug 21, 2025, 11:03 pm • 4 0 • view
So many stories of our friends to the north and overseas who just go to the doctor when they need to. Get the tests they need to properly diagnose. Then they get the treatment they require. And it all usually costs them nothing, or a small copay like $5. I want that. We can have it. We should!
aug 21, 2025, 11:02 pm • 5 0 • view
It took me 3 months for a primary care physician. One place with over a dozen doctors and who advertises on TV had an 11 month wait. These were not specialists.
aug 21, 2025, 4:31 pm • 2 1 • view
I make too much money for Medicaid so my bills from drs are on hold. I wonder if they’ll take me to court to get paid. I can’t afford an attorney but I bet the courts will assign me one if I get sued.
aug 21, 2025, 5:48 pm • 3 0 • view
Don't confuse 'em with facts!!!🙄
aug 21, 2025, 6:47 pm • 1 0 • view
I've been seeing the same dentist for >15 y. At my last cleaning I scheduled my next appointment it was over a year out. Been waiting over a week for prescription fill from Walgreens. Rural health care sucks.
aug 21, 2025, 3:33 pm • 1 0 • view
And even longer for a so-called "cosmetic procedure" like removing a potentiality cancerous mole...I'm currently on month 13...
aug 21, 2025, 11:33 pm • 2 0 • view
And then have your claims denied so that you have to appeal and appeal and appeal.
aug 21, 2025, 9:29 pm • 8 0 • view
So over this ridiculous trope based in little to no fact.
aug 21, 2025, 10:32 pm • 5 0 • view
We are willing to pay more for less all day everyday…I will never understand.
aug 21, 2025, 8:37 pm • 3 0 • view
Or 3 months for a consult after being a previous cancer pt. Culling the herd.
aug 21, 2025, 4:15 pm • 2 1 • view
I’m waiting now.
aug 22, 2025, 7:32 pm • 0 0 • view
aug 22, 2025, 12:27 am • 12 3 • view
The appointments for those who can't afford to pay for insurance are on the Twelfth of Never.
aug 22, 2025, 12:30 pm • 0 0 • view
And 6 months to get in to see a psychiatrist because we have mental health deserts. I had to wait 3 months after my consultation with the orthopedic surgeon to have my hip surgery.
aug 21, 2025, 5:17 pm • 3 0 • view
Luigi!
aug 21, 2025, 3:15 pm • 6 1 • view
Taking my grandson 9 months to get ear tubes. For multiple ear infections & burst ear drums. I have a friend needs an endocrinologist consult. 2 year wait 😡
aug 21, 2025, 5:08 pm • 6 0 • view
Serious shortage for endocrine providers. It is scary.
aug 21, 2025, 5:38 pm • 5 0 • view
Ear infections must first clear before insertion of ear cubes.
aug 22, 2025, 1:20 pm • 0 0 • view
I am in the same boat w endocrinologists. I actually gave up trying to find one who is still taking new patients. Now my gp just does the best he can to treat me, even though I really need a specialist.
aug 22, 2025, 1:11 pm • 1 0 • view
I’m so sorry. We live in a rural area. Small hospitals having a difficult time keeping specialists. One stopped all obstetricians. No babies delivered. It’s only going to get worse. When I had my knee replacement. My surgeon came from out of state
aug 22, 2025, 3:14 pm • 1 0 • view
You're very kind. The thing is... I live in the city, & so many people in cities are encountering this problem. So then I stop & think that if it's this hard to find the medical resources we need in the city... it must be so much worse for all of y'all in rural communities. I am so sorry for this.🥺
aug 22, 2025, 5:55 pm • 0 0 • view
Amazing amount of expensive bullshit too. Saw doc in June. He knows what to do. Teleconferencing with 2 NPs, then can’t schedule procedure b/c more than 30 days. So teleconference with MD…for a very effective procedure I’ve had 2 or 3 times a year since 2002.
aug 22, 2025, 4:05 am • 0 0 • view
A new med was dispensed for 90 days. It requires a loading dose. I started it and then realized they shorted me 20 pills. Took all afternoon to get to a pharmacist who understood the problem. Said he would send it right out. This morning I got a message that they won’t fill it until Sep 30.😡😡😡
aug 22, 2025, 4:08 am • 0 0 • view
This Canadian had knee replacement surgery and waited only 6 months. It was well worth the wait. My husband had colon resection surgery and waited one month. Again, it was worth the wait because we paid $0.00 in medical bills. Universal heath is a blessing.
aug 21, 2025, 3:11 pm • 85 8 • view
I needed a non-emergency surgery and the surgeon just booked me the next week because I was easy. In Canada. Because our providers can make decisions. No insurance people getting in the way. (Didn’t even have to pay for parking as was dropped off and picked up.)
aug 21, 2025, 4:21 pm • 60 5 • view
Patient/provider decision making is the key. Treatment decisions should be made by them alone, not by insurance adjusters & certainly not be legislators!
aug 21, 2025, 6:01 pm • 35 1 • view
But legislators and pundits here kept harping on Death Panels. GUMMINT RUIN EVERYTHING never insurance oh no the Market never fails, it can only be failed.
aug 22, 2025, 12:54 am • 4 1 • view
This just convinced me to move to canada tbh
aug 22, 2025, 5:50 am • 1 0 • view
If you do, you won't regret it.
aug 22, 2025, 2:10 pm • 0 0 • view
I've read a lot of things about how the locals/natives (I mean that very respectfully) tend to have an issue with people who immigrate... they're using resources, land, etc. So ive been hesitant, I guess.
aug 22, 2025, 2:14 pm • 0 0 • view
Not true. Canada welcomes immigrants. Our diversity is what makes who we are...a very strong country. When Trudeau was PM, he once went to the airport in Toronto to personally welcome Syrian refugees. So we don't have issues with immigrants.
aug 22, 2025, 2:31 pm • 0 0 • view
I didn't mean to offend, I was just sharing what I've read is all. Obviously what I've read has been incorrect, I truly meant no harm by it. Ive just been doing research into it. I dont doubt your strength as a country, you seem to invest in your people so everyone has what they need.
aug 22, 2025, 3:52 pm • 0 0 • view
I'm not offended at all. I believe many Americans have a false impression of their neighbour to the north. I feel it's a deliberate attempt by your government to make emigrating to Canada an unpalatable option. Many US tourists who've been visiting find Canada & Canadians to be welcoming & friendly.
aug 22, 2025, 6:52 pm • 0 0 • view
This U.S. citizen that live in Canada is very happy to have the Canadian health care. I have broken a thumb and had pericarditis. Let me tell you, the pericarditis looks like a heart attack, and they took a lot of tests. Out-of-pocket expense: $0.00.
aug 21, 2025, 7:48 pm • 1 0 • view
Exactly.👍
aug 21, 2025, 8:37 pm • 1 0 • view
and dies before they can be seen
aug 21, 2025, 8:16 pm • 1 0 • view
I have a 16 day wait for a pt appt, after waiting 3days for myAdvantage plan approval. The HC worker shortage is real….
aug 21, 2025, 3:17 pm • 2 0 • view
And that’s even with insurance! I would also like to point out… if I’m paying for insurance they shouldn’t be allowed to deny any type of care! Which they do. 😒
aug 21, 2025, 4:14 pm • 2 1 • view
Three weeks just to see my primary care physician. First question when making the appointment is always do you have insurance? They take the health and the care out of healthcare.
aug 22, 2025, 12:51 am • 1 0 • view
Also impacting wait times? Immigration barriers that slow the flow of the global medical providers who used to swarm our shores with excellence, now going elsewhere
aug 21, 2025, 6:37 pm • 3 0 • view
73 nation's have universal health care. The United States is the only ass clown that can't figure out how to make it work.
aug 21, 2025, 10:11 pm • 8 0 • view
Yeah you wait 6 months for your consult and your insurance will then deny payment. Why are we paying for insurance that can deny payment at will? It’s not a healthcare system it’s a scam.
aug 21, 2025, 7:16 pm • 3 0 • view
Right I’m here in the US my husband, a disabled Purple Heart veteran, has been told he will have to wait 3-4 months for a needed heart procedure.
aug 21, 2025, 11:31 pm • 1 0 • view
I wish more people would post about this every time they try to get appointments. There is a saying “the US has the best healthcare in the world unless you need to use it”. People who haven’t tried to get in with a specialist are the ones who believe it is easy.
aug 21, 2025, 3:07 pm • 11 2 • view
Back in April I went to make an appointment to see my gastroenterologist( I'm an established patient for 15 years.) and the first available appointment was the end of October!
aug 21, 2025, 4:42 pm • 4 1 • view
I waited nine months to see an ophthalmologist. Just a regular eye exam.
aug 21, 2025, 4:01 pm • 3 0 • view
Three months to see a PCP for a routine physical because there's only one local clinic that takes my insurance
aug 22, 2025, 1:12 am • 2 0 • view
Also America: skip the root canal and the crown because the insurance only covers one part (hard to say which) and you're stuck with a bill for over 2,000.00. You can, of course, accept the eagerly offered services of a very special credit card...
aug 21, 2025, 3:30 pm • 3 1 • view
Yep I waited over a year for a specialized eye doctor.
aug 21, 2025, 3:10 pm • 3 1 • view
My MIL was having an issue not being able to get a new oncology appointment for 9 months when she had another health issue make her miss the appointment, Universal healthcare came up, she doesn’t want it because of… waiting too long for appointments
aug 21, 2025, 3:01 pm • 3 0 • view
💯
aug 21, 2025, 6:27 pm • 3 0 • view
And you think the wait times are different when you pay with individual insurance? Of course they aren't. Basically by making that statement you show your fear of everyone having the same Healthcare options as you do. Very unchristian, immoral, and classest of you.
aug 21, 2025, 4:13 pm • 2 1 • view
And that’s with good healthcare insurance coverage.
aug 21, 2025, 5:31 pm • 7 0 • view
Dermatologists here in the South are a minimum of 6 mos for the average Dr and an excess of a a year and half for the good ones. The South, where the sun is the biggest enemy of skin.
aug 21, 2025, 5:37 pm • 4 0 • view
It's no better here to see a specialist. Need a certain kind of specialist? There are shortages for some. Then fight with your insurance that says you don't really need a specialist, even though you played their game and got a referral from your PCP.
aug 21, 2025, 4:20 pm • 3 1 • view
Also - no one gets bankrupted by universal healthcare and people don’t die due to not being able to afford treatment .
aug 21, 2025, 3:01 pm • 3 0 • view
That’s an exaggeration. It took me two weeks to see a dermatologist and less than a week to see a neurosurgeon.
aug 21, 2025, 4:32 pm • 2 1 • view
Depends where you live.
aug 21, 2025, 4:37 pm • 4 1 • view
Facts!!
aug 21, 2025, 11:19 pm • 2 0 • view
Second comment The U.S. has UHC. It’s called Medicare. It’s more efficient than commercial insurance. Now lower age to zero and dump all the add ons.
aug 21, 2025, 4:35 pm • 4 2 • view
For profit healthcare has every scare tactic to attack UHC. Someone died in Canada! Never happens in US apparently. Wait times are long! See your example. I’ve had same experiences. UHC isn’t affordable! Who do you think is paying for the world’s highest cost HC in the world? Unicorns?
aug 21, 2025, 4:33 pm • 2 1 • view
A year for a colonoscopy in my case. Four months for an "urgent" heart procedure for my mother in 2022.
aug 22, 2025, 2:26 am • 0 0 • view
‘MAHA’hahahaha!😒🙄😒🤪🤡👻💩💀
aug 21, 2025, 4:28 pm • 4 1 • view
such a load of BS..wait times now are insane.. and it takes months to get into simple cardiac check!! reality.. i walked in in FRANCE..no delays.. treated and walked out and NO CHARGE to me... boom.
aug 21, 2025, 5:36 pm • 11 0 • view
We have so many folks in Iowa on the state’s dental who cannot get in for an appointment. There’s maybe 2 or 3 offices in eastern Iowa who accept it because they’re so horrible at paying the dentists! People are getting sick from this. Dental care shouldn’t be a fucking luxury. Nothing but greed.
aug 21, 2025, 3:59 pm • 5 3 • view
Yep! 6 months for a low dose CT Scan and another 6 months to see the Radiologist. You would think with all the doctors “specializing” there would be plenty to go around. My theory is they only work 3 days a week. Not proven, just a theory.
aug 21, 2025, 5:24 pm • 4 0 • view
Next derm exam I could get was 13 months from now and I had to make three phone calls and get Doc's permission to get it scheduled.
aug 21, 2025, 2:55 pm • 3 2 • view
I had a great pediatric derm that would boot the acne appts for my kiddo whenever we needed.
aug 22, 2025, 1:19 pm • 1 0 • view
3-4 months to get in, to a dentist...AT A CLINIC.
aug 21, 2025, 6:13 pm • 4 0 • view
I called in July for an appointment with my primary care PA, and she has no appointments until February. I have "good" insurance. This is getting worse.
aug 21, 2025, 9:26 pm • 7 0 • view
And then have to work 15 years to pay off their medical debt. Thankful to have universal, high quality healthcare in The Netherlands.
aug 21, 2025, 3:10 pm • 19 3 • view
My daughter regularly has a 3 month checkup with her endocrinologist. Of course every time we try to set an appointment, nothing is available for 9+ months. So glad we pay such a high premium for her care. Totally worth it…
aug 21, 2025, 7:00 pm • 3 0 • view
The real "death panels" are the health insurance companies. Implement single payer, shut down the health insurance companies and jail their leadership.
aug 21, 2025, 2:45 pm • 42 9 • view
This is a lie that has been around for decades. You will not see some specialists for 6 months OR MORE. You’ll be lucky to ever be able to see an MD. And you are paying the highest cost for this shitty healthcare than any top tier country in the world.
aug 21, 2025, 3:08 pm • 10 2 • view
there should be NO profit taking in healthcare system.
aug 21, 2025, 3:51 pm • 12 3 • view
Seriously. My 80 yr-old mom has a severe concussion and it’s looking like she may be waiting a year or more to see a neurologist (I’m encouraging dad to request PA-C or ARNP). Dermatologists are at least a year out. Not sure why people think that we don’t have long waits for specialists. 🙄
aug 21, 2025, 8:56 pm • 4 0 • view
Months to see a mental health specialist who may not be a good fit. Meanwhile, here in Montana, gun suicide is a leading cause of death among men (and probably other groups as well).
aug 21, 2025, 5:30 pm • 5 1 • view
Neurology canceled my referral after six months because they said I wasn't sick enough after reading my primary care's chart. At least I have primary care. Many around here can't get one.
aug 22, 2025, 12:04 am • 2 0 • view
Let's not forget neurologists. Even though I'm an established patient for my neurologist, when I called for an appointment in April of 2025 for one in October of 2025, the soonest I could get in was January 2026. Just a 10 month wait. I'm so glad my migraines are under control.
aug 21, 2025, 8:31 pm • 4 0 • view
They are intentionally dismantling the health system. If you are old or sick, you are of no use. They honestly believe that healthcare should only be available to the wealthy. Poor people that are sick should just die and get it over with. Eugenics is taking hold.
aug 21, 2025, 5:12 pm • 4 0 • view
Also America: insurance company dictates your treatment plan instead of your trained doctor.
aug 21, 2025, 6:18 pm • 8 1 • view
A year to get a colonoscopy at the University of Kansas.
aug 21, 2025, 4:04 pm • 3 1 • view
Even ignoring that, I’ve gone to the ER because my partner was struggling to breath and had to wait 3 hours before we even got a room.
aug 22, 2025, 2:01 pm • 0 0 • view
Universal healthcare: + no hospital shareholders wanting dividends + no insurance company wanting fees and copays while denying coverage + triage/treatment based on medical need not ability to pay or fear of liability issues. = better care, more cost-effective. Only profiteers prefer private.
aug 21, 2025, 4:57 pm • 18 1 • view
What many times is missed in the discussion between publicly funded healthcare vs private. Is that in the publicly funded one, all decisions by the directors are made towards improving the health outcomes of the population while with private, it is towards how much profits are generated.
aug 21, 2025, 7:27 pm • 5 0 • view
Sadly true. Public also trashed with BS about who deserves it and fear mongering misuse driving up costs. Look how GOP have talked about Medicaid while cutting folks off! US system is more expensive per capita because it's two-tier and privatized. Costs more and delivers less for most people.
aug 21, 2025, 9:09 pm • 4 0 • view
Is anyone in a civilized nation willing to adopt me? I don’t cook but I will plan, grocery shop, and clean up! I also kick ass at laundry…just think it over.
aug 21, 2025, 11:10 pm • 1 0 • view
My GP currently has an opening in September 2026. No joke.
aug 21, 2025, 2:54 pm • 2 0 • view
Haha I just got the same answer. I have a very rare genetic disease that’s multi systemic. So I get thrown around a lot. I tried to schedule a test my dr ordered and the tech said May 18. I giggled and said I think that’s already passed. He said “next year” all pissy like I should know by now.
aug 21, 2025, 5:25 pm • 4 0 • view
I wait that long now in NYC.
aug 21, 2025, 6:49 pm • 1 0 • view
Even with wait times Canada does so much better…
aug 21, 2025, 6:37 pm • 3 1 • view
Yes, we do give to wait, but their is no bill when you're done 👏🫡
aug 21, 2025, 8:36 pm • 3 0 • view