>Here's an opinion piece that appeared in today's Toronto Star. Thought you might find it interesting.
>
>http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/668161

My problem with the Canadian system is specifically related to the costs. Namely, the cost limits of a government program lead to rationing, inferior access to technology and, most importantly, lack of patient control over their own care. I disagree with any system which removes the decision making process from the doctor and patient and puts it in the hands of a third party, be they a government entity or an insurance company. Further, it does not bother me that American health care costs more than the rest of the world, our level of care is worth paying for.

That's not to say there aren't tremendous savings to be had through certain reforms, but moving towards central planning is the exact opposite.

My simple response to this opinion piece would be to point out a single case like cancer treatment. 3 of the most prevalent are breast, prostrate and colon. Canada's mortality rate for these cancers is 9% higher for breast, 10% higher for colon and 184% higher for prostrate. If we immediately switch to Canadian health care, who chooses who dies from the lack of cancer prevention, detection and care. More importantly, how much of that supposed trillion dollar savings will be eaten up by malpractice and wrongful death lawsuits?

FWIW : The Canadian system does appear to be much better than much western Europe. Some of their mortality rates are 100s of percent higher than the US.

There's a lot of other interesting fact packed into this as well.
http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba649