Father in law is retiring and wants to move to Creston Canada after visiting family in Idaho. What is he in for He loves to hunt and fish.
Does he have to go back to Idaho for health care or pay for care their?What are the big differences in the USA and Canada

Unless he is a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, he can't get BC medical coverage.

He should check with his health care insurance co. and see what they suggest. My nurse wife says that there are about a million different American health plans, so it's impossible to know for sure.

Often, non residents that need medical attention must pay for it themselves, and then seek reimbursement from their insurance companies int he USA.

The big difference between health care in the USA and Canada is that (theoretically) everyone in Canada recieves the same care regardless of income. In the USA, you can get great, good, poor, or non existent coverage, depending on your income.

In Canada, there are sometimes long waits for some procedures, because our systems are always a little overwhelmed. So some wealthy Canadians will go to the USA or some private clinics in Canada for treatment. We pay about $40 a month for coverage, and, although there have been waits, I've never really experienced it.

Our health care is prety darn good for $40 a month

But getting back to your situation, the only thing he can do is check with his company, to make sure he is covered. He won't get any special treatment because he has private health insurance, BTW.

I think the other thing here, is whether he is planning on becoming a landed immigrant or citizen. Either of those two options would entitle hime to the same health care as any Canadian citizen, and that will vary a lot depending on where you live. In theory it's all supposed to be equal, in practice rural citizens have access to less, shall we say, timely health care. As mentioned, it's a hell of a deal for $40, just make sure your FIL understands what he's getting into. - Dan

99Fan1: "Hell of a deal for $40 a month" unless your father in law (I assume he is over 50) needs prompt, modern medical care. Remember, you get what you pay for in life.

Actually shootshell, it really depends where you go to the hospital. Some of them are world class, some are not. - Dan

I for one can't complain about the health care.
I had a heart attack at 10:00am one Sunday morning 4 years ago. I lived near 100 Mile House in the BC interior at the time which is about as small a place one can find that actually has a hospital. I was hit with some of the latest and greatest clot-breaking drugs on the market. I was flown by air-ambulance to Vancouver later that same day and by 8:00 am Monday morning, less than 22 hours after my MI, I was wheeled out of the cath-lab at St.Pauls Hospital (One of the leading cardiac care hospitals in the world btw) after having the angioplasty done that opened up the troublesome artery.

No, from semi-remote community to recovery room in less than a day that is not bad health care in my eyes.

Hey Caribou

I had a sudden bout of "I'm gonna die" heart problems a few years back in Prince George, where I live. I was flown out as well and got the big fix. St Pauls isn't world class it's "Best in Class"!!

While I was waiting for the Lear to arrive, a Nurse asked me if I had been down to Vancouver for medical reasons before and I told her I had an angiogram at the General there. She said that that was strange as the General was normally for people in the lower main land and Saint Pauls were for those beyond Hope. My response was "We'll I'm not goin there then" It took her a minute and she was very appologetic. It was a good laugh in an otherwise shitty situation.

For those from elsewhere "Hope" is the town at the beginning of the Fraser River Valley that deliniates the lower mainland from the rest of the province. If you have ever watched the original Rambo, you have seen it.

Socialized medicine rations health care. Sure, its free, if you can get it. I was in B.C. on business for a few days earlier this year. There was a newspaper article about a gent who had cancer. Without treatment, it was terminal. He could not get medical treatment in B.C., because of some rather spurious disqualifying [i.e., rationing] factor. There was a big question whether he could get it in another Canadian province, but at a minimum this "free health care available to all" would require him to move to a new province.

But don't worry Canada, the U.S. is not far behind you on the road to socialized health care, as evidenced from the massive expansion in the nanny state we have experienced with the enactment of medicare coverage of prescription drugs for the wealthiest portion of our population---retirees, who invariably are home owners and investors and who have far greater net worth, on average, than the working class families that will foot the bill for this new entitlement.

Jordan

Yep, once you're at Hell's Gate, you're beyond Hope.

(sorry, I couldn't resist - it's a British Columbian thing)

[ 11-25-2003, 21:11: Message edited by: Mauser98 ]

Creston is a beautiful little town with excellent hunting. Pretty decent winters and land prices are fair.

As for medical...I'm young still with no real medical problems but I fail to see what is so wrong with Canada's medical system. I have never had to wait long to see a DR. Even a couple specialists I did see in Vancouver I walked straight into at my appointment time.

Medical is a human right if that makes Canada socialist than I am proud to be socialist.

[ 11-25-2003, 23:59: Message edited by: markus ]

There is only one machine for smashing Kidney Stones in all of BC. It is a 6 to 8 month wait to get on it.

In my little town there are two hospitals within 15 miles and both of them have the machine. Medical care in the interior isn't what it should be.

<< Medical is a human right >>

WOW ,you frighten me,wonder what other rights you are going to define that others will have to pay for you to abuse or enjoy.

I can well understand that Robin Hood attitude,it seems prevalent in people that dont have much,that dont much care for "others" that seem to have worked for the belongings.

Its legalized robbery ,perpetrated by politicians and voters that believe you can get something for nothing- at least for a while.

I hear its developing in Zimbabwe now too,lets hope for more and new "entitlements"

that way we move closer to hell ourselves

sheephunter

Sheephunter,
You're such an American

Right on Sheephunter!!

Jordan

Jordan and SheepHead

I sincerely hope you never lose your job and get sick.

bellhender,this hasnt much do with hunting ,but than maybe it does ??
Nobody wants to feel helpless or get sick,but your statement is childish,implying "you get sick" and "need" or demand" to be taken care of by "society" = your neighbors pocketbook.

If you have an adult mindset,paddle back: does any class of citizens have "a right" to be taken care of by others,can they demand that others pay out of their earned paycheck for their wishes and rights?

Ask most any Canadian I believe they will agree Medical is a human right. There are those that abuse it though. I sincerly doubt I have been to a Doctor more than a dozen times in my life though.

I have no problem at all with a national medical system. How is it any different really from insurance? Some abuse it for a while before they are kicked off others don't use it at all hardly. If I have the ability to help someone else out who needs the medical treatment than I will. At least I know it will be there when I need it. I have paid Far Far more into Medical than I have recieved thus far in my life. But I am fully covered at any point in my life.

Its not some communist plot or socialist cancer. Its worked well for Canada for Decades now.

OK,back on line-my keyboard locked up.
I hope that we are all "mature" enough to know that the government gives you nothing-----,right ,nothing.
Unless its printing money-which it is, it doesnt HAVE anything.All "services provided by your "friendly government" are paid for by "your or somebody elses taxes ",let that sink in.The government just redistributes "wealth",and in the process provides a nice paycheck for itself.

The difference to a free society is that under socialism, people that have- usually by working-
are forced to pay, rather than "elect" to pay for their level of services and insurance.

The benefit of socialism than would be that "loafers" get the same full benefit that working people get.
And of course they love it.They are getting something for free! that others have to go to work for to earn!They have "right" to steal from others sweat.

And to make it sound a bit better than the verbage I used ,they call it a "human right" or entitlement.
Lets not be blinded,its still stealing.

Where and when I grew up,the only entitlement was + is a kick in the *ss, and I mean it.

It is preposterous for some human to declare that he has a "right" to somebody elses fortune!

Never mind that in a declining economical environment,people will vote for this trap,
thats the inborn fault of democracy,
the flip site is that you can rob just so much
all socialistic governments finally will fail,
because in the long run,people will not work without pay (- excessive robbing thru taxes)
They rather loaf themselves.

sheephunter

You have been brain washed succesfully:
<Ask most any Canadian I believe they will agree Medical is a human right.>

I have no qualms with a medical insurance system,run by the government-if you so like it.I didnt say I liked it,I say-if you liked it.

But to equate that with "a human right" is dangerous .Where do you get rights?
Whats the next right?
I assure you their is no end to ever increasing rights that some folks will proclaim and will be legislated in return for votes.

In SanFrancisco I hear sex change operations are paid for by MediCal,its a right.

I repeat: the only right I claim is a good kick in the *ss when I am off course,for the rest of my life I have to work and provide,I am responsible for me- not my neighbor.

Sheephunter,

As you stated, this has little to do with hunting, and as such, should not pollute an arena where hunters can come together and discuss the tradition we all share. However, if your going to crap on my country I will defend it.

Health care like other social programs in Canada identify us as fundamentally different from many countries, the USA included. Your elementary analysis of government is accurate. Government does redistribute wealth, in Canada a large portion of this wealth goes to form the "social net". At the core of Canadian government structure/programs is the understanding that being a Canadian guarantee�s a person the right to medical care. It would seem, according to your diatribe, in the United States being wealthy, and the ability to achieve wealth, is the only guarantee.

It is ironic you claim that all socialist governments will financially fail. Please remember on a per capitia basis, the federal debt ratio is lower in Canada then the US. While the US continues to run large deficits, Canada eliminated deficit spending over 5 years ago.

Ok. I really do not want this to turn into a hate thread or however it may be called. I have complete respect for the American system.

You want to know why I think it is a human right?

I think anyone regaurdless of there financial ability should be able to get the best medical treatment there is. Now whether that is through a government run healthcare system or free clinics by donation. It makes no difference to me. I understand the USA has free hospitals run on donations. I do not think that it is "fair" that someone may be dieing from a terminal illness yet the science exists to heal them but they can not afford it.

Personnally I would prefer that we all can afford it. And yes a great deal of people out there are loafers. I assure you I am not. I also do not like the way it is run in Canada as a "pay according to what you earn". If I recieve the same treatment as someone else I should have to pay the same price for it. I should not have to pay more because I make more.

But if Canada's system is so bad and our hospitals over run with wait lists so long... Why does the average Canadian live 4 years longer than the average American?

Anyhow Creston is a great little town. Mostly farmers. With a great brewery in town.

tikka300
I am not shitting on your country whatsoever.I am not supporting the US or its governmental policies which are not any more honest than those in Canada.
I just get a rash when I hear that some people claim "rights" that are derived by taking from others.Period.
I understand that those that have not,for whatever reason,will support such ideology.PERIOD.
Wherever they live.
Now lets go back to hunting yarn
sheephunter

I'm an old Canadian. I have seen my friends suffer for many months even years waiting for 'elective' surgery. My wife is a registered nurse. The horror stories about 'free' health care are true folks and it only stands to reason. If there is no incentive to provide service then why bother? Our system here costs more per capita than any other.No matter how hard you work or for how long every welfare rat and deadbeat has more access to the system than you. Thousands of man hr. of job time are lost due to people being unable to work while awaiting medical care.Nobody seems to mention this. Socialist programs like this are why the Canadian standard of living has deteriorated versus other nations in the last 25 yr. People who work are paying for thse who will not. It's the liberal way.
I read a quote awhile back (by an American) goes like this:
'If you think health care is expensive now wait till you see what it costs when it's free.'

This is a Hunting Forum and this has been hashed and rehashed on the Political Forum many times. But as a person who was born in Canada and has half of my family in Canada I can tell you that the medical service in all but the Large Cities is not what it should be.

The wait for elective surgery (you won't die just be miserable for awhile) can be up to a year. Not so in the US. The average Canadian pays 62% of his/her gross income in taxes, including medical. The average American pays 48% of his/her gross income in taxes including what is paid seperately for Med. Insurance.

Less money, less wait, better service.

For example, we just fineished a Veterinary Hospital in a town or 100,000 that included an MRI machine. In the Hospital in Williams Lake BC, pop +-35,000, they do not have and MRI. You have to go to Prince George, I believe, 150 miles away.

Not so good, most people that can afford it fly down to Vancouver to a better equipped hospital.

[ 11-27-2003, 07:21: Message edited by: Mickey1 ]

Markus: Think of it this way: if healthcare is a 'right', then can't someone be forced into providing it? And does not that make the provider into a slave, if he does not want to provide you your 'right'?

Damn even Canadians don't understand our system
OK
Canada pays $2400 per person a year in Health Care where everyones gets it
The US pays $4400 per person but 50 million in the US don't have Insurance or are covered to extent they think they are. . .
The US is Ranked 24th according to the WHO for overall care and Canada 20th.
So neither system is the cats arse
Canada tries to guarantee Universitality which means everyone gets the same level of care.
You can get better care if you pay for it IE my Group Benefits from work covered a Private room for my wife during her pregnancy
I paid a small deductable.
Our system has longer wait times and the US has the BEST quality of care BAR none if you can afford it.
Our system could stand IMO token user fees to keep people out of emergency, I drove a roomate there for a migrain at 2 in the morning once PMO!
Our overhead is much lower cause there is only one person who pays the bills, gov't, EI Toronto hospital accounting staff of 4 , Boston hospital accounting staff of 50. Since the gov't is also the sole purchaser of drugs and supply there is a lot of overhead savings there.
France also pays $2400 per person a year according to the WHO and places first with a combined public/private system. Although makes you wonder when all those bodies didn't make it during the heat wave last summer. Doesn't look like they have enough disaster recovery built into their system. Our system is going broke on the budget allowed to it. IF we paid what americans paid per person the budget would have to increase another 60 Billion Dollars. It means artificial increased wait times. There is some waste in health boards and beurocracy.
The Fed has had gov't surpluses so they could be putting more in, but they are choosing to pay down debt instead 'not something I disagree with'

Also, the discrepancies vary from province to province, as each province pays about 80% of health with the Fed kicking in about 20%
All provinces adhere to the health care act, but interpretations as to what an essential service is and budgeting is different across the country which is why some places cover eyes other don't etc. For example freezing of warts on your body used to be covered, now only ones on the feet are covered.
Our health care is facing the same crunches as the US is. Shortage of health care workers, aging population, more expensive drug and surgical treatments. All of these factors are going to be worldwide problems
In short stay healthy til the baby boomers pass through the system,
BTW it isn't a right according to the Charter but IS something most Canadians are willing to pay for we just want them to do it better.

[ 11-27-2003, 19:29: Message edited by: Desy ]

I want to thank all of you for responding.
I wrote this post and had to go out of town suddenly for a week. But back now, hope every one had a good bird and had a good visit with family.I see you guys have gave me a real idea what the medical is all about sounds kinda of like here some real good others you would not take your dog too.
How will his retirment dollar go in Canada is there a lot of taxes?
And how often does he have to pay to register his guns.
Most important how is the fishing someone said on this post hunting was good so he will be happy there.(Important stuff for my visits)
What do you hunt for around Creston?
Thank you guys agian.

The biggest difference is that he will get whatever emergency care he needs and the bill will be discussed later. The Provincial plans are all different. Here in Ontario the employer pays for employee health care.
Up here he has no right to bear arms. He must register any and all firearms he owns and cannot have some at all. He cannot just move here without first applying for a visa. He'd have to apply at a Canadian Consulate or the Embassy for admittance before moving here. No CCW anywhere. American citizenship means nothing here.
"...move to Creston Canada after visiting family in Idaho..." What does Idaho have to do with it? Is he planning on moving to Canada or not? Just curious.

Sunray
Idaho is where his mother lives and he wants to move closer but not to close if you know what i mean. He took a drive up to Creston and really liked it.I just wonder if his retirement will go as far their as it will here as he will be on a fixed income?

Money wise 99 he will probably be a little better off. Our doller is currently worth about 75 cents US, and for things like food and housing costs are usually less here (although again it will vary from region to region). for example, here in edmonton the average house price is about $160,000 CDN, which is about $120,000 US. this would buy you a 1800-2000 sq.ft. bungalow in a good part of town. Property tax (which includes school tax here) will be about $1100 CDN ($800 US) per year. I shop for food here and down in Bozeman, and I pay pretty much the same prices, but here it's in CDN, so it's about 25% cheaper. Booze and cigarettes on the other hand, cost more (sin tax). At this point in time, you only pay to register your guns once, but you have to renew your Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) every 5 years for $60 to 80 $ CDN (I've read both amounts, but as I haven't had to do mine yet, I don't know which is accurate). Hope this helps. - Dan

Dan thank you very much for your post.
I know he will need ever dollar for retirment and maybe this will work for him.
Plus give me a great place to visit and possibly hunt.
I really did not think this would work when i posted this but the more i read maybe he is making a good choice.

Property in Cranbrook (close to Creston) is reasonable. Both my dad and I own houses there. Mine is rented out at present but sat empty for awhile.Things seem to be picking up a bit now. You could buy a rural property near Creston in farmland and build a house for 150k Can$. That is my plan anyway.As for gov't paying $2400/hd. for healthcare that's a joke. That's per capita not per taxpayer. With less than 25% of Canadians paying taxes it works out to 10 grand per taxpayer.Liars figure and figures lie. Until we see thru this B.S. we'll be continue to be ruled by socialists and those who work will pay for those who won't.Mark

99; Check out www.niho.com for property prices around the province and I think you will be surprised at the vast differences in the various areas. derf

Mark and Derf think you for responding went to the web site Derf you are right it is way different in different areas.
Mark have you looked at any contractors to buid your house or are you still in the planning stage?I do not know if my father in law wants to build but I think it would be good I have had two houses built and it has worked for me and I saved some good money. Mark were do you live know? Is Creston going to be your retirement spot?
Well i will cut this off for now father in law coming over soon to read post. Thanks agian 99