As a rebuttal to Dennis Rittenmeyer's comments on social medicine in Canada, please remember that the premier of one of the provinces was recommended to go to Florida for his heart surgery!
Do you know about the long lines at the doctors' offices? You call to see if he or she is in, walk in and wait until one of the staff tells you the doctor is free. In my experience that might and frequently does take hours.
The doctors do not take care of all their patients each day. When closing time comes and you haven't been seen, you are asked to return. The offices are full of hypochondriacs because you pay nothing at the time.
In the province where I grew up, there's one MRI facility and you could die waiting for a scan or even an operation. You are put on a list for surgery and have to endure your misery until that date comes.
Plus, the provincial sales tax in some cases is 15% to pay for this "free" service.
There are two hospitals in my previous province, and in the summer several floors in one are closed for "summer holidays."
Speaking of going to the United States for surgery, that happens all the time and the patient pays for it. Also, under the "scheme," as they call it, you had better have insurance because you pay for all prescriptions.
So, don't believe everything you read.
- Marjorie Steinke, Highland
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