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Just another point on the Canadian healthcare system....
We're in a severe MD shortage. Most general practitioners/family doctors aren't taking any more patients unless you're related to a current patient. And with the "revamping" of OHIP, you can't see a specialist until you see a G.P. (for the most part). So, you have to find a GP that will see you, then refer you.
If you have a specialist, but haven't been to see them in over a year, you have to go BACK to your GP to get a referal. This actually happened to me. I see a specialist once a year and have for the past 16 years. At university, I missed an appointment and passed the year mark. Even though I'd been seeing my doctor for so many years, I had to find a GP in the city who would refer me.
So, I think many Canadians get fed up with waiting and head south, to wherever the specialists are.
While there are definite issues with the system, I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about affording my basic care. I'm also thankful for my drug plans that cover a lot of my medication. There's been a lot of debate recently about creating a two tiered system, especially when news stories break about prominent sports figures bypassing MRI waiting lists. I"ve BEEN on those waiting lists and it ain't pretty. With so few machines, I understand about critical cases going first, but you can't tell me that checking to see if a certain basketball player's knee ligament is torn is more critical than my friend having his brain scanned to find out why he's been experiencing blackouts.
Anyway, just ramblings from a Canuck.
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