Canadians cross the border because wait times are lengthy here, and in many, but not all cases, the surgery can be done much quicker in the US. As far as th quality of surgeons, we have many internationally recognized surgeons, and so-so surgeons, just like anywhere else.

In the odd case, and I mean infrequent, the level of care may not be quite as sufficient here than in the US, or the available equipment as well. And if it is very serious, life threatening disease, which may go well beyond are area of expertise, or availability, then the patient goes to the US. Sometimes, the government will cover some, or all of the costs if required, but not all the time.

As far as who pays for this free stuff? I guess we do, in the form of taxes. Whether there is a small payroll tax, GST, taxes on gasoline, whatever, we pay, but it is sort of buried. I break my leg tonight, if I cannot get there, an ambulance will bill me $25.00 in the mail. Once they take me to the hospital, I don't see any charges whatsoever. Whether the cast costs $50.00, or $500.00, I do not see an invoice. I think that is fair.

There's pros and cons to this issue, and everyone has there opinion. For the majority of Cnadains, they wouldn't have it any other way. Medicine in Canda is treated as a necessity. Not as a business, especially on the NYSE. Medicine for profit? Or medicine because of care? In Canada, care!

Our perscription drugs are a helluva lot cheaper and that is why some US states purchase their drugs in Canada.

Anyhow, that is my opinion.