I practiced for a significant time, much of it on the "front line". I never once saw a patient that was REALLY sick that declined to be treated because they were concerned of bankruptcy. AFTER the fact, they were concerned about costs, yes. This is a fun talking point for those that favor socialized medicine, but not one that fits well with the facts. So let me throw out the other talking point:
SOCIALIZED MEDICINE AND RATIONED CARE
I have a cousin that is a doctor in Toronto, and he was visiting just in Dec and we talked about the differences in medical systems between the two countries. We were both very open in the discussion and wanted to hear the other's perspective, not trying to push any biases we might have. Without anyone prompting, he openly admitted that in the Canadian system has a substantial flaw and that as an Internal Medicine physician, they actively ration care in the system. The sickest patients in theory get bumped up to the front of the line, but even with that it can still be months before they see the specialist they need to and get the treatment they need, and he openly admitted that many of them DIE WAITING FOR CARE. He believes that because of the rising costs of healthcare in Canada (yep, they have the same problem we do) that the administrators of that system actively refuse to add capacity (and increase costs) and "bleed off" some of the sickest patients by letting them die before they get the care they need. This is why the rich in Canada (prevented from buying insurance there), come to the US for treatment to "bypass the lines" in their own country.
Both systems have their flaws, and they are significant. The Mainstream Media keeps pushing the positives of socialized medicine without wanting to acknowledge the flaws that come with that system.
