Is it true that 95% of Canadians have their major surgeries done in the USA?

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cardboardcastle

Hi,
I am a canadian at university taking canadian studies.
We definately do not have 95% of our population travelling to the states to have major surgeries performed.
I have read a lot about out healthcare system and have heard of isolated incidents where people left canada to get treatment. However, the cost of travel, accommodations, hospitalization, surgery, food, etc would be prohibitive to many canadians.
I looked around for a quick statistic to give you about the # of cross border treatments canadians recieve annually. However, there was no clear statistic.
Actually, there was not even a mention about the issue on the Statistics Canada website or other reputable statistical sites or thinktanks which leads me to believe that it is not a popular alternative to waiting lists for free healthcare.
One statistic that challenges the "95% statistic" is that 4.7 million canadians live with low income, or 16.2% (see link below).
If 16% of the population is low income it stands to reason they could not afford the cost of cross border surgeries...
And if this quick math
(100% (of canadians )
minus 16% (low income)
equals 84 % remaining(average to high income)
calculates canadians with an income able to support paying for private uninsured healthcare, that leaves a gap of 11% in your statistic of 95% of canadians having major surgeries in the states.
Hope this is helpful to you!

srthompson01

No. Canadians have socialized medicine.

Free surgery.

Americans have the most expensive medical care in the world, and if it is better than in Canada it is only by a very small margin.

I can not quote references because I've never even heard of this statistic.

Cherry_Blossom

That figure is greatly exaggerated. Some procedures are done in the United States. This happens when wait times are long. Essential critical (major) care is never an issue getting it done here. The cost of procedures done in the state are covered by our health insurance and as well some reasonable out of pocket expenses. I personally have never waited a long time for any procedure elective or otherwise.

Canucklehead

I don't think that this is accurate at all but I guess it may depend on your exact definition of what a major surgery is. I actually do not know of anyone who has gone to the united states for any surgery (aside from i have heard of some professional athletes doing so).
I also doubt many Canadians would go across the border for surgery most times bc it would be too expensive to do so. Surgeries on Canadians are covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Program) and so they are free, whereas going to the states you would have to pay for the costs yourself (as i doubt many insurance policies would allow for this).

hum

not at all true

but many americans travel to Canada to leach off of our health care because they can not get help there

everyidistaken12

lol no,

American politicians and other interest groups for for-profit health care love to manipulate people to prevent the US from adopting a non-profit system.

No one can provide you the reference because it's that big of a lie!

HOWEVER, people close to the border do sometimes go south for TESTS. IE MRI's in Buffalo get Canadians who are not interested in waiting and have the extra money to afford to just pay for quicker service.

JuanB

No. It is completely wrong. I am Canadian and I don't know anyone who has had surgery in the US. Aunts, Uncles, nephews Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, and grandma have all had surgeries. All 100% in Canada, none with any sort of wait.

Funk-Ski Biznez Man

won't be surprised u wouldn't want ur chest cut in half in minus 40 deg C.

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