Lady's Human -
But this was in Canada. You know, the wonderful national medical system we are theoretically insane if we don't emulate? EVERYONE gets medical care in Canada, Gratis.
Thanks for raising that important point....didn't want to hijack the thread it was in, though.

Yes, Canadians can get almost any medical service for free. But free comes with a steep price.

Waiting times (ignore what Moore says).

One example - hospitals are funded by government (some are starting to be funded privately and publicly, but that is another story).

A lot of our aging population needs hip and knee replacements.

The government gives each hospital X number of dollars to be used for a specific procedure. This means they can do only so many per year.

Result - wait in pain for 2 - 3 years for your surgery.

There is a big surge now in paid services - if you want your MRI or surgery now, fine. But you pay out of pocket. $750 - $800 for an MRI, for example. My friend has a neurological problem with her sciatic nerve. Four months for the MRI. She is on disability, and folks in that case come last.

Corporate types might have their company insurance to help.

Most of us don't. Thank God my CT scan was booked as urgent - took only two weeks.

However, my urgent urologist referral - took me three months to see him.

Think of it this way - the gov't controls the medical budget. There are going to be limits. And each province is different. Most provinces have a health care premium that is paid into the gov't system.

Our system is evolving to emulate that of the US.

Nothing to envy north of the border!