My experience with the Canadian medical system wasn't bad, although it is far from perfect.

I fell from a step ladder, missing the bottom step and landed on my butt on a concrete floor. Broke my femur a few inches below the top. An ambulance took me to the local hospital, I was x-rayed, operated on and had a pin inserted into the bone. Next day they had me walking for physiotherapy. To check some other potential problems I had more x-rays, ultrasound and MRI. I spent a month in the hospital to recover and to receive physio. After discharge I am now receiving physio three times a week in my home.

All this is covered by government medicare, I just have to show them my medical card, and I walked out paying nothing. This is not a free program, we have to pay an annual fee with our income tax and employers also have to pay a fee for each employee. Those without employment income or those who do not pay income tax do not pay anything.

As a side note, my hospital admission document advises non-residents will have to pay between $2404.00 for ward up to $5100.00 per day for intensive care or the coronary unit.

Yes, some services have a wait-list because there is a shortage of certain specialties, and some doctors complain that they don't get paid what they think they are worth. But it is a better system than I see operating in the US.

I do have private health insurance from my employer, this covers fees and services that medicare doesn't. But medicare covers the basic services that most people need.