Quote:
Originally Posted by directfiesta
NOTE: When people say that healthcare is free in Canada, it is not the proper term. It should be said that it is "UNIVERSAL" , meaning that without regards to your wealth, you have access to medical care .... but we do pay for it in our taxes.
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That is exactly correct. We certainly do pay for it in our taxes and medical services plans for extended care etc.
From the World Health Organization data:
"Health care is one of the most expensive items of both nations? budgets. The U.S. government spends more per capita on health care than the government does in Canada. In 2004, the government of Canada spent $2,120 (in US dollars) per person on health care, while the United States government spent $2,724.[16]
However, U.S. government spending covers less than half of all health care costs. Private spending for health care is also far greater in the U.S. than in Canada. In Canada, an average of $917 was spent annually by individuals or private insurance companies for health care, including dental, eye care, and drugs. In the U.S., this number is $3,372.[16] In 2004, health care consumed 15.4% of U.S. annual GDP. In Canada, only 9.8% of GDP was spent on health care.[16]"
Says a lot.