A message to our American neighbours,
Canadians have been watching and reading about your national debate over how to reform your health care system. Normally, of course, we would not attempt to intervene or influence you: it's obviously up to you decide how to provide health care for your citizens.
But Canadians are shocked and even angry that their health-care system -- called Medicare -- has been used to frighten Americans trying to make up their minds. Some of what has been said about our Medicare system (of which we are very proud) are outright falsehoods - like the claim that we can't choose our own doctors or that government "bureaucrats" can can deny us needed treatment.
These falsehoods would be laughable were it not for the fact that Americans might abandon the opportunity for excellent, less expensive health care because they believe these stories.
We want you to know the truth about our Medicare system so that when you make up your mind it will be on the basis of facts, not falsehoods. This page will collect testimonials from ordinary Canadians who have used our system and from the professionals - doctors, nurses, administrators - who provide the services. It also has links to websites explaining how our Medicare works and links to campaigns in your own country fighting for a single-payer system like ours, or at least a public option. We hope this helps clarify an extremely complicated debate.
