American health care vs Canadian health care.........?

You are absolutely correct!!!! See the story of the woman who was flon 2000 miles to find an open maternity bed. What a waste of money and what an inconvenience. Or know that the average wait to see a specialist is 8 months. Yes, Hillary we need this system too.

1) I can never find information on this one. Most of the cases that I hear of are one ofs. I can tell you that I haven't heard of a single case where it has been for something that was drastically needed, which makes sense, because Canada does not put those needing treatment for a life threatning condition on wait lists. It is only those needing experimental or cosmetic treatments. Even Shona Holmes (not sure if you saw those ads) and her "brain tumor" (which was actually a cist that, if left untreated for a long period of time, may have impaired her vision - as reported by the Mayo Clinic where she went for treatment) was a case of a Canadian crossing the border that was blown out of proportion by lobbyists who are paid by insurance companies. 2) Unfortunately, the last stat on this was from 1992 (maybe that has something to do with the insurance industry covering the numbers up). In 1992, it was 600,000 in Ontario alone. It is estimated, however, that in 2008, Americans spent over $1 billion in prescriptions alone in Canada. Apparently, it can be a little hard to track, because there are Americans who hop the border to pay less for certain treatments (only citizens can go to the hospital for free, but Americans will pay less than 1/10 what they do in America for certain procedures) and others who will get fake provincial health cards to get free treatment (those are the ones who are hard to track).

I'm am American who's been living in Canada for 8 years now. In the states, I had good medical coverage. I never had to wait more than a day for a dr. appt. In Canada I have medical coverage, but what good does it do me when I have to wait weeks to get into my doctor and up to a year to see some specialists!

In the USA, even if you don't have medical coverage, you can still receive treatement. Most hospitals have signs posted in their emergency room saying that you can not be refused treatment due to no insurance. Sure, you may end up owing money, but at least you can get treatment and even surgery.

In Canada, you might have to wait up to 6 months or more for cancer surgery, even if you have a brain tumor! It's so scary to me up here. I'm terrified that I'll need surgery and not be able to get it in time. People die waiting. So what good is this supposedly 'free' medical.

I say you get what you pay for - just how much is a 'free' doctor worth? There's no reason for a doctor up here to care if he treats you right or not. They have such a long waiting list, they don't care if you don't like them and quit going to them. If you think you have a doctor who's not too good, you feel like you're stuck with them, because it's almost impossible to get into a another doctor, no one is taking new patients.

I much prefer the American medical system.

I am still so undecided about this. The difference is, though, that every Canadian CAN at least be able to go to the doctor and wait 4 hours to get health care. But I totally understand what you're saying.

I'm hoping that we can come up with a better health care system that gives every American the opportunity for treatment and preventative treatment, but in a more acceptable way.

I dont think most americans understand this, on paper free health care looks real nice but in real life socialized health care is really screwed up,. no competition so no big hurry. I also see allot of reports of canadian docs moving to america to actually make some money

My FIL flew from Thunder Bay Ontario to Toronto to have open heart surgery..that's about what, 2000 miles? There are good and bads about all health care whether in Canada or US. MY FIL worked for the Ministry of Transportation for 30 years with the BEST of Canadian health care.

So far I'm not impressed with either...

Heather

I see that the only change in decades is continual decline in Canada's socialized medicine.

Americans, don't you know that taxpayers already pay for, subsidize, US health care and hospitals. Those who valued education as children have more options in the healthcare marketplace as adults - TANSTAAFL.

My biggest complaint with the US system is that it appears we are charged more than anywhere else on the planet for meds by pharmaceutical companies, forcing Americans to subsidize the world's medication costs.

There are few medical personnel in Canada. Thus, health care is not that good unlike in other countries.

All the American-bashing Americans who think its just oh so trendy to talk trash about their own country, and glorify Canada, need to read your question. These fellow Americans have NO clue as to how good they have it. Free is no good if you die waiting, or get shoddy care. You get what you pay for!

Well, it depends on if you can afford better health care whether Canadian health care is better, doesn't it?