Up until age 68 I never used our (Canada) health system other than an annual checkup. Since then I have had a silent stroke (I didn't know I had it for some time), Had an enjoyable bout with shingles and was diagnosed with diabetes. Since then I have used the system maybe 20 times( doctor visits, cat scan, MRI, blood work, tests etc). Living in Nova Scotia, I walk into a hospital, clinic or doctor's office, show them my medical card, get tested and go home. I never hear from our medical system again. The health system is excellent. At no time have I ever had to wait more than 2 hours. There are times when waits may be longer but if I have a problem that needs attention I am seen right away. Our system is paid through taxation so every person is covered. Some provinces do charge a small premium but nothing excessive. Our care system is as good as any anywhere and the cost per Canadian is substantially below the US. We don't need to talk to insurance companies to see whether I am covered, I am automatically covered. Single payer is the only way to go.

Additional insurance coverage can be purchased here but I personally never had to, i.e. eye care, dental care. Overall the US spends about 15% of GDP on health care, Canada pays about 10%. The system layers, in the US, IMO is the problem, maybe doctors are but I do believe they are dedicated to healing the sick.

We do have a doctor shortage in this part of Canada but I have not felt the impact of that problem. Interestingly, Nova Scotia has on of the lowest rates of Covid cases and deaths anywhere in the world and our vaccination rate is near the top in Canada at 72%. We also have the highest average age anywhere in the country. We must be doing something right.

Last edited by VNORTH2; 06/29/21 10:22 AM.
Creators of music have a responsibility to their craft. When they have finished using all the notes and words, they must pass them down to the next generation with a simple request. “Use these to create new music.”...Steven McDonald