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American Reacts to Canadian Healthcare Stories
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- Опубликовано: 4 мар 2023
- Healthcare in American is famous for being the source of a lot of controversy due to the threat of outrageously high medical bills. Due to this many American look towards the Canadian health care system as an example of what we could aspire to. Today I am very interested in learning about some Canadian Healthcare stories and comparing them to my experience in America. If you enjoyed the video feel free to leave a comment, like, or subscribe for more!
I think it's important to note, at the time this video was made BC was one of the only Provinces in Canada that had a provincial Healthcare monthly premium. She said it cost $108/month. As of January 1st, 2020 premiums were eliminated in BC as well, so you don't even pay monthly anymore.
Many other provinces also have a provincial healthcare monthly premium. In Quebec for example, it is $60/month (paid annually as an extra amount to your taxes). However you can get a reduction or a total exemption if your income is very low.
I was trying to figure out what the 108$/month was lol. Tks for clearing that up.
I was wondering what was the 100$/month she was talking about! Xd
Thanks for clearing that up. I was thinking she must have private insurance.
Thank you for explaining that. I was wondering why she had to pay anything, but I figured it must be a provincial thing since we pay nothing here in Quebec.
I’m a Canadian living in Canada. 15 years ago, I did not feel well. So I went to emergency on a Monday morning. Took some tests, stayed overnight. Diagnosed with colon cancer on Tuesday. Had surgery on Friday. Stayed in the hospital for a week. Had chemotherapy for Six months. Total cost was $0. Still cancer free.
Congratulations!!!🎉🎉🎉 that's so incredibly amazing! I'm proud of you❤ I know TOOO many people, including children, that haven't made it
Congratulations.
I’m sorry to hear you had cancer.
Your experience is not the norm and really an unusual case . Today your experience would be technically impossible. The pathology alone to diagnose cancer takes a minimum of a week.
Surgeries are also scheduled up to a month after you are diagnosed.
May I ask what province this happened in. It’s sounds like nothing anyone I know has experienced.
Total cost was still not zero.
@@LinA-it9vdI live in Quebec and the husband of one of my employee has cancer. Everything is fast and the cost is always 0.
I can’t imagine living with the American health care system. I am so grateful to be Canadian!
AGREED DEFINITELY.
Totally agree but right now there is a minor scare in Alberta because of the elections. If they mess with healthcare, I may leave Alberta for another province...
@@thebtm Conservatives in Ontario are defunding healthcare and have caused many in the profession to leave when they put a pay raise cap of 1% per year in 2019. I wished people were outraged against bill 124. They called healthcare workers heroes during the pandemic yet screw them over with below average inflation pay raise cap not to mention the inflation this past year.
Too bad we can't do anything because the Cons have a majority government here.
Much like taking an animal to the vets...many costs for tests are similar to what the system gets billed for humans...same type of equipment doing the tests...meds and so on...yes it is scary...insurance is the best way even for people too if one is able as it can cover extra costs and expenses that could arrive...
@@thebtmI know lots of Albertans saying the same thing
My father turned down a well paying American job due to my health. In the 40 years since I have had several hospital visits, I have done 24 years of dialysis, 3 kidney transplants, almost died 3 times, several other surgeries & never once did my parents fear losing their house. In all those years we have never paid a penny. Thank God my father thought ahead and we stayed in Canada.
Strangely enough, dialysis is free in the US. Everything else though would have bankrupted you. It was Richard Nixon who instituted the free dialysis by the way. I am Canadian, but for some strange reason, I know this.
Two stories here, one from each side of the border. Canadian here. My daughter is married to an American and lives in Washington State. When she was 8 years old, my granddaughter had a life-threatening lung shut down. Was in the Seattle/Tacoma Children's Hospital for a few weeks. She was on life support equipment but she was not expected to go home. She is 17 now. The hospital bill was over 1.3 million US dollars. My son-in-law, God bless his soul, is a very responsible person and had good insurance. He had to pay around $30,000 which, because he is who he is, he was able to manage.
When my oldest son was 17 he was diagnosed with brain cancer. If, at that time, I lived in the US and was in a similar financial situation as I was then, my son would have died. He is now 45. I have no idea what it cost to save his life. It never came up in any discussion with the doctors or hospitals.
American medicine and hospitals are very, very good . . . for those that can afford it. Canadian medicine and hospitals are just as good . . . for everyone. Many Canadians complain about the long waits for non-emergency surgery but I think that is a small price to pay for the many lives that are saved because we have universal health care.
1.3 million is just obscene, There's no way to justify that, 80% of that bill is pure greed. Even the 30,000 is a down payment on a small house or could pay off a mortgage. Deciphering the bill is fun, $40 for "mucus recovery system" which is just a box of tissues.
You are underestimating the impact of the wait times. Government data shows that 17,000 to 31,000 people died in Canada while waiting to have access to the healthcare they need.
@@PatrixBestutter bullshit. Show your source.
@@PatrixBestnot Canadian are you. If you were a Canadian you'd know your full of excrement.
@@PatrixBestand to be clear show the numbers of people that died waiting for "needed" care.
Not your bullshit of old folks that died while on whatever list. Both my parents are elderly and will die while on one list or another.
Show me the critically ill that die needlessly or stfu
I don't mind paying a bit more in taxes so that kid out in BC can get the treatments he needs.
Amen. I feel the same way.
That's pretty much the idea of the whole system and you said it beautifully
anyone who isnt in this frame of mind has something wrong with them. As Canadians this is a fundamantal part of our country. We should all have the right to healthcare, no matter how much money we have. Any other way just doesnt make sense.
same here ... chipping in to help others does not matter to me. It's a frame of mind thing.
You nailed it Al. It's about solidarity.
Canadian here (living in Nanaimo actually 😊). I’m 67 with a 64 year old mentally challenged sister that is declining and requires comprehensive 24/7 medical care. My sister has received government subsidies for her entire life but now she has moved into a care home that is 100% paid for by the British Columbia healthcare system. She even requires a specialized wheelchair…also paid for by our healthcare system. Her care is excellent and she is happy there. She has a team looking after her consisting of a: physiotherapy, nursing, dietician, social worker and physician. She still receives a monthly amount to cover things like toothpaste, haircuts, manicures, pedicures and the like. Honestly, so glad to be living here….I visit her everyday and I am so grateful for the care she is receiving. 🇨🇦
As a Canadian, I am glad to pay taxes so our healthcare takes care of ALL Canadians . Same for our education system.
Totally agree.
I’m all for paying taxes so everyone can get healthcare.
I’m also for us being issued a statement so we know how much of our taxes go to healthcare.
I also am for people receiving a record of the cost of their hospital stay or surgery or emergency room care so we can stop saying our healthcare is free.
It’s not free rather one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world.
@@LinA-it9vd you can look up the percentage, it’s public information. And free in this context (I can’t believe I have to keep explaining this) means that the patient is not charged for the care they receive. Yes, it does cost money because equipment and salaries are a thing, but the cost is covered by tax dollars that are collected annually based on your income, not on how much you use the system
The only thing we pay for as Canadian is prescriptions and if you have insurance than most times you only have to pay a little on it.
Some insurance companies may fight you on really expensive stuff but there is normally a way around it.
@@barbarathibault1846 That’s not true at all. We pay for many things including any devices to aid recovery such as specialized boots after foot surgery, support hose,needles for diabetes,walkers,
And so on.
We also pay for certain surgeries such as vein removal, bunion surgery ,any dental surgery and so on.
Many Canadians do not have drug coverage.
I’m sorry to say people really have no idea.
As a Canadian, I think it's a little sad that most of us (Canadians) don't appreciate the health care system we have. Certainly improvements can be made, however when I hear people complaining about "long wait times" in a clinic or hospital - I consider how many people in other countries don't get any care or can't afford care at all. I'm sure those people wouldn't mind waiting hours for a couple stitches without cost or concern.
My baby brother was born with Cystic Fibrosis - died at age 15 in 1987 ... exemplary care for his entire lifetime and insanely expensive ($2,800 per day) medications at no cost to our family and there were no bills for the many, many times he was in the hospital for treatments.
Yeah ... he would never have seen his second birthday in the states.
If you made hospital visits unaffordable, then no one would go and there wouldn't be long wait times. I much prefer waiting knowing that it means so many people are getting care.
Sorry about your brother.
I think that we should see a bill, even if we don't have to pay it, so we would appreciate it more.
@@alloftheJane You know that's a really good idea. I spent 18 days in the hospital because of a heart attack. I always wondered how much that had cost.
I agree with John P. Although wait times may be long at hospitals, (and the provinces are trying to address that), at least every one is being seen. Plus, I have been lucky, being rather healthy, and I am fine with the taxes I have been paying, going to provide coverage for someone like your brother. I consider it a social contract, for us to look after each other.
@@dougwilson4537 Wait times are long in the US as well. I have a friend who experienced the same medical event I did. He was in emergency for 18 hours at a VR hospital (hospital for vets, I'm not sure if those are faster or slower), I was in it for 10, but unlike him, that 10 hours included sleeping and waking up to breakfast in bed.
I'm so proud to be Canadian 🍁
Just wanted to say thank you for this video, I am Canadian and I am guilty of getting frustrated with how much we pay in taxes. I thankfully have no health issues, but this has opened my eyes to those who do and makes me much happier about where my money does go ❤ so thank you for the perspective.
Four years ago, I was in my mid-50’s and probably the healthiest person in my peer age group except for my brother and one other friend who works out all the time. Then out of nowhere I got an autoimmune disease. Being sick sucks but I’m so glad I’m in Canada where I can get affordable treatment and can’t get kicked off a medical insurance plan because I have a chronic disease.
Emily, in the 2 years that my family lived in the USA, we paid more out of pocket expenses for health care than our taxes would have been in Canada for that period of time. Does it matter if you pay $500/month in income taxes or $500/ month in health insurance premiums~ it is still the same amount. But with private insurance, that company decides what tests and procedures you need, not your physician. And you still have to pay more out of pocket when you do access health care.
Did you know that Keifer Sunderlands grandfather Tommy Douglas is considered the father of publicly funded health care in Canada. These stories are all part of his legacy.
They are and the beloved Tommy Douglas would never have stood by to see a federal government decimate our healthcare system without insisting on accountability and a working solution.
Three months ago my brother collapsed and vomited blood. Ambulance took him to hospital, there for four days, they cauterized 3 bleeding ulcers and packed two because they were so big and couldn’t be cauterized. Only cost was the ambulance ride, which was still cheaper than a taxi. He’s also had several follow-ups.
I’m good with paying taxes for our health care. Even if I never had any need to use it, I’d still support it for peace of mind and for my fellow Canadians. It would break my heart if we were a country where people had to use a go fund me to pay for an operation.
Yeah, I hear you. My brother-in-law was an officer with the VPD till last year. I heard his stories about the area.
And for my home town, we have tent cities for the first time as of a couple of years ago because Toronto was (still is?) giving their homeless people bus tickets to our city.
@@stevevee8675 a few exagerations here
Must have been a really long taxi ride. My ambulance cost $180 to go 6 kl
Ouch, that’s an expensive ride.
We pay $45 for land ambulance regardless of distance (within reason) in Ontario. I think that cost only came in about 20 years ago(??).
@@LinA-it9vd I’m in Ottawa and been in an ambulance several times. $45/trip
In Canada , health care is a right . In the USA , health care is a business .
It's not right, it's a privilege
@@wombatwilly1002 Actually, health care IS indeed a right in Canada, it's right there in our laws.
@@JonInCanada1 Read it again.There is no legislated right to healthcare which many people believe.It's a beneficial system to all residents NOT to be abused.
@@wombatwilly1002 My husband is a lawyer and it is on the books, so please, stop pretending you know what you're talking about.
@@wombatwilly1002 In Canada necessary medical help is a constitutional right you cannot be refused by law.
I'm a Canadian and at the time all this happened I lived in Manitoba. I had four craniotomies (brain surgeries) in a two-year period. All of them took six or more hours to complete. After the first craniotomy, I had a stroke caused by complications from the craniotomy completely paralyzing my left side. I took over four months as a patient in the hospital doing PT/OT before I could go home. Then it took another six months of PT as a patient at the outpatient rehab hospital before I could use my left side. The second and third craniotomy had no major complications. They just required a two-week in-hospital recovery. After the fourth craniotomy, I developed a staph infection. Again I was in the hospital as a patient, this time for two and a half months receiving twice-daily IV antibiotics after they put a P.I.C.C. line in me. Then after two and a half months they sent me home where a nurse came to my home twice a day and gave me two daily IVs for two more months. Since then, I go to a pain clinic every week to get nerve block injections because of the chronic pain. There have been countless Specialists and Doctors that I've had to see. I've lost count of how many MRIs/CTs/X-rays I've had to do. Then there is all the different medications I have had to take and still take. I haven't paid a thing! I know every province has it's differences it's all basically the same. If I was in the States I would have died.
@chipmouse4921 I'm so glad that I'm a Canadian and we have the country that we do. I know it's not perfect but it's pretty damn good. The health care I received was top-notch even though I had major complications. I knew the surgeries I was going in for were high-risk. But I know the doctors, nurses, medical staff, and everyone at the hospital did their very best and that is why I am alive today. Just because I didn't pay every dollar out of my own pocket doesn't mean it was sub-par health care. The people of Manitoba paid for those four surgeries and my care afterwards. And now that I've moved back to Ontario, the people of Ontario have been keeping me healthy when it comes to this issue and other medical things, too. I am included in paying my part of these. I pay taxes too. That's what the U.S.A. doesn't understand. The medical bills are still full price! The difference is how they get paid, taxes! The other thing that people might not know is that most of the hospitals are teaching hospitals. So they save money while teaching the next generation. I know this because I've lived in a hospital bed for more than two years of my life in different hospitals in different provinces. When it comes down to it, it's just Canadians looking out for each other.
Canadian here. I lived in the US for about a year, working as an attorney. I had a green card. I had the choice of staying there, but I decided to move back to Canada. The healthcare system was one of the factors in my decision.
You didn't do your research then. Best doctors in the world live in America. Also, wait times in canada are terrible and if your working in the usa then you most likely have insurance covered by your employer. Over 80% of Americans have health coverage
@@mattvan5100 I doubt you’ve done your research. What wait times are you fear mongering about? Emergency treatment is available within an hour if it’s life threatening and you have no deductible to pay nor copayments on top of your premiums. The only time you have to wait is if the emergency room is full of emergencies due to a major emergency, or if you have something that only requires urgent care, in which case you should go to an urgent care facility to lighten the load on the hospital
@@mattvan5100 yet they have a massively successful TV show based on a gov worker who cannot get cancer treatments without producing and dealing meth. I have never heard a single American say Breaking Bad is fake because the teachers insurance would have covered the bills 100%. I have watched people lose their business and their reputation due to their spouse falling ill and them using every dime they could gather to try and cover the medical bills. it sucks to have to decide between fulfilling a sales agreement or having your wife get life saving medical care with. in Canada that doesnt happen, actually in every civilized country on the planet that doesnt happen.
Our system is not perfect, but I'm eternally grateful I live in Canada where our medical needs come before whether or not we can pay for it. ❤️ being Canadian!
As a Native, the majority of all medications and other things are covered for me. Generally, most people can pay for supplemental insurance through their work or privately to offset meds, and any other therapies etc that are not covered by their provincial insurance.
FYI, it was 3 Canadians who invented insulin.
We have weed im ok loool
I am Canadian too. Enjoy the health care system while it's still here. Doug Ford has made our system slowly resemble the American system more every day :(
@@timclark6439 I hope you vote against his party at the next opportunity. I'm so sick of him.
Canadian universal health care is in a tenuous state. Some provinces have a premium some do not, most basic services are covered some are not. Am example is ambulance rides are rarely covered under provincial government but your benefits plan may help cover this cost. We have long wait times, currently hospitals and care facilities are extremely over full (had a parent in hospital for over 6 months). Healthcare staff recently have been so disrespected by the government that there are huge understanding issues. Understaffed facilities leads to less or poor patient care . Canada's system is not perfect but I'll take it and work with it
@@paulamacdonald7070 100% Agree!
As a Canadian who lived and worked in the US for a number of years, I had excellent coverage through my employment. I moved back to Canada some years ago but commuted daily from Canada to my job. So I had US coverage as well as the government provided Canadian healthcare. Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and knew immediately I would want to receive my treatment in Canada. I know my care in the US would have also been excellent (I worked at a large U.S. medical Center). But I also knew I would incur substantial co-pays and deductibles. There was no waiting for treatment in Canada. From the time of my diagnosis I had lab work done, CT scan and follow up with a surgeon all within 2 weeks. After surgery I was hospitalized for several days and had follow up visits with the surgeon and additional CT scan. My cost for all of this was $0.00. I am grateful that I live in Canada and grateful that we have universal healthcare. The doctors I know in the US are excellent as well but unfortunately the care you receive is dictated by insurance companies.
You don't lose your healthcare in Canada if you lose your job or quit
@@joannahampton5979 That’s right.
"But I also knew I would incur substantial co-pays and deductibles."
It's those damned hidden costs. Soon enough I'll retire into being a Nomad, travelling through the US during the winter months and though I'll pay for insurance I'm still worried I'll get tripped up by hidden costs. I'd be in Arizona and get something slow acting I'll probably drive back across the border to Vancouver, but an accident or heart attack, yeah, best carry SOMETHING.
Everything you said is true! I was also diagnosed with cancer at the height of Covid in 2021. Because of the severity of my disease, I was bumped up in all my doctors’ appointments, CT scans, MRI, blood tests and surgery. Not to mention that I had all of these in one of the best cancer hospitals in the world, The Princess Margaret Hospital. It has now been two years and I am monitored every 4 months for the next 7 years of my life. I am grateful for living in a country with excellent healthcare. My cost is just $7 round-trip for the subway ride everytime I go for an appointment!
@M C Glad to hear you are monitored every few months. I am as well and I am grateful every day for the care I received. Stay well.
Canadian here. When I gave birth to my son, it cost us 225 $ because we chose to have a private recovery room for the three days afterwards. We also got offered a home visit from a nurse once we got home and as many pediatrician visits we needed. We didn't pay for anything else healthcare wise. Being hormonal, I was really touched about how my community cares about new families. I felt like our child was welcome. I'm always curious watching American shows about having to fill out a bunch of paperwork when you get to the hospital for an emergency. The only paperwork you have to fill out is if you are admitted to the hospital after the initial doctor evaluation and there is only one main form which is basically a consent form. In the US it seems like the first thing healthcare providers seem to care about is being paid, makes me wonder about priorities.
We had extended so we got our private room for free. Just had to pay $9 for the TV ... to watch hockey 🏒 playoffs 😏😉
I’m 68 yrs old living in Ontario. Over the last 15 years I’ve had 2 foot surgeries, 5 years of monthly spinal injections, Stage 4 cancer surgery and chemotherapy, a hip replacement as well as the usual medical visits. I have never paid for anything. I love my country for loving me.
The next time a Republican senator stands up and tells you all about the imaginary number of Canadians coming to the US for treatment, tell them about all of the real Americans that live in Canada who cannot go home due to health care costs.
most of that number are snowbirds that are older and only ran down to florida to escape our winters. No Canadian is just running to the US just for health care. :D
@Sandra Snow-Balvert Rich Canadians who need life saving procedures, are on a 6 month waiting list and can pay scores of thousands of dollars cash flock to the States to avoid the wait.
@@Polytrout ???
LMAO as a born and bred Canadian of 32 years living in this country, what you just said is the antithesis and inverse of reality.
The next time a Republican senator stands up and tells you about the VERY REAL number of thousands and thousands of Canadians who go to the States every year for best in world class healthcare, you should listen to them, and tell them about the people who get put on months to years long waiting lists for treatment, when time is off the essence and they end up dying or having a low quality of life because it took too long to get treatment, when they could’ve gone to the States and get life saving treatment within a week. Or about how when you go to the ER in Canada you sometimes have to wait 9 hours when you’re writhing in pain, but if you were in the states, you’d be seen right away. You have no idea what reality is like. You’re your worldview is based on a bunch of cherry picked stories and small sample size of obviously biased anecdotal evidence while conveniently ignoring the mountains of evidence that proves the contrary of what is being claimed. Typical leftist ignorance, misinformation, and hypocrisy.
I am a disabled person, I have multiple medical conditions. Last year I ended up in the ER after my initial workup I was told if I hadn't come in I would have been dead by morning. They gave me a medication in the ER, one IV that they told me cost 20K to save my life. Then I was admitted for 24 hour a day IV's I was in hospital for 14 days. I never got a bill for all of this I can only shudder how much that would have cost in the States. In the past 3 years I have been in hospital a total of 54 days. I have no idea how much that would have cost in the States and I am thankful that Canada cares enough to make sure I am still alive! All of my medical problems were caused by a drug my mother was given when she was pregnant with me, it changed my DNA and gave me these medical conditions, so it was no fault of mine
Had open heart surgery in Edmonton and was in hospital for 5 weeks and walked out with no bill. Nice, Eh
You mean to tell me you pay for medical coverage and still get a bill and that does not take into account those who can not afford to pay for insurance. Medicare for all is the only solution.
I hope this finds you as well as you can be. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask your neighbours!! Lots of us help our neighbours with great pleasure. Must be that Karma stuff...
@@liseverieul6608 I don’t think you understood, as a Canadian our cost is virtually zero. If she way paying anything, it was for a step up tp Blue Cross.
Thanks for clearing that up. I was wondering what the $108 was for.
First of all, I love your channel!
I just watched this video and want to chime in as a Canadian. This last fall (2022) I had quite a few medical issues. I won't go into too much detail, but I had 2 MRI's, an x-ray, a CT scan, oral antibiotics, a week's worth of IV antibiotics, and many in hospital blood tests. The only things I paid for were parking at the hospital, and the oral antibiotics. The whole time, I kept saying I was soooo grateful to be here. I cannot imagine what my financial state would be had I been an American.
As a Canadian I love our health system. I had heart surgery in 2006 and it didn’t cost me a dime.
I'm canadian from Montreal but I lived in the US for many years. When my son was born I was living in Santa Monica, CA. I had a C-Section, which was thankfully covered by my health insurance that i got from work. When I was in the recovery room after my son was born, a nurse came in to tell me that an instrument that was used during the procedure was missing. So they needed to do an x-ray to see if it was left inside of me. So they did it and thank God it was not in me. About a month later a got a huge bill to pay for the x-ray because it was not part of what was covered for C-Sections. I coudn't believe it!! I had to fight the hospital, but I eventually won and they covered the bill! I'm very grateful for the health care system in Canada, event though I know it is not perfect!
That is crazy.
We might have made a mistake but we're not sure so we have to do a test to check and see, k? Ok. So. We didn't make a mistake but we're gonna make you pay for the test that showed we didn't make mistake.
Sounds like they tried to scam you imo.
Your right it’s not perfect. A few years ago in my city people who had colonoscopies needed to get aids hepatitis tests because they didn’t sterilize the instruments.
I used to live in Niagara Falls (Canadian side) and worked at a hotel. Many Americans visiting would make fun of our healthcare system because of misconceptions…my answer to them was this…”when I go to a hospital the first question I’m asked is where do you hurt not do you have insurance “ it was enough to make them stop and think
I have a friend from NV who was talking about how long the wait times were (in a country he's never lived in). I told him the last time I went to the ER, when I arrived in the waiting room, it was empty! I started to move the magazines around for something to read, and before I found one, they called me in.
@@e-curb Where do you live? I live in Canada and waited 12 hours with my father in a freezing cold emergency room. I hope you never have to use our system for anything serious or if you need to depend on others because you will be shocked at what goes on.
That’s odd because they asked me for my insurance straight away to determine wether I had coverage for a semi-private room and then sent a bill for the ambulance ride.
@@LinA-it9vd Probably thought you were American. Canadian Health care is for Canadians. Otherwise, as in BC, they ask you for your health number. Hospital rooms can be 4 beds, 2 beds or Private. I actually don't know this for certain as even in my 60's I've never been in a hospital for long.
I got this from an Ontario Hospital website...
-Private (one bed per room, private bathroom), $350 per day (updated July 2022)
-Semi-Private (two beds per room, shared bathroom for two patients), $300 per day (updated July 2022)
-Standard Ward (four beds per room, two shared bathrooms for four patients). Cost is covered for Ontario residents with a valid provincial health insurance (OHIP).
Personally, I'd go for a standard ward I ain't rich. My sister can spend a month in the hospital at a time.
@@LinA-it9vd Sorry you waited 12 hours, but that same visit may have bankrupted you in America. And no private or semi-private room for your free visit - the horror! And yeah, ambulance rides aren't free, but I think $45 w a valid health card (in Ontario anyhow, higher elsewhere I assume) is a small price to pay to have a team of medics rush to your location, rush you to the hospital all while providing medical care until they drop you off there, is a bargain wouldn't you say?
I think if you moved to the U.S. you'd be in for a real education, maybe you'd learn to appreciate what you currently have.
I live in Manitoba, I can go anywhere in Canada and have my health costs covered. I'm not sure we Canadians fully understand what our Americans neighbours go through with healthcare. An intellectual understanding, but not an experienced understanding. We take it for granted our health won't bankrupt us. Thank you Tommy Douglas (SK) for our healthcare system.
I have been saying for years that, as Canadians, we need to be aware of the misinformation that is being spread about our health care, and why that is happening. There are people and corporations trying to gradually insert the US "for profit" type of business into Canada, through some of their pals in government. Any move like this needs to be countered with accurate information, and forward thinking... Not backward. We may not agree on everything we need, but I like to think most of us agree that we DON'T need anything like the US system of common " health care debt".
I am in Canada and my husband had a massive heart attack in 2018 (which he thankfully survived). His first chest pain was at 3:10 AM and we were at our local hospital by 3:30 (we are in a small town) where they told us he was actively having a heart attack. They took him by ambulance to a world renowned cardiac hospital 45 minutes away (it only took them 25 min to get there) and I grabbed some necessities for him at home and followed a few minutes later. The whole time I was driving (upset and panicking about his possible outcome), I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be worrying about the financial implications on top of my main priority of his well being. I arrived at the cardiac hospital about 45 minutes after he did and when I got there he had already received 4 stents surgically and was resting comfortably in a room. Our total cost was $0. The only thing we have paid for as a result of this catastrophic event is dispensing fees on his medications (he has insurance through work for prescriptions). I can't tell you how blessed I feel with my husbands outcome and our healthcare system. It's definitely not a perfect system...long wait times sometimes in emergency departments, patients waiting in halls for an open room, sometimes long wait times for specialist appointments, but I'll take it. True emergencies get taken care of quickly. Thanks for reacting with an open mind.
In the USA, healthcare is a business. In Canada, It's a service. Canada is amazing. We have a lot of bad wait times for care in our country, but if you ever need urgent treatment due to life or death situations you will get it without having the added anxiety of wondering if you can afford to survive the neccesary care.
More than a service. It's a charter right.
Spending my life in the US, I’ve spent 2-6 hrs in ER’s and waited 6 months for an eye appointment. So we have long waits on top of high costs
The current wait times are the result of the pandemic. Quite a few non-urgent surgeries had to be postponed (knees and hips, for example, were put off but cancer surgeries went ahead) while urgent Covid cases were treated, and we've had nurses quit from exhaustion and burnout, which leads to more exhaustion and burnout for the rest. After the past three years, I suspect we could use 10% more nurses and I believe they all deserve at least a 10% raise.
The waiting lines are due to people showing in emergency while they could go to clinics first.
@@maryanneslater9675 the hospitals were empty. Entire Covid wings had one or two people at a time, it was all a farce.
I am a Canadian and a few years ago my wife became very ill during a trip we took to San Francisco. She had to be taken to the hospital to be treated there. It was weird going to the emergency room there on a typical day. The first thing they asked was "How are you paying for this?". The doctor and emergency room was hidden until you passed the cashier. Fortunately we purchased travel insurance before our trip. Once we got our paperwork done we got to go into the emergence room. It was EMPTY. Like no patients. That was very eerie to us. Obviously we got to see a doctor right away. He checked her over did some blood work and a CT scan because she had passed out in the hotel room prior to going to the hospital. She was given an IV to increase her fluid level and we were sent back to the hotel. The total cost for a 2 hour visit was $11,000. That's when it hit me that many people are afraid to go to the hospital because of the cost. I asked a nurse about it and she said that even those with insurance are afraid as they are not sure that their insurance will approve and cover the costs. The next day we headed home with my wife still very ill. Once we landed I took her straight to the hospital. Yep back in Canada and to a full emergency waiting room. She was triaged by a nurse and was given a bed right away skipping many of the people who have been there a long time. In Canada we are not treated by first come first serve but by the severity of your need. After some initial assessment she was transferred to a bed in the hospital for further diagnosis. By this time she was extremely ill. Her only symptom was sever diarrhea which would happen 10-15 times a day. She was constantly dehydrated and very low on potassium despite being given plenty of IV fluids with potassium. After a battery of tests and scans it was determined that she had a rare pancreatic cancer called VIPoma. She went into surgery and had the tumor removed. Her total time in the hospital was 2 months and it cost us $0 dollars. So even though the Canadian system is flawed I can say that I will take it over the American system just based on cost alone.
Wow, I so sorry you guys went through that! I hope your wife is doing alright now. That is so sad, that their healthcare is like that. I can't imagine! I'm so glad I don't live there!
Jasus; I hope your wife is doing fine now. what a journey and what a pin in the map of what goes on from on from one country to the next. Canada. Our home and native land...
So it cost you, or your insurance, 11 000$ to be misdiagnosed. Wow!
Rob Kay how is she doing now I hope she is well and cancer free. I am a Canadian and I realize our Healthcare System is very flawed but we don't have to worry about expenses and losing our homes for other asset
It’s first come first serve now, with 13+ hour waits at the hospital by me.
Had the most extreme pain in my middle back, then my lower abdomen. I thought I was dying. Arrived at the Ottawa Civic Hospital at 9pm. Checked in triage and immediately was given pain medication that within a minute made me feel normal. They took blood at the same time and I was sent to the Cat scan within 42 minutes of arrival. Was released four hours later after seen by a specialist. Walked home and felt 100% at 1am.
Kidney stones. They shattered them and now I feel great!
Cost……zero.
My wife and I did power walking for years. In 2001 I started feeling shortness of breath and couldn't keep up with my wife. It got bad enough that my wife, a British trained RN, told me I should see my doctor. When I did, he immediately put me on nitro, which helped a lot. The only cost so far was the pharmacy fee for filling the Px, $9.99 each time. When I later, in 2002, visited my doctor and told him I had to use the meds before gong to bed he immediately put me on an urgent list. When I saw the heart specialist at St. Michael's hospital I was told I had a 98% blockage in an artery feeding my heart. The result was the insertion of a stent while I was still lying on the examination table. I was able to watch the procedure and could have walked to a bed right then. The next day, after release by the head nurse, I walked back to my hotel, had breakfast with my wife and son and went home - an hour and a half drive btw. Through all of that the only bills I got were for pharmacy fees. Waiting time that you hear about seems to be a question of how critical your doctor thinks your case is.
American taxes go towards the military. Canadian taxes go towards Health care for its citizens.
Thank you for saying it! I was just gonna comment that hah... It's all about priorities, man. And if your government doesn't care about the people... I'm so glad I'm Canadian. Grateful, thankful.
But here also the fact of why the US spends so much on its military that most people refuse to consider.
The US military isn't just for the US. It's for all of the America's. It's one military so big that it protects 35 nations.
About 30 of those nation have extremely small militaries while 2 of them just don't have a military at all.
These 34 nations can afford to spend more on their citizens because they don't need to spend anywhere near as much as others on protecting themselves.
And the private prisons stockholders.
The USA can easily afford public health care, regardless. Military spending is a poor excuse. Check spending priorities, tax policies, drug price negotiation policies, etc. Countries a tiny fraction of the USA can afford it. Blows my mind the USA has this pushback from the GOP, in the name of all citizens.
@Darkness Nighthingale Look at China's military with a quarter of the expenses . America wastes its money on things that do not benefit its citizens' health. Actually Healthcare in the US is about making money off of people's suffering.
I live in Toronto, recently I had a minor heart attack and had two stents placed in my heart. I was admitted right away and spent 7 days in the ICU. Amazing care at Sunnybrook hospital. Total cost was $40 for the ambulance ride :)
Sunnybrook saved my wrist and four fingers. Drove past 3 other hospitals to get there.
40? I lived in MTL and got assaulted severly by a guy. I was fine, but the paramedic who were called by the restaurant manager forced me to go to the hospital for a check up. Guess what? I was fine. But I received a 180$ bill for an ambulance I never asked for O_O I understand ambulances aren't cheap, but I still think that charging me with that for something that was forced upon me is bullshit. Also I was in a situation that I couldn't afford 180$ for that ambulance.
Sunnybrook specializes in Heart and Stroke.
Im Canadian, one day after a few life changing things caused me tons of stress, i keeled over in my seat and couldnt move. I was rushed to a hospital and was diagnosed with severe Crohns Disease. I had dropped to 72 lbs(i was 5'10 and 20yo at the time). If i didnt get to the hospital that night i wouldnt of lived, over the next 4 months i was hospitalized to recover just to have a surgery, which i got and a week later i was home and fairly healthy.
I got a FULL team of doctors, nurses nutritionist, and more to look after me during the stay, food provided even from their own pockets if it wasnt at the hospital itself. Fantastic people who had saved my life, all i had to pay after 5 total months of care.. was $50 for the ambulance to rush me there. All my meds (too many to list), food, visitor care, wifi to keep me entertained, heck they even gave me a free card for tea in the coffee shop downstairs just to get me to be active and walk around more! I love yhe healthcare system and even if i need to wait a while.. i will never complain about it.
I've worked in both the US and Canadian systems. I came back to Manitoba partly because of healthcare.
It's not perfect by any means, and since 2016 when Pallister went after health (while praising the US system), we are hurting.
But as someone who couldn't get coverage for asthma controlling meds, and went through 4 rescue inhalers a month, I still will go for the Canadian system every day.
I’d be bankrupt many times over living in the States. I needed open heart surgery when I was four, I’ve had multiple surgeries because of pregnancy complications, my youngest spent a week in the NICU… just, yeah.
The most I have ever had to pay was $20 for a parking pass and for my snacks at the cafeteria.
I have had two open heart surgeries and two correction surgeries for my aorta, I also have a bicuspid valve that they keep an eye on. I have had an appendectomy, c-section oh and not to mention the myriad of tests that require anesthesiology. My son was was also a NICU baby for a month almost. I totally understand this. Problem is our provincial governments are starving our healthcare systems to get us to the Americans system.
@@Jenn_X80 Ontario?
I’ve had to go to the emergency multiple times that I can remember. Each of those time for: inner minuscus injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, stomachs acid something or other, asthma attack, and shingles. I’m 22yo rn and last summer (21yo) I got shingles, even tho I got chicken pox 3 times as a kid. I have severe asthma and the day I got brought to the hospital I had a 2 day long asthma attack that was fucking bad bad bad. Without taking prescription pills my stomach acid will leave my stomachs and try to roam all the way into my mouth, any movement that brings my head near the lv of my belly or any acidic foods will cause that to happen. I have wrist sprints for both hands and even tho my wrists r not always bad I still have to wear them from time to time.
All in all, I’ve spent less then $100CAD at the hospital. I’ve had to pay for some medications, or at least a small percentage. I have to take stomachs pills, ADHD pills, and a puffer every morning.
@@margaretr5701 yes
@@margaretr5701 it has begun
Here is my Canadian healthcare story, 2013 i had to have my gallbladder removed, I went into emergency on a friday evening , got admited in 15 mins, they ran some tests,, had surgery around 2:30 am , spent the rest of Sat. and Sunday and half of Monday recovering , was discharged late Monday afternoon. to this day i have no idea what it cost , didn't cost me a dime out of pocket.
Up in Canada here, my father has been on pill chemo for the past 4 years, and that one pill/day alone, would have cost us close to $4,000 per month. So I am very glad we live up here.
I can’t imagine living in the states and having to go through something so horrible and being stuck with these huge bills that does damage your life so much. That’s infuriating. I had cancer in 2012 and I didn’t have to worry about any bills at all and I went through many many treatments and operations. Everything was covered
Whenever I’m asked by American about our healthcare system I tell them the easiest way to understand it is that if you end up in the hospital for anything in Canada you will not have to get a second mortgage on your house.
Also tell them you don't have to show a credit card either.
And you go to whatever hospital is the best for your treatment or if it’s an emergency the closest. You don’t have to check whether your provider has coverage at that particular hospital.
Canada is having a bit of a healthcare crisis these days like most of the world. I hate that my government thinks the solution is bringing a two tiered system like the USA. 😢
I hate even more that the government is promoting immigration into a society facing both healthcare AND housing crises. Get those houses in order, THEN roll out the welcome mat.
@@rdjftw2531 can’t agree more. Stuck on ODSP and homeless 5 yrs. I just heard that Windsor is housing 500 refugees in hotels for months. I feel bad for not feeling bad about the refugees…gah..that’s not true I still feel bad for them. But F**k, we can do better for our own citizens. Did you know Canada wrote the United Nations Charter of Human Rights? Lol if they can only practice what they preach.
@@PinkRufus266 The problem with that is the private clinics will be able to pay their staff better than the public system. Now health professionals are not suppose to be in it for the money but you know when the bills pile up you will have to take the job with the better pay.
@@PinkRufus266 it can’t work. As soon as you introduce a pay for service healthcare it siphons all the resources from the public system. The only equitable solution is to fix and improve the public system.
@@PinkRufus266 - As a retired 40 year RN, not only will staff leave the public system because, no doubt the private system will pay better because they will charge more (including what they will bill the government), but I did 40 years of 12 hour day and night shifts, weekends and holidays missing so many things in my private life that I can never get back, that anyone with common sense would opt for a 9 to 5 and likely 5 days a week job like those that NORMAL people experience. The bleeding of staff and equipment from the public system will drain it even more and then SURPRISE, we'll have the same shitty system as the US. There WON'T BE AN OPTION. This has been a goal of big insurance ever since universal health care was established. This is intentional. How do you kill something? Don't feed it. That is precisely what they are trying to do! Just remember that the biggest cause of bankruptcies in the US at over 60%, more than disasters, job loss, foolish spending is....MEDICAL BILLS. In addition, the cost of pharmaceuticals in Canada is much lower because the government negotiates prices on a large scale basis. That is why Americans come to Canada, sometimes by busloads, for drugs like insulin and chemotherapy medications at @10% of the cost. Here's a suggestion, if you want to spend your money "your way" as you say, you can always go to the US and pay 10X more for everything. Don't let the door hit your butt on the way over the border.
I'm Canadian. In July of 2021 I had a double mastectomy, then in January and February I had 2 separate surgeries to remove kidney stones that had been caused by an infection. Just that alone likely would have bankrupted me if I'd been living in the US. In Canada though, I paid nothing (well, I did have to pay for the medication I took after the fact, but I think that came out to a total of $20)
Great video Tyler! As a Canadian, born and raised here in Ontario, I haven't known any other system, but have friends & family in the U.S., so I do have comparables. Also, as a family man with a wife & 3 kids, I don't take our system for granted! There has been multiple trips to the doctor, some to emerg., and not once, do I need to ask myself the question 'can I afford the treatment'! Indeed, there may be 'significant' wait times for non-urgent or elective procedures, but if it's truly an emergency, you get the care you need - and don't need to remortgage your house to do so.
My father had a double valve heart surgery in 2019 - between the operation & his 5 day stay after, it would have cost - at minimum - $130,000 in the States. His cost here in Canada, $0 for the procedure, but around $500 (that was $100/day) for special medication & physio for the 5 days after.
We may not have the perfect system. It does have it's flaws, but I will take those flaws over the US model.
Thanks for the video from Ottawa Canada. There are a lot of doctor shortages here, very long wait times and many other issues, but at the end of the day people aren't left bankrupt or dead and that's always great to know as a Canadian.
I fell down a flight of stairs in 2016 and separated my foot from my leg. Calling 911 was the start of a year long healing process. Emergency surgery, 2 months in hospital, daily cast changes and xrays, CT scans and MRIs. 6 months in a wheelchair, 4 months of physiotherapy, a year in a cast, and a second surgery on my 1 yr anniversary. I am also a heart patient with a rare heart condition. Ive had 7 heart procedures since 2019 along with care from cardiology and electrophysiology . I am currently in process of getting a power wheelchair due to my ongoing health condition. I am Canadian. The cost for ALL the above? $0.00
Its not free. You dont pay, thats the difference with america, but we all do with our taxes. That why we chose this system. But its not free. Im glad you feel better.
Hi Tyler. I'm only guessing but I would assume her $108 monthly bill is likely a benefit package from her workplace which is probably covering her sons medications. Here in Canada if we dont have benefits through work we do have to pay for medications but even then our cost for med is lower than the US because the government negotiates bulk purchases of meds and also mandates some prices that pharmaceutical companies can charge for meds.
Sorry, my reply was meant as a comment to the entire video.
@@robertgovier7970 No, someone already pointed out that the video he was reviewing is a few years old and back then, you paid a monthly fee for your provincial health care plan in BC. Since that video was made that monthly fee has been eliminated.
@@robertgovier7970 in BC, up to a couple of years ago, we used to pay a monthly premium for our provincial medical coverage. When the NDP government was last voted in, they eliminated the payment.
I had a baby here in canada. I got blood tests, monthly OB appointments, gave birth with a 2 night stay, had a midwife check up on me for 6 weeks and i didnt have to worry about any costs. I also went on maternity leave for a year
As a Canadian I’m so happy to have our health care I’m in Ontario is called OHIP so when I go into the hospital no one ever ever asks how are you paying they just ask for your health card and that’s it no paper work nothing😊😊😊🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
the best thing about free health care in canada is one less thing to worry about when your sick or hurt
I agree! I'm in canada and whenever I have to go to the hospital, or take my special needs child in, there are many things that run through my mind, but NEVER How will I pay for this??. I know Americans who have hesitated going to the ER because they didn't know how they'd pay for it.
It's not free in every province. In some provinces it's in your income taxes
Here in Quebec, until a few years ago, hospitals attempted to recover some revenue through higher parking fees at hospital lots. The government put an end to that and now in Quebec by law, the first two hours in a parking lot at a hospital are free. The price for parking between two and four hours starts at $6, depending on the region, with a maximum $10 fee for a 24-hour period.
we need to do that here in BC. it should be illegal to charge for parking at a hospital
I lived in The US for a couple years but the stress of the medical system was too much for me. Never knowing what would be covered. Never sure how much my share would cost. Being told things would be covered only to receive a bill and have to submit an appeal to my insurance company. I took meticulous notes during calls with my insurance provider and always documented the call reference number. I don't imagine that's something I'd ever have to do in Canada. I left and moved back home and have one less thing to worry about. I often wonder how much simply the stress of the system contributes to an individuals health and healing. I certainly did me no favours! Glad to be home and not have to worry about cost of my heathcare.
The shock/surprise look on your face when she said she never filled out any paperwork when they saw the doctor, was the EXACT SAME look I had on my face, looking at your reaction. I hadn't realized how much I take that for granted. It's so normal. And I was so shocked/surprised that you found this shocking and surprising. Canadians don't mind using their taxes to help a kid fight cancer in another province, or someone else's grandmother get treatments she needs to live. Not everything in life is about money. That's where the free markets and capitalism of the United States fails.
The American system isn’t free market though. It’s a massive profit scam.
There is private insurance here in Canada but it's typically for prescription drugs, dental, glasses, medical equipment and depending on province used for private rooms in hospitals
Here in Canada we used to $200 a month for my wife's drugs until the month after she turned 60. After that we pay the first month's drug bill, about equal to the annual deductible, then for 11 months a year we pay the pharmacy's dispensary fee.
And now there is going to be public dental insurance for low income which means there will be even better coverage in the next bit
The private Healthcare Industry in Canada should be eliminated. It seems clear to me that cost for service would obviously be less with single payer and not having to make bank for billionaire investors.
My brother in the States had an operation after an accident which cost him $75,000. He knew my Canadian brother had had a triple bypass heart operation and asked how much he paid for his operation. My Cdn. brother placed his Cdn
Health Care card on the table. My other brother cried.
I have shown my parking receipts. Which is discounted if you stay for an extended period of time.
The last two times at the hospital cost me around $10 or so, for the parking.
I had a urinary infection, so I went to the local hospital emergency ward. I arrived at 11:00am, was admitted, had a blood test, urine test, CT scan, injection for the infection, prescription for continuing treatment, and got back in my car at 2:00pm. 3 hours total. Cost: $0.00. What a great system.
I live in Quebec and have had multiple surgeries other the years. I also did 4 years of peritoneal dialysis (which is worth about 60k per year without counting the cost of the machine) as well as a kidney transplant with a full week hospitalization and did not pay a single dollar for any of it (aside from the government fees on my taxes of course). Some Canadians that are never sick are frustrated with paying taxes for a service they never use, however the day you need it you are extremely grateful to have it :)
One of the main reasons they can’t move back is it would be considered a pre-existing condition so in the US it wouldn’t be covered or your medical treatment would be extremely expensive. Every province pays different amounts toward your medical coverage between $100-300 per person & family and on average $1000 out of your taxes per year( directly for a middle class person)also each province has a prescription drug coverage.15 years ago in the US in a hospital a Tylenol was between $9-12 each. Even if you travel to the US and you get sick and have no insurance you are charged the full amount. People get cancer and it bankrupts people. America is the only country that doesn’t have Universal or Socialized medicine and charges such a huge amount. It’s also a business and medical CEO’s and administration get paid millions a year. Doctors in Canada & the USA make roughly the same amount each year.
When I had my son I ended up with an emergency c section after 36 hours of labour. I had a private labour room and a private post delivery room. I left the hospital with zero bill, never even something I thought about.
My mom right now is in the process of being diagnosed with Cancer. She just went for some radiation treatment in a different town, 4 hours ride in an ambulance. She is in hospital, and a bill is not a thing that we are even thinking about.
There is likely to be a nominal fee for the ambulance ride, typically $45.
When my daughter was two, she began having seizures and slipped into a coma in the middle of the night. We rushed her to McMaster Children’s hospital, (in Hamilton, Ontario) ran to the front desk and were immediately told to follow the receptionist to a private room. Within seconds, there were seven doctors in the room, and several nurses. My daughter was put on IV fluids immediately and many tests were run. The doctors discovered she has a rare metabolic disorder which if monitored carefully was manageable. After staying in the hospital for two weeks, she went home in good health with a diagnosis that would keep her alive indefinitely. The only cost to us for two weeks in the hospital and for the incredible care and knowledge of some of the world’s best doctors, was the cost of parking.
In Canada if you're homeless you have free emergency care no questions asked
And its the same level of care and compassion as the millionaire in the next room. No two tiered hospitals
Of course!
IKR?!? When I was worried about a very expensive treatment I needed my doctor said “I have patients who live in their cars on this treatment. We live in Canada. You will get the treatment you need.”
U talk to much..
Yet the majority of Americans absolutely reject socialism? As a Canadian,🇨🇦 I don't get it. 🤔
they are taught to confuse social democracy as the same as Communism soviet style. when explaining that all European countries have socialized medicine the reaction is total confusion. The problem in the states is that having two conservative oriented political parties ( by the rest of the worlds standings ) they cannot conceive of something more attuned to societal needs or desires.
My spouse is American and has no desire to go back as crime is very low here in Toronto and healthcare is not a worry! Her father passed away from cancer and the limitations in the treatments available to him by his private health plan in the USA. My father had cancer in his late 70s and survive and all the treatments were fully covered by the provincial plan. I am happy to say he is 94 years young and still very active and healthy!
Tyler, I really enjoy your videos about Canada. I am a Canadian who recently had a hip replacement operation. I had the best of care and the cost to me was $0.
The sad thing is the Conservatives in this country want a 'for profit' model for our health care. Pray for us.
You are correct@GrampianMarine. It's no accident that health care under Conservative Premiers of the various provinces has taken a hit because they are wanting to profit from an Insurance based system. We MUST pay attention and be diligent about safeguarding and shoring up our existing healthcare system! Moving to a profit based system that only works for the Rich is VERY dangerous.
but how long did you wait till they help you?
I'm not sure of the exact timing since it was during COVID but I would say I only waited long enough to be ready. BTW: I used a clinic run by a hospital and they continue to check on my overall health.
Don't believe the propaganda you get from for-profit hospitals. There are things wrong with the system but it is politicians on the right that create the problems.
May you live in peace and good health.
@@willemvdspek
@@willemvdspek Ever notice how the people getting the care are usually not the ones asking that question repeatedly? 🙄
I'm on Facebook support groups for my own health issues and often see shocking stories from Americans about their insurance companies not covering basic treatments for the disease, that I take for granted here in Canada. People were foregoing treatments that could keep them alive or using less preferred older options. Some were actually in the middle of a medical emergency and were asking for advice instead of going to the ER because they were worried about the cost. It really was shocking to those living outside the US.
Very true!!
That's so sad! Wow, it's survival of the fitest and richest!
When she said she pays her $100/m that was called MSP and not all provinces paid for it. In BC, they eliminated MSP about 13yrs ago.
So there is NO out of pocket expenses at all. None. You need care, you walk in and get care. Doesn’t matter about what income, or any socio-economic demographic status you are in.
I have plenty of amazing healthcare stories in Canada.
Msp was eliminated in 2020.
I've lived in Canada all my life, in Ontario. In 2008, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. I was diagnosed on a Friday, admitted to hospital on Monday, and was on chemo by Thursday. I received chemo 24 hours a day for seven days straight. I remained in hospital for another four or five weeks while my blood levels tanked and then climbed back up. Fortunately, I was in remission. I did not have to pay a cent for any of my treatment while in hospital. Yes, I have additional health coverage through my employer, but that's to cover the few things that the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP - our provincial government health plan) didn't cover ... things like semi private or private room while in hospital. I also had to have an injection every day for 10 days after I was released from hospital. These injections were not covered by OHIP and were $100 each. But my coverage through my employer covered that. Yes, we pay for health care through our provincial taxes, but we don't need to have private health care. Americans don't seem to realize that yes, your taxes will go up with universal health care, but you no longer need to pay health insurance premiums every month. The two basically cancel each other out. You may even pay less.
The simple explanation of Canadian health care is this: Each provincial government acts as the health care insurer for the residents of that province. Our taxes are the premiums; everyone pays some tax even if some pay a lot more than others. Most doctors are in private practice, and others work at hospitals. Since the province isn't out to make money from the system, it isn't going to deny any test or procedure (except for outright quack stuff, of course). Therefore, doctors can go ahead and do what the patient needs without checking in. Each province has directory of billing codes agreed upon by doctors and the provincial health department, so all charges are consistent. No matter where you are in the province, if your doctor sends you over to radiology for a chest x-ray, the cost billed to the province is the same. The patients never get the bills. A small walk-in clinic with 4 to 7 doctors needs just one person to take care of billing. That saves the doctors a lot of money, actually, compared to the American system where the insurer demands so much paperwork. Doctors make a good living but not enough to attract the kind of doctor who cares more about being rich than looking after patients. Because it's a tax-based, non-profit system, it's no-frills and egalitarian.
I'm an ER nurse and most definitely notice that more people come to the ER here in Canada for non emergencies vs the USA. I always wondered why the US hospitals seemed to be more high acuity and more trauma based. It makes sense why people try not to go unless it was a true emergency... Due to all the $$$ paid out of pocket.
Our "private" insurance pays for things like physio, dental, prescriptions, braces etc....
the one large negative is the ridiculous abuse of the system by many
There is a lot of abuse. The reason they charge for the ambulance ride is because way back when it was free, some people would lie to use it as a free taxi.
I had a test done were I needed to be sedated, and a surgeon did the procedure. I was thankful the entire time I wouldn't have to pay for it. All the staff were so nice as well. Glad to be Canadian.
I am a 79 year old man living in New Brunswick Canada. In the last four years I have had two cancer operations. I have had the top lobe of my left lung removed and a tumour removed from my right kidney. Both surgeries were successful and there wasn’t any need for chemotherapy or radiation, because they caught it early. The lung problem was spotted by a routine X-ray and they had it diagnosed and the operation done within six weeks. I have twice yearly follow up ,complete with scans and / or rays to make sure it is gone. I also have just had a spine fusion because of spinal stenosis and am recovering well from that.
The cost to me for everything consisted of paying for parking at the hospital, about five bucks a visit.
All the specialists I felt with were young well educated professionals.
Do we have a perfect health system? No there are some problems but the good outweighs the bad by a lot!
I wanted to add this as well. I'm a Canadian born & bread Canadian in Quebec. My father in law, around the year 2000, was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.
At the time, Québec did not have enough specialist to treat this type of cancer so the Québec (Provincial Gov.) & the Federal Gov. made plans with New York, USA to send buses down with these people diagnosed with this type of cancer (I'm only talking about my father-in-law & I'm sure there where other different kind of cancer patients) so :
1st - They would leave for the whole weekend to go the New York
2nd - I'm sorry, I can't recall the hospital at this time.
3rd - They would bee setup at a 3 to 4 star hotel (from Friday night till Monday Morning)
4th - They would attend every day for there treatment
5th - They would come back on Monday in the afternoon
& this went on for many months if I recall correctly.
This was completly payed EVERYTHING 100% by the Canadian & Quebec Government including, Bus travel (which my parent said was very confortable & it was only a 2:30 hr ride, Hotels, all meals, all hospital cost care 100%.
They never applied for anything, this was all done throught our government. All information about all patients where sent to the Dr. That would take care of them, so they never found out how much this all cost. It was simply payed directly from our Governments to however in New York.
I wanted to throught this in because for our Government, it is much more than just the money, this is about saving Canadian Life's & I would expect no less from Canada.
Quick tip bit : Québec in the only Province that pay PROVINCIAL Taxes unlike any other province or territory in Canada & I look it up & Quebecer's pay THE HIGHEST TAXE IN NORTH AMERICA.
Do I care, absolutly not, they have always had our backs well not always, we are talking about Gov. :-) but pretty close.
When I had my child, I got the benefits of sending by child to pre-school at $7.00/day with a tax credit for this.
I could go on & specialize our senior, they paid into our Pension plans their whole life so that I could get a Pension plan for my whole life so I thx these Seniors & ivm so happy that they don't have to worry about where they will end up.
I hope this BLOWS your mind.
From a friendly Canadian, Live your best Life & Stay save. 🇲🇶🇨🇦🇺🇦✌️😁🙏🙏
The $100 a month she mentioned was a monthly fee charged by government in BC and usually.paid by employers as a benefit. It was a fee per family regardless of family size. This was eliminated a couple years ago. So today there is no premium. You do need to be a Canadian resident for the "free" health care as it is 100 percent covered by taxes. Visitors from outside Canada would have to pay.
Ironically visitors would still pay less for assistance than US Citizens in the US often end up paying.
And they don't get a bill in the mail, you pay up right away.
Several years ago former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Roslyn were in Winnipeg with Habitat for Humanity. Jimmy Carter was injured on the workplace and had to spend 24 hours in St. Boniface Hospital. When he was discharged he asked a Nurse where he had to go to pay his bill. The Nurse said, "Oh Sir, I don't think you have to pay". She directed him to an office and they confirmed what the Nurse had said. He didn't have to pay. Mr. Carter was stunned by that and discussed it in interviews in the U.S.
Canadians are able to buy private insurance if they want to. That is probably what the young mother in the video was talking about paying $108.00 a month for. With this private insurance, they would get 80% back from any prescriptions, dental bills, ambulance bills, optical exams, etc. that they have to pay for.
nah, BC until a couple of years ago, you had to pay a monthly premium that was rated by your income up to a limit.
@@kellynnd5361 Oh, I didn't know that. I'm in Manitoba and we don't have to pay for provincial health insurance.
The lady in British Columbia said she was paying $108 per month for the government provincial health insurance. As of 2021, it has been removed, so there is no longer any additional cost beyond beyond your federal and provincial taxes. There are some out of pocket costs for miscellaneous extras like crutches, etc, if needed, which everyone complains about. I live in BC. I recently was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer. The tests, scans, and scopes were completed within a week, the kidney was removed within a month, and I have started the follow-up therapy. I did not pay one cent for any of this. I looked up what the surgery would have cost in the US, and it was indicated that that the kidney removal would cost $20,000US .... 200,000 to 500,000US if chemo or radiation is eventually required. It will not cost me one cent for all future treatment. There are problems with the Canadian system. However, no one will lose their house because they are sick. Everyone is covered from the poorest to the richest. Some of the latter will go to the US for treatment because they can get it faster, especially for things like knee and hip replacements, so be it. That just removes a person out of the queue . We have a great system that only the rich in the US find fault with when the topic of expanding the US health care rises. One might think that is because those people think they have no responsibility to help support their overall society. Our government is discussing bringing in a pharmacare plan. Yes, this is "Socialism" and our taxes are higher. It is finding the balance.
Tyler. 87 year old dual citizen here. Ten years in US military, ten in Canadian. Till 2020 worked Washington DC. But always returned to Canada for the big stuff. I love your channel. I just wish there was some way you could live here for about four years and really see how amazing this place really is. It would be an education.
My brain is having difficulty comprehending how Americans mentally handle the everyday health roulette and (respectively) why they choose to stay, especially if you have a chronic/life threatening illness. If I heard that I would be facing 165k every 6 months, I would be planning a move instead. My mother required biologic injections for RA and the costs were insane. SO glad we are Canadian.
Seeing and hearing about the complications of trying to obtain basic health care in America makes me anxious. Every Rx I have filled for myself or my children, I am so thankful and grateful. Fingers crossed it stays this way here!
How do Americans handle it? They delude themselves into thinking that their situation represents freedom.
I'm from BC. So citizens used to pay a small insurance premium to the BC government for health care, but in actuality the taxes pay for most of the health care costs, along with the premiums.
Currently employers are required to pay those premiums and citizens just don't have to pay the extra premiums, they just pay their normal taxes.
Something else about the Canadian healthcare system which is rarely discussed is preventative treatment.
How many Americans would ever drive their cars without ever getting them serviced, even for an oil change? The answer is none. However, how many Americans will not or cannot pay for an annual check-up?
How many Americans die or suffer from health issues which could have been caught and treated sooner if the person had received annual check-ups?
I have had a congenital abdominal condition. Where my intestines were all messed up. We were in Florida and were on our way driving home to Canada. We stopped at a motel while my parents looked for a drug store. We went home and I saw a specialist and had major surgery and a month in hospital. No cost except for the TV we rented when I was able to watch it.
I have also seen the difference between the treatment of cancer for children in Chicago depending on what your social status is.
I can no longer go to the US. I have health issues my whole life since I was born premature and have had life time health issues. I am so glad that I live in Canada. When I lived in BC for my first job, we had monthly payments to BC health. They were abolished a long time ago.
The heath care is a provincial system a Canadian can get healthcare in any province, but each province covers things in their own way. Usually, there is a method of figuring out how to cover people for “ out of province care. Negotiation between provinces takes care of it.
Some things I’ve learned from my master's in healthcare administration: Believe it or not, the father of the Canadian healthcare system is Tommy Douglas, who happens to be Kiefer Sutherland’s maternal grandfather. The Canadian healthcare system requires about 11% of our GDP, while the American system requires about 17% of theirs. Canada’s healthcare system typically ranks higher than the USA’s. Canadians have a life expectancy of 82 years, compared to 77 years for Americans. Our healthcare system is not perfect, but I prefer it to the American healthcare system in general. However, for the latest cutting-edge healthcare, I would give the edge to the American system.
I'm Canadian and for the other Canadians here commenting, I'd like to give you an example. I moved back to Canada the end of 2022 after living in New York City for 5 years. I had alot of pain and tingling in my hands and went to a hand doctor. He said I had Carpel Tunnel and he sent me to a Nerve Specialist to get a reading on how my hand nerves react to certain things. Once that was done, I was given a quote as to how much it would cost. Keep in mind that my health insurance was provided by my company - 90% coverage - that's excellent coverage and when I saw the quote I almost fell over. After already being covered 90% I would have to pay an extra $9K per hand! Almost $20K to pay in addition to my coverage for a very minor surgery. It's open up each hand, make one snip and stitch it back up. I can imagine how much the other, more complicates surgeries cost. There are alot of people in the US who don't get it through their jobs, just can't afford to pay for it every month. I new people who ever went to the Dentist or Doctor...EVER.
I have multiple sclerosis and require routine MRIs that are completely covered. In the last few years, I've had 2 brain surgeries, hip and shoulder replacements. Didn't pay for any of it. I can't imagine how much that would cost if I lived in the US
Great video. If I'm understanding correctly, what the mom in this video is referring to is supplemental health insurance, probably from work. Everyone has all the basics covered through our tax system. Supplemental insurance would cover things like prescriptions, dental, eye care, maybe supports you need to purchase for your home, physiotherapy, etc. No one in Canada has to pay for an emergency room visit, a doctor's appointment, a hospital stay, surgery, childbirth, etc.
No, that $108 was the health care premium which has gone. B.C. had those premiums for quite a while, changed the system so people don't pay it on top of provincial taxes now.
I am 57. When I was a kid and teenager I didn’t know everyone got free healthcare. I just took it for granted, you got sick you go to the doctor, or hospital get treatment and never see a bill. It wasn’t until I got into nursing that I heard about the horror stories about American healthcare. My son was premature. I was in hospital for 10 days, he was in the NICU for three weeks, when he was released I had public health nurse came to the house once a week ( or more if needed) for the first six weeks. All free. It’s a blessing that during a medical emergency that a bill is something you will never have to worry about here for your care.
Canadian here. I’m very grateful for our health care system, but make no mistake…we pay high taxes for it. I am 67 years old and work hard at being healthy…diet, exercise, etc. I will admit I resent others who abuse their bodies and are entitled to the same care as I am.
In 1984 I delivered a baby more than 16 weeks prematurely. He spent nine months in hospital and it cost us nothing extra. Forever grateful. Then in 2012 I needed urgent surgery and the wait time was going to be up to a year. We found a hospital in Florida and our specialist here advised if we were able we should go…said they would do a good job and do it quickly. We were down and back home before I even had a consultation appointment here with the surgeon. But it wasn’t just the wait time…the procedure at the speciality clinic in Florida was a 19 minute day surgery with amazing follow up care. And a guarantee! In Canada the surgery would have been a six hour exploratory procedure, an incision across the whole of my throat, I could have lost my voice, and there would be a six day hospital stay. Basically, the procedure in Canada was still being done the way it was done in the 1920’s when the disease was discovered. So this convinces me that profit motive has its benefits. The bill for the surgery in Florida was about eleven and a half thousand dollars…anesthetist, two surgeons, minimally invasive procedure, pathology, scans, follow up care. I don’t think that is unreasonable. I’m sure a six day hospital stay in Canada would amount to much more than that. Couldn’t we find a third way? Why must it be all one way or the other?
Very simple, we Canadians pay taxes like you in the US. The difference is part of are taxes go toward paying for healthcare. The government of a country has better purchasing power than an individual citizen. The federal government gives the provinces money to pay for each province's healthcare systems. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are independent contractors who charge the government based on a government payment system that has been agreed on. The medical professionals are responsible for dealing out the healthcare with the patient needing to be informed and agreeing with the treatment plan. Outside of actual medical health you can get supplemental healthcare which would cover things like perscriptions drugs, dental, eye care and even things like private physio or even massages.
Currently my autoimmune disease cost about $12,000 a month in medications and about $8,000 a month in platelets and blood transfusions. Plus the cost of ATG treatment. Between my private health insurance and government insurance and compassionate coverage I pay about $1,000 a yeay in out of pocket expenses. Couldn't afford to live in the US.
Almost two years ago now, I passed out in front of a pharmacy … when I awoke, I was in the hospital and was told I had contacted COVID-19, in fact, the deadly Delta varient. I fell into a coma for over three weeks, awoke in ICU hooked up to tubes and a ventilator to keep me alive. I was ICU for over two months and then recovery and rehab for a year. My left arm and hand suffered from nerve damage and is paralyzed, my right hand has what’s known as trigger fingers and my right foot is inverted in a way permanently that I can no longer walk. Thankfully, I was on ODSP (Ontario disability) due to other reason which not only paid for everything in my recovery and rehab, but also my $20K motorized wheelchair and still paying for specialized care while I wait for a bed to open up in a long term care home. All paid for due to me being on ODSP and my right to universal healthcare for being a Canadian citizen. I’m great full for our healthcare we have here in Canada. If this was the US, I’d be broke and out on the street with no healthcare.
My dad spent many months in the hospital and was operated on a few times. The hospital room was private with 32 inch TV, large picture windows with beautiful views, nurses and doctors were excellent. Someone came around daily to take lunch, dinner and breakfast order. This was all free. This is the only major hospital In the city and like all hospitals is government run, free and available to all from rich to poor. Oh and let's not forget the hospital lobby with excellent coffee shops, gift shop, beautiful gardens and a grand piano that someone was often playing. It was like getting sick and being sent to a Sheraton hotel. Thanks Universal Healthcare in Canada!!!
About a month ago, my daughter picked up a serious infection that required two ER visits and a week long hospitalization. She received 24/7 care in an isolation ward, multiple blood tests, IV antibiotics, and visits from half a dozen different specialists. All I paid out of pocket was for parking and my own meals. In the USA, that care likely would have cost $100K or more.
I'd like to live and work in the USA, but I doubt it will ever happen because I'm not willing to gamble our financial future on the expensive US healthcare system. Even vacations down there worry me...
Think of the Canadian healthcare system like your fire department. You don't know how much exactly or how your taxes pay for it, you just know they do, and when you have a fire you call them for help immediately without fear of cost. That's exactly how it works.
hate to tell you... some places in the states bill for fighting fires...
@@kellynnd5361 Yikes!
My mother went through 7 years of chemotherapy for cancer. She eventually passed away in 1999, but I was grateful that all her examinations, surgeries and treatments never cost us anything. My father also had 2 surgeries on his leg and the only thing he paid for was use of the television and telephone while he was in the hospital. I've also had to make 2 emergency trips to the hospital due to intestinal issues. I did have a long wait, but I didn't mind because I knew I wouldn't have to pay anything. I know we still have some issues and there's more things it could include (dental for example), but comparatively to the US, I've always been grateful.
(Canadian)My exes step dad got bit by a baby rattle snake while camping. So he was taken to a hospital and received 18 doses of anti venom. Afterwards he learned that each dose is $10,000. He survived and made a complete recovery.
I have a very rare Autoimmune Disorder among other things my 1 treatment I do twice a year and it’s over $20,000 every time; that doesn’t include my other meds, I’m on around 20 different medications I pay $90 /2 months if I lived in the USA I wouldn’t be here. When I was diagnosed they said I was #7 in Canada with this condition, so I joined the study group to help others hopefully 🤞🙏🏻💕
I hope your treatments help you. Thank you for being part of the study to help others. When i separated my foot, ,i was asked to be a guniea pig too lol. I agreed because , like you, i figured my experiences might help others.
Being a Guinea pig is never easy, I’m so sorry for your situation. ❤️🩹 I hope you are on a healing journey now 🤞🥰 🙏🏻 Chin up and be strong my friend ❤️🩹💪 and remember there’s always a good day in this craziness
A few years ago BC fazed the monthly payments out. (I'm sure it was added to taxes but there's no longer a monthly payment.) You can get extended healthcare but it mostly covers dental, glasses and prescriptions. Our medical system has flaws. Lots of flaws. But (as an example) my mother had chronic heart trouble, she got sick and spent a week in hospital. Dozens of test and procedures, eventually she died. If we had then been hit with a bill for thousands of dollars it would've wiped out her Estate and probably put the whole family into debt.
As an older Canadian, I’ve seen the health care system have more wait times and harder to find a dr. But I have had a cornea transplant, knee replacement, hip replacement and back surgery. I don’t think I could have afforded this in the states. I’d be paying for a funeral. Now I did get a $80 bill to pay for an ambulance and $100 to pay for an air cast when I broke my toe, but that’s it.
3 weeks ago I broke my left shoulder, badly. I went to emerg at my local hospital, was triaged and saw a doctor within 30 minutes. After the initial assessment and x-rays I saw a specialist. One sling later, some pain killers, and two more specialist visits, along with more x-rays, I will be starting physio. I live in northern Ontario. Cost to me was zero, except for the dispensing fee for the drugs which totalled all of $19 CDN. The experience at the hospital left me with the feeling that while the system may not be perfect, the staff there really did care and were doing their best.
when I was younger I had my gall bladder give out on me so I spent a week in hospital got all the tests done 3 gall stones removed and my gall bladder and at the end of all of it I just owed my doctor a thank you.
i live in Belgium
i paid 1 euro to go to the doctor last time i went ,
because i hadn't earned enough a few years before
and i got a reduction in 2x yearly payments of 29 euro...(which was 25 euro just a few months ago , for decades )
for the next 3-4 YEARS i got dentist deductions , 7 euro to go to the dentist , which i mostly got back from healthcare ...
everybody just pays a little 2x times a year , so the money keeps coming in for when You go through something and Don't go bankrupt for braking your pinky ...
My experience with our healthcare system in Canada has never been anything, but absolutely positive, and quick. I’ve never had to wait for anything more than maybe a month or two for an MRI, I was diagnosed with a D issue, which would be considered elective, and from the time I first saw the specialist until the time I had my surgery was about 2 1/2 months. I have zero complaints.