Something Has to Be Done Now Or The Sport is Finished

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

brocster wrote:

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of...

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of weeks rather than being on crutches and out of work waiting in the extensive lines of free healthcare services.  I’ll take in and out of surgery straight into rehab and back walking in a month or so rather than delaying out months to years rebuilding a leg that has atrophied sitting around waiting for months. Pick your poison, me, I’ll take US system all day every day with the hopes of things turning around within it in the next few years. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

brocster wrote:

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of...

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of weeks rather than being on crutches and out of work waiting in the extensive lines of free healthcare services.  I’ll take in and out of surgery straight into rehab and back walking in a month or so rather than delaying out months to years rebuilding a leg that has atrophied sitting around waiting for months. Pick your poison, me, I’ll take US system all day every day with the hopes of things turning around within it in the next few years. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

brocster wrote:

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of...

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of weeks rather than being on crutches and out of work waiting in the extensive lines of free healthcare services.  I’ll take in and out of surgery straight into rehab and back walking in a month or so rather than delaying out months to years rebuilding a leg that has atrophied sitting around waiting for months. Pick your poison, me, I’ll take US system all day every day with the hopes of things turning around within it in the next few years. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

brocster wrote:

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of...

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of weeks rather than being on crutches and out of work waiting in the extensive lines of free healthcare services.  I’ll take in and out of surgery straight into rehab and back walking in a month or so rather than delaying out months to years rebuilding a leg that has atrophied sitting around waiting for months. Pick your poison, me, I’ll take US system all day every day with the hopes of things turning around within it in the next few years. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

Zacka 161 wrote:

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to...

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to more and more traffic from further and further distances. Dense walkable cities means those like access to amenities, culture, public transport and green space aren’t forced to live in ever expanding culdesac developments. Well designed cities are designed around people — the more country and motocross people encourage 15 minutes city does cities the less people encroach on motocross tracks… supporting the people that don’t like motocross to stay as far away from tracks, by presenting a viable option is a huge key to saving tracks.  

Support 15 minute dense walkable cities even if you wouldn’t choose to live there. 

3strokemx wrote:

Is that why we're seeing such a huge motocross explosion in China?

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

I really love it when people presume to tell me what I know. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

I really love it when people presume to tell me what I know. 

Brad460 wrote:

I am not trying to be a jerk about it, but my point is your not being honest about Canadian healthcare…

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

Brad460 wrote:

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time...

Come on man- we both know the Canadian healthcare system is crap (as are all government run health systems). I spend my fair share of time in Canada and have many close co-workers and friends up there..meaning I hear all the stories. It’s crap and you know it..

Lucky for most I know they live close to the US border (Ontario north of Buffalo) and can go across the border when they really need care..otherwise the wait times (unless your dying) is unbelievable. Get an MRI and you need a non life threatening surgery you will wait years to get in..

Again, I’ll take my company sponsored healthcare in the USA over anything (yes I realize not everyone has that, but most do)..Its far superior to anything out there..

I have a $3500 deductible and a $6000 max out of pocket. I fund a HSA account…all is good. 

MPJC wrote:

But the way, my doctor ordered an mri I was in in weeks - twice.  But I don’t want to make this about me. If my attitude...

But the way, my doctor ordered an mri I was in in weeks - twice. 
 

But I don’t want to make this about me. If my attitude was “I’m looked after, that’s all that matters” that would make me a shitty person 

Zacka 161 wrote:

Excellent argument… Meanwhile the looming threat of medical bankruptcy ensure ever increasing lawsuits and endless urban sprawl means means tracks are forced to close…But you’ve got...

Excellent argument… Meanwhile the looming threat of medical bankruptcy ensure ever increasing lawsuits and endless urban sprawl means means tracks are forced to close…

But you’ve got your head in the sand talking about China.

I know this ‘real talk’ and ‘the real reasons tracks keep closing’ will probably be moved to the dumbgeon so people can just keep blaming the victims of the system rather rather than the malicious actors and larger systems that ensure motocross tracks continue to close… 

It’s not lefties, it’s not greenies, it’s not woke liberals… It’s health insurance companies, the threat of medical bankruptcy, lawyers taking advantage of it, and corporate lobbyists that ensure urban planning continues to be relegated to endless urban sprawl… 

DaveB771 wrote:

The sky has been falling and the sport has been doomed by insurance issues since my first race in 1976. 

soggy wrote:

Only a few are saying the sports dying, I don’t believe that for a second. All most of us are talking about here is a very...

Only a few are saying the sports dying, I don’t believe that for a second. All most of us are talking about here is a very specific reason a ton of tracks close in the states. Not the reason for every closure.  And it’s caused mainly by a systemic problem, that could be fixed but it makes people uncomfortable because it goes against long held beliefs they have. 

It makes me sad everytime I see a go fund me for an injured rider for medical expenses because their insurance has refused coveraged or there limit has been reached. if that doesn’t point to a massive issue I don’t know what does.   Yet in spite of a lot of views in here instead of shaming that person our community usually rallies around them and helps them if they can.  And generally that’s what all people want to do, the idea that we will help one very specific person healthcare costs but unwilling to extend that to our population is crazy.  

Zacka 161 wrote:

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to...

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to more and more traffic from further and further distances. Dense walkable cities means those like access to amenities, culture, public transport and green space aren’t forced to live in ever expanding culdesac developments. Well designed cities are designed around people — the more country and motocross people encourage 15 minutes city does cities the less people encroach on motocross tracks… supporting the people that don’t like motocross to stay as far away from tracks, by presenting a viable option is a huge key to saving tracks.  

Support 15 minute dense walkable cities even if you wouldn’t choose to live there. 

LungButter wrote:

Fair enough.

Zacka 161 wrote:

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to...

A 15 minutes city does not mean everyone has to live there. It simply reduces urban sprawl and the endless expansion of highways to handle to more and more traffic from further and further distances. Dense walkable cities means those like access to amenities, culture, public transport and green space aren’t forced to live in ever expanding culdesac developments. Well designed cities are designed around people — the more country and motocross people encourage 15 minutes city does cities the less people encroach on motocross tracks… supporting the people that don’t like motocross to stay as far away from tracks, by presenting a viable option is a huge key to saving tracks.  

Support 15 minute dense walkable cities even if you wouldn’t choose to live there. 

LungButter wrote:

Fair enough.

early wrote:

The 15 minute city thing is yet another example of bad messaging. It's really a fight between urban NIMBYs and urban YIMBYs. There's lots of urban...

The 15 minute city thing is yet another example of bad messaging. It's really a fight between urban NIMBYs and urban YIMBYs. There's lots of urban and inner ring suburban land that is zoned for single family homes that, as some cities have grown, has caused the quality of urban life to decrease. It's more about integrating residential and retail into the same spaces so you don't have to get in a car to do everything. It's also a fight to have more freedom to develop your own property as you see fit, and take control away from city planners and zoning departments. 

As far as country folk are concerned, denser cities would likely keep more of the libs out of your hair.

desertratlife wrote:

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take...

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take to start a new insurance company focused on selling policies only to protect athletes.  There would be no coverage for any illness, or other type of injury.   He thought it was feasible and that he could find an underwriter.  My thought was lets take it a step further and underwrite it using a crypto sort of self funded model.  So you buy into it and when you get older, or decide not participate any longer, you would have some sort of equity built up that you could cash out in case you never used it.

I need to give that guy a call and talk some more.

dkurtd wrote:

"wimps that have ruined motocross."I guess you never watched a race at Carlsbad or Saddleback, the greats that raced there were no wimps.  Traditionally motocross didn't...

"wimps that have ruined motocross."

I guess you never watched a race at Carlsbad or Saddleback, the greats that raced there were no wimps.  Traditionally motocross didn't have deep ruts unless it was a mudfest from rain.   

cheesehead420 wrote:

You clearly misunderstood me. I was bashing modern track prep which is what creates these slot car tracks that are all rutted but not a single...

You clearly misunderstood me. I was bashing modern track prep which is what creates these slot car tracks that are all rutted but not a single bump out there. Add in a bunch of jumps and F that. I’m just not interested. 

I was too young to have raced them but I have watched the old races of saddleback and Carlsbad and I stand by my statement that cry babies that whine about the track not being prepped have ruined the sport. Those tracks never even got groomed, never mind being “prepped”. I’d give my left nut to race either of those tracks. 

Watching the video of Marty Moates win in 1980 is one of the greatest races ever. That track was so rough and beat it was sick and he was literally floating around it. The skill it took for him to do that, his balance and line selection was out of this world that day. That’s motocross and I stand by my statement that “wimps have ruined it”

OwenJakes wrote:

I asked an ignorant question in another thread about this so here’s another one. How is it that these tracks get hammered so hard but trail systems...

I asked an ignorant question in another thread about this so here’s another one. 

How is it that these tracks get hammered so hard but trail systems and national forests are fine? I’ve never seen traps and people going the wrong way on a moto track…

OwenJakes wrote:

I asked an ignorant question in another thread about this so here’s another one. How is it that these tracks get hammered so hard but trail systems...

I asked an ignorant question in another thread about this so here’s another one. 

How is it that these tracks get hammered so hard but trail systems and national forests are fine? I’ve never seen traps and people going the wrong way on a moto track…

TurboFamilyof4 wrote:

Hopefully nobody reads that and gets any bright ideas. 

desertratlife wrote:

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take...

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take to start a new insurance company focused on selling policies only to protect athletes.  There would be no coverage for any illness, or other type of injury.   He thought it was feasible and that he could find an underwriter.  My thought was lets take it a step further and underwrite it using a crypto sort of self funded model.  So you buy into it and when you get older, or decide not participate any longer, you would have some sort of equity built up that you could cash out in case you never used it.

I need to give that guy a call and talk some more.

soggy wrote:

This is basically supplemental insurance. I think Spot is an example of a company that does it. I’m sure there are many companies that do it...

This is basically supplemental insurance. I think Spot is an example of a company that does it. I’m sure there are many companies that do it. The whole crypto angle is another thing entirely. 

MPJC wrote:

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during...

Our health care system in Canada isn't perfect, but I'll take it over the American system any time. In the last (just over a) year, during my journey to and through a Parkinson's diagnosis, I have seen 3 neurologists and had 2 MRIs. Cost to me: zero. I am now waiting for a follow up appointment for longer than I'd like, but that's because the neurologist I see had a 3 month research leave so his appointments are all pushed back.

For a lot of procedures here, wait times are excessive. But everyone is part of the queue - except for the very rich who can go elsewhere and pay for a procedure. American wait times are shorter, but put everyone - every single person, without exception - into the system and see what happens to your wait times. 

Every other country in the civilized world has some form of universal health care (many much better than what we have in Canada - some form of public/private hybrid system like many in Europe is probably the best). The problem with the American system strikes me as less private vs public and more a matter of how the whole thing is set up. I've had people much more knowledgeable than I am on the topic explain it to me, and that taught me that I don't have a great handle on how it works, but I had a lot of "holy shit, how do they get away with that" moments. It sounds to me like you all are getting hosed, and I have no idea what the solution is but someone must. I can't help but think that some really rich assholes are profiting from misery and bamboozling the people to subvert the political will to do anything about it. 

I'm pretty sure that if I was an American, I wouldn't be riding at all. I don't think that I could afford the risk. I, like many people around the world, look at the U.S.A. with amazement - that medical bankruptcies can be a thing in a country with so much. We have our own problems, so please don't take this as coming from someone who claims any sort of position of moral superiority - or that I claim to know all that much. I just hope you sort your shit out as well as is possible and that people in your country can still have places to ride and the medical coverage to allow riding to not be an insane risk. 

brocster wrote:

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of...

Stopped reading after your second paragraph.  Our ins is a scam but I rather get my ACL repaired within a few days to a couple of weeks rather than being on crutches and out of work waiting in the extensive lines of free healthcare services.  I’ll take in and out of surgery straight into rehab and back walking in a month or so rather than delaying out months to years rebuilding a leg that has atrophied sitting around waiting for months. Pick your poison, me, I’ll take US system all day every day with the hopes of things turning around within it in the next few years. 

zookrider62! wrote:

I’ve had my ACL torn and unrepaired for 7 or so years - this seems slightly dramatic.

desertratlife wrote:

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take...

I talked at length to a guy that owns an insurance agency that specializes in  insuring  businesses in high risk sports about what it would take to start a new insurance company focused on selling policies only to protect athletes.  There would be no coverage for any illness, or other type of injury.   He thought it was feasible and that he could find an underwriter.  My thought was lets take it a step further and underwrite it using a crypto sort of self funded model.  So you buy into it and when you get older, or decide not participate any longer, you would have some sort of equity built up that you could cash out in case you never used it.

I need to give that guy a call and talk some more.

soggy wrote:

This is basically supplemental insurance. I think Spot is an example of a company that does it. I’m sure there are many companies that do it...

This is basically supplemental insurance. I think Spot is an example of a company that does it. I’m sure there are many companies that do it. The whole crypto angle is another thing entirely. 

desertratlife wrote:

It is, but most people misunderstand the term "crypto".  What it really is is a means to fund a project or company that eliminates the middleman...

It is, but most people misunderstand the term "crypto".  What it really is is a means to fund a project or company that eliminates the middleman .  IN this case it would serve to eliminate the insurance agencies and thus bring down costs significantly.  The way we were discussing it, it would also serve as a means to give a user an out vs. typical insurance where they just take, take, take.

Racerx930 wrote:

I've had a small track for 15 years.  Most years we've been open pretty regular, the last few we've opened on race weekends.  The few insurance...

I've had a small track for 15 years.  Most years we've been open pretty regular, the last few we've opened on race weekends.  The few insurance companies that offer a yearly policy where we can open as we choose are simply too much to afford.  We've had a few spots where we could get our individual race weekends covered somewhat reasonably but even that now seems to be going away. 

  There's a lot of discussion on things that we just can't change.  We're not going to change human nature, our heathcare system in the US isn't going to suddenly change due to a bunch of dirtbike guys on a forum.   I got to thinking about what we can change though...   I have a friend with what i would consider a large trucking outfit (155 trucks).  I was discussing this situation with him and he was explaining to me how trucking companies will go in together and start a "collective" for insurance.  Their rates will vary from year to year based on what the collective has to pay out. This is what we need from the AMA or even a new amateur focused motocross sanctioning body.  

  My gut tells me that local racing as I know it (The kind I grew up racing) has about 2 years left if nothing changes.  You will still see the massive 2000 plus "amateur nationals", annual events etc.  But I don't see a path forward for local, public race / practice tracks.  I think we're just seeing the beginning.