Shep Smith: Was That Canadian Health Care Story We Just Ran Fair? (VIDEO)

"The Fox Report" on Fox News, hosted by anchor Shepard Smith, ran a piece by reporter Dan Springer on how Canada's single-payer health care system is forcing Canadians to come to the United States for care because the waiting period for treatment is too long. The report was intended to contrast negatively with proposals in the U.S. to include a public option in health care reform, however Smith questioned whether the report they just ran was actually fair:

Of course you wonder if it's really a fair comparison when no one has introduced a single-payer system here. In fact a government-run option has barely been suggested, at least isn't included at the moment. We'd still have private health insurance here. So, I mean, it's different.

Springer defended the comparison by saying that some critics of a public option say it would inevitably lead to a single-payer system because despite there still being private insurers, there is no way they could compete with a plan funded by the government. Smith replied, "Of course the government says, they compete with FedEx and they compete with UPS, and you have options, and that's what they're suggesting here."

WATCH: (H/t Jon)

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Comments

[Ken Freedom]

The US government runs the Post Office, yet FedEx and UPS both do millions in business.

The US government provides lawyers for the defense FOR FREE, but defense attorneys do millions in business every year.

The US government provides criminal justice to society as a whole, but private security firms handle everything from site security to neighborhood patrols.

Tell me again how a public option will destroy private competitors?

[Cindy Thompson]

For anyone who thinks there are no medical breakthoughs in Canada.http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/abc/home/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20091007%2fbreast_cancer_091007

[Andre Lieven]

I'd hardly be the first Canadian here expressing dismay at all the lies about our health care system that so many Republicans trot out. But, lies they are. One the one hand, I've had two very minor instances where I needed health care (I'm 51). Both were dealt with within hours of my first coming to my doctor. My total out of pocket for both (A fatty lipoma on my neck, and a viral case of Bell's Palsey) was $25 for a prescription.

A couple of basic facts, to go beyond the anecdotal: Canada spends about 10% of our GDP, the US, 15%. But, for a third less outlay, we cover EVERYONE. Next, according to Gallup,
http://www.gallup.com/poll/8056/healthcare-system-ratings-us-great-britain-canada.aspx, 25% of Americans are satisfied with their health care. For Canadians, that number is 57%. Then, looking at lifespans, going by the CIA Factbook, we live to 81.23, Americans make it to 78.11.

So, to recap: We cover everyone, save a third of the money, more than twice as many of us are satisfied, and we outlive you by three years. How exactly, is the US system "number 1" ?

[Periwinkle]

I suppose no one mentioned that most of the time the Canadian government pays for treatment outside the country. In fact, in some rural areas along the border, it's routine for Canadians to go into the U.S. for treatment. There was a letter in our local paper yesterday from a man whose son lives in British Columbia. The son had sent an email to his father telling him the truth had to get out about how good the Canadian system was. The son had recently needed an emergency appendectomy. It took a grand total of 90 minutes for him to get to a doctor, have necessary tests and be booked for surgery. He spent a few days in the hospital, got great care and was going to be fine. (And he's not suddenly broke and living on the street in a box!)

[CJWebber]

I live in BC too, and there are lots of stories like that one.

[calijon]

i keep hearing the debate about canada vs united states and rationing but i never hear anyone mentions hospital beds per capita, drs per capita and so on. if anyone knows please post a link.

[JuliaRain]

What difference does it make? America is not getting a health care system such as Canada's. It won't work for you anyway. The Canadian system is designed for the needs of Canadians and not Americans.

Exactly what information are you looking for?

Each province and territory has its own mandate and data is posted on their government health care website.

You have nothing to fear about Canada's health care. You will not be getting it.

My province:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/

More links in my profile.

[Timothy Foley]

What was that Shepard Smith Allow Competition That's Right, a Public Option may Just Get Canadians get the care they Need to wait for Here, and the Care Americans Do Need, Allow Competition HELL YEAH, Because With "Pirated Health Insurance Industry Now No Americans Can Afford to Even Get Treatment" for Canadians Stay on the Waiting List The Health Care System You Got Works, The One We Got in America does Not Work You Guys and Girls Can Get the Treatment If Only Only Just Wait, We Can Even Get It Here so We have to go to Canada for Treatment they won't allow It here Period, You Canadians Should Be Grateful for Your Health Care System, Be America's Health Care System Sucks, and Please Ignore FOX NEWS They Don't Know What they Are Talking About, Maybe Dan Springer can Wear a Raincoat and Rain Hat Next Time He is Up in Vancouver Knowing It Rains a Lot Up There, What Will an Umbrella Do In The Rain.

[cathybee]

Dear Mike Hiln

I must admit I never saw the story but I don't understand how you can say we don't have mammogram machines in Canada. I got my first mammogram at 35, at 37 I found a lump on Sunday, Monday I was at the dr and got a mammogram that day. Tues I was at the hosp for another mammogram & ultrasound and Friday I was in surgery. It has been 10 years since and I get one every 2 years..they offered yearly but I didn't want that. My daughter has chosen that when she turns 25 to get her first. By the way, I lived in a town of a population of 4,000. If this woman doesn't have access to a mammogram she might live in a Innuit reserve in the high Arctic.

[haywoodjabomie]

Why is it never mentioned that the Canadians who opt for treatment in the US still have their bill
paid by Canada? Just wonderin'

[Mike Hihn]

>>>Why is it never mentioned that the Canadians who opt for treatment in the US still have their bill paid by Canada? Just wonderin'

Why is that relevant?

(It's also not true -- a rather immense lie, in fact)

[opprobrious]

Canadian patients who can't get a particular treatment in a timely manner in their own province or in any other province will be sent outside of the country for available treatment paid for by the province of origin. However, a patient cannot "opt" on their own to go to the States on their own and then bill their government after the fact.

[JuliaRain]

If you can't figure out why that is relevant then I'm not surprised you're filled with ign ora nce.

[Dissident Dexter]

They send them here, but Canada pays for it.

[maggiee]

I have a very good friend who recently moved to the UK from the US. In the UK, they begin annual mammograms at 50 instead of 40. She told them that she would prefer to stick with getting them annually after 40 (she is 41). They said, no problem. She had an appointment for her first within two months of arriving. She lives in a tiny town on an isolated island north of the coast of Scotland. The National Health Service provided her with a taxi to the airport, a flight to the mainland (where the nearest clinic was...only about a half hour flight), a taxi to the doctor, the doctor's appointment (including the mammogram), a taxi back to the airport, a flight home and a taxi home. The whole thing took less than four hours. She also loves the doctor in her little town. She loves that she can talk to him whenever she wants to about whatever concerns she has and can see him at a moment's notice. She left the States a bit of conservative. She worried about the higher taxes. She says her taxes are indeed higher but since she and her husband don't have health insurance premiums to pay anymore, they are bringing home significantly more money than they used to. She has seen the light!

[SARGE1]

Wow Amazing !

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity constantly set out half truths, mis-inform and down right lie. To compare them in any way shape or form to NPR or the Huffington Post is Insane. Facts are not percentage based they are either true or they are not. I substantiate everything from multiple areas of the media and when in question I use Fact check.org. The Pursuit of Fair and Balanced Truth is Pure Folly ! The Truth is The Truth! What comes out of Fox News is Insane Lies they continue to string along all those who are Malcontented and Disenfranchised. When you ask questions of these "I Want My Country Back" Tea Party People they repeat all of Fox News Talking Points. Here is the common thread of Insane Ignorance: Obama is a Kenyan, Communist, Anarchist, Socialist, Marxist, Muslim with a Racist Preacher ! That my friends is no exaggeration at all ! Glenn Beck and Dick Morris just stated the country will not last a year with Obama as President. We can see if that is true it is just a matter of time. I bet America will last longer than a year. It is a shame but when you want to find the "Truth" you must go to the "View" and the "Daily Show" this is what American Journalism has come down to !

-Sarge

[GrandmaBEE]

This is the only news show I watch on Fox and don't end up screaming back at the TV. Shep should jump ship. He for some reason is the only one allowed to question a story on the whole network. Wonder why that is?

[KellyKay]

He is the only one who Cares to tell the truth, (My Opinion), keep him on Fox, we will read the tell all book later. (My hope)

[KNadine]

Shep Smith is wasting his time @ Fox & runs the risk of becoming irrelevant just like Chris Wallace.

[bogues]

I like Shep Smith. He appears to be one of if not the only person at FOX that has a conscience. I do find it interesting however, that he runs these stories and then questions whether or not they are fair. Do the research before hand, Mr. Smith and ask the tough questions during the interview. Don't put the false info out there and then wonder aloud whether or not it is fair. On the public option and the Republicans being so concerned with the insurance providers being wiped out by it, I say this, if these companies want to treat their customers fairly, more than likely the customers will remain. If the insurance companies want to continue to pay their CEO's about $12,000.00 dollars per HOUR, yes I said per HOUR, then I say there should most definitely be a strong public option. If it puts insures out of business it will be their own fault, not the governments.

[chazmanr]

Do the research before hand? Ask questions? Get facts? Verify information before reporting it?

Have you ever watched Fox?

[GrandmaBEE]

I think his show is as fair and balanced as your ever gonna see on Fox. It's not much but at least he's allowed to question a story.

[SARGE1]

Guess What ? There are millions of Americans that have "No Health Insurance" so they will wait Forever and Never get care period ! Some form of Health Care Beat No Health Care Always

"Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing !"

-Billy Preston

It is time to do something we are the only Westernized Country with no Health Care for all it's Citizens

-Sarge

[Mike Hihn]

>>>It is time to do something we are the only Westernized Country with no Health Care for all it's Citizens

That's true. But should we repeat partisan political bromides or ... FIX IT?

http://politicallyhomeless.net/?p=231

If one's info comes from HuffPost and NPR -- those are both excellent sources -- but if they are your SOLE sources then how are you any different from those who rely solely on Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh?

Most American now know that. But Democrat sheeple never knew how their party sabotaged prepaid HMOs a quarter century ago, when they had a 25-30% price advantage over insurance.

Most Democrat sheeple hear Barney Frank snarling about Republicans opposing regulation -- but STILL don't know it was DEMOCRATS who refused ANY regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac -- thus causing the subprime mortgage collapse and damn near destroying our entire financial system .... because two of the biggest Democrat cash cows are ... yep ... Fannie and Freddie.

http://politicallyhomeless.net/?p=283

If one can actually review the videos here -- mostly C-Span -- and still be in denial of massive corruption in the Democrat party (as in the GOP), then how can one be any different than the GOP Birthers and Death Panelists? ... or Holocaust Deniers?

If one compares Barney Frank in C-span videos now and then --and fails to see a wackjob as bad as Glenn Beck -- then one is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[JuliaRain]

You've lost all credibility with your previous posts about Canada.

[SARGE1]

NPR has an Ombudsman and has the very best record for stating facts in all of their reports. I have seen Nothing but pure Hypocrisy from the GOP and they have been doing nothing but Lying Left and Right with Fox News are their Loud Speaker !

-Sarge

[chawnyce]

The refrence to "Democrat sheep" completely negates the neutral posture that was the overwhelming feeling of the onset of your post.