Spot on MajorD.. since leaving Canada, I lived in Australia, the UK and now Switzerland... and in each and every case the healthcare was nationalised. Only here in Switzerland is it a bit of a 'funny system'. Don't get me wrong, the healthcare is top notch and there are literally no line ups for anything... but as it is a competitive market, profit based, but they are forced to provide you a certain level of care with no pre-conditions (I think the US model may become similar) it is very, very expensive. For my small family I pay approx. 900 CAD per month for health care. On top of that, if I or any of my family gets sick, we have a 1,500 CAD 'franchise' (where you pay the first 1,500 and then get covered for the rest). In many ways, that part is fair as it keeps folks going for no reason... but...

Profit based medicine is the problem. Sorry, I just don't agree with the system... I get floods of bills through the mail that I pay and then claim for. I see every bill in my families name and it's crazy. I get a different bill regarding medical nearly every day, with various logs for opening files or signing papers or answering e-mails! (Each e-mail answered on your behalf is 15 CAD!). It's almost enough to drive me back to Canada... honestly. We're a very healthy family, but the number and amount for the bills is amazing. I can't count how many times we have had to translate the German only to find they have 'made a mistake' and failed to cover something the correct way. No matter how I view it, it's inefficient, gives doctors too much power (like e-mailing back and forth to each other and charging) and not transparent even when it's designed to be.

Give me Canadian health care any day of the week... best I have ever experienced. I have never lived in the states, and that is the number one reason. I honestly wish the best for americans and hope they find a good system, but if it's simply moderation and not a complete overhaul, I don't expect you to be happy about it in the future. Don't listen to the conservative right wing rubbish about socialism.... is your fire protection socialist? how bout your library? Police? hmmm...