What do Canadians actually think about their public health care system? (Real Canadians only please.)?

I am a real Canadian and I feel that our system is one of the best in the world. Are there problems? Of course. You hear random horror stories. But everyone can get medical care. Also, you don't see Canadian going bankrupt over medical bills - there are a handful, of course. But these are people with orphan illnesses that are harder to treat. As someone with several medical conditions, I would never be able to get insurance in the US and never get the level of care that I do here. Don't let the insurance companies, HMOs and Republicans continue their fear mongering. The Canadian system is a credit to our country.

I got a specialist in 3 days, CT scan 4th day, MRI 7th day, bad news 8th day, referral to surgeon , another week, surgery another 5 weeks after tests, 9 weeks pb radiation in the US paid for by my Canadian healthcare. My friend got her surgery the same day. She got three surgeries more. Had to pay for the telephone in her hospital room We're fine, thank you..

I love our health care system. I've worked in it for the last 29 years, in Cardiology, and definitely know it's weaknesses, but it's strengths far outweigh them. Streamlining many services and processes, as well as centralizing some electives, diagnostics and treatments would help reduce costs. This is starting, but not quickly enough to compensate for the underfunding by the federal govt. The drive to privatize is the cause of the underfunding. The Canadians I serve are happy with their care, overall. Elective services, and some non-emergent diagnostics can wait too long. That too is changing, as these services are streamlined. A new health care delivery program just beginning to be implemented will cut wait times tremendously.

im a canadian living in ontario personally, i like it. sure its slower, but we dont have to worry about paying for anything. like if i lived in america id be scared to go out because if i broke my leg or something id have to payy that from my pocket, its so uncertain.

I am happy with the healthcare system. Yes, we have long wait times, however if healthcare is urgently needed you become priority. I would not want to have to pay everytime i was being rushed to emergency.

Healthcare system in Canada is one of the best in the world, ur being fed all kinds of propoganda by ur ins companies bc they don't want to lose u as a customer...but we're not bothered by what u do in the US...we LOVE Canada and our healthcare system...maybe somebody had to wait 3 months for an MRI bc it wasn't critical, my Mother has had 3 MRI's in the past month...

It's not bad. You don't always have to wait forever for stuff, it depends on the seriousness of your injury or illness.

so tennesse, the answer seems to be yes we are happy with universal healthcare and have been since 1965 (40 odd years now), realize their are some pitfalls but by and large a pretty content bunch who know that the basic healthcare system is there for them be it cardiac, cancer etc.. and you and your faimly can deal with the illness and not be swamped by the bill Obama will have a major fight on his hands down there. In 1965 when it was introduced here in saskatchewan the DOCTORS went on strike. They refused to join the program and Tommy Douglas the premier there actually flew in docs from the UK to force the docs back. He is till regarded as one of the most respected Canadians of all time. Needless to say the vested interests of HMOs, insureres, drug companies, medical device companies and docs with their own private fiefdoms down there will fight it tooth and nail! Your talking about cutting a whole lot of fat and the fattest pigs squeal loudest

Sometimes it's frustrating and the waits can be long. I know in my case I torn my knee ligaments and needed surgery immediately but I had to wait 7 months before the surgeon could fit me in. That was a big pain but it's better than having to shell out the tens of thousands of dollars it would have cost to get the surgery done in the US I guess. My personal experience is that it works better in big cities than in small towns. Just more dotors and more options I guess.