re: #290 lawhawk

Nothing of the sort. The costs are incurred by the US hospital and billed to someone - whether the Canadian citizen or govt picks it up. It will be at the cost set by the hospital, and not necessarily at a Medicaid/Medicare mandated level either. It may be a cost that actually reflects the true cost of care.

The problem is that the Canadian govt has no incentive to provide additional care at the same level as the US hospital just across the border at their own hospital if the US hospital exists. That means that they can shift the burdens onto the US hospital and don’t have to incur the carrying costs.

I’m sorry, but how is that a problem, exactly?

If the hospital is charging at cost or above cost for the procedure, what burden is being shifted?