Do Canadians really get free healthcare?

Question

Is this true or is it a myth? I'm watching the movie, "Sicko," and it sounds as though Canadians do not pay any insurance premiums and don't have to worry about whether or not a certain procedure will get denied, etc. The movie also seems to dispel the myth that you have to wait a long time to get medical help. Can a Canadian please clarify?

Answer 1

Its is true they do, but there is no myth about waiting a long time.

It can take up to 5 years to have surgery.

Answer 2

canadians, dont get denied and such, everything we get done that is manditory(not including plastic surgery ) we do not have to pay for up front, instead we pay taxes on everything with in turn adds up for the cost of medical, so its not exactly free but we dont pay up front and we dont get denied, good movie by the way

Answer 3

d**n right.  I mean, certain procedures that one might consider "cosmetic" or "unnecessary" (like boob jobs, lipo, etc...) do cost a fair bit, but otherwise we do get free healthcare.  However, we get really long wait times for a lot of things, so....

On a side note we don't get free dental.  

Answer 4

I'm sorry but that info is all B.S. I had lived in Canada and decided to back to the States because of their crappy health care system. If you have cancer, expect it to be about 3 to 4 years until you can be admitted.  Health care is NOT free. You pay through the nose in taxes. Their hearts are in the right places put the system does not work especially if most of of the doctors are leaving to practice in the United States. Oh. and drugs are NOT free either.

Answer 5

No myth.  As a Canadian, with a birth certificate, but also working in Canada,  we do get free healthcare.  If you have the OHIP card, that means you are accepted to be able to walk into a hospital and get help.  It doesn't mean you are going to get all the extras free though.  Procedures that are approved will get done.  Being rushed into a hospital procedures will get done.  All extras are your own expense and also medicines.  I believe you get your medicines in the hospital for long stays, but once home you pay or a health care plan if you belong to one.

Emergencies are as quick as they can get to you in an emergency room.  Basically speaking 4 to 6 weeks is appointment time turn over, unless you have some special ongoing situation.

Answer 6

I'm Canadian and yes, everyone is entitled to health care here (minus dental care which we pay for ourselves and sometimes workplaces have dental plans that pay part of the fees).

Its a public health care system here so we don't pay for doctors visits or ER visits. We do pay a fee to see chiropractors, massage therapists, physiotherapists or eye doctors.

Some workplaces offer health coverage through companies and a small fee is taken off of a persons pay. Families with moderate incomes pay a small fee as well for coverage through the Provinces Health Care, and lower income families pay no premium.

Taxes ensure everyone gets the health care they need when they need it.

But basically, yes its free.... for now. Private health care is popping up everywhere and will be just like the USA quite soon.

Answer 7

No its not free. It comes out of Canadian tax payer paychecks in the form of taxes. So its not free as nothing is free and everyone has to get paid. Whether you pay the tax man or the doctor, it is not free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!