Using Canadian Healthcare: A Tragic Comedy of Errors

A recent occurrence has highlighted the ground reality of the Canadian healthcare system, a system that is often idealized for its ‘free’ and ‘universal’ nature. Glen McGregor, a Canadian citizen, revealed that he hurt his knee during a softball game and that he is in need of an MRI scan. However, the provincial laws insist on obtaining an ultrasound before the MRI. To add to his trials, the local medical imaging facility informed him that he would have to join a waitlist with an estimated time frame of one to two years to get an ultrasound. This is the eye-opening reality of the ‘universal’ healthcare that the Canadians have to endure.

The commenters on McGregor’s post alluded that this is a clear representation of ‘universal’ healthcare – the long waits and bureaucracy. They pointed out that this situation is worsened by subsidizing healthcare for a substantial number of illegal immigrants. Canada’s readiness and willingness to provide ‘Medical Assistance In Dying’ (MAID) has been emphasized, an option for those who can’t wait for their turn in the seemingly endless queue. On the other hand, the sky-high costs of healthcare in the United States are compensated by the speedy and almost immediate access to healthcare when needed.

One cannot overlook the dire outcomes of central economic planning, especially when it comes to healthcare. Revisiting the days when ‘Obamacare’ dominated the headlines, the conversation typically circled around the supposed gains of ‘free’ and ‘universal’ healthcare. An interesting facet of these discussions was the mention of the MRI scan, an important healthcare tool often featured during these debates.

There was a speaker who strongly endorsed the Canadian healthcare model while criticizing the abundance of MRI facilities in the United States. This person argued that the limited number of MRI facilities in Canada was very acceptable. The speaker aired grievances about both hospitals in her town having MRI machines and an increase in the number of hospital beds. ‘Why should every town have an MRI facility?’ was her fervent outcry against the perceived excess of resources in the U.S. healthcare system.

It was her belief, despite not being a physician or a healthcare administration expert, that the government was better equipped to determine the healthcare services required in any area. These conversations took place roughly 15 years ago. Today, McGregor waits for his turn on the one to two-year waitlist for an ultrasound, after which he will be put on another waitlist for an MRI scan, no doubt. One must wonder, would this speaker still consider the situation ‘just fine’?

The statement ‘Health care is a human right’ could be seen as an unassailable truth. However, with McGregor’s experience as a case in point, it’s clear that when healthcare becomes a function of the government, it transitions from a right to a scant option. This is the stark difference between the rhetoric and the reality.

Many express assurance that the governing bodies, in league with their cronies, can allocate resources and produce society’s goods and services in a more equitable and efficient way than private enterprises. Yet, the narratives of the past suggest otherwise. Critics of communism and socialism rightly highlight the political repression common to these ideologies. But it’s vital to remember that the majority of the estimated 100 million to 150 million deaths under such regimes were not due to wars, concentration camps, or dictators enact political ‘purges’. Instead, they perished due to starvation.

One could talk at lengths about the woes individuals have had to endure under these regimes – starvations and privations of all kinds. Those who survived tell tales of hardship that aren’t easy to forget. One would think that these harrowing illustrations, repeated time and time again, with countless human lives lost as evidence, would serve as compelling enough warning against such ideologies.

Despite this, history seemingly continues to echo itself with the mayoral candidate of New York City proudly identifying as a socialist. This candidate is advocating for various policy recommendations including government-owned grocery stores. It is indeed a sign of the times.

Perhaps New York City could learn from those who have trodden this path before. Nations such as Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam, North Korea, Zimbabwe, and the erstwhile Soviet Union can all attest to the pitfalls of government overreach in economic affairs. Placing governance in charge of anything economic invariably leads to inflation, inefficiency, and inaccessibility unless, of course, one belongs to the elite minority with wealth or political influence.

Let’s be candid, Communists, socialists, central planners of any shade, should never be granted power. Time and again, they have shown that their policies lead to disastrous outcomes. Keep in mind, it’s not simply the political oppression these systems are known for, but the severe economic and human cost.

Conclusively, the incident of McGregor’s knee injury and his subsequent experiences in the Canadian healthcare system reflect the grim reality of state-run healthcare mechanisms. Just like any resplendent motto, ‘free’ and ‘universal’ healthcare sounds appealing in theory. Yet, when applied, it may not bear the promised fruits and quite often results in distortions and inefficiencies.

In a world where socialist and communist ideologies continue to endure, primarily through their romanticization in the narratives of some politicians who turn a blind eye towards historical evidence, vigilance and discernment become essential. Let’s allow these tales of hardship serve not as forgotten echoes from the past but as guiding lights towards a more equitable and prosperous future.