Debunking Canadian health care myths

Speaking of Health Care, this guest commentary in the Denver Post recently, Debunking Canadian health care myths, just smacked me in the face when I read it.  Despite the arguable debunking of myths throughout, the first and last paragraphs speak volumes:

First: "As a Canadian living in the United States for the past 17 years, I am frequently asked by Americans and Canadians alike to declare one health care system as the better one." 

(If Canada is so great, why do you, a clinical psychologist, live here?  Love?  Money?  Better health care?)

Last: "It is not a perfect system, but it has its merits. For people like my 55-year-old Aunt Betty, who has been waiting for 14 months for knee-replacement surgery due to a long history of arthritis, it is the superior system. Her $35,000-plus surgery is finally scheduled for next month. She has been in pain, and her quality of life has been compromised. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Aunt Betty — who lives on a fixed income and could never afford private health insurance, much less the cost of the surgery and requisite follow-up care — will soon sport a new, high-tech knee. Waiting 14 months for the procedure is easy when the alternative is living in pain for the rest of your life."

("...it has its merits.  ...She has been in pain, and her quality of life has been compromised.  ...Waiting FOURTEEN MONTHS is easy when the alternative is living in pain for the rest of your life."  Where do I sign up!)

(If the link doesn't work well, try refreshing it a couple of times or search thedenverpost.com.  Author was Rhonda Hackett.)