Despite what some Canadians are saying, this story sound completely plausible to me, based on real life experiences from relatives and friends who live in Canada.

Most people are satisfied with their health care system, until they get seriously ill.

My dad has stage 4 colon cancer with liver metastasis and he has permanent resident status in Canada, and has had since 1981. He had colon resection surgery 3 days after diagnosis, He started chemo 4 weeks after diagnoses. He believes he would be dead by now if he stayed in Canada. After treatment with Xeloda (Oral Chemotherapy) his liver tumors have shrunk by 3/4. Thank God he has Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield through his Federal retirement, and has elected to pay his monthly premium, even though he was being taxed for the Canadian Health System as well.

He has volunteered to drive several people from Church and places he's worked, who can not pay for US treatments on their own down to Seattle. He's paid for many diagnostic tests out of his own pocket, MRIs included.

Do the math, there simply aren't enough MRI machines in Canada to provide an MRI for everyone who needs one, in a timely manner.

When figuring the overall tax rate in Canada don't forget their ginormous sales taxes. They call them "Value added", as if the government is adding value to every product and service.

Also, bear in mind that every few years our government power structure does a 180 because we only have 2 political parties. No programs work as well in the US as they do in countries with several competing political parties. If dems don't want to compromise, they don't have to, which pretty much insures that when republicans take over they will re-write the Bill. In America, nothing the government does works well. Our constitution is different. There is no authority in our constitution for 2/3 of the crap Congress comes up with.

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!