I’ll take Canada’s health-care system

Re: Pence blasts Canadian health system — Sept. 26

So, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence slammed the Canadian health-care system in a recent radio interview.

I am tired of, and angry at, the incessant American political rhetoric slamming Canada’s and my healthcare system. The U.S. denigrating, impulsive oratory is becoming tiresome, which only categorically demonstrates that it is bereft of any conception of how our system has worked successfully for so many years.

Granted, there are flaws and weaknesses in the Canadian health-care system, but these shortcomings are greatly overshadowed by the high standard of care and treatment Canadians receive. Americans fail to grasp the reality that treatment is given to all ages without fear of being in a senior age group where you are considered excess baggage and put to the back of the line.

Americans can argue about purported high Canadian taxes but Canadians can go to a hospital without fear of not having a chequebook in their pocket. American families have been financially devastated by unexpected high health-care costs. Their health management organizations are a joke and American health insurance companies are constantly under the microscope because of their controversial high premiums and reduction of coverage.

Before any further U.S. criticism of Canada’s health care, Americans should realize that when a health dilemma occurs to a Canadian family, we have the assurance of receiving free treatment with the absence of red-tape anxiety. Is Pence able to give that assurance to Americans? The ongoing confrontational U.S. health-care debate is in shambles as the clamour for a solution is deafening. Gary Megaffin Kitchener