A True Tale of Canadian Health Care: Why some patients need to go to the U.S. for surgery

Many advocates of health-care reform are admirers of Canada's state-run, no-opt-out, single-payer system. Indeed, in 2003, President Barack Obama voiced enthusiasm for such a health-care program.

Proponents of Canadian-style health care should meet Cheryl Baxter, a Canadian citizen who waited years for hip-replacement surgery, only to be told that her operation would not happen any time soon. Instead of waiting, Baxter did what an increasing number of Canadians are doing: She flew to a clinic in the United States, paid out of pocket, and had a life-altering surgery in a matter of weeks rather than years.

Baxter's experience doesn't just throw damning light on Canadian health care. The sort of clinic she went to in Oklahoma suggests a different way of delivering health care in the United States, too: A simple fee-for-service model in which providers openly advertise their prices, service, and reputation. Rather than a frustrating, complicated mess of intermediaries such as employers and insurance companies, U.S. health-care reformers should think about bringing medicine into line with the same dynamics that help deliver great service at great prices throughout most other parts of the economy.

While Canadian health care is certainly cheaper than its U.S. counterpart (health care spending in Canada is about 10 percent of GDP versus 16 percent in the United States), it is not necessarily better or more equitable. As a recent National Bureau of Economic Research comparison concluded, "Americans are more likely to report that they are fully satisfied with the health services they have received and to rank the quality of care as excellent." Not only do Americans have far greater access to basic diagnostic tools ranging from mammograms to CT scans, the researchers found "the health-income gradient is actually more prominent in Canada than in the U.S." That is, wealthy Canadians receive far better care compared to low-income Canadians than rich Americans versus poor Americans.

"A True Tale of Canadian Health Care" was produced by Dan Hayes and Peter Suderman. Interviews were filmed by Alex Manning and the segment is hosted and scripted by Nick Gillespie. Approximately 5.11 minutes.

Reason.tv would like to thank the Independence Institute for arranging and underwriting travel to Canada for Suderman and Manning.

For downloadable versions of this video, go to http://reason.tv/video/show/a-true-ta....

For other Reason.tv videos on health care, go to http://reason.tv

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[MadHabber93]

My Mom got her MRI the next Day when Cancer was suspected. YOU ARE A FUCKING LIAR. I waited all of 10 days for non-urgent sinus diagnosis.

YOU are controlled by workman's comp who believe you are a FUCKING LUNATIC, so they refuse to pay for your bullshit aches and pains.

You even said it above, unless authorized by workman's comp, you are not covered. Workman's comp IS NOT THE PROVINCIAL PAYER YOU FUCKING LUNATIC!!!

[FIXWCBCANADA]

I received a letter from workers compensation which states, go to your doctor and inform him workers compensation has denied you HELP for your work injury, then you can receive treatment;

I did this and was told, NO we will not treat a work injury, unless authorized by workers compensation.

[FIXWCBCANADA]

In Canada, it can take 5 years to get a MRI to diagnosis a medical problem;

BEWARE, Canadians.....doctors are used as agents of social control, used to deny expensive medical care such as MRI - CT scan ;

No diagnosis = No need for surgery; = No medical costs;

[MadHabber93]

FIXWCB was denied coverage by the Workman's Compensation Board. A private company that determines when and if he is covered because he had a work injury. He does NOT fall under the provincial healthcare system where you are NEVER denied care due to cost. EVER! He is a LIAR and a LUNATIC!!

[FIXWCBCANADA]

I received 2 x-rays, both question multiple spinal fractures, yet I was denied a MRI or CT scan, specialists appointment. WHY? because when ever there is significant injury and insurance interests, you are denied timely diagnosis - timely medical care to protect Government Insurance Treasury;

No diagnosis = No costly medical care = No government medical costs for treatment of injury = Lifetime of PAIN - POVERTY - MISERY;

[FIXWCBCANADA]

Canadian doctors don't even look at the MRI, they just read the report,

Canadian Radiologists cannot even evaluate MRI scans properly;

If you are in severe pain, NOTHING is done to identify the reason or cause of pain.

In Canada you are denied pain blocks, facet blocks, or anything and everything to investigate the cause of severe pain. 5 ortho surgeons - 3 neurosurgeons, over a 3 yr period, would NOT order MRI or CT scan or even conduct a physical examination;

[Boogie man]

FACT: I an Canadian I'm not paid to say this 80%-90% of Canadians agree with me. In the USA 27% of Americans agree with you up until Obamacare and is now at a whopping 49%. Almost half of your country doesn't think your health cares a disgrace. Maybe someday America can join the rest of the First world countries and in the process Save your government money on first rate Health care for everyone.

[anonynomnomnom]

and i think you're paid to post bullshit online. FACT: this medical surgery center exists and does surgeries and gets paid solely by their patients. do you think they're faking that?