We are having a firsthand experience with the Canadian universal health care system. Before coming to Canada we had heard that health care is good, but substantial delays exist. I am having a small problem with what appears to be a pinched nerve in my left elbow. I saw a primary care doctor July 19 for a referral. I received a call on August 29 from a neurology clinic to schedule an appointment with a specialist. The appointment is set for January 16.

There are many who believe that the US should have a health care system similar to what's available in Canada. However, one of the problems that Canada has is a scarcity of resources. I remember reading several years ago that the city of Chicago has more MRI machines than all of Canada.

Below are excerpts from an article comparing the cost of health care in Canada and the US. It comes from Fraser Institute Blog, dated March 31, 2016.

"Health-care spending accounts for a high share of Gross Domestic Product in the United States, relative to Canada. In 2013, U.S. health-care spending accounted for 17.1 per cent of GDP, versus just 10.7 per cent in Canada, according to an October 2015 report from the Commonwealth Fund.

"In U.S dollars, health-care spending was $9,086 per capita in the U.S. in 2013, versus only $4,569 in Canada.

"2013, U.S. GDP per capita was $53,135 versus just $42,701 in Canada. When U.S. health-care spending is subtracted from GDP, Americans still had $44,049 per capita to spend on all other goods and services. Canadian GDP per capita after health-care spending was only $38,132. So, even though American health care is significantly more expensive than Canadian health care, the average American enjoyed just under $6,000 more income after health-care spending than his Canadian neighbour."

 Click on this link if you wish to read the entire article:  The reality of U.S. and Canadian health-care spending