[Yuri]

Ron,
I've had the unfortunate opportunity to see the Canadian health care system from both sides. Recently from the inside-out with my illness as well as from the outside looking in through my 30+ years of employment as a medical microbiologist. I feel that both private and socialized medicine have good points as well as bad.
As for the Canadian system:

Pros - The benefit of socialized medicine is that you don't have to show your wallet every time you need medical assistance and that most needs are covered whether it might be a visit to the family doctor or a heart transplant. The financial impact is carried by the government (the citizens as a whole) but, of course, that is reflected in our personal taxation rate. Private health insurance can be purchased, often subsidized by one's employer, to cover items not covered by the government (ie. dental, supplemental drugs, optical, etc). The government health care system cannot turn anyone down for a pre-existing condition, extended use etc. There are no HMOs and everyone is entitled to see any doctor of their choosing and basically get as many 'second opinions' as they wish. Here you probably won't lose your house in a medical crisis nor be denied treatment at the hospital of your choosing because you can't pay.

Cons - As everything is publicly funded, all medical tests, procedures, physicians have their basic rates capped by the government. (yes, I know, doctors have ways to boost their income). When a hospital, institute or doctor gets the same basic rate of reimbursement for the same service or procedure rendered there is less incentive to be better than the next. Competition drives excellence. If competition were allowed, better hospitals could charge more in order to attract more experienced doctors, purchase better equipment and trial more 'approved' cutting edge & experimental procedures. That said, we have some great doctors and great facilities. But arguably outside of Toronto's 'Hospital for Sick Children' I have to wonder if we have a truly 'world renowned' facility in Canada. Understandably the U.S. has a greater population but still there are proportionately more universally recognized world renowned hospitals such as Boston's 'Brigham & Womans', Minnesota's 'Mayo Clinic' and Baltimore's 'Johns Hopkins', just to name a few. These are health care facilities that lead the way and not just implement what is currently accepted.

Most regions of Canada have an ongoing shortage of doctors, family physicians in particular. Many have been lured away to the U.S. by better prospects, modern facilities and higher income. Emergency rooms are overcrowded with some unacceptable wait times up to 14 hours post triage before receiving treatment. Some newer medications & procedures approved in the U.S. (and even in Canada) are simply not covered by the Canadian health care system. The choice then becomes the patient's - pay out of pocket to travel to the U.S. or elsewhere for treatment or stay ill and possibly die.

Some argue that a 'Two Tier' system should be implemented - where there is public health care for the masses and private (for profit) for those able and willing to pay. Of course many doctor's will gravitate to the better facilities and pay in the private field. Many Canadians fear that allowing a Two Tier system will eventually erode the public care and the U.S.system will dominate. For all intents and purposes a two tier system already exists to some degree as I know of no sports athlete or politician who ever had to stand in line for surgery or an MRI.

Hospitals in Canada are required by legislation to operate 'in the black'. Few are able to offer all the services requested by the community through government funding. As a result I've personally witnessed outdated and even broken equipment that continues to be used, essential but infrequently requested tests being diverted or canceled as well as a cutback in custodial services which may hasten the spread of MRSA, C.difficle or the common flu.

Ron, to answer your question, I'm generally satisfied but we could do so much better....

Anyways, that's my 2 cent take (not government funded) on our system. I'm sure some of my compatriots will disagree.

(I have yet to see Michael Moore's film on the subject)