I think the whole 'horendiously[sic] long' wait time / poorer quality service myths about the Canadian system have been created to make US citizens fearful of nationalized / universal health care, thus protecting the
profits of the health care system there.
I live in Canada and have had lower back issues ever since I hurt it throwing out a couch. Nothing major, just occasional pain. It was acting up a few years ago because I had to use an uncomfortable work chair for a few months. I decided to go see my doctor (booked an appointment,
no wait time) to make sure there were no major issues coming my way down the road (an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, unfortunately most US citizens can't afford to do this in the 'superior' US healthcare system).
I didnt need any expedited care and there was no life threatening issues. But less than a week later I was getting a CT scan on my back (had an appointment booked for me,
no wait time) just to make sure everything was fine. All this for free (money and stress). I personally love the Canadian health care system and would hate to live in a country which didn't look after all its citizens this way.
I was actually blown away by the speed of care. Before that experience I had mostly been exposed to american media. I so fully expected a non essential CT scan would take weeks or months to get.
There is a 'downside' to the Canadian system of course. If for whatever reasons the hosiptal's emergancy room is busy when I go there, a doctor will choose to treat a terminally ill homeless man (regardless of his inability to pay for health insurance or taxes) before they will see me about the penny i got stuck up my nose. Causing me to wait longer than I want to, even though I have far more money than the homeless man. I guess thats just the price I'll have to pay to have Canada's inferior system.
And before you think, why dont I just pay a private doctor to reduce my wait times. That completely ruins the idea of universal healthcare since the best doctors will go where they can make the most money (private hospitals), not where they are needed. Thus treating idiots with pennies up their nose for millions, rather than saving lives of people who cant pay.
I personally am willing to wait in a busy ER if that means someone else who needs help more than me gets it.
Quote from moneymonger:
Just had a fierce debate with a friend of mine about USA healthcare. We are both US citizens. He claims that Canadians
lOVE their Socialised Medical system. I presume that is true
because Canadians continue to support the status quo. However,
I have heard reports through the media that Canadians who need expediated care for serious diseases and conditions are
SOL. The wait times for CT scans,MRI,s and Oconological care
are horendiously long. Oftentimes, these diseases progress
because of this latency of care. Is this true? Are Canadaians
on this board satisfied with their system?
I do realise the faults of the American system: excessive costs,
corrupt insurance companies, lack of quality medicinal marijuana in most parts of the country.