Reaction To Americans In Canada Share Healthcare Stories

[@Undercoverbooks]

My first child was born in the U.S. and cost us about $7,000 total. My second child was born in Canada and cost us $5 for parking. I tell him he's been worth every penny.

[@nfbody]

☺️❤️❤️

[@morninboy]

Beautiful

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

My parking was I believe free for my first but the second was $14 ... My second had a bad burn when young but the children's hospital was able to help so much that after 2 years you could barely tell unless he was in cold water like when swimming for long times. Now he's 13, and he's been a model for a few clothing stores and no one could tell. Out of my mom's five sisters 4 and herself were all nursing or in healthcare, I love our nurses and they do great work. Canada is a great place, please keep it clean so our children will also enjoy it.

[@talktothehandreviews]

@@ZoomZoomMX3 Wonderful!!

[@bcshu2]

So long you ignore the mountains of other costs citizens incur, not entirely monetary in nature.

[@calbudd2838]

We're not perfect, but we're still one of the best countries on earth. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@birgitmitchell5873]

Absolutely!

[@MikeHart72]

100%. We are superior to the US in so many ways

[@stephenmccormack5272]

The United States ranks lower than other developed countries in healthcare quality, despite higher healthcare spending. The US is considered to perform poorly in critical areas, including access, preventing deaths, and guaranteeing quality treatment. The U.S. currently ranks 69th in the world. You are right. You are not perfect. You are far from perfect. Probably why Healthcare insurance CEOs are ducking for cover.

[@NaviSall-rr]

Is that why so many Canadians are going to the United States for treatment? The wait lists in Canada are insane and many people die way before the doctor even gets back to them.

[@dancyr5821]

@@NaviSall-rr The system has always served me well. People go to the states because they realize they can't jump the line. The problem is staffing and incentives for medical professionals more than anything.

[@clinky1979]

I had a liver transplant and have friends in the US with the same illness. They had to fundraiser $450K for their transplant. I needed to go to Toronto for the operation. I was having a lung failure around.the same time, and needed feeding tubes and IV's during the flight, so they got me a private medical flight, and a nurse and doctor for the flight. I paid nothing for that, and have no idea how much it cost. A lot of people complain about our healthcare system and wait times, but I had so many medical emergencies during my decline that they were on top of constantly. It might take them a long time to diagnose but once that mystery is solved, they stay on top of things. I am so lucky, as are so many other Canadians.

[@SurnaturalM]

I wrote a comment to tell almost the same thing. 🥂 cheers to the transplant 😅

[@Alanclarke-s7j]

I've had two lung cancer surgeries and about six months in hospital, after getting c diff and it didn't cost me nothing except for $4 parking .thank God I live in Canada 🇨🇦 the best country on earth

[@dancyr5821]

Wish you good health Alan. Yet some people complain about parking.

[@Alanclarke-s7j]

@dancyr5821 thank you and merry Christmas to you and yours

[@jayclue8581]

Im Canadian. 45 years old. Last year I was diagnosed with SSNHL (sudden hearing loss). I had my initial doctor's visit the same day I made the appointment. Within 1 week I had seen a hearing specialist, and visited a hearing clinic. I was then given an MRI within 3 weeks, and had daily hyperbaric chamber sessions for 1 month. It cost me $0. I'm incredibly grateful for the Canadian Healthcare system, which is also currently taking care of my elderly Aunt, who has cancer. Chemo, et al is free. Thank dog my government doesn't put a price on life.

[@DaveGIS123]

Thank God, too. btw, the so-called "father" of Canadian Medicare, former Saskatchewan permier Tommy Douglas, is considered a national hero. Imagine how highly an American politician would be regarded if s/he introduced an American one-payer health insurance system like Canada's, even if it's only half as good as the Canadian system.

[@jayclue8581]

@DaveGIS123 ... Yes, thank Budda too.

[@UniquelyPenny]

I’ve needed access to healthcare my whole life. As a Canadian I do not take where I was born for granted.

[@Arasteele]

I hear that. I'm 62, I've needed to engage our system heavily including three major spinal surgeries, tons of scans, MRI's, X-rays, tests, more tests, other surgeries mostly minor, and in all of my 6+ decades of life I have never known the doctor's appointment or hospital stay to come with a bill of any kind. No monthly premiums, no copays, no deductibles, nothing. A lot of Americans (but not all) refuse to understand, you cannot put a price on that kind of peace of mind. Knowing that no matter what happens health-wise you will not have to mortgage your house or go begging online for handouts to pay for it. I wouldn't trade our universal HC for an Americanized profit-driven insurance-controlled system for all the gold in Trumpler's toilet.

[@wysetech2000]

@@Arasteele His gold is as fake as he is.

[@jaynethomas7380]

​@@Arasteelethat's not gold, it's Sh*t!!!!

[@geoffd8598]

Money, money, money. That is ALL American "healthcare" is about.

[@hinoron6528]

It's certainly not about saving lives or helping people get better.

[@sola4393]

Careful of unnecessary drugs and treatments in America, they aren't for your benefits.

[@ngateminasmoredjo8351]

USA, the land of the GREED?

[@johnbrown6189]

With every American medical encounter you get free colonoscopy.

[@dancyr5821]

Corporate fiscal profits. Even when you are dying they are after you to donate your viable organs sold to the highest bidding Billionaire Frankenstein on his second lung transplant.

[@debrasmith4675]

The actor Keiffer Sutherland’s maternal grandfather Tommy Douglas was an immigrant from Scotland. He grew up and became a minister and a politician. He led Canada into universal healthcare. He is still considered Canada’s greatest citizen.

[@NotLeftarded1]

He supported eugenics

[@LolAtUSA]

Tommy Douglas was also a racist elitist that believed in apartheid and eugenics.

[@bcshu2]

Who once supported eugenics and forced sterilization

[@Arasteele]

@@bcshu2 Your dopey ignorant reply lacks context. Yes, Tommy Douglas did at one time _recommend_ those things... eugenic policies, including the sterilization of “mental defectives and those incurably diseased.” However, his ideas were not unique, as two Canadian provinces (and 32 American states) passed sexual-sterilization legislation in the 1920s and 1930s. By the time Douglas became premier of Saskatchewan in 1944, he had abandoned his support for eugenic policies. When Douglas received two reports that recommended legalizing sexual sterilization in the province, he rejected the idea. Context matters.

[@DaveGIS123]

@@bcshu2 People grow up. You can too.

[@susieq9801]

In the Senate Bernie Sanders asked a CEO of a pharmaceutical company how they could sell a life saving drug in Canada for 1/10th of what they did in the US. He said, because we can. Bernie also asked if the company made a profit at that lower price. He said they did. Canada negotiates with drug companies to reduce prices. Many Americans near the border come to Canada to fill prescriptions.

[@brustar5152]

The U.S. legislators at the behest (bribes by lobbyists) of the big Pharma co's. enacted legislation FORBIDDING the individual states to independently negotiate bulk pricing.

[@rorylemke1088]

You will see a lot of people complain about Canadian health care, but it's better than most alternatives. I understand that it needs work. I am a mid 30's male, and I've had the luxury/misfortune of having 14 lung surgeries. Thanks to fellow Canadians, I didn't have to worry about the (estimated) 700,000+ it would have cost. I know that taxes hurt, but I got this disease from a random genetic mutation. It can happen to anyone. I just wish the average taxpayer could know how much I appreciate them.

[@HaroldHawley]

That health care plan happened in the 1960's under a minority Liberal government with the support of the NDP . Because of Tommy Douglass ,the best Prime Minister we never had the liberals put in the Canada pension plan, lowered the social security age from 70 to 65,old age supplements.....this was the largest leap forward for the populous of any North American country.....again the people have made great strides forward under a minority liberal government kept in power by the NDP,...anti-scab legislation { look it up ] dental program which will eventually include everyone..., A senior prescription drug program...we have been best served by a minority coalition government of liberal and New Democratic's ...I'm going to vote to keep it that way...which means.if your happy don't change your vote...unless you voted conservative

[@shawnwright5332]

👍🇨🇦

[@michelbeauregard7326]

As some point in our live we will all need healthcare. Some earlier than others. As Canadians we all understand this situation.

[@maestroCanuck]

@@michelbeauregard7326 and hope to God we get it

[@Jim-n5y]

We do now.😁

[@hinoron6528]

Wait times can be bad in Canada, but that tends to be for non-critical illnesses, because the people who are seriously ill and need care urgently go ahead of you, making your wait for your broken little finger even longer. Just remember, if you're waiting a long time, it's because there's someone hurting a lot more than you are who needs their help more. Doctors and nurses are all running around on their 12 hour shifts doing their best to catch up. I have never been in a hospital and seen them slacking; they are some of the hardest working people in the country. If you're not dying, be a grown up, and settle down and wait your turn.

[@cookiemonster6401]

True If you have or are suspected of having something life threatening They see you in a flash If you need a knee replacement you have to wait

[@CharCanuck14]

Agree! As a retired RN, I feel people needs to understand what the word "TRIAGE" means.

[@Paddee-q4e]

Our elderly mother broke her wrist while attending a family reunion in Alberta. She received excellent care at the local hospital. The emergency room doctor didn’t waste a minute of time. He said he would never apply to work in the US because what they say they do and what they actually do are two different things. I appreciate that, in Canada, no one comes between me and my doctor.

[@smavtmb2196]

Canadians should be proud of our healthcare system. Its not perfect but no system is, and I don't need to worry about medical debt. We need to protect our healthcare system against right wing con men that want to destroy it, and would cost people alot more than money. The qaulity of healthcare a person receives shouldn't depend on how much money they have.

[@karlweir3198]

Agreed

[@elwoodsweetapple3269]

We need to protect our healthcare system against right wing con men. Could not agree more. Po LIE vre would be killing us off if he had his way.

[@talktothehandreviews]

THANK YOU!

[@judes1948]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MOI-qq8zc]

Yes!! We will not let the right wing morons take it away. Ultimately they will.

[@susanf8639]

Living here in Ontario, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour then had 2 major brain surgeries. I left the hospital with just my suitcase. No bill, just walked out. Also, I had a fantastic neurosurgeon & team and they saved my life.

[@triggerwarningiidentifyasc725]

Liar ...

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

@@triggerwarningiidentifyasc725 What part of it can't you grasp?

[@triggerwarningiidentifyasc725]

@@Leftatalbuquerque Waiting time ...

[@sawdustandcigarettes]

C'mon, ya gotta pay for TV.

[@maestroCanuck]

We don’t pay at the point of service, true, but we pay yearly all our lives in our tax bills. You paid for this in advance. You are lucky too that you got the care you needed, so many of us just don’t, even though we have been paying for years for it. The system is broken in Canada and needs a complete overhaul.

[@colind7678]

The only Canadian that I know who would prefer American style healthcare is a millionaire.

[@seanabbottband]

Some people talk down our system in Canada, but whenever I needed it, it has been there over and above, and the people who worked in the system are the best at what they do.

[@maestroCanuck]

how lucky you are!

[@kenwhite6449]

That's because they think elective surgeries are the way all healthcare works.

[@mikenixon6654]

Recently went for presciption refills. Made appointment online, showed up waited 5 minutes before going into screening, and saw the doc for 5 minutes. 10 minutes later my meds were ready and headed back home. Total cost $0.00. I live in a great country.

[@waywardmind]

Oh yeah, I agree, it's AWESOME to have to hang out in the ER for 33 hours because there are zero doctors available to get as a "family doctor" and clinics are just rushing people through. That's when rural hospitals aren't completely shut down -- "please reschedule your emergency for another day". Our Canadian system has turned to shit in the last decade.

[@seanabbottband]

@ ive never had a bad experience, but the provincial govt, cut the crap out of the healthcare system to privatize clinics, its better than mortgaging you’re house if u need constant care, my mother was a nurse for over 60 yrs, we have to fight for whats left.

[@allanh7137]

Love this country. Saved my families life. My father was a surgeon that defected from a communist nation. We fully support the Canadian healthcare system and fully understand that universal healthcare has nothing to do with communism.

[@cookiemonster6401]

Agreed

[@Sid-gu5qk]

It's partly because Americans see poor people being treated the same as rich people is socialist or communist, which boils down to ignorance.

[@achimotto-vs2lb]

lol

[@queenslanddiva]

they've been brainwashed.

[@Gwennedd]

@@achimotto-vs2lb That;s not at all funny. It's sad that so many Americans are so badly educated and brainwashed by their politicians that they know so little about other countries, systems of government or how taxes work.

[@RiaVersteeg]

How sad is that! Sounds incredibly selfish to me!

[@michaeldowson6988]

Taxation is viewed as un-American. Meanwhile, the Red States that won't raise taxes get bailed out by Blue States with better economies, like a parasitic lifeform.

[@Grant-m3j]

i have had eight operations on one knee both shoulders have been rebuilt and a brain tumor removed and it didn't cost me a dime. i love Canada's healthcare system.

[@seanabbottband]

The big difference is, the American system is a profit driven system.

[@DaveGIS123]

The funny thing is, Canadians in the health care system make money, too. When Tommy Douglas introduced Medicare in Saskatchewan, the whole North American health care industry fought hard against it because they thought Medicare would eat into their profits. There was even a doctors' strike that lasted over a month. Yet in the end, Medicare became law in Saskatchewan and, to everyone's surprise, the system worked really, really well. Even doctors in private practice learned to love Medicare because they made more money. Under the single-payer system, the doctors discovered they didn't need to employ back-office staff to chase bad debts from patients who couldn't pay their fees anymore, so the doctors made higher profits. And patients got better treatment because they could afford more care options. Win-win.

[@Arasteele]

For-profit, controlled by a cabal of large insurance comanies. Your plan, my plan, is she covered? Are we covered? Is there a better plan? Concepts of a plan? Only covers 80% plan? $400 monthly premiums plan? The $1700 per month family plan? Thank GOD we live in Canada.

[@michaeldolan7509]

FYI, the number one cause of personal bankruptcies in the U.S. is health care expenses, sad, real sad. This is unheard of in Canada

[@unkyduck]

Not unheard of, but very rare. It's mentioned as A reason (possibly among many) that people have gone bankrupt.

[@Itsme-vo4fx]

@@unkyduck: I know of none who lost everything due to usual health issues in Canada.

[@greggarsenault4457]

@@unkyduckcare to show some proof of your comment.

[@cookiemonster6401]

Breast cancer survivor I never paid for any of my treatments Nothing for lumpectomy Nothing for radiation Nothing for chemo And I was treated at the top rated breast cancer clinic in Canada. Doing well physically and financially

[@Arasteele]

The CEO of gofundme once said that over 33% of all gofundme accounts are Americans fundraising for healthcare-related issues. Now, anyone who knows how massive gofundme is can probably fathom just how serious their situation is down there.

[@talktothehandreviews]

I'm originally from the US but married a Canadian and now live in Canada. My American mom paid into her health care HMO plan through her employer for decades, then, at 73 she needed life saving heart surgery and was REFUSED for no reason. She died about four months later. Fast forward to my Canadian experience, I had a sudden illness that caused me to use ER.I was taken in IMMEDIATELY. I was overnight and then for several days after that. I had an operation and am now receiving ongoing care from specialists. All of this probably would have cost me 500 THOUSAND dollars in the US. Here in Canada I only pay parking! I'm so grateful for the Canadian health care system and hope that we don't get screwed out of it by the EFFING CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA and that ASSHAT POILIEVRE who voted AGAINST HEALTH CARE EXPANSION and is pushing for US STYLE FOR PROFIT HEALTH CARE! I COULD SCREAM when I hear naive Canadians like this stupid old man who thinks he's rich say "I don't want to pay the taxes for health care, if I need an operation I will just sell my second car." WHAT AN IDIOT! Even his HOUSE won't pay for the average SURGERY!

[@mike196212]

You have just MADE MY DAY. FINALLY----someone else who can see through the garbage that is called Poliviere.

[@talktothehandreviews]

@@mike196212 Ahhh Mike, it is YOU who have made MY day!! And given me HOPE! 😊😊😊

[@michaelw1412]

Have you awesome Canadian people not been affected what Trudeau has done to our country? Honestly, I think your physical health may be bad and im sorry for you, but your mental health is right. F*****. Keep believing what the Libby government tells you. Sad.

[@twiztedsynz]

I work in Health Care in Canada. Yes, we have our problems, some of them extreme. But. If you compare it to what the people in the US go through, it's STILL so much better, especially for those who don't have the money to pay for the pointless US insurance that would rather deny than help you.

[@Arasteele]

Like you, I've worked frontline healthcare and have seen our system from both sides. I can honestly say that would not trade Canada's universal HC for an Americanized for-profit insurance-controlled system for all the gold in Trumpler's toilet x whatever's left in Fort Knox.

[@PAL-CAN]

Canadian here. A Canadian friend moved to the US for career opportunity. When his health began to suffer he was paying $800 a month for health insurance. He eventually moved back to Canada.

[@betty-joymoreau4363]

Health care is great for sure created by Tommy Douglas, just added dental care for Canadians. No bills taxes pays in to health care program for all. Love our Country

[@GoWestYoungMan]

I will be for ever grateful to Canada for the excellent health care I've received and thankful that I live in a civilized country that cares about all its people. I couldn't imagine living in a country that doesn't. Thank you Canada.

[@Pickles1955]

In the US it's private business..for profit. In Canada it's not for profit. I've lived in both countries and Healthcare is so affordable in Canada

[@Kiera_Jackson74]

This is an older video when British Columbia still charged $120/mo for a family for medical premiums however they discontinued the premiums a few years back. The biggest expense for most people is paying for hospital parking.

[@kenwhite6449]

Jan 2020 to be exact

[@aleksa-77-7]

Canadian healthcare has been in trouble for a while, but people that know nothing about it, just plain lie. You don't wait for life saving tests, life saving treatments and lifesaving surgeries. The wait times are longer for elective and non life threatening things. We have a family doctor shortage so that means wait times in ER are longer. However, when anybody in my family is sick and my family dr. is done for the day, I just Google the nearest open walk in clinic and just go. I can go to any clinic, any hospital and I will be seen and take care of. Most Canadians wouldn't change for American system, EVER. Canadians are healthier and live longer than Americans. That should tell people something. Healthcare is our right and our freedom.

[@Arasteele]

Amen. Nothing to add except for one thing.... have you noticed that a lot of conservatives in Canada like to squawk like magats about the scarcity of doctors but also about how we're letting in too many immigrants? They want to vastly lessen or even shut immigration down entirely. I sure have seen their posts squawking about it. The thing these dopes don't seem to understand is that one of our best sources for new doctors and other kinds of HC professionals comes from, you guessed it... immigrants.

[@johnnygood4831]

In Ontario, it basically costs whatever it costs you to get to the hospital, and that's it. You have to remember, in the USA, money is more important than people.

[@bartlett454]

Exactly. I required an ambulance ride to the hospital six months ago, and the bill from the city for the ambulance was $45 CAN. The bill for the hospital stay? I have no idea; there are no hospital bills.

[@brustar5152]

Americans actually have no shame in stating that categorically to their fellow Americans whenever a single payer or universal program is discussed ergo: "I'm not helping to pay for your healthcare" Full stop! That about sums that country up in a nutshell. They'd rather spend untold billions on firearms.

[@johnnygood4831]

Exactly. Taking life is far more profitable than saving.

[@luciebrisson5881]

@@brustar5152 And the irony is they end up paying for other people's healthcare anyway only they pay for it to an insurance company who overcharges them all for the privilege of giving them coverage and has the gall to have copays and deductibles and restrictions.

[@maestroCanuck]

In 2020 a study was done that shows we pay about $4,894.00 in taxes per year for health care as an individual, a family with an average household income of $142,449 will pay $14,474.00 per year. Canadians have no idea what they are paying so the myth of “it’s free” just continues to thrive. Perhaps each year with our tax assessments we should be given an update on what our health care premiums are?

[@glennpenrose5646]

The monthly costs have been completely eliminated in Canada for several years now.

[@lwinkfein]

I know that is true in Ontario. I've had many operations and never paid anything. I did have to pay to have a TV in a hospital room.

[@mw-wl2hm]

I never heard of this - a monthly cost?

[@maestroCanuck]

@@mw-wl2hm years ago in most provinces individuals paid a health care fee….it has been paid in Ontario by employers for a long time now.

[@yournanna866]

In British Columbia it’s about $56.00 per month

[@johnspooner1403]

I’m wondering if it has something to do with them not being Canadian citizens?

[@PaulHodgson-gm6lg]

BC used to have a medical services plan, tax, of 108 per month. The NDP government eliminated it.

[@waynemclaughlin96]

But I thought the NDP were there for the working man and woman ? According to NDP Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

[@kenwhite6449]

Yes. In Jan 2020, it was eliminated

[@PaulHodgson-gm6lg]

@waynemclaughlin96 healthcare is a provincial juristiction in Canada.

[@kenwhite6449]

@@waynemclaughlin96 It's Eby in BC. What's your point here?

[@ronbock8291]

@@waynemclaughlin96 oops. You got self-pwned. Yes, the NDP eliminated the fee. Because they are for working people. Unlike the Canadian right, who would dearly love to make healthcare private and for the profit of their corporate donors.

[@Jim-n5y]

My wife was diagnosed with IPF 3+ years ago..a progressive lung disease..no cure.In Canada they refer to it as "life limiting".Her prescrobed medication,one of only 2 available to slow the disease progression was $4000 per month.The healthcare system covered the cost of the meds,and had them sent by courier to our door every month.My prescription drug plan at work may gave also contributed to the cost.Sadly,the pills came with side effects thatso severe that the Doctor took her off of them.Thankfully,by the grace of God,the disease progression has been very minimal.Had I received a bill for the meds , it would have put a serious dent in my take home pay.The biggest issue for many is finding a family doctor up here,if you dont have one already.Walk in clinics are everywhere.Thank God for our system.

[@leemorgan4799]

I think it's great..I've had to go to emergency many times in the last few years and I must say my treatment was fantastic. But then I live in Toronto.

[@TheDylls]

Hamilton is great as well. Pretty minimal wait times for most things. I regularly get same day appointments with the family doctor for ear/eye infections for my daughter. Then pick up her meds for free on the way home.

[@RatKindler]

Same with me, dealing with several emergency and chronic conditions. The care has been fantastic and access to specialists hasn't been a problem. There seems to be a medical clinic on every corner nowadays and doctors are everywhere in Toronto. I can see how there could be "health care deserts" in rural areas though.

[@maestroCanuck]

@@TheDylls you have a family doctor? Thank your lucky stars

[@Arasteele]

I'm in Winnipeg. I've had to head to the ER in the past 8 years for heart-rate problems. Was referred to a cardiology lab, diagnosed and scheduled for a cardiac ablation, had the prodedure which was done in first-rate fashion, and I've been off the heart medication for 5 years now. No bill of any kind. God bless Canada.

[@karenpower1643]

Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. PERIOD.

[@MaryannHurley-od9ln]

Paid for Health care is not a human right. Health care is paid by taxes to the government your government does not have to go that route. They have to supply doctors hospitals etc but there is nothing that says its free to you.

[@triggerwarningiidentifyasc725]

YouAREthe cause of our downfall ...

[@catherinetodd5163]

In Canada, Doctors can opt out of Universal Healthcare and go private. It is a mandate in Canada that the poorest citizen has the same care, options and consideration in our Universal Healthcare system. If not “free”, logic and critical thinking would dictate it would have to at least be cheap enough to avoid any disparity. 🤷‍♀️

[@triggerwarningiidentifyasc725]

@@catherinetodd5163 Yeah we don't have disparity, we all waiting the same dreadful waiting time ...

[@RiaVersteeg]

​@@MaryannHurley-od9ln It is not free remember?? We pay for it with our taxes! We just don't go bankrupt like in the US!

[@uhadonejob]

My youngest had to have open heart surgery at 5 months. Apart from the hotel stay to get him ready and in time for his morning surgery there were zero costs. And his surgeon was ranked among the top 3 in the world for heart reconstruction surgery. He trains doctors from the US but he said he would never work in the system there.

[@PeBoVision]

In Urban Ontario here...(that makes a difference - health care is administereed by the Provincial Government and service varies drastically between rural and urban population centres) 5 years ago i discovered I had an aggressive blood infection. It got into my Aortic valve and I required emergency heart surgery to replace the valve, because of the infection my hospital/rehab centre stay was extended to 3 months to allow for a 24/7 drip of rotating antobiotics. I was released at my vehement insistence ("I WANT to go home NOW!!!!!") but the drip continued for another month with a home-care nurse attending everyday. The only bill I got was for the intial trip to the hospital. It was $25. The Taxi home was more expensive. It should be noted, that my doctor identified the infection and I was admitted to hospital the following day and in surgery within 3 days. Wait times are REAL for elective surgery, but 'critical' care in a major city is immediate. My only wait time was waiting for the rehab centre to sign me out to home-care. For the first month of this experience, I received my full salary from my employer as part of the sick-leave provisions of my contract, the next two months I received 75% of my salary through my employer provided supplemental health insurance (which also paid for a semi-private room at the hospital and a private room at the rehab centre.) Not everyone gets the same employer benefits, but the only time I did not get supplemental health insurance and sick leave, was when I wotked in the service industry after high school. The final home-care month, my nurse was covered by my government healthcare and my salary was covered (about 60% of it) by government unemployment insurance (accelerated during health emergencies, so my first check came a couple days after I applied). As per my contract my job was secure, and I returned to my regular position upon recovery. (many balloons and much merryment ensued) Recapping... The entire 4 month ordeal cost me $25. PLUS, I continued receiving all or most of my salary, and with no food to buy, or transportation costs while in the hospital, my bank account actually grew. I realize this is all anecdotal, but it is absolutely true & accurate to my experience. If I lived in a small town miles from a major city, and worked at McDonald's, my exprience would have been considerably different - and the ambulance would probably have been a helicopter. (Damn! that would have been SO cool!)

[@SavMacSavage]

I've been in and out of hospital in the past few years with several times intubated in the ICU and I have NOT paid anything for care. The only cost is $45.00 for the ambulance which is to discourage abuse of it. Here in Canada everyone is treated, rich or poor. I'm proud to be Canadian and love living where you never have to worry about medical bills breaking you. It boggles my mind that the US doesn't have universal healthcare and that people can lose everything if they are very sick and in hospital.

[@susancrawford5927]

I'm sure the situation with health care in the US leads to overall stress levels in general, then add guns and no job perks or mandated vacations for many and it's a tinderbox. Hope you are doing better Sav.

[@SavMacSavage]

@susancrawford5927 I agree and thank you.

[@cynthb]

Canadian here. My then-future husband was in the ICU for over 3 weeks back in the late 90s. One of the tubes that fed into him had these stickers "EXPENSIVE MEDICATION" and he asked the nurse what it meant. Those turned out to be his nutrition drips, and were something like C$8k or C$10k each, he went through 4 a day, and the stickers were there so the nurses would use the whole thing and not switch them out for a new one before they were empty. So basically if he'd been in the US, either his parents would have been bankrupted and lost their home, or they would've got to see their son die due to the cost of the medication, and I would've never married him. (We were just dating at the time.) I've had job offers to move south. No nay never right up your kilt. Healthcare is a human right for all, not just the rich.

[@Arasteele]

I was referred to a thorasic specialist about 15 years ago who administered facet block intervention every three months (Basically it is 12 needles in the lower back, six on each side, 3x2 for numbing, and 3x2 big horseneedles for the treatment) (some people refer to it as "cortisone injections"). I did some research online back then and found a forum where Americans were talking about this treatment and what their costs were. What I found is this: Americans were paying anywhere from $20K to $40K per treatment. I recieved 15 treatments over the course of 2.5 years, right up until I was scheduled for my back surgeries. Many Americans said they had to pay upwards of $3K per needle or more. The charge for my treatment here in Canada? Nothing. Thank God we live in Canada.

[@davidleaman6801]

There were about 70,000 American immigrants from the USA to Canada during the Vietnam war. They have many stories that they have shared here on KZbin as well.

[@ShipHead-el5fd]

I can honestly say as a Canadian, I have never sought unneeded medical care, but in years past I developed cataracts (just before Covid_19) and because i was still working at the time, there became a point where it was not possible to continue to even drive. Though I lost my driver's license temporarily, I was referred forward to receive the necessary surgery in both eyes and return to work, all at no extra cost to me. Now, I SEE THINGS SO MUCH MORE CLEAER NOW!!!! I thank God everyday that such a world could exist for everyone!!! 🙄🤔😉

[@JulieFolsom]

That $108 is old, probably because they were new to Canada. There is no monthly payments in B.C. any longer

[@SherryRadway]

As a Canadian my only complaint is the wait time at hospitals. Other than that I’m very grateful for our healthcare service.

[@kenwhite6449]

There's no monthly MSP premium in BC anymore. Since January 2020

[@T-ShirtMagic]

My three stories from British Columbia *Paid $0 CAD* - Broke my little toe four hours in emergency told "too bad" time will heal. They "Buddy Splinted"'my broken toe to next toe. *Paid $18K USD* - American neighbour's 18 year-old son returned to America for surgery on his broken little toe. *Paid $0 CAD* - My low income sister with bone cancer had her life extended by 5 years through experimental drug costing $10k per month.

[@tarablack3309]

Don’t underestimate the average American’s aversion to taxes.

[@rick5440]

Everyone has an aversion to taxes. Even you, unless youre unemployed.

[@screamoguy100]

Americans currently pay an exorbitant amount in extra taxes to pay for their healthcare. What they fail to understand is that in Canada, we DON'T pay extra taxes for our healthcare, our government allots a certain amount from all taxes to provide healthcare for all Canadian citizens and doesn't charge Canadians extra in taxes. We don't pay out of pocket for ER visits, doctor visits, surgeries, births, specialist visits even physiotherapy is covered. If the american government reallocated money ALREADY BEING COLLECTED in taxes, there should be NO increase in taxes for the american citizens. It is appalling that americans put up with the lack of universal healthcare in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

[@ManicPandaz]

As opposed to paying more in insurance taxes aka insures costs? You are just bad at budgeting if you want to pay more to a company for less coverage then less to your government for more coverage.

[@susieq9801]

@@ManicPandaz You're paying a middle man, the insurance company who NEVER touches a patient, basically to make money for their investors and possibly deny you coverage if you become a financial burden to them.

[@mw-wl2hm]

They complain (and gun down insurance CEOs) but any time a system like ours has been brought up they shoot it down (no pun intended).. they don't want their taxes to pay for others to ensure fair, equal coverage for all so I'm not really sure who they can blame but themselves.

[@CMcKay-ip2nc]

I have had many surgeries, including the repair of a broken jaw. No bill. Not for the appointments, nor the x-rays or surgeries. I think I had to buy painkillers. 😊 no complaints. Good doctors, no bill, no stress.

[@cookiemonster6401]

As Canadians we have a lot to be grateful for regarding our health care As Canadians we have a longer life expectancy than Americans We are more likely to have a family doctor than Americans This thanks to our healthcare

[@BarbNordman]

I feel so bad for these women. It looks like it is getting worse in the U.S. as Trump wants to even get rid of the Affordable Care Act for Americans. I am Canadian and grateful for our current healthcare.

[@jpm4870]

I'm a Canadian and was recently diagnosed with Melanoma. I did not have much money when I spotted the tumour on my skin, but I immediately went to the urgent care clinic anyway. (no co-pay or deductible to pay). i was referred to a dermatologist who later performed the biopsy at the local hospital. The lab tests came back saying the cancer was stage 1 and did not spread. I only paid $25.00 out of pocket for parking.

[@lindapinkney-zlotnik6562]

I'm Canadian and in 2010 was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I was incorrectly diagnosed. Said it was a glioma. Put in the cancer ward. Had my first resection. My husband and daughter were advised I would deteriorate so to make it easier for me at home. I was going to fight it whether through chemo and radiation. I was given anti seizure meds which made everything taste metallic. I was losing weight rapidly. I then received a phone call from my neurosurgeon who said he had great news it wasn't a glioma but an atypical meningioma. He said this time I would b e placed in a non cancer ward. He had taken a portion of my tumor out and next he would take the rest of the tumor. I and my husband were upset for the wrong diagnosis. They sent the results to the Montreal Neurological Hospital a world renowned institution. We made the decision to stay with him and had another resection. He had to meet with the tumor board to see if radiation had to be done. They said 40 rounds of radiation because atypicals if a tiny cell is left could return. Since then had yearly MRI and only the past year was given 2 year schedule. In all did not have to mortgage my house for my medical care. The USA is not such a great country because profit and greed take precedence over lives. With Trump in and Magas I fear the worst. Thank God I'm Canadian. usband

[@brendaclost2235]

I just had back surgery in October in Ottawa and I have no idea how much it cost. 4 days in hospital plus specialist had a short wait time. Thanks for our health care. ❤❤

[@maryjanegibson7743]

In Canada, you won't have to lose your home because someone develops a catastrophic illness. Canada has doctors who are world famous for their expertise and it's not uncommon for people to come from around the world for care. The care isn't free for non-residents, but for residents it's health care is a basic right. I am often admitted to hospital and we have never been given a bill for hospital care. A couple of times w'eve gotten a bill for an ambulance --- for a grant total of $45.

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

I must disagree with you as one absolutely can lose a home from medical bills in Canada. As not all is covered and certain specific ailments are not covered . In Canada in every province there is nothing to protect one from losing a home from medical bills unless they are already under Gov't funded monthly's. what this means is that protection is there for the lowest of income people that are in the system from hardship but can fail others that are not below the poverty level. sad but very true. i must add that the ignorance of people that say " i don't know anyone that that has happened to" is idiotic and not logical. i said it did happen to people that I know. What you don't know or have not experienced is Moot. but at the same time have a great day.

[@screamoguy100]

@@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind No you are very wrong! No one loses their homes here because of medical bills, people can pursue medical options outside of the country that aren't covered under Universal Healthcare and that must be paid for themselves. We are not America and do not force people to mortgage their homes for healthcare. Under special circumstances even getting medical care outside of the country can be paid for as well, thats why Canadians purchase Blue Cross coverage when travelling outside the country.

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

@@screamoguy100 i live in Nova Scotia , Canada and you are 100% wrong. sorry. cheers though

[@PunkinBeets]

@@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlindI’m west coast (BC), and why you are saying complete bollocks. If you’re having problems with finances, we have people to talk to for help! If you can’t figure this out, it’s 100% a YOU problem.

[@susieq9801]

@@screamoguy100 - The greatest cause of bankruptcies in the US is due to health care bills. My niece's son had a severe life threatening head injury and the nearest major trauma centre was Buffalo, NY. The paramedics radioed dispatch and they were told to take him there because he wouldn't make it to a more distant centre here. Because it was approved, OHIP paid the bill and he was on a respirator and had CT's every 4 hours. He is fine now and thank you Childrens' Hospital in Buffalo. Had he been near a place like Toronto or Hamilton he would have been cared for equally well here.

[@solangebelleforte4670]

I had severe injuries from a car accident about six years ago. A week in the hospital most of it in intensive care, and two years of rehabilitation, and between Canadian health care benefits and insurance coverage, I only paid for 20% of medication. Now I am having elective hip replacement surgery, no cost to me. Proud to be Canadian for many reasons, profoundly grateful for our healthcare system.

[@amswitzer]

In Quebec, there is no separate levy for health care. It's covered through income and other taxes. We also have a provincial pharmacare program where everyone is covered for prescription drugs -- not just senior citizens. That program is covered by a specify levy on your tax return, but you don't have to pay it if you work for a company that includes coverage for prescription drug. And if your company offers prescription drug coverage, you are obligated to take it; you can't opt for the public coverage instead.

[@marshafranklin]

lucky

[@scruffymisanthropeislander939]

In Newfoundland..our health care is 100% ABSOLUTELY FREE..We have what's called the MCP card (Medical Coverage Plan)..and DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY MONTHLY INSURANCE FEES AT ALL.

[@JohnBerry-z7o]

I work in healthcare here in Michigan, I have personally seen old lady’s in the financial office crying and sobbing because they have had EVERYTHING stolen from them. Their home, cars, vacation property, bank accounts ! Moreover, when the lady leaves, using her walker, the financial GOULS laugh and say “ We got all her shit “ . They are actually proud of what they have done !!!

[@noraelliott7304]

That is outrageous. Especially the part where they laugh at her situation.

[@JohnBerry-z7o]

@ that was no exaggeration ! That’s why I called her a goul.

[@robertlane3513]

and it is only going to get worse with cheeze head back in control of your money and you all deserve every thing he throws at you for voting him back in when you had a perfect president doing every thing he could for you.

[@JohnBerry-z7o]

@@robertlane3513 sorry to burst your bubble. However, every bit of this started with Obamacare !

[@karenseeley6174]

@@robertlane3513 Those who didn't vote for him don't deserve it. Sadly, those who did vote for him won't learn any other way.

[@PatB35]

In some Provinces you pay nothing and in some you pay a small fee. Healthcare is administered by Provinces so access, and care varies accordingly

[@katyroseable]

Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums were eliminated as of January 1, 2020 in BC by our NDP government.

[@screamoguy100]

That is not true and if someone is charging you a fee you need to take it up with local authorities.

[@PunkinBeets]

Those fees are all gone now

[@PatB35]

@@screamoguy100 I find facts and knowledge helpful , vs spurious allegations eg The Ontario Health Premium is deducted from paycheques along with income tax. The 2024 OHP rates are: $0: For taxable income up to $20,000 $300 or 6% of taxable income over $20,000, whichever is less: For taxable income between $20,000 and $36,000

[@PatB35]

@@PunkinBeets The 2024 Ontario Health Plan rates are: $0: For taxable income up to $20,000 $300 or 6% of taxable income over $20,000, whichever is less: For taxable income between $20,000 and $36,000 The OHP can be as high as $900 per year for the highest income earners in the province.

[@ArthurPaliden]

Wife spent 7 months in hospital with a really bad pregnancy. They had to induce at soonest possible date, son spent 2 days in infant ICU then several more days in hospital. Total cost, just parking and a parking ticket. Hospital parking is the real crime here.

[@johnspooner1403]

Canadian here: Yeah, I’ve been bitten by the hospital parking thing more than a few times.

[@Jim-n5y]

Parking is pricey lol Can you imagine a huge medical bill...and then having to pay for parking??Thankfully, parking and possibly a coffee at the hospital cafateria(Tim hortons) are about the only costs I've ever encountered here in Canada.It ain't perfect..long waits at times.Three month ago my wife was told she needed minor surgery to take care of a non threatening condition , and the wait could be 6 months.But..there will be no bill to us.

[@Arasteele]

@@Jim-n5y Plus you get to rest easy knowing that if her condition does become more serious during the wait you just ask your doctor to change the urgency from low to higher and she'll get her surgery quicker. A lot of people don't know that the wait time thing also depends on what kind of specialist you need to see. I was referred to a dermatalogist for removal of a golfball-sized lump on my back. I waited about 6 weeks, had it removed right in his examination room in about 25 mins, had a follow-up a few weeks later, the lump had been fully tested and found benign. No charge. My two brutal spinal surgeries back in 2016 resulted in a 45-day stay in hospital including nearly 2 weeks in a trauma unit. The surgeries were serious, but my condition while waiting wasn't all that urgent. I waited about 5 months for that one, but again, after all of that massive amount of treatment over those 45 days, on the day they discharged me... no bill. Never got one in the mail later on either. The hospital did send a pamphlet in case I wanted to donate to their cause which I most happily did. Wait times aren't always long in Canada. They vary, and like you've touched on, our system is based on need rather than affordability. That kind of peace of mind is priceless in my book. We have it, the Americans don't. It's that simple.

[@jefffitzgerald8410]

I broke my hand and I had to pay around $40 for my custom wrist/hand brace. And another $6 for parking. How dare they! lol Wait times do suck... But it's better than the alternative.

[@chrisg1556]

Im in Toronto, and I regularly see bus loads of Americans that come up here to buy insulin. A year supply in Canada is roughly the same price as a month supply in America. The exact same insulin made by the exact same company.

[@Mohamjip-x4h]

Canadian here ... I spent 2 months in hospital with a fractured spine, no costs at all. I pay minimally for prescriptions, because of my age, but that was/is my only expense.

[@beverlynorris557]

I am an 11 year ovarian cancer survivor. I had a 7 hour surgery, 5 months of chemo, 8 CTscans and 58 injections. Cost to us, parking only. I love our medical system. There are long wait times but once diagnosed, you get served fairly quickly.

[@jilltraver69]

I needed the healthcare system here in Canada for over a year . Tests, follow up appointments,more tests follow ups etc . They didn't cost me anything but parking after my injury. I was very well taken care of . My friends' bf is in hospital here in Canada and not getting a huge bill when he goes home . He's American

[@MikeHart72]

Your friends BF will also be getting fed 3 meals per day at no cost. What a terrible system, no wonder Americans prefer to pay $10,000 to fix a broken leg. Who would want to be treated well

[@eastcoastrabbit4474]

In the US healthcare is a for profit business. There's no money in people getting well and staying well. Big pharma wouldn't allow that which is why drug costs are so high compared to any country with national health care. Don't get sick in the US, they check your insurance coverage before they check your pulse.

[@billybob-v1i]

Something they really don't talk about much in the USA is the ":immigration problem" of American healthcare refugees that come to Canada, it increased our tax burden and impacts our hospitals, but we do the right thing and still take care of them. A "for profit" system with a giant middleman industry called "medical insurance" exists purely to extract more money from recipients of health care. Things like 20$ per cough drop or fees just to enter a hospital are the norm and increase premium costs. When the government negotiates standardized costs for drugs and negotiates bulk purchases of medical equipment, etc, there is savings all throughout the system in Canada and the NHS.

[@laurabailey2092]

In BC they got rid of the monthly payment 5??? Years ago

[@colind7678]

I've never heard of a monthly payment? Can you explain?

[@laurabailey2092]

@ it used to be a sliding scale $50 for single people, $75 for couples, $150 for families. This was per month, then the NDP really wanted a majority so got rid of the MSP bill. I hope that explains it.

[@PAL-CAN]

Depends on where you live in Canada on the quality of healthcare you receive. Large urban centres you will do better.

[@NormanTherien]

I’m Canadian and have had so far 5 knee operations awaiting my 6th. Never thought about paying for anything and never did.

[@lacteur1]

And now conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been nominated as the Secretary of the Dept. of Health & Human Services. Buckle up, 'Murica, you're in far a vary, VERY bumpy ride.

[@TheDylls]

His... Uncle? Was definitely killed by the CIA though, right? 🙊😂

[@valwhelan3533]

Hopefully some wresting of the US medical system from the control of insurance companies.

[@djsmith2871]

You shave off your blue hair in protest of the US election yet?

[@susieq9801]

With RFK's anti vaxx ideas we should reinstate vaccination travel certificates like we used to have, just like a passport. Not vaccinated, no entry to the country. I needed it for Australia, NZ, Asian countries, African countries and even some European countries back in the day. Why not? I don't want to take disease to others nor bring it back home.

[@kaidayengsze3977]

Another brilliant move by the incumbent Convicted Felon-in-Chief of the Unlimited States of Anxiety. SO glad to be Canadian!

[@Mechone11]

Had an industrial accident , hospital in Toronto saved my life 15 days in hospital 8 months of rehabilitation..cost 0 , 85% of my wages were paid

[@nightshift3635]

in alberta there is no monthly payment but depending on what service you need like for prescriptions/glasses/eye/dentist you can get help through a work healthcare plan

[@airborne63]

Healthcare in Canada is a PROVINCIAL responsibility. Each of the 10 Provinces and 3 Territories have their OWN Health Insurance program, with minimums dictated by the Federal Government, which subsidises a percentage of the Provincial costs. Doctors do NOT work for the government, as they do in the UK, they work for themselves, and BILL the Provincial Health Insurance Programs at agreed upon rates. There's no Paper involved, it's all digital. Hospitals are usually run by non-profit foundations, Paramedic Ambulances, by the Municipality. The ONLY charge at a Doctor's or at a Hospital, is for the Parking, or in the Hospital, TV and Internet. Every Legal Resident of the respective Province, receives the SAME level of care. Most Provinces no longer have co-pays, they get their money from the Provincial Income Tax, on a sliding rate. People who make less than $25,000/year don't pay anything to the Provincial Health insurance Program in Provinces like Ontario, their Tax assessment is zero. There is NO such thing as a "Pre-existing Condition" in Canada, which is what US Insurance companies use to deny coverage.

[@WilliamCoyle-m3p]

I grew in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I have lived in Canada 🇨🇦 since 1967, I have had to work in the US several times over the years, I had a mate from Texas who needed open heart surgery he had to mortgage his home to to get the operation

[@rachelledube-hayes1649]

Health care in Canada is similar to the NHS - in the US, health care is a business ... you pay to see the doctor, you pay for every little thing, you pay through the nose for insurance and that insurance only covers part of the costs ... American politicians liken our health care to socialism

[@Derek_Read]

BC was the last province to charge monthly (the $108 was for family, it was about $60 for individuals). BC is the same as all other provinces now with no additional monthly fee. When BC was charging this fee you were still covered if your income was low. It was just a roundabout way of funding healthcare here through taxation.

[@colind7678]

I've lived in Manitoba all 52 years of my life and have never heard of a monthly payment for Healthcare!

[@maestroCanuck]

@@colind7678 Ontario had them for years, as did Alberta. What happened in Ontario was the fees that individuals paid were cancelled and the burden was shifted to employers as a health care tax. Been like that for decades now….I am not much older than you but my memory is long LOL

[@ralphvelthuis2359]

​@@maestroCanucki think we got rid of them in Alberta about 20-25 years ago. I remember paying them for a while.

[@elizabethstuart8401]

It depends on what province you live in as to how exactly how the health care system works. It’s slightly different in each.

[@Roslynmadrid]

In Canada, the Rev. Tommy Douglas, who was a Member of Parliament since the 1930s, worked tirelessly to change Canada's medical system from one like the US model to one resembling the British system. I remember the fierce disputes in the 1960s, on TV and in the newspapers and heated political debates. Doctors of either persuasion threatened to leave their medical practices. It was as divisive as the recent US election. But, eventually, the new system was introduced. There was, of course, bureaucratic bungling and confusion. But nearly all health professionals continued to give their same compassionate care. But now a mother didn't have to choose between a visit to the doctor and the week's groceries. I have recently undergone chemotherapy treatment. Side effects can be very serious. I am grateful that I had few of those, but even more grateful that my worries were medical, not financial. It took many treatments, including unlimited care, support, and medications, over a number of months until my condition stabilized. Only later did I find out that those treatments would have cost me $10,000 EACH in the US.

[@pullerbeartreepuller9245]

British Columbia is now free of any monthly fees. We can even have our Medical Service Plan number on our drivers' license.

[@TheDylls]

I'm a Canadian that's generally Left of Centre politically, but I'm not sure that even our most hardcore right-wing are completely against our "free" medical care. IMO, it needs a ton of work, but it's one of the few good things our tax dollars DO

[@sgtcrab2569]

I am a Canadian but an US Army vet (65-68 Sgt E 5). Once out I came home to Canada. I had enough! There are thousands of stories such as these two in the video. My wife had some medical issues . My costs were about $20 for parking. Here in Canada. That was it. However if you are a vet in the US you have socialized medicine. The costs and treatments in the VA hospitals are pretty much free. (I know this because I have fellow veteran mates who get lifelong treatment through the VA). So Socialism for veterans but the rest of you can piss off, go bankrupt, or die. Nice country!

[@kenwhite6449]

Watch when trump gets done with the VA. He wants to privatize it. Never mind what he's going to do with social security, and medicare.

[@bmlgordon]

Vets in the US have medical benefits for now. Part of Project2025 is cutting those benefits.

[@CarnivoreRules57]

Never paid ever for any thing in health care in Canada until i went on old age pension then i got to pay 887 dollars out of my pension for deductible once that is paid i get my meds covered rest of year from April to April the 887 comes down off meds as you pay for them. as for doctor visits and staying in hospital thats free but certain drugs or things Medicare doesn't cover

[@sythiadawn]

I'm on CCP in NL. I pay a $6 dispensing fee for each prescription per month.That's it. I've had two kids, two heart attacks, stents inserted, countless trips to ER in 68 yrs. The only thing I ever paid is that dispensing fee for the last 3 yrs. We've got free parking at our hospital. I love being Canadian!!🇨🇦

[@carolscott9973]

Most provinces do not charge a premium for healthcare coverage, British Columbia used to have two fees, one for a family (two or more people) and one for a single person. They got rid of that premium in about 2018 or maybe 2019, so the mom in British Columbia wouldn’t have to pay for healthcare anymore.

[@ninemoonplanet]

The $108 is for something other than basic healthcare, probably for an unusual medication that's not covered under the medicare system. There are only a few medications like this, so the cost is likely less than would be charged at a drugstore for example.

[@thisisjeff9845]

The good of public healthcare in Canada outweighs ANY negative anyone can point out in the system.

[@nickfoster9350]

Healthcare is the jurisdiction of the provinces, and up until the last few years in BC, we did have monthly MSP payments, but they were only about $35.00/month, and I know Alberta did away with those fees as well. However, even if you didn't make the payments, you could not be refused any medical treatment.

[@aliciasmith1587]

British Columbia no longer has premiums for our provincial healthcare. It was an unfortunate policy by the previous government.

[@lorraineforbes7836]

Its optional insurance offered through your job...so you end up with 2 insurance coverage...

[@jessicazaytsoff1494]

In the last four years I've had a massive stroke (5 months in hospital), many MRIs to check everything is good, and a spiral fracture of one of my fingers that needed surgery. Oh and out patient physio. I've paid... For parking. There used to be a monthly charge in my province, but the provincial government changed that 10-15 years ago. I can't say enough good things about my care. Oh I remembered that i paid around 300 dollars for an ambulance to the hospital. For my stroke. I don't even remember it! That is the only bit I'm a bit salty about 🙂

[@rschrader]

Canadian living in Ontario writing this. While it’s correct to say operations and doctor visits are free in Canada (paid by Canadian taxpayers), at least in Ontario - prescription drugs are not currently free to everyone. If you have work health insurance your prescription out of your pocket costs could be anywhere from free to 20-40% for drugs. If you have no work or private health insurance coverage (eg - you are self employed), and you make over a certain amount of money - you’re going to be on the hook for your own prescription costs. Depending on your issue(s) - that can add up to hundreds if not thousands a month in out of pocket expenses. The federal government is easing into making a large number of dental procedures free, depending on income levels. Same with eye doctor appointment and eye wear. But if you make too much - you’re on your own without some type of private insurance coverage (eg: frames, lenses, extra eye tests). So, Canadians are super better off than Americans, but we’re still not footloose and carefree.

[@kenwhite6449]

They're not free in BC either, but there are plans to cover that.

[@screamoguy100]

There are programs to help you with prescription costs, even taking generic over name brand can save you a ton of money and you can always purchase private coverage for medication costs although that comes with a yearly copay which can get pricey. I know lots of women whose husband are private contractors and they work at Walmart because of the benefit packages offered. If you make a great wage why would you worry about the costs though?

[@rschrader]

@Screamoguy100 If you earn just over the income limit to qualify for a government prescription program, generic versions of drugs are good - but depending on the drug(s) and number of different types of prescriptions - some people can also be screwed. Also - prescription drugs are not the only expense people have. Rents are crazy expensive. Owning a home comes with crazy high mortgage payments. Gasoline prices are high. Interest rates are high. Food prices are staggering. Also - think about as people get older. A very large portion of people move to fixed government incomes and as a lot of us know - you don’t usually get healthier as you age. Put it all together and it’s a prescription for bleakness for some.

[@rschrader]

@@kenwhite6449 If you earn just over the income limit to qualify for a government prescription program, generic versions of drugs are good - but depending on the drug(s) and number of different types of prescriptions - some people can also be screwed. Also - prescription drugs are not the only expense people have. Rents are crazy expensive. Owning a home comes with crazy high mortgage payments. Gasoline prices are high. Interest rates are high. Food prices are staggering. Also - think about as people get older. A very large portion of people move to fixed government incomes and as a lot of us know - you don’t usually get healthier as you age. Put it all together and it’s a prescription for bleakness for some.

[@screamoguy100]

@@rschrader Maybe some people need to be educated and prepare for getting older. Most people I know have planned for retirement their entire working lives, who doesn't do that?? Always living within your means is a good idea as well, a lesson the younger generation doesn't seem to understand. Prices always go up, never come down, why do you think your parents pay such close attention to the news and politics and vote every time theres an election...if you don't vote you don't get to whine about the result lol

[@judithanntoole8900]

In Ontario, we have bus loads of Americans that come here with their 6 months of prescriptions to be filled. Most of them are Seniors. It depletes our supplies, excessively at times, and has become a concern, but no one begrudges them coming here. We understand that many could not afford them otherwise.

[@KneeJerkReactions13]

I have had few problems with health care aside from doctor shortages. I finally acquired one and people in the community complain a lot. Me not so much.

[@KneeJerkReactions13]

The reason we can afford "free health care" is extremely high taxes. Up to 50% of budgets provincially are health related.

[@lisaghking]

The $180 fee in BC is not the same in other provinces. Where I live in Manitoba, the cost is $0.

[@kristyhwang8899]

Come to korea Only the doctor and you can determine the treatment not the insurance company

[@margaretjames6494]

I recently had a weird episode with my vision and my doctor ordered every kind of test out of precaution, including an MRI. An American friend asked how much it cost and I said "nothing." She told me she has excellent health care insurance in the US but still had to pay $2,500 for an MRI. It's really quite shocking.

[@lbcmotors9316]

I am American by birth, 🇨🇦 by the grace of God. At age 55 I required a double organ transplant, kidney/liver.During my journey, I spent 2 yrs in and out of hospital, treatments to try and save the organs. Alas, it wasn’t to be.>.8 mos in hospital, a double transplant, a heart attack during surgery, and a long recovery. They say it was a 1.4 million dollar event, but my bill was $2500 for the 8 mos in hospital. That was for daily parking for my wife, and a private room rather than a 2 bed room. That cost was incurred by my request. Health care paid by Govt is not strange anywhere except the US. Makes no sense to me, but they must like paying for it

[@TaylorCanada8]

I am wondering if that $108/month the woman was talking about is for non-Canadian citizens, because Canadians don't pay that. I am a Canadian retired in Spain, and because I am not a citizen (nor have I ever paid into the system) I have the choice of purchasing private insurance (which we find very reasonable) or paying a monthly premium to be covered on the Spanish Universal healthcare system (also reasonable). We aren't used to paying for healthcare, but when I compare our heath insurance costs to what I hear my American friends saying they pay in premiums, I am counting my blessings. We also don't have any deductibles and dental is included.

[@vivianblack2951]

Some provinces required users to pay a small premium. BC had that, but dropped that requirement a couple of years ago.

[@4ofSeven]

That woman absolutely has the right to go back and spend her final years in her country but she will have to take the risk of doing it without healthcare coverage. Very Lucky that both ladies chose Canada. Our healthcare system is funded by taxes paid by Canadian citizens. We pay a lot of taxes here in Canada but at least we’re getting some thing for it. I hope these women are contributing their share.

[@hilaryc3203]

I am in BC Canada, same as these people in the video and yes, they are older because BC residents no longer have to pay medical services premiums (my premium when it was in affect, was a whopping $54 a month) and now it's zero. Even when we did; people with low income never had to pay anything. So now, it's free for everything here now. I used to be part owner to a pharmacy and scores of Americans crossed the border with their American prescriptions because coming to Canada for their meds meant they could have more than one small meal a day. We frequently got parents of disabled or very ill children and the medication was so incredibly expensive they couldn't afford it. The flip side was the parents whose small children needed seizure medication and could no longer buy it in the USA because the big pharma were not making enough money off the sales, so they stopped selling it in the USA. Sold lots to Canada, but not to the US, so parents came over the border. We filled the RXs for one family, whose little boy was 5 years old. He had been battling cancer and their insurance company sent them a letter ending the child's coverage because he'd maxed out their support and given his life expectancy, they pulled out so they wouldn't have to pay the extra life extending measures to prolong/save his little life. I will never forget the people who broke down sobbing because they finally could get their medication. The cost of meds in Canada is subsidized by the Federal govt so we can afford it. For those who are in very low income, they just put them in a plan that gets them their meds free.

[@islandgirl54-o3o]

In British Columbia there hasn't been a monthly charge for Healthcare for a number of years. For family of 4 it used to be the 105. A month. I'd u were low income it was drastically reduced