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Americans complain about their healthcare system, but is Canada's system really perfect?

By making healthcare government-funded, people think it is easier for poor people to get extensive and otherwise expensive treatment & prevent the insurance companies from cheating people. However, in reality there are problems with the Canadian system too. Because to become a doctor, it takes 8 years of toiling hard work at the end of which they get a paltry government salary - instead they could (and actually do) take up a software or accounting position which pays much higher and involves much less effort. Of course there are a few of them who work really hard to do good for people, but the majority are poorly qualified to be a doctor & when it comes to extensive treatment, it becomes very difficult to find qualified doctors for the job. Don't you agree? So both America and Canada have problems with respect to their healthcare systems.

Public Comments

1. NO, there isnt a PERFECT healthcare system, ther are just some really good ones
2. I live in Canada so I will give you my perspective as a Canadian. Everyone has access to healthcare in Canada - but yes there are wait times and some people find it hard to find a doctor in suburban and rural areas. The system is not perfect, but nobody goes without healthcare and nobody has to pick and choose which surgery they can afford. And one of the main problems here is a doctor shortage, at least in Ontario. Yes doctors make more in the US. But doctors here do not have the same malpractice lawsuits you get in the US. They also still make a very good salary. All the doctors I personally know are quite well off, nice homes, nice car. They're not millionaires but they do well. Also, it depends where you go. Doctors in BC make a lot. I don't really know where this the majority of doctos are "poorly qualified". If that is the case - which I do not think it is - it has nothing to do with the health care system and more to do with the education system. Yes, both countries have problems but the US is a disaster. Canada is not even close to the chaos that goes on over there.
3. People always think doctors in the US are making tons of cash, but in reality they have to work their butt off to make it. From a private practice viewpoint....There are expenses; staff salaries, state/fed taxes, rent/mortgage, utilities, supplies, equipment, marketing, etc. Not to mention the insurance for your staff, malpractice insurance, property owner/leaser insurance, attorney retainer fees, other doctors on staff, etc. There are also other costs, but those are the major factors. Now take into account the costs the average patient pays. Some are discounted due to their insurance (medicare, medicaid, health insurance, etc). Doctor's have to follow a maximum charge list, and are only reimbursed a fraction of what they would make from a non-insured patient. Most American's have health insurance, and pay a premium, this in turn helps offset their cost for their doctor visit. Now look at the poor doctors. There is no real time for doctor-patient relation. Back in the early days of medicine a doctor knew his patients, personally. He could spend time with them in the office and discuss a variety of things, and maybe even spend time with them at home (house calls). Average time used to be an hour per patient, 5 patients a day. Now in order to cover the expenses mentioned above doctors have to see 5 patients an hour, and sometimes have to take on partners or interns to help things run smoothly. The system has become soo money oriented in the US, that the one-on-one relationship with your medical professional has become a thing in the past. Why do you think a one or two doctor office will have patients waiting in the lobby? They need to see multiple people per hour to make ends meet! This of course does not apply so much for specialists, like lasik, plastic surgery, etc. They charge the patient a small fortune, but also see less patients.