Tandoori Tatanka

I suspect that opposition to universal health care in the US is based on a fundamental distrust or lack of confidence in the federal government. The alternative is to have faith that private insurers will compete to deliver efficient, capable and fair service. Are we able to admit that both systems have serious flaws with subtle but important consequences?

“As a Canadian living in the United States for the past 17 years, I am frequently asked by Americans and Canadians alike to declare one health care system as the better one.”

Myth: Taxes in Canada are extremely high, mostly because of national health care.

Myth: Canada’s health care system is a cumbersome bureaucracy.

Myth: The Canadian system is significantly more expensive than that of the U.S.

Myth: Canada’s government decides who gets health care and when they get it.

Myth: There are long waits for care, which compromise access to care.

Myth: Canadians are paying out of pocket to come to the U.S. for medical care.

Myth: Canada is a socialized health care system in which the government runs hospitals and where doctors work for the government.

Myth: There aren’t enough doctors in Canada.

“Once a large number of citizens get their health care from the state, it dramatically alters their attachment to government. Every time a tax cut is proposed, the guardians of the new medical-welfare state will argue that tax cuts would come at the expense of health care — an argument that would resonate with middle-class families entirely dependent on the government for access to doctors and hospitals.”