Let us not delude ourselves into thinking any healthcare system is self-contained and self-sustaining, equipped to deal with all the needs of its citizenry.
Most European nations ( and Canada, Australia & New Zealand ) are great at dispensing - what can be termed as - "subsistence medicine." Most ailments, procedures and surgeries are handled quite well, although - it has to be said - a tad frugally. ( It is not uncommon for the doctor to under-prescribe medications or opt for a less cost-prohibitive option over another even when the situation could be better dealt with, with a more exhaustive course of prophylaxis)
Plenty of Canadians including the Premier of New Foundland have opted and continue to opt for minimally invasive procedures ( as well as convoluted surgeries ) to be done in the United States, simply because the U.S. is better equipped with the resources and the doctors to deal with such cases.
"This is my heart, it's my health, it's my choice."
With these words, Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams
defended his decision to hop the border and go under the
knife for heart surgery in Florida.
The minimally invasive mitral valve surgery he needed is not
available in Newfoundland, he told his province's NTV News channel
in the first part of an interview aired last night.[1]
For instance, some Canadian patients who are tired of waiting
for procedures in their country's national health system come
to Michigan hospitals. [2]
Even the richest of the rich pick the United States over say European destinations for their medical treatments.
The king (Abdullah of Saudi Arabia), who is 86 years old, was in town
for surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Nov. 24.[3]
[1]
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/its-my-health-i...[2] http://www.cbsnews.com/news/reverse-medical-tourism-points-u...
[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/business/14road.html?_r=0
Most European nations ( and Canada, Australia & New Zealand ) are great at dispensing - what can be termed as - "subsistence medicine." Most ailments, procedures and surgeries are handled quite well, although - it has to be said - a tad frugally. ( It is not uncommon for the doctor to under-prescribe medications or opt for a less cost-prohibitive option over another even when the situation could be better dealt with, with a more exhaustive course of prophylaxis)
Plenty of Canadians including the Premier of New Foundland have opted and continue to opt for minimally invasive procedures ( as well as convoluted surgeries ) to be done in the United States, simply because the U.S. is better equipped with the resources and the doctors to deal with such cases.
Even the richest of the rich pick the United States over say European destinations for their medical treatments. [1] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/its-my-health-i...[2] http://www.cbsnews.com/news/reverse-medical-tourism-points-u...
[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/business/14road.html?_r=0