Canada/US Experience

I've lived in Canada and the US, and readily accessed health care in both countries. My primary care in Canada was excellent, and referrals were accomplished in a timely manner. Everything was paid for but prescriptions, and I was able to pursue issues I might not have been able to in the US. At the same time, Toronto was sending women with breast cancer to Buffalo, NY for treatment, and "elective" surgeries can take as long as a year to get scheduled. Many small communities have little by way of medical care. Taxes were high, but unable to fund the kind of salaries and equipment found in the US. In the US, I've had excellent primary care also. Referrals have also been accomplished in a timely manner. I do think quality of care here depends some on one's assertiveness and knowledge, but I've gotten what I need and most folks I know are happy with the available resources. Living in a small town does mean traveling an hour or more for some specialties, and mental health care is very hard to come by. Folks who need dialysis travel 40 minutes 3 times a week to get treatment. Here I am paying for my own health insurance, upwards of $6,000 per year. I am fortunate to be able to do that. Both Canadian and American systems have significant strengths and weaknesses, but I am personally committed to universal health care. With the business model running American life, and American egos, I don't know how we get that accomplished. Taxes did not provide adequate funding for health care in Canada, so other resources are needed. In my view, advocacy for patients is a critical need while we work to redesign American health care.