re: #620 b_sharp

Most of those crossing the border are doing so to get things like hips and knees replaced. There is indeed a wait list that is too long for that kind of surgery. However, if you have cancer, or heart problems, or any other severe problem the wait is much shorter. Unfortunately, when something does go wrong, the case is publicized far and wide.

How many people are uncovered in the US? How many can’t afford to get work done so just suffer with it? How many go bankrupt?

Premier Williams is a Progressive Conservative, not NDP. Although he explains it by saying it was a highly specialized operation and he wanted a doctor that does that particular operation many times a day, most people do not understand why he went to the States considering he could have gotten the operation in Ontario.

My question to you is, how would changing our system to mirror the US system make it better? Would those poor people have their own doctors, or would they be forced to run to the ER?

Why in the world would you compare our system to North Korea? That is unfounded and quite insulting.

There are plenty of people that are uncovered but they are not refused medical treatment. Even illegal aliens are afforded full health care here.

As to your question, I never said Canada ought to adopt the US system. I do believe that Canadian SC decision to allow citizens to seek their own health care is a positive development. I believe that over time, as more private clinics/hospitals come online- and the demand is clearly there- the ‘competition’ will make for better health care in the public system.

Like I said, there is no perfect system when it comes to health care. Canada has it’s health care culture which is very different from the health care culture here.