This probably explains why Canadians are reported to spend over a $1 billion in the US each year on medical services, mostly surgery. Anyone ever hear of a US citizen going to Canada for a hip replacement?

Somebody said that Canada DOES have a private health care sector...it's the USA

One of the commenters asked how he could get a US healthcare plan without working for a US company. Lately I've been hearing ads for a "botique care" doctor who charges a monthly fee and does the General Practitioner deal— physicals, basic prescriptions, and referrals to specialists. Oddly enough, he also has a gym that a subscription gets access to.

The ads say he does this for $60 a month. That's not too bad in terms of "insurance" and it probably makes everything a whole lot easier on the doctor. (I've been reading The Doc Is In's explanation of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursal and the time and money needed makes the idea of going to a non-insurance style of care very attractive.)

My husband says that when he got a molar removed, the place that did the surgery had a "no-insurance" option that wasn't too expensive. One suspects that the costs of government compliance vastly increase the costs of care.