Just wondering from a Canadian's point of view
2007-04-19 08:56:57 · 6 answers · asked by hichefheidi 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Any Canadian can go to any hospital, medical office, walk-in clinic or emergency room and receive medical care at no direct cost (yes, we pay for it through taxes and wages but that cost is pretty insignificant). We do not require medical insurance (although, most people get insurance to allow for private rooms, drugs and other things not covered by the health care system).
Some Canadians complain about the system (i.e. 2 Tiers)... until they leave Canada and experience pay-per-use health care.
Do any Canadians "hate" the system... I'm sure there are people who have had bad experiences. However, I'm sure most Canadians appreciate our health care system.
2007-04-19 09:17:19 · answer #1 · answered by fergy_1967 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I only left Canada a year ago, after having lived there my whole life. I went to a doctor in my new home, and was a little taken aback by having to pay for a simple visit. I understand this is the way it works, and was prepared, but was still a bit of a shock to the system. It seemed strange to have a financial exchange for medical care.
The slags against Canada's healthcare system are, largely, influenced by the American media. Long waits for care, substandard treatments and on and on it goes. None of that is true. The realities are that hospitals did close down a few years back, but that was because they were sadly underutilized, and the system could not support so many facilities. Bad press resulted, but not bad care. I have not, nor has anyone I have ever known, had to suffer while waiting for an important procedure. Sure, elective surgeries have a backlog...but nothing life threatening. And when it is covered financially, I don't think the wait was really resented. If anyone felt they could not wait for such procedures, the options of private care or going to the US is always an option...but rarely followed.
Taxation is the issue that has most Canadians up in arms. But again, to be able to count on healthcare, no matter your income bracket, is invaluable. And given the choice of lowering taxes for private healthcare, you would see people lining up to defend the national healthcare program. Health should never be a financial consideration in a developed country.
2007-04-19 09:05:49 · answer #2 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 8⤊ 4⤋
most do.... There are ballot initiative all the time up there to get it converted back but the press in the US never really picks up these stories. They want a 2 tiered system that would never settle well here.
2007-04-19 09:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
437
2007-04-19 09:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
Z H –
Yeah, right; they just hate the fact that they have a lower infant mortality rate and longer life expectancies than Americans, but then so do 35-40 other countries. Even Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than the US.
2007-04-19 09:07:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 6⤋
I don't like your birthday hat
2007-04-19 09:03:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 8⤋