Question for Canadians

I will also support those who are saying that they have not experienced undue difficulty getting appointments with docs in Canada. When I first started having symptoms of UC, after my GP referred me, I saw my Canadian GI within a week for a colonoscopy. The second time I flared the same GI had me in for another colonoscopy to confirm his original diagnoses within a week again. Really, I did not have to wait at all to see a GI. This was in Toronto and I realize that it is more difficult to find docs outside the city and perhaps wait times may be longer if you are not willing to drive into a city. But currently living in rural New Mexico I have to drive 2 hours to see my GI and my wait time for an appointment is at least three weeks. So Canada or the States, if you live in a small town you will have a problem finding docs in it and will have to drive and/or wait. Also, walk in clinics still offer good care, with qualified docs, the main drawback is that you cant make an appointment.

You are right that in Ontario you will pay more taxes than you will in States. But if you look at any of the comparisons between US and Canadian healthcare you will find that US citizens on average pay 3 times what Canadians pay for healthcare, they just dont pay it byway of taxes. Quite honestly I have never, ever felt 'safe' from corrupt insurance practices down here despite the insane amount of money I pay for it.

jo