A letter from a Canadian to the "Chicago Tribune", re. health-care

"Government-funded care
I am writing from Canada because of my interest in the current debate about health care in the United Sates.

I think Americans would want to know how other countries handle health-care coverage.

These are the facts about health care in Canada:

-- Government-funded health care is available to everyone. People are free to choose the doctor they want.

-- Individuals pay a modest amount for government-funded health-care coverage (approximately $50 a month), which covers all of their doctor visits, hospital procedures (including surgeries) and laboratory tests.

-- Drugs for those over 65 are paid for, in part or in full, by the government. The amount paid is dependent on one's income.

-- People younger than 65 may have their drugs paid for by their employers. Otherwise they can pay into a private insurance scheme to cover the cost of their drugs.

-- Contrary to rumors about long waiting lists in Canada, most people are able to see a doctor without delay. The exception to this is in rural areas, where there are too few doctors. Medical specialists may also have waiting lists.

I can assure you that in Canada, government-funded health care is very popular. Almost all of those who denigrate our public health-care system are individuals who stand to profit from its demise. I urge Americans not to be fooled into accepting private, for-profit health care, which is both much more expensive and less efficient than government-funded care.



-- Olive Skene Johnson, Vancouver



Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0816vplettersbriefs4aug16,0,4382100.story

I just got back from the Montreal area and spoke with many Canadians.


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It's good to see Canadians speaking out in an attempt to set the record straight.

are not going to believe you.