Canadians... is this true about your healthcare?

Doc, it happens that I have a doctor in my family and I understand what you are saying but you are "over the top". Some precautions have to be done because Canadian Health System is abused by many people and also by some doctors who are overcharging and billing twice OHIP's accounts or even charges unexisting patients on someone else cards.
You know exactly what I am talking about.

Majority of doctors who run from Canada to USA are those who lost their licences in here for medical missconduct or who want to get rich fast. Only few moved to America because they got married to US citizen.

So, the next time an American is treated by Canadian doctor in USA, he/she should ask themselves a question: “Why this doctor is here?”.

Thank you Canada for giving me this opportunity to become Canadian, a proud one!

Yes my area. We also need specialized equipment. Lots of us have to go to the US for treatment.

You clearly have no experience. I'm just providing my observations of working in the health system on both sides of the border for over 20 years in 2 provinces and 2 different states.

THe system in Canada has steadily decayed from an efficient and excellent one into a morass of mediocrity and government central control. I had to deal with politicians and government managers every single day. Go to Calgary Herald and search AHS to learn more.

In the US i do not have to deal with retarded insurance adjustors. Contracts are made and services are provided, much like in any other business transaction.

I'm thrilled with my move.

If you want to see the bureaucratic nightmare that results, look at Britain.

alberta here.

It sound like you are in Ontario which is still not too bad. Try Alberta for the full meal deal of central command medicine. If you are a socialist you will love it!!

Look at Alberta AHS is the shining example of government madness

Agreed AHS in alberta is full of BS

Canadians get confused by US spell checkers and many of us have started to drop our 'u' and now spell words like "defence" as "defense" as a result of communicating regularly with people from the US. There are even a few who have stopped thinking when they write and spell "you're" as "your".

Our healthcare system has its problems but come on.. If you or your child get sick, you can go to a clinic and be seen within the hour (sometimes more depending on if its flu season). I don't have to worry wondering if I break a leg, how will I get the money to go to the hospital.

I can complain about our system all I want and show things that have happened that are totally unfair but in the end I am proud of my country for its healthcare system. It's definitely not the best in the world but my two aunts that nearly died of breast cancer have our healthcare system to thank. Neither have benefits at their job and if they worked in the U.S I cannot even imagine the cost of their bills after the radiation and mastectomies.

Also- not sure if many of you know this but prescriptions, eye care and dental are NOT covered under our plans and unless you are low income you have to pay out of pocket or maybe you are lucky enough to work for a company that has benefits. Most companies do NOT have benefits, so that's mostly for government workers and people lucky enough to have well paying jobs. The rest of us pay our prescriptions out pocket.

Don't be afraid of universal health care. It's a good thing.

That's not true about the triage.

Partner?? What like a cowboy?? Business associate?? I don't get it!! Oh maybe you're line dancing partner?? Is that it??

Living in Northern Ontario, if someone has a condition that requires immediate attention, then they receive it, and if there isn't a specialist in my City, they will arrange an appointment in the next nearest city sometimes even providing transportation if it is time sensitive. Our healthcare is like the emergency room at any hospital, the most critical or severe cases get the immediate attention, and those that are minor in nature wait longer for treatment.

What a fear mongering load of bullshit. Do problems happen and are mistakes made............ yes. On average though it works quite well. I have been unfortunate enough to need emergency medical treatment and surgeries, due to injury on four occasions over the years and in three different provinces. I got what I needed and quickly, including medivac via air ambulance.

Canadian doctors and nurses go to the US to make more money. I have family in the medical profession and know this to be true. And it has a lot to do with why you see doctors speaking out against change down there because they do not want to see the gravy train many of them are use to change to a more normal 'wage' level. I just had 4 US surgeons this fall at my place of employment (tourism) and they told me how much they make in a year...... it is obscene. They are worth millions and the guys running the medical company they work for make many millions in salary and bonuses.

I have relatives and many friends in the US and I have seen several lose every thing they had and left their families penniless when they died thanks to the US system.......... and they HAD medical coverage.

You guys can have your system. I will take ours any day over the system in the US.

I have NEVER had a problem getting in to see a doctor, NEVER had to wait longer than 2 weeks to see a specialist for a test.

Have a caring and compassionate doctor that doesn't push drugs on me and is open to alternative health care.

So, no complaints from this Canuck regarding our health care system.

It rocks.

I don't need to google anything, I live in Calgary, and have lived in Alberta all my life, My mom is an RN my sister works at the foothills. I was actually in the U of C premed. All I will say is BS. Like I said before if you were an MD you would know how to spell. Not to mention that in ANY business you have to deal with bureaucratic BS I work in a construction company that is rife with BS. Like someone else said earlier, people like you are the problem, either jumping ship in Canada to live the 'American Dream' or incompetent to practice in Canada. That being said you opinion of the system here in Canada and a roll of toilet paper I can wipe my ass.

If its serious its done faster. But some procedures take longer. All are covered though.

im in okotoks! I went to MiniMed School at UofC lol!

My family doctor can't spell FTR. :)

Obamacare is not single-payer healthcare like Canada's. People will have a variety of insurance companies and will go to providers for each company, just as we do now, if you have insurance. If you have Medicaid or Medicare, providers are limited and you will undoutedly have long waits but other than that it should be pretty much like it is.

many people in my family have had a variety of medical issues (cancers, heart problems, etc.) and have been treated in good time and treated very well. i have rarely had to wait more than a couple hours in the ER to get a bed and see a doctor.

the only complaint i have with our health care is help for mental health issues. i have some fairly severe mental health issues and the waiting list to get into a group therapy program is approx 1 year. in the meantime i am still able to have appointments with my psychiatrist to make sure everything is going ok, etc. but its a loooong wait to get into therapy programs.

If according to you 50% of Canadian taxes supports our medical health care then imagine what your taxes are going to be in America after ObamaCare. Hmmm, looks like 50% more than you are paying now... With US being over 16 trillions in debt and in such economical trouble, this ObamaCare may be a way to get more money from you, the tax payers. Much more then actual cost of this medical system may be...

Not all healthcare rules and regulations are the same throughout Canada. It is a COUNTRY...not just a province/territory/state/parish. Pending on where you live, it will differ. Ontario for example is a different system than say, B.C.

That being said, regarding the U.S., ObamaCare could most likely be like the V.A. healthcare system. If you are a veteran or known anyone who is...ASK them. It is Beaucracy and yes, sometimes long waits. I was told I may have glaucoma two weeks ago and will not go back for two months...meanwhile, I am losing my eye sight, lol.

Rich or poor, there will always be a wait WORLD-WIDE as there are only so many doctors and available resources. Think patient vs. doctor ratio and therein is the problem.

OP you may want to wait a few years to see how our healthcare system morphs with no evil American healthcare industry to provide us with technologies and treatments. We had a decent run while riding your coat tails, now only time will tell, because the land of opportunity and land with the freedom to choose is dead.

I thought Romney wanted to encourage State by state decides for themselves, that makes sense to me. The states with high illegal immigration better get federal help with that problem though.

This is true.

I can see all those Canadian doctors who run to America to get richer will be runing back to Canada after ObamaCare take place. LOL

People wait 2 or more years for a hop replacement. 4 years or more for a family doctor. Drive 2 or more hours to see a specialists. Wait 6 or more hours in an emergency room. Because of costs, the government needed to cap the amount of money spent on health care.
Still it is better to have it than not have it.
I heard that people in the states who don't have insurance aren't allowed medical care.

As Ontario residents, my family have, on a number of occasions, required emergency care (surgery) and have received that care in a very timely manner. We make appointments to see family docs and are seen next day or two, same day in some cases. For anyone wishing private care, private care centres are also available in Canada.

We have many friends across the border.... majority of them who have families are still paying off child delivery charges (even with insurance), and many don't even book yearly physicals.

There are approx. 45.8 million Americans on food stamps; the entire population of Canada is just over 34 million - I'm not sure the feasibility of comparing health care systems in these two countries.

Kismet