Is the Canadian form of universal healthcare adequate or full of problems like we in America are told?

Question

With our very expensive and shattered American healthcare system we are looking for a better solution. Many say the Canadian system is great, others say it has long waits and subpar quality. We need honest opinions instead of special interests lies.

Answer 1

I live in Alberta, probably the most right-wing and conservative province in Canada. If I need to see a doctor, I can get in the same evening if I'm prepared to wait for an hour or longer in a walk-in medical clinic. To see a specialist takes a bit of time, the length depending on the specialty. I had a problem with my eye that required emergency surgery. I was able to get it operated on the next day.

Alberta is a province that depends on oil for much of its revenue. The price of oil goes up and it goes down. During a time when prices were low, the people of Alberta voted in a neoconservative government that slashed spending in all sorts of areas, including health care. As a result, a lot of trained people lost their jobs and went elsewhere, mainly south. A reduction in the number of places in Alberta medical schools resulted in a shortage of doctors. We're trying to rebuild the health care system now, as there is increased demand for services due to a booming economy. The federal government, which funds medical care (to some extent) and sets standards reduced funding during the 90s to cut the deficit, resulting in the same kinds of problems elsewhere.

In general, the system is not as bad as Americans make out. When I've needed medical care for something, I got it, and when I needed it fast, I got it fast. Physicians in Canada are the equal of physicians in the U.S. Most of the problems we've had with our health care system have come from ill-advised attempts by neoconservatives to turn the Canadian system more into something as is found in the U.S. For an ordinary guy like me, who makes a good but not fabulous income, the Canadian system is far preferable to anything in the U.S. If you ask a Canadian about the health care system, you might get grumbling because people naturally complain about things rather than give praise; if you ask that person about the Canadian system compared to the American system, you get a response of gratitude that we're not like that up here.

Answer 2

I live in Ontario and have Ontario Health Insurance Plan. There are flaws in the system but all in all the health plan works. I get free Dr.'s visits and free eye exams. The reason there are waiting lists is a shortage of Dr.'s especially family Dr.'s. which causes back up in the system. Everybody wants to specialize in certain areas so they can make the big bucks. The care isn't sub par at all. We don't have a two level system like you have in the US. therefore everyone is covered.

Answer 3

Our health care system is far from perfect. Wait times are ridiculously long and we also have a doctor shortage which means we do not get the adequate care we should. Provincial and Federal Governments need to make this issue a priority before our health care collapses like a deck of cards.

Answer 4

As a Canadian I have found the system to be reasonable.
Although not without problems.In Ontario we have a lack of doctors which contributes to waiting times for operations.
Both my parents underwent surgery in the last year and I was impressed by the level of care and professionalism.
Bottom line,everyone gets help.

Answer 5

I have a really dear friend who is a citizen in Quebec. He has told me on numerous occasions of the flaws associated with the health care system there.

From the outside looking in, it looks to be a great system, but on the inside, the Dr.s are not up to par. There are still expenses they incur while under treatment and there is not a lot of choice when it comes to your rights as a patient. They can't sue if there is any type of malpractice or wrongful death. They grin and bear it from what I understand.

I like the idea as a whole, but I do think there needs to be stringent watching of those who run, work for and use the system.

Answer 6

If your not Canadian or used the Canadian health care system, I don't think you are qualified to answer this question. Dr's not up to par??? (Smack right upside the head with the back of my hand) We have witch Dr's here, dumb ***(do you even know where Canada is) You probably had a Canadian Dr. at your last visit. Yes we can sue, but we are not sue crazy like the USA. Yes sometimes there are waiting lists ( how long would you wait to save $100,000) we even seem to find room for USA patients. Canada with all her faults is still better than the USA. Now go work on your Foreign Policy. You kinda F'ed things up now didn't you.

Answer 7

I certainly wouldn't call the American system shattered and expensive. I work for a living and pay for health insurance and get excellent care. If I was a beach bum and not working I would get lousy care. Certainly sounds fair and equitable to me. And the beach bums that don't work and receive Medicaid or whatever it is the government hands out should feel lucky they get anything at all. Try the third world countries that wait on American doctors to come to their villages.

Answer 8

The quality of medicine gets worse in their system. Also, theres waiting lists and stuff.

However, I've heard that Italy's system of semi-social healthcare works great.