Thread: Seriousness American Health Care
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Old 09-02-2009, 02:52 PM   #130
Angst
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggareau View Post
Honest question. Since I'm Canadian, I've been following the US healthcare thing fairly closely (because you really can't get away from the american media here) and for the life of me, I can't figure out the whole "rationing" concept. Using the textbook definition of "rationing," Canada doesn't ration, and has a "top-notch" system depending on how you view it.

So, in short, what do you (Americans using the word in this debate) mean by rationing? I honestly cannot figure it out.
As close as I can tell, they are referring to long waiting lists for some procedures. The procedures, (I think MRIs are given as an example), are not available "on demand." When your position on a waiting list corresponds to your need for the procedure, rather than your ability to pay for the procedure, this constitutes rationing.

It's political spin mostly.
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