America Needs a Healthcare Transplant: Part Deuce

So two weeks ago I wrote a piece on the ongoing struggle for healthcare reform in this country, and why we need to look overseas to the European and Canadian models for answers. Since then, there has been some hopeful progress in Congress, with the Progressive caucus vowing not to support any bill without a robust public option, and some Blue Dogs breaking with their caucus to announce their support for a public option (and not one with a trigger). But the fact remains that whatever public option (hopefully) ends up in a bill should still seek to take the very best parts of other nations' healthcare systems. So without further ado, I figured I should let some people from those other nations speak for themselves. In this second installment, I am featuring quotes from an email interview with a friend form Toronto, Canada.

Me: Do you like your doctor and are you free to switch?

Her: We have the freedom to choose the doctors, and the specialists that we want to see.

Me: So conservatives always claim that there are long waits in Canada for even basic procedures--how accurate is that?

Her: The weeks to see a doctor and months for an operation just isn't accurate when serious health issues arise. There are not extensive wait times when health issues of a serious nature arise.

Me: If you were in need of complicated surgery or treatment, would you rather have it done in the United States or in Canada, or in some other country?

Her: My father-in-law just had the procedure of opening arteries in his heart the other month, after going to the hospital for tests. My niece is undergoing treatment for brain cancer in a timely and efficient manner. As a family neither of these major illnesses is causing any financial hardship as all the appointments, procedures and medications are covered by our health care system.

Me: Any other relevant information?

Her: Each citizen and landed immigrant in Ontario receives an Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) card. This is the only documentation that is required when attending doctor's appointments or hospital.

The provincial government pays for the vast majority of health costs. There are some procedures and medications that are not covered - I'm not sure of the entire list, but I do know that recently they removed yearly eye exams for those between 18 - 65; and hearing tests from the list. Our health cards do not cover dentistry.

Thanks so much for the answers to those questions on the Canadian healthcare system! Hopefully I'll have more soon on several European countries.