Canada Healthcare

So, What's It Like To Live In Canada?

An interesting perspective on the subject of healthcare comes from reading this company's page. They make a living by helping Canadians escape their government-run system, and get what they need in the United States of America.

The Canadian government apparently spends a lot of energy brainwashing its citizens to believe that they have no right to buy health care. Several points in the FAQ are about convincing people they really do have a right to take care of themselves.

Is it legal to go outside the Canadian health care system in this manner?

Yes. It is illegal in Canada to "jump the queue," but perfectly legal to leave the queue and receive treatment outside the public system.

Doesn't this contribute to a "two-tier" healthcare system?

There is already a multi-tier system in Canada. Workers Compensation Boards, the RCMP, the Indian Affairs Ministry, insurance companies and the Federal Corrections Department regularly pay for their clients/prisoners to receive prompt medical care at private surgical clinics in Canada. Recently, the spouse of a deputy provincial health minister sought our help to leave the queue to get private medical care. In November 2005, the CBC aired a one hour documentary on their program "The Passionate Eye" on which they pointed out the fallacy that Canada still has a one-tier system. Our organization, Timely Medical Alternatives was featured prominently, on that show.


Isn't jumping the queue against the Canadian way?

Indeed it is. Inmates in Federal prisons and politicians (among others) routinely jump the queue and we agree that this practice is outrageous. Jumping the queue occurs when convicted criminals and politicians are given preference over the rest of us. When they jump to the head of the queue, Mrs Brown - who had been at the head of the list - is forced to relinquish her place in line. Our clients don't jump the queue; they leave the queue and obtain timely care outside the public health care system.

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What does the government think about Canadian residents leaving the country to get timely medical care?

Who knows what governments really think. Realistically, they are happy when anyone leaves the 875,000 person waiting list-or at least they should be! The bad news is that Canada is one of only 3 countries where citizens are forbidden, by federal law, to pay a care giving medical facility for treatment. Hence the long waitlists. The good news is that, unlike the other two - Cuba and North Korea - Canadians are still free to seek care beyond the borders of their home country.

So: you're a Canadian who needs medical help. Months drag on. The suffering makes you think about escaping the system, to get the care you need. Still, you feel guilty about not suffering while you 'wait your turn.' You've been told your whole life that it's selfish and immoral to want to get care just because you are in pain: a good Canadian should take his suffering with patience and quiet dignity.

With great effort, you finally overcome the moral inhibitions that your government has inculcated in you. Enough, at least, to ask the question -- if I did choose to pay for my care, how much time could you cut off these months of waiting?

So you ask:

What do you mean by "Timely"?

In general, we can arrange surgery in the U.S. within 17 days.

File that away, when we talk about health reform, and rationing, and the use of 'moral' persuasion by the government to help control costs. This has been something we have talked about especially in terms of end of life care, but it is not only relevant there.