The healthcare debate as seen from across the border

So I have an odd view to the health care debate raging in the US right now. I've been covered under Canada's health system for about 3 months now and have been asked about the US systems and what the debate is all about for most of that time. The last few weeks have been especially bad.

Of course it doesn't help that we get CNN, all the major affiliates news shows and such here. And they are all quoting various congresspeople who are saying how terrible the socialist Canadian system is. And since I'm American....I must agree right? So I'm asked at least once daily what my opinion of Canada's health system is, told about their experience both here and abroad, and asked about my own experience with private health insurance, medicare and medicaid.

Well, so far...my experience of Canada's health care is...limited. But I'm rather impressed. I'm living in a smaller community (about 300,000 in the "metro" area and about 750,000 province-wide. ) So clearly there are not nearly as many people in the system as say Toronto or Ottawa. But still....there are quite a few doctors. My primary care doctor can see me usually the same day or if not the for sure the next if I actually need him. If I don't feel like waiting for him for the next day, I can go to one of many walk-in clinics in the city. If I want a second opinion, I can go and get one. True, if it is a small speciality (gynaecologic oncology comes to mind) we only have 2 doctors in the metro area and 3 province wide practicing. But then again, that same speciality in South Dakota (similar area/finances and populations) have the about the same number of doctors. So if you need to wait, or go to a larger city/area for that second opinion....you would in some of the states as well.

I don't think most US citizen realize that most Canadians DO have private health insurance in addition to the government coverage. It pays for medication, holistic practices, dental, vision, massage, a private room at the hospital, and even money for you if you are in hospital (not a huge sum, but $50-100/day is better than nothing!) And because most "normal" medical expenses are paid by the government, this supplemental coverage is not expensive at all. :) Some employers pay for all of it, some pay for a large percentage, and even if the employer doesn't pay for any of it, it's less than $100 a month even for family coverage. So yes, in addition to my government health card, I have private insurance here in Canada. It also becomes my main coverage when I come back to the US.

And I'm doing that next month. It looks like I'll be in town the last full week of August. I'll be picking up most of my things this trip and driving in a 16 ft cube van. Should be fun. :)