The health care systems in the United States and Canada are dramatically different, with the United States having no actual healthcare plan that covers all residents and Canada having a health care system that offers health care for all. While, at first glance, the Canadian health care system might look better to those living in America, the Canadian system has drawbacks as well.



Americans often look at what they pay for healthcare costs and wonder if perhaps the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. On the surface, it appears that Canadians are getting their health care much cheaper than Americans, but if you dig a little deeper, you may see a different side of the story. While the average cost of health services in America is higher than that of Canada, you have to factor in the amount of taxes that Canadians have to pay, the results are much different. Taxes are significantly higher in Canada than they are in the United States and much of the tax money goes to the health system.

Another disadvantage of the health system in Canada is that their health program does not cover all medical services that may be needed. Many medical services require Canadians to pay extra fees and more advanced medical services, or visits to specialists may require even higher fees. Some services may not be covered at all and may require payment by the patient. Not only are there extra fees for patients to pay, but also treatments may delayed as well.

In the United States, individuals pay for their own insurance and not the insurance of someone else. Under Canada's healthcare policy, you still have to pay the same amount of taxes, no matter how much health care you need or use each year. In essence, you may not need healthcare more than once or twice during a year, but the amount of taxes you are paying will be paying for those who needed a great deal of medical attention. Yes, it may appear cheaper, but in reality, you may just be paying someone else's medical bills.

Before you get too excited about Canada's health care program, it is important that you check out all the facts. At first glance, it may appear to be a cheaper way to get healthcare, but a close look will show that Americans have a pretty great plan. Americans are not paying 40%-50% in taxes each year and they get the health plan that they pay for instead of paying for their health care and their neighbors healthcare. The old adage, 'If it seems to good to be true, it probably is', again proves to be correct. While health care may look great in Canada and may seem to be cheaper, it ends up being one of those things that is too good to be true.