Allan
When Americans criticize the Canadian healthcare system I just smile and try to explain that most of what they have been told about our healthcare is lies.
We can and do go to the doctor we choose and we can see as many doctors as we like for the same ailment.
We have no deductibles on anything when we see a doctor or go into a hospital.
Everything is covered . There are no extra hidden charges.
There are sometimes waits for non life threatening services, but never for serious cases requiring immediate attention.
No one and I mean absolutely no one ever worries about getting into debt because of healthcare cost because there is no cost. It is covered by the taxes we pay.
Our taxes in Canada are lower than American taxes if you are working class or middle class. However rich people pay more tax in Canada than rich people pay in the US.
The Canadian system is not run for profit. Doctors are generally very honest and are greatly trusted and respected.
I have never heard a case where surgery has resulted in a botched job or a doctor has recommended unneeded surgery or tests.
Doctors in Canada do not own test labs and diagnostic machines so they don’t profit from them and they don’t prescribe them to make money.
Doctors in Canada make a salary from the government about 180 thousand to 200 thousand a year. They don’t have a massive debt to pay back for medical school.
Universities are affordable for most people but are higher than they used to be. I winter in Florida for 6 months a year and I hear about the high cost of medical insurance about $1600 a month for a family of 4.
Then an additional copay of around $300to $400 a month. There are also deductibles up to a certain amount before you get the benefit of your healthcare.
My neighbor has a $3000 deductible which means every time she visits her doctor she has to pay money until her deductible is met.
This means that many people avoid seeing a doctor even when they are sick because it costs them more money and sometimes they die because serious problems go undetected until it is too late.
I constantly hear complaints from neighbors that their doctor sends them for tests like MRI’s every month.]
I have heard many stories about botched surgeries requiring followup surgery.
But most of all I see the constant worry that healthcare costs cause for Floridians especially as they get older.
So getting back to the original question “ What do Canadians think when Americans criticize the Canadian healthcare system?
We think we are damn lucky!
