They should end this program immediately.  Replace it with what was done in Canada.  Tax credits for home renovations.  We get I believe a 15% tax credit up to a maximum of $1350 for major home repairs/renovations such as a new roof, windows, floor, kitchen, bathroom, finishing a basement, etc...This will help people and stimulate the economy.  It's amazing how busy all contractors are in Canada.

Wallstreet hit my point.  As a Canadian, I'm thrilled that my costs are kept low because of this.  But, it's stupid for Americans to put up with this.  Especially as you are looking for a way to bring down health care costs.

But the drug companies are never going to cut prices.  That's an unfortunate fact.  The only way it would happen would be to open up the market to Canadian and European companies.  Then they would have no choice but to lower prices.  Just threatening to open the market might give them the kick in the ass they need to lower prices.

Koaj,

The problem is the US companies (Merck, Pfizer,Bristol-Myers Squibb, etc...) are charging the American public double what they charge for the same products.

Why should the US consumer pay for the R&D for everyone else?  As a Canadian, I'm thrilled that you pay my share for me.  Why Americans put up with it is beyond me...

Do a price check on a few drugs...you will be shocked.

Also, as someone who has seen all the health regulators in action, I would say that the FDA does the poorest job.  I would trust Health & Welfare Canada and the EU health commission much more that the FDA.

The FDA is more interested in protecting the American corporations than the American public.  They are just as corrupt as all the other government organizations.

WRONG!!!
Please don't talk about the Canadian system if you don't know about it.

First off, the whole system is almost bankrupt. 
We have doctor shortages (because there's no money to pay them).
The government refuses to pay for expensive treatments several reasons.  I know of people that had to go to the US because they couldn't get treatment in Canada at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
People don't have GPs.
You can't find pediatricians for your kids.
The wait time for simple procedures like Colonoscopies are 9-18 months.

Our government has been moving to allow more private clinics to open up outside government run healthcare.  So what we have now is the rich can pay to go see a private doctor because they can afford it and everyone else either waits forever for treatment or can't see a doctor.

Koaj has a point about drugs, but the wrong one.  The problem is the US drug companies are gauging the American public.  Why is the same drug double in price in the US compared to the EU or Canada???  The FDA should allow all importations of drugs from Canada and the EU.  See what would happen to drug prices in the US.  That would be a big start in reducing healthcare costs.

But, Oregon plays USC next week.  Very good chance they are looking ahead and possibly even spent part of their bye week working on USC.

You do know it's possible not to agree with everything one party does???

People are allowed to have minds of their own and decide things for themselves.  Not everyone listens to Obama, Bush, or whoever and takes everything they say as truthful and correct.

This world needs more people like CD who can think for themselves.  We don't need a bunch of brainwashed sheep...(90% of the population...)

Disco,

Here is a letter to the editor in today's Montreal Gazette...  Please tell me you think this is a good thing...

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First off, I'm not bitter at all.  Secondly, if you really think Quebec is the only province with healthcare problems you are either naive or stupid.  As a matter of fact, Quebec has the shortage waiting times for major surgeries than any other problems.  We rank near the bottom of most other categories, but we also spend less per capita.  Either way the system sucks all over Canada.  Wait until you actually experience life.  When you need to have a surgery performed.  When/if you have kids and need a pediatrician.  Wait, when you have to take them to the emergency in the middle of the night and you have to wait for ever. 

I have kids.  I've taken them to the doctor here many times.  I've also had the misfortune of having my kids get sick on vacation in the US where I had to take them to the doctor.  It's amazing how much more advanced their clinics are to ours in terms of technology.  The hospitals there are also fantastic, and again, way more advanced than ours.

I'm not saying the U.S. system is perfect either.  It's unfortunate that many people get screwed.  But there are better ways to go about reforming a system.

Disco,

You really are a moron.  First off, I live in Quebec.  You know, the province with the highest taxes, biggest government, most left wing province.  Secondly, we've had private clinics in Quebec since before the Harper government so stop blaming everything on Harper/Bush.  The reason we have private healthcare offered in this province is because the government has bankrupted the medicare system, and doesn't have enough money to pay for things.  They are talking about user fees to see doctors as another way to raise money.

Also, if each province controls their own healthcare (which is mostly true with a few exceptions), how does Harper have anything to do with this.

So genius, if our healthcare is so good, why do people fly to the US for treatments?  Why do I have friends with no GP?  Why do I have friends that can't get a pediatrician for their children?  Why is there such clamor to allow more private health facilities?

Oh and I forgot...we are so short on nurses that the government was forcing hospital nurses to work overtime....12 hour shifts per day!!!  You think that's going to lead to great healthcare when you have tired angry nurses on their 11th straight hour of work.

What about the fact that several hospitals in outlying areas have to close their ER for weeks during the summer because they have no staff??

Is this your idea of a great healthcare system??

Have you noticed almost everyone in this thread who wants the public option lives outside the US?

Well, as someone else who lives in Canada, I can tell you that I think the public run health care sucks.  They will run out of money like all other government run programs.  Then they will have to cut costs.

Over hear, doctors are only allowed to see xxx amount of patients per quarter.  The number varies by specialty.  Once they hit their quota, they get paid at 70% of their already low fees.  Therefore, it's not worth it to open.  Which is why doctors work limited hours (very few work 5 full days) as opposed to the US where many doctors work 6 days a week.

Because doctors and nurses are paid less here (government can't afford higher fees) many of them leave for higher paying jobs elsewhere.  That's one of the reasons the US has the best facilities in the world.  They can afford to attract the best doctors because they pay the best.

Over here, we have doctor shortages.  It's next to impossible to get a GP if you don't already have one.  And once you find one you are stuck because you can't find others.  I'm very lucky that we have a pediatrician for our children as many of our friends haven't been able to find one.  There's not enough around.

The waiting time for surgeries is ridiculous.  I've known people to wait 2 years for shoulder surgery, 4 months for bypasses, 18 months for a colonoscopy, and someone who had to bribe a doctor in order to get an aneurysm operated on after waiting 2 months.

And one more question...if the public healthcare is so good why is Canada moving to allow more and more private clinics?  There are private clinics opening up.  More and more people are using them.

Have you noticed almost everyone in this thread who wants the public option lives outside the US?

Well, as someone else who lives in Canada, I can tell you that I think the public run health care sucks.  They will run out of money like all other government run programs.  Then they will have to cut costs.

Over hear, doctors are only allowed to see xxx amount of patients per quarter.  The number varies by specialty.  Once they hit their quota, they get paid at 70% of their already low fees.  Therefore, it's not worth it to open.  Which is why doctors work limited hours (very few work 5 full days) as opposed to the US where many doctors work 6 days a week.

Because doctors and nurses are paid less here (government can't afford higher fees) many of them leave for higher paying jobs elsewhere.  That's one of the reasons the US has the best facilities in the world.  They can afford to attract the best doctors because they pay the best.

Over here, we have doctor shortages.  It's next to impossible to get a GP if you don't already have one.  And once you find one you are stuck because you can't find others.  I'm very lucky that we have a pediatrician for our children as many of our friends haven't been able to find one.  There's not enough around.

The waiting time for surgeries is ridiculous.  I've known people to wait 2 years for shoulder surgery, 4 months for bypasses, 18 months for a colonoscopy, and someone who had to bribe a doctor in order to get an aneurysm operated on after waiting 2 months.

And one more question...if the public healthcare is so good why is Canada moving to allow more and more private clinics?  There are private clinics opening up.  More and more people are using them.

BustinPiles

Keep the updates coming please

Koaj,

What about Pizza Knish?  They are very good.

Size is only part of the equation.  The color and cut are just as important.  If you are a tighter budget, the price jumps significantly at 1K because of the psychology of having a full karat.  A .99  would be a lot cheaper than 1.00 because of that.  I would tell you to get a nice cut, with a nice color and sacrifice a little on the size.  Try to get the color between C and E.  If you get much higher, it won't look as nice even if it's big.

About time someone did this.  I've been screaming at the TV for years while these idiot coaches kill the entire clock trying to get the TD.  I would say great coaching, but he went for an onside kick with 5 minutes left....

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Texas Tech
4. USC
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma State
7. Oklahoma
8. Georgia
9. Penn State
10. Missouri

McCoy
Bradford
Ringer

A few more before I go...

Dallas -1
OAK/BALT UNDER 35
NYG/PITT UNDER 43

2-5 Last week
25-17-1 Overall

0-1 Underdog ML last week
1-2 Underdog ML overall...

2 horrible weeks in a row....

Don't have much time....off to Ottawa soon to take my son to see the Wiggles

SD/NO UNDER 46
Miami +1
Philadelphia -9
Arizona +4

I will be on the Giants as well...waiting for a +3 somewhere.

Good Luck everyone

You are an idiot.  Vanzack is the most intelligent gambler on this site.  If you read only one person, you should always read everything he writes.