> Having lived in Canada (Montreal) for some time, I can confirm that > the healthcare system in Canada sucks big time (I believe so does NHS > in the UK). L-o-n-g waiting lists to see any sort of specialist > doctor, three times longer waiting lists for operation theatres and > the like etc. are the norm.
Here's a discussion (dated 2000) between Adam Gopnik and Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker, discussing the relative merits of the US and Canadian healthcare systems (Gladwell has since reversed his opinion). http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2000/0003.gladwellgopnik.html Gladwell describes why he has changed his mind here: http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2006/02/gladwell_v_gopn_1.html Basically, the difference comes down to the fact that care in the US is far better, without a question, but health care is simply not available to a high percentage of Americans (I believe it is something like 40 million Americans without health insurance), whereas in Canada (or the UK, or any country with nationalized health care), the standard of care is much more basic, but everyone DOES have access to it. I live in London, and I'm happy with the standard of care.. Badri
