I’ve had more than one disagreement with casual American acquaintances who’ve told me they think we have a great health care system and they’re envious. I’ve told every one of them that they’re so wrong their names should be Wrongy Wrongway.
Everyone in Canada has some level of free health insurance, and we can use it for free and with little delay for the minor health matters of life (broken bone, childbirth, annual checkups, routine infections). But God help us if we need anything serious or expensive, like cancer treatment, heart surgery or something difficult to diagnose. We are waitlisted for months or longer, even something as simple as an MRI. I know more than one person who died before their appointment to begin treatment and I remain convinced that that’s a feature, not a bug.
“ But God help us if we need anything serious or expensive, like cancer treatment, heart surgery or something difficult to diagnose. We are waitlisted for months or longer, even something as simple as an MRI.”
You’re so right, LL. I’ve been on a waiting list for a colonoscopy (not that I’m looking forward to it, LOL!) for at least two years now, with no news. I’m supposedly low risk, but so what? Do they want me to have it or what.
My family doctor recommended I get the shot, too, because of my age and high blood pressure. I was surprised because he has more common sense than most doctors I’ve used. I think doctors have gotten the word from on high to push it.
It ain’t going to work in my and my wife’s case.