The term Canadian Model is carefully inserted into the health care debate by those trying to sell the benefits of universal, government sponsored programs.
Well, our Republican Buddies ain't having none of THAT!
An e-mail has been making the rounds, preported to be from a Canadian, warning of the dangers of the Canadian Model.
This, my second Canadian diary in two days, should not be construed to have any bearing on anything, much...
Follow me below the fold to get the high points of the e-mail and the refutation and through debunking of this anti-health-care scam.
The Faux Canadian
A fake email from a fake Canadian has been circulating in cyberspace. It purports to help we Americans understand the problems inherent in mandated universal coverage by exposing the dark and dirty secrets of Canada's dysfunctional health care system.
"This was sent from Canada to a friend in the States.
I saw on the news up here in Canada where Hillary Clinton introduced her new health care plan. Something similar to what we have in Canada. I also heard that Michael Moore was raving about the health care up here in Canada in his latest movie. As your friend and someone who lives with the Canada health care plan I thought I would give you some facts about this great medical plan that we have in Canada.
What fun! He slams both Hillary Clinton and Michael Moore in the same sentence! Does this sound like it might have "Canadian" roots?
- The health care plan in Canada is not free. We pay a premium every month of $96. for Shirley and I to be covered. Sounds great eh. What they don't tell you is how much we pay in taxes to keep the health care system afloat. I am personally in the 55% tax bracket. Yes 55% of my earnings go
to taxes. A large portion of that and I am not sure of the exact amount goes directly to health care our #1 expense.
Debunk
False. Like the US, Canada has a graduated income tax system, with Federal taxes starting at 15.5% and going up to 29% for income over $129,000. Each province has their own tax rates, with the max rate of 17.95% for income over $111,000 in Nova Scotia. Thus, the maximum payable tax rate, which only applies to income over $129k, is 46.95%.
But our 'Canadian' does not live in Nova Scotia - because that province does not charge 'premiums' for health coverage.
Two contradictory statements in the first item on the list!
The maximum tax rate (NOT the effective rate, because income is taxed at graduated rates) this 'Canadian' could pay is 43.7% - the combined Federal and BC income tax rates.
Oh, and any citizen who cannot afford premiums is still covered.
There are 14 talking points in total, each found to be false. Take a few minutes to read them all - you may need the debunking points as a counter to this version of "Harry and Louise".
Our "Canadian friend", after sprinkling each of his "talking points" with user friendly names and homely little dire episodes of health care "failure", then offers this:
I send this out not looking for sympathy but as the election looms in the states you will be hearing more and more about universal health care down there and the advocates will be pointing to Canada. I just want to make sure that you hear the truth about health care up here and have some food for thought and informed questions to ask when broached with this subject.
Step wisely and don't make the same mistakes we have."
This smacks of the kind of thing that sister-in-law, who also forwards every 4 mg file sent to her by her friends to everyone she knows, will send straight on to "edumaficate" you.
Copy out the web site response and be ready to send it straight back. You don't even need to fume and stew on this one. A great example of using the web to further progressive causes. <Insert snigger here.>